Hey! Hoping for some good feedback for a solo traveller. I'm planning a trip in mid to late November for about 10 days. Flying in and out of Dublin and I don't plan on renting a car (trains all the way). I want to keep the trip somewhat relaxing. Was thinking of keeping it to Dublin, Galway and Northern Ireland. So asking for your help on the following: 1) Inexpensive lodging close to center of town for each city (ok with hostels as long there is an option for leaving luggage during the day, safely) 2) I love quirky and off-beat - be it food, bar, walking tour, underground catacombes - lay it on me, what is the not miss place to see? Thanks everyone!
Posted by
Boston, MA
119 posts
I did nearly the same trip this past spring solo, except I did not get out to Galway. In Northern Ireland I based myself in Derry and Belfast - I absolutely loved Derry, it was my first time there and I can't wait to go back. Belfast is a great city too. You didn't mention where exactly you plan on going in Northern Ireland, so I'll just give my recommendations based on those two places. My first suggestion would be to skip trains and use buses. For the most part buses are cheaper and don't take all that much longer than the train. And in Northern Ireland, depending on where you are going, the bus might be a more direct route than a train. My suggestions for hostels: in Belfast the Belfast International Youth Hostel. It is clean, modern, cafe on site, and there are day trips to the Giant's Causeway that leave directly from there. Also very close to the bus station.
In Derry I highly recommended the Derry City Independent Hostel. Steve the owner was so helpful and friendly when I was there; it felt more like a B&B than the corporate hostels. Free breakfast, 15 min walk from the bus station. And in Dublin I have stayed at both the Globetrotters Hostel and Abigail's Hostel. Globetrotters was a little run down when I was there 4 years ago, not sure if its better now. I was at Abigail's this spring and it has a great location right near the O'Connell Bridge, free breakfast! cont in next post
Posted by
Boston, MA
119 posts
My not-to-miss suggestions: In Derry, the Museum of Free Derry and the associated walking tour. You learn a lot about the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and it was very moving to see and hear about what occurred by people who lived through it. Walk the walls - I did it myself but there are highly rated walking tours too. Make sure to cross the Peace Bridge and spend time over the river - not too many tourists visit this side of Derry. Outside of Derry, I visited a National Trust site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/downhill-demesne-and-hezlett-house/ You do have to take a train to get here, and then it is about a two mile walk to the Downhill Demesne, and it is located right on the water so depending on the weather it could be very cold and windy. Dublin - definitely go on a Musical Pub Crawl - the musicians are fantastic and they let you know the best places to catch real trad, not the stuff put on for tourists. Belfast - if you are interested in the history of the conflict, go on a black cab tour or I took a walking tour with a former political prisoner of the murals on Falls Rd - http://www.coiste.ie/ It was definitely a unique experience and almost a private tour. You do have to keep in mind you are getting one person's perspective. Hope those suggestions help!
Posted by
Boston, MA
119 posts
Christianne - the Musical Pub Crawl in Dublin does run year-round, however only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in Winter, which if I remember correctly from my research is November-March, but they do have a website so if you're interested and your dates match up, definitely check it out!
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Have you checked the Irish Rail web site?
www.irishrail.ie- they have online specials such as Dublin to Belfast 15 Euro. Also check St. Michans church for mummified remains under the church.