Going to the British Isles in February...Need a few questions answered!

All a U.S. citizen needs to enter either the UK or Ireland is a valid passport. Your visa will be issued upon arrival. (London and Edinburgh are in the same country. You don't need a passport to travel between London and Edinburgh). Ireland is separate country and yes your passport will be checked.

I can recommend a couple of day trips out of Dublin. Newgrange (Bru na Boinne) and the Boyne River valley is one that I really enjoyed. Newgrange is an ancient site with a fascinating history. (Knowth, which is also in the same area, will be closed when you are there.) There are lots of package day tours available to that area, and the bonus is that in February there are no crowds!

Another day trip would be to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough. This is an ancient monastic settlement in the mountains south of Dublin. Again, no crowds in February. I was told by the guide there that during the high season it is crammed with people on weekends. Some tours to this area include Powerscourt, whose gardens won't be particularly impressive in February.

Trips to these two areas would give you a look at two very different kinds of landscape in the Dublin area. The Cliffs of Moher are wonderful, but are on the opposite side of the country. You don't say how you would be traveling (train, car, bus) but it's at least a three hour drive to get there (and another three hours back), which would make it a very long day even before allowing for sightseeing time. Travel by public transport would limit your time further still. I would suggest saving the beauty of western Ireland for another trip. Check with the Tourist Information desk at the airport to see what kinds of day tours are available out of Dublin.

Eric,

If you don't have time to take 1/2 a day to drive from Dublin to the west coast and then spend a few days out west, then I would stay in Dublin and save the west for another time.

It takes a lot longer to travel in Ireland than it might look.

Newgrange is a great day trip rom Dublin. I took the Mary Gibbons tour, which was great.

Current passport is all you need.

I've taken the Newgrange daytrip on Bus Eirenn out of the downtown Dublin bus station. We bought our tickets one evening and went the next morning, no other reservation needed.

Glendalough would be another similar daytrip out of Dublin that includes a monastic settlement.

Both tours are rich in Irish history and scenery and were very reasonably priced.

Be ready for wind and wet. An unlined Gore-tex parka with a couple of sweaters or fleece for layering will keep you dry and warm.

I wouldn't cross the country if you only have a couple of days.

To arrange one of the daytrips recommended above, go to the Dublin TI. It sits right next to Dublin Castle in a converted church. You'll find all the info there.

Nobody mentioned the Book of Kells in Trinity College Library, Dublin. In my view, the best place to visitin Dublin. Even the library itself is well worth a visit, lined floor to 2-3 storey ceiling with books.

Cliffs of Moher is too far unless you hvae time to stay on the west coast. Cork is worth a visit, but is also quite a distance, but on better roads than the Cliffs. If you do go to Cork, visit the Waterford Crystal plant on th way there or back.

Closer to Dublin, Malahide Castle is interesting, particularly if it is raining - almost quaranteed in February!

Probably no one mentioned the Book of Kells because Eric was asking about day trips outside of Dublin, not things to see IN Dublin. I've been to Ireland twice in February and neither time has there been more than a drizzle of rain. In fact, both times it was surprisingly warm, except for one day in Dublin when it was cold enough to see the random snowflake for an hour or so.

Connections to Gillingham are plentiful via Victoria Station.

Kent is called the Garden of England. There are a few historic sights dotted along the countryside.

I've passed through Gillingham many times. Perhaps if you plan to go that far combine it with a day trip to Rochester or Canterbury to make it worthwhile.