Hi, I'm trying to help my daughter with her itinerary and 10 years ago we had an amazing 3 week trip in Ireland that I think she's trying to recreate but having difficulty with the trip from Dingle to Doolin. I clearly remember taking a ferry for a portion of it and connecting in Tralee, with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher. I know that bus continued on to Galway because we left our video camera onboard and they had me meet the bus driver on his way back down to retrieve it! lol I have tried and tried to find a way that this would make sense searching bus times, travel forums etc but coming up blank. The second part of my question is how to fit in Northern Ireland from Galway and your suggestions. They'll have 4 nights 5 days (June 26-30) and would love to see the Giants Causeway. Would it be good to go from Galway to Donegal or Derry, overnight then on to Belfast and do a day trip to the Giants Causeway from there? They found a house with Titanic history in Dublin on Airbnb and booked that for 2 nights (June 29 & 30) then fly out to Amsterdam July 1st.
Thank you!
Posted by
Land of La
9217 posts
So they are traveling by bus and not driving themselves? Is she over 21? If she could rent a car and drive the itinerary would easily be doable. Have never used public transport in Eire or NI so can't comment on times, routes, etc.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
You can get the bus schedules here: http://www.buseireann.ie/ I recently travelled by bus from Doolin to Tralee, which is on the way to Dingle, and we went around through Ennis and Limerick. I don't think the public buses use the ferry.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX, United States
56 posts
They are just 21, taking public transport, car rental not possible. I've used the link to look at bus schedules, and searched the internet. Putting it out to the help line looking for people with experience to share a possible solution or something I haven't seen. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
16 posts
Grace, To get to Galway from dingle requires a few buses, but they are easy transfers. You go from Dingle to Tralee, from Tralee to Limerick, then Limerick to Galway. You can use the journey planner on the Bus Eireann website and it puts it all together for you. you can buy the tickets on the day of travel, or in advance. To get from Galway up to NI can be done two ways: 1. Take the #64 bus from Galway to Derry (the schedule is on the bus Eireann website and can be downloaded as a pdf), then take a bus to Portrush or a train to Portrush (via Coleraine). Portrush is very close to the causeway and publis transit can get them there easily (although it has limited runs and times). You can find the schedules on translink.co.uk. Again, they have schedules you can download and you can search for giant's causeway easily to narrow the options from the many schedules. 2. Take a train from Galway to Dublin (Heuston), transfer easily by Luas (tram) to Dublin Connolly), then take a train to Belfast, transfer to another train up to Portrush. Takes a bit longer, but trains are easier to walk around on and stretch your legs on a longer journey. Both ways are scenic. You could stay in Belfast and access the Giant's causeway with any of the many daytours that will take you there (and to a few other spots). But, if you are wanting to head to the causeway yourself, on your own schedule, then portrush makes a better base. Cheers! shelby