2 weekends in Ireland - request suggestions for a car trip from Dublin
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Apr 20, 2012 4:37 AM Last Post By: markfawkner
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2 weekends in Ireland - request suggestions for a car trip from Dublin
Hi All,I am travelling to Dublin for a week mostly for business. So, although we both would be pretty much busy during the week, we have 2 spare weekends to see in and around Dublin.
We are reaching Dublin on Saturday morning (Apr 14) and we plan to hire a car directly from airport to explore and return Dublin on Sunday night. We are wondering if we should head west to see cliffs of Mohar or northwards along the east coastline. We dont want very hasty 2 days, so looking for itinerary ideas for some gorgeous sights and wonderful time in Ireland.
After this weekend we will have another weeeknd (Apr21-22) when we plan to see Dublin at length.
All the ideas from all the wonderful people are welcome!!
Pls help :)
Cheers
Swati
1
Hi Swati 1234Cliffs of Moher are lovely to see but can be crowded over the weekend.
You could also drive to Doolin and take the ferry to one of the Aran Islands and see the cliffs from the ferry. The islands are also lovely for a stroll if the weather is good. You also have The Burren in the area.
http://www.doolin-tourism.com/
For a short drive from Dublin and not too hasty weekend I would recommend Carlingford and Mourne Mountains, lovely views, scenic drives and nice walks. Note that Mourne Mountains are in Northern Ireland so you will have to pay in sterling (it’s a good option to stay in Carlingford which is in the Republic but only a short drive from the mountains).
http://www.carlingford.ie/
Enjoy!!
2
Thanks anwanda...Doolin looks like a beautiful village. It surely seems to be a better option than driving and parking right on the cliffs which I've heard is a real rip-off!I was doing a bit more reserach and found Giant causeway as an equally intersting option.May be we can combine Mourne mountains with giant causeway. Will driving to causeway via Belfast be a feasible option for our short 1.5 day trip?
3
Welcome to TT.From the airport hit the M50 and then the M4 and M6, you'll be in Galway in around about two hours (there are some tolls to pay, one by phone within 24 h and the other two in cash). You could do the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren on Saturday afternoon and Aran Islands or such on Sunday before heading back.
However, I would recommend this as your second weekend (head out on the Friday night, first night Galway, second night maybe Doolin or such) and do the short weekend in and around Dublin as you'll have some time to see the rest of Dublin during the following week.
I can't imagine you'll have any problems dealing with sterling since you are from the UK.
Hitting the causeway and Belfast in 1.5 days is do-able but necessarily really enjoyable.
4
thanks markfawkner. these are useful suggestions...already did my hotel booking for the second weekend in Dublin, but I think I can work around it...6
We are still so confused, cant make up mind whether to drive westwards - Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Aran islandsor towards north - Giant Causeway, Belfast, via Antrium Coast.
We have 1 weekend to hire a car and explore one of the 2 areas. We'd like to pick the option which has:
1) more scenic drive: I think Antrium coast wins here
2) city for the night over - I would prefer a place with lively ambience and full of culture - I think Galway is better than Belfast in that sense...
Please help with your suggestions...
7
I may be repeating myself but look at what the west has to offer - Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Connemarra, Doolin, the Aran Islands, stunning coastline and the excitement of Galway. Giants Causeway gives you the causeway, a pretty boring rope bridge, Belfast (which is not a patch on the live music and arts scene of Galway) and the brilliant coast drive. IMO there is no question that the west coast gives you more options and a better 'Irish' experience. Why fly into Ireland and then go to the UK?9
Thankyou for the advice guys. We finally had a wonderful road trip to the west. We left from Dublin, reached Galway in about 2--3 hrs, stayed overnight in a B&B with an amazing setting overlooking the sea, the city was so lively in the evening. Next morning we took the scenic coastal road towards the cliifas of mohar, passing through the Burren, Dunguaire Castle and the beautiful Fanore beach. We had lunch at a local bar in the village of Doolin- the food was simply yumm. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had the most amazing time!! And the views from the cliffs were breathtaking!We are now in Dublin...with work almost over...heading towards Wicklow over tomorrow...
