Is two weeks in Ireland too long?

In my opinion, two weeks is perfect, but you need to make sure that you use it to see ALL of Ireland. We spent 5 days in Dublin and 3 in Cork, and didn't get to see the rest of Ireland, something I now regret. Flights are cheap if you hop from place to place in Ireland (Ryanair) or you can take the train around.

I really recommend Cork. It is one of my favorite cities in the world.

Have fun!

Keri - we had a 2 week trip in Ireland in 2004. It was great and we still did not get to Northern Ireland. Our itinerary looked like this:

Dublin - 2 nights (included day tour to Newgrange)

Cashel - 2 nights (Rock of Cashel & Waterford)

Kinsale - 2 nights (included stop at Blarney castle)

Kenmare - 1 night

Dingle - 3 nights (this was our favorite and we were glad to have the extra day there for some downtime)

Connemara region - 2 nights (stayed at Ballynahinch castle - our splurge for the trip, we hiked Crough Patrick)

Burren region - 2 nights (included trip to Cliffs of Moher)

Note - we did this as a car trip and it takes longer than you think to get from place to place. There are also so many great places to stop at on your way from one town to the other. We drove the Ring of Berea and did the Dingle drive as well. Loved Ireland and would go again.

You could spend a month in Ireland and you still won't cover everything worth seeing.

For 2 weeks, decide what your priorities are - do you prefer cities, or spending more time outdoors?

For a first timer, I'd suggest flying into Shannon and spending a week in Western Ireland (Galway, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Connemara, Dingle Pen.) and then head to Northern Ireland for Belfast or Derry and the Antrim Coast (Giants Causeway) for half a week and finally move down to Dublin for the last few days. Fly back from Dublin.

My wife and I just returned from two weeks in Ireland. We thought it was the perfect amount of time to see it, although we did not see the North.

The one absolute must is that you need to go out west. Spectacular scenery.

Here was our itinerary:

Dublin. 4 nights. One day trip to Newgrange and Hill of Tara.

Waterford. 1 night. Not essential. This was basically a rest stop for us on the way to Cork.

Kinsale. 2 nights. A gorgeous small medieval town. The "gourmet capital" of Ireland. You can base yourself here while exploring Co. Cork.

Kenmare. 1 night. Just a stopover before seeing the Ring of Kerry the next day.

Dingle. 2 nights. A wonderful small town. Great place for Irish music.

Kilrush. 1 night. Stopover on way to the Cliffs and the Burren.

Galway. 2 nights.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

Keri, The two weeks depends on whether you are on a vacation or a driving marathon. If you want a vacation then two weeks is not nearly long enough, if you want to spend most of your time driving then the two weeks is fine.
A trip of two weeks should include some time in the north of Ireland. Most Americans do not seem to realize there is a lot to see in Donegal and Northern Ireland. Of course the one thing you will miss by going to the north is the hordes of other tourists who descend on the west and south.

We're planning to spend 2 weeks just in the west--Kinsale, Cork, Kenmare, Dingle, and Galway and we wish we had more time!

Pat,

Could you be a bit more condescending while giving advice?? Not everyone has the money or the time off from work and other responsiblities to vacation for more than two weeks.

I just got back from two weeks in Ireland, and only spent about 2-3 hours a day driving. I did not go to the North, but that just gives me a good reason to go back someday.

I just took the RS two week tour of Ireland and thought it was a great overview, but I would have stayed longer if vacation time and funds would have allowed. Check the itinerary under the "tours" tab above. I highly recommend the West coast as well - three days in Dingle actually wasn't enough, I just loved it out there. The Aran Islands (Inishmore, the largest) was one of the best days of the trip, but it does kind of take up a whole day. Keep in mind that it does take longer to get from point A to point B (smaller, windy roads) but the scenery is so beautiful, who cares!

