My husband and I are taking a tour of southern Ireland that ends at the airport in Shannon. We want to go on to Wales instead and had thought we'd take the ferry from Dublin across to Holyhead, but it looks like we would have to take a bus or ferry from Shannon to Limerick, train to Dublin, possibly another train or bus to the ferry station, ferry to Holyhead, then another train to Conwy. Is there an easier way? I do enjoy seeing the countryside, but this seems awfully complicated. We could just go with a plane from Shannon to Manchester and then come BACK to Conwy on the train.
Posted by
High Wycombe, Bucks, United Kingdom
70 posts
Yes just give them a heads-up that you'll want a taxi into Limerick after breakfast & check-out, and remind them by phone a day or so before and again the night before - even the best reception staff can get run off their feet and forget to call . There may be a bus but with a taxi you're not under quite as much deadline pressure.
Also, make sure to get a print-out of the possible train times from Holyhead. Not sure if you'll need to buy a ticket in advance (maybe - half the ferry will be trying to get on the same train!) but it'd be cheaper in any case. The line is run by Arriva Trains Wales (http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Home.aspx) but if you use http://www.thetrainline.com/ you can usually get quite a lot off. For the edification of any others looking to do this route, the ferry is with Stena Line http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/routes/holyhead-dublin/ - make sure you get on board as soon as you can manage, and get a seat in the bow lounge, as seeing Anglesey & Snowdonia climb slowly over the horizon is pretty good for a free show, especially with a small glass of something in hand. Have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Aiken
5 posts
Thank you so much! We are really looking forward to the trip!
Problem solved!
Posted by
Monein, Pyrenees, France
425 posts
Ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke???
Posted by
High Wycombe, Bucks, United Kingdom
70 posts
It's not that bad but you'll be changing transport - a taxi will get you from the airport to Limerick; get the express to Dublin Heuston from there. You don't mention what day of the week or time of the year, but look at http://journeyplanner.irishrail.ie for times 7 fares - about €20-odd one way and about 2.5hrs. Watch which train you get as on some you change at Limerick Junction. In Dublin, a taxi will get you down to the harbour for the ferry. Once in Angelsey get the train from Holyhead to Llandudno Junction which is about a mile further than Conwy. Some will stop at Conwy but it's a request stop; get advise from a station guard in Holyhead on how to signal the driver, or ask a local aboard... This is a nice route and will take you through some pretty landscapes both sides of the Irish Sea but will take a solid day with a fairly early start. You'd need to be in Dublin at least 45 mins before the 4pm sailing; allow 20-30 mins taxi and waiting around time, 2.5 hours train and 20-30 mins taxi between Shannon and Limerick so reckon leaving Shannon at 12:30pm or thereabouts though that's pushing the limits a bit. If you're not going to be in Shannon by noon-ish, forget the ferry...
Posted by
OP
Aiken
5 posts
Thanks! Actually the last night of the tour is at a place called Bunratty Castle in Bunratty. Could I just as easily get to Limerick from there? Maybe email and ask the hotel?