Hello all, I may need a reality check on my Ireland plans. I'm flying into Dublin arriving Monday, leaving the following Monday. I want to spend a few days in Belfast as my father was born there. I figure I'll go straight there by bus from DUB since I wont need a car in the city and dont want to drive on the left for the first time jet lagged. I like nature and views, and old architecture more than modern cities. I'll be back some day. Current plan: Monday - Bus to Belfast, walking tour of the city Tuesday - Family history research Weds - Remnants of reseach, pick up rental car, drive the coast to Portrush via Larne Thurs - Early start on the Giants causeway, coast sights, then drive to Derry for 2 nights Friday - Visit Glenveaugh Park
Saturday up in the air, leaning to drive South to Galway and touch the recommended loop via Westport, etc. Sunday - more sights around Galway, evening drive to Dub via the motorway for Monday flight out. Could also skip Glenveaugh if you think its not worthy in favor of more time in Galway area or, I know, most will want me to go into Dublin. There'll be time for that on a later trip if not this one...
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
You can get to Belfast about an hour quicker if you take the train instead. Bue Eireann shows the journey at 2 hr 25 min. The train is 90 minutes. But if your flight, like many, arrives around 9:00, it will be later morning before you even get out of the airport and into town. Glenveagh is nice, but I would opt to head a little bit further south and see the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, then return to Galway.
Posted by
OP
Westborough, MA
4 posts
Thanks much. Since DUB is north of the city, don't I have to backtrack to Dublin to get the train to Belfast, or does the train stop at the airport? I'm gonna do Dublin at the end of my trip if at all, so that I'm in Belfast on weekdays.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
You do have to go into the city to get the train.
Posted by
sarasota, fl
72 posts
Another suggestion, I will be flying in and out of Dublin in Sept but plan to spend the first few days in Belfast to do family research as well. I'm taking the bus (Aircoach) straight from the Dublin Airport to downtown Belfast, less than a 2 hr trip and very reasonable. If you don't need to go into Dublin on arrival, this is much faster. Also, since I'm arriving on a Sunday early in the day and too early to check in to my hotel, I'm taking a tour on the HOHO bus tour to get my bearings in Belfast. Since my hotel is right on the tour, I plan to drop off my bag early. Have fun.