I am traveling to Dublin for a seminar - 1 week Monday thru Friday morning in July 2011. I have heard that there are lots of small towns that I can travel to from Dublin in the afternoons (the daily seminar lectures are morning only). Any suggestions on how to spend my afternoons? Also I want to go to Edinburgh. What is the best way to get to Edinburgh from Dublin - train or plane? I want to see the most I can in two days. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
Ocean Shores, Wa, USA
124 posts
Are you able to rent a car and drive? That would make it easier IMHO, otherwise try for organized tours...don't know how many leave in the afternoon...I know most leave in the morning. Otherwise public transportaion; bus or taxi, the latter expensive. Some afternoon trips you might consider from Dublin: (1) Trim and Trim Castle. Nearby is Hill of Tara (2) Newgrange: a bit more tricky unless you can arrange an afternoon tour through Mary Gibbons or similar. Don't know if you can pre-book a ticket/time slot on your own. There are a limited number of tour slots, and when they are full, you must go another day. (3) Glendaloch; St. Kevin's Monastic settlement and ruins. Beautiful hike up to waterfall. (4) Powerscourt Gardens. Not to far from Glendaloch, but not sure if you could do both in the same afternoon.
(5) Malahide Castle, closer in, as well as some of the nice suburb towns North and South sides of Dublin. Hope this is helpful. D.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Dan has outlined the major sites outlying Dublin. But there is a lot to see in Dublin itself, particulaly Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Grafton St, Merrion Square and the Georgian house tour there, and the various National Museums. Hopefully you'll have enough time to visit some of those, as well.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
With only two days to spare, the best way to get to Edinburgh from Dublin would be to fly. Otherwise all of your time will be spent on trains and a ferry.
Posted by
OP
Naples
12 posts
Thanks for the response. My seminar is at Trinity College, so I will spend some time in Dublin looking at the sites. Other than Edinburgh Castle, what should I absolutely not miss in Scotland?
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
With only two days, I would spend my time in Edinburgh. In addition to the Castle, you'll want to wander down the Royal Mile. There are lots of things to see. My personal favorites are Gladstone's Land, the Museum of Scotland and Holyrood Palace. But you also need to get over to New Town. Check out the Georgian House. You'll want to check out if there is an interesting exhibit at the National Gallery. If you are a bit of a monarchist, you should check the Royal Yacht Britannia. It's a great tour. If you want to hear some traditional music check out Sandy's Bells near the University. It's a wonderful city. While July is not as mad as August, I would book a room a soon as July is a heavy tourist time. Pam