Two weeks is great! It is a small island- not as small as Whidbey, but...slow travel is definitely the way to appreciate it. Walking and being flexible helps. THe first trip I took I imagined driving the circumference in 10 days. Instead, we got to Galway, Doolin and stayed in Clare and North Kerry over week. I just couldn't leave.
Take some tours with locals as Rick recommends and slow down. I would add, try public transportation - in my experience US drivers are easily recognizable at the end of the day- they are still quivering. Plus, the high hedges make bus views more interesting and lead to fewer arguments....and car scratches.
Bring a light raincoat and you'll be in heaven.

NOOO!!!

You will love the Dingle area and Ring of Kerry........the people, the scenery and the pace....WONDERFUL!

We were there in May and spent nine days.......we spent two days in Dublin.....we could've done more there.

I recommend going to Howth --- a little fishing village just outside Dublin.....

We visited the Cliffs of Moher and loved it...

didn't have time for Galway and would have like to .....

ENJOY!

No, two weeks is not too long. We spent 3 weeks there and wished we'd had more time to see the Aran Islands.

We just spent almost 2 weeks in Ireland and it was not nearly long enough to see all that we wanted to see. There is just so much to see and do! I would suggest limiting your visit to a smaller section of Ireland than some other have suggested. The roads are narrow and bumpy and it really does take longer to get from place to place than Americans are used to. You don't want to spend everyday just driving and looking out the window and not experiencing anything.

This was our itinerary:
Day 1: Flew into Shannon, drove to Cashel, Rock of Cashel, stayed a B&B
Day 2: Made a loop day trip to Kilkenny - Kilkenny castle, shopping. Then on to Cahir and Cahir Castle and Swiss cottage. Then back to Cashel
Day 3: drove over the scenic "V" road from Cahir to Lismore, visited Blarney castle ( yes it was fun!)stayed that night in Kinsale.
Day 4: Kinsale walking tour, shopped, watched Crystal cutting demo at Kinsale Crystal, Charles Fort, Old Head. Stayed Kinsale B&B again.
Day 5: Drove coast road thru many small towns, Drombeg stone circle, Stayed in Kenmare. Went on to Killarney for the evening to see RiverDance and then back to the B&B Kenmare.
Day 6: Boat trip to Skellig Michael from Derrynane Harbor, then south loop of Ring of Kerry. Stayed again in Kenmare at B&B
Day 7 Kissane Sheep farm sheep herding and shearing demos ( very fun!) on the ROK between Kenmare and Killarney near Moll's Gap. Sta
Day 8: Dingle and shopping in Dingle because of rain.
Day 9: Part of Slea Head drive -- foggy -- then Eco Boat trip around the Blaskets. Stayed at same Dingle B&B
Day 10: Fog and Rain gone so finally drove Slea Head drive, then on to Cliffs Of Moher. Stayed in Doolin
Day 11: Pitch N Putt golf and touring the Burren. Stayed in Galway.
Day 12: wandered from Galway towards Bunratty on a rainy day. Quin Abbey, Dromoland castle, shopping in Ennis. Stayed in Bunratty B&B
Day 13: flew home out of Shannon

If only we had had 6+ more days!!! I could have easily fille

My daughter and I spent 7 days in Ireland year, and isn't wasn't enough, so I'm going back this year for two.
Last year we spent 2 days in Galway, on night on Inis Mor (not to be missed!), 2 days in Killarny, and 2 in Dublin.
Happy travels.

Keri,
My last trip to Ireland (2006) was for 2 weeks and it was not long enough! But, we met lots of travelers who were on their 5th or more vacations in Ireland.

I agree to pick a smaller area if you might be going back sometime in the future. I am also going this September (for the 2nd time) and am staying mostly in Cork, Kerry and Clare counties. Lots I didn't get to see last time.
I hope to do another trip in a year or two to see Northern Ireland.

I think wherever you go you will have a wonderful time. Ireland is BEAUTIFUL!

Also, travel time is longer than here in the USA. Lots of twisty turny sometimes unmarked roads. Plan to use more time to get from one place to another.

Wherever you end up, have a great trip!

Nope. 2 weeks go by pretty quickly actually