We are flying into Dublin late on a July Friday and out on Monday morning. My kids (both big Lord of the Rings and Artemis Fowl book fans) said they would rather see Newgate/Tara/prehistoric and possibly coastline than Dublin and would like to hear some Irish music. Yea! I guess that means the giant toystore and foreign department store era of travel with my kids is over! I don't want to rent a car, I hate driving abroad and it will be late Friday evening when we get there. I'm looking for ideas on where to stay (coastline north of Dublin?) and maybe a tour company to the prehistoric sites? Any insight would be welcome. We are Episcopal and the other request is a picturesque Irish Anglican Church to attend on Sunday.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32202 posts
Kelley, you've basically just got Saturday and Sunday for all sightseeing, so that doesn't leave much time.
Regarding the Church, I can't recall if Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin in Anglican or Catholic, but it's certainly in a convenient location.
You might try a net search of "Irish tours" to get some idea which firms offer tours to the sites you're interested in. For that short time, hiring your own driver might be an option?
Good luck!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
You can arrange day trips to Newgrange and the Boyne River valley area at the Tourist Information desk at Dublin airport. By taking DART rapid transit you could stay in Howth or Dun Laoghaire, both north of Dublin.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Kelley, Christ Church and St. Patricks are both Church of Ireland (Anglican) and are only about a 10 minute walk apart.
Posted by
Boise, ID, usa
9 posts
If you are not wanting to rent a car, the suggestion about taking day tours out of Dublin would be a good idea in my opinion(as previously suggested). There are some great tours out of the city to see Newgrange/Knowth and Tara and other sites in the Boyne Valley.
I think the person who posted saying Dun Laoghaire is north of Dublin might have been thinking of Drogheda. It's north of Dublin on the coast. I've not been there on my trips to Ireland, so I cannot say whether I'd recommend it or not. You can get to Drogheda by train (http://www.translink.co.uk/nir.asp). I don't know how late they run, but in June I should think it would be pretty late.
I will say this: Whatever you decide to do, you will love Ireland! Are you really only going to be there for two full days? You are going to be really sorry you're not spending more time!
Slainte!
Kate
Posted by
Boise, ID, usa
9 posts
Sorry! I forgot to mention that the trains leave from Connolly station in downtown Dublin...
Kate
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I wasn't thinking of Drogheda, I was thinking of Dun Laoghaire -- I just had my directions confused. Dun Laoghaire is south of the city, on the coast. Drogheda is nothing special, in my opinion. There's a pretty, new bridge there, and a section of the old city wall, but that's about it.
Posted by
Boise, ID, usa
9 posts
From everything I've seen and what I've heard from locals in Ireland, Nancy, you are right. There's nothing very special about Drogheda!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Nothing special in Drogheda? The church has the skeleton head of St. Charles Plunkett on the alter all dressed up in jewels! Just kidding, I thought it was neat but wouldn't recommend it as a must see.
Depending on time, I think the tour bus to Newgrange/Boyne Valley is a good day trip. If you have time there is another daytrip South to a monestary ruin. There is plenty in Dublin to see as well.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
The monastery Brad is referring to is Glendalough, a monastic settlement in the Wicklow Mountains. It is a wonderful place to visit, but I understand that it is packed with tourists on summer weekends.