First time to Ireland! ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

First time to Ireland!

Replies: 14 - Last Post: 06-Apr-2008 13:32 Last Post By: Brigsy

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Posted
18-Mar-2008 05:42
by: flimz13

Posts: 1
Registered: 18/03/08

First time to Ireland!

Hi there I am trying to plan my trip to Ireland for September, but am at loss of where to start. Don't have very much time there, probably about 10 days, does anyone have any itinerary suggestions? Also, I have been hearing that since I do not have a lot of time to skip dublin, any thoughts? I am 22 and am meeting a friend there. We want to stay in B&B's instead of hotels and hostels. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Posted
18-Mar-2008 05:56
by: Aribo

Posts: 5,152
Registered: 25/03/05

1

Even if you only have 10 days, don't skip Dublin. It may not be full of famous tourist sights, but the pub scene is great and even if you're not into drinking its the kind of place that grows on you quickly and has enough things to keep you entertained.
I think a very essential point in deciding an itinerary is your mode of transport. I visited Ireland by car, coming from continental Europe driving on the left side of the road was a bit scary at first, but I got used to it quickly and we had a fabulous time, visiting many places that we probably would have had to skip if travelling by public transport.
From Dublin we headed west via Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel, both worth a visit. But whereever you go, make a point of visiting the west coast. The Ring of Kerry seems to be the busiest route along the coast, but further north Dingle and the Connemara area are absolutely stunning too. From there we completed our trip by driving in one stretch from Galway to Dublin, stopping at the prehistorical sights of Newgrange on the way.

Posted
19-Mar-2008 02:36
by: poohwho

Posts: 17
Registered: 15/01/06

2

you really need to start with how you are going to get around. i love ireland but the public transport is not great.
september is a good time to go as it is the end of the summer holidays here so it won't be manic but the chances are the weather will be reasonably good.
i am not a fan of dublin but it does have a good night life and the Guiness store House etc. if you are flying in and out of there you could always leave it til last. in that case if you are enjpying the rest of ireland you can decide to give it a miss.
i think the west coast is stunning from Mayo down.
B &Bs are a good option and you can propably just book by knocking on the door of whichever one takes your fancy.
kerry, galway and Mayo are my fav's.
Newgrange, nearish Dublin, is also worth a visit.

Posted
19-Mar-2008 04:51
by: garrybennett

Posts: 33
Registered: 06/08/06

3

Dublin is really a must, spend 2 nights there and then head west/soutwest.
Maybe spend one night in Galway, see Galway Bay. Then move down the coast towards Clare and see the cliffs of Mohar. Then you must do the Ring of Kerry (best scenary in Ireland). Near Shannon Airport is Bunratty castle, a great place to see a real old castle which is great for tourists.
Go to Dingle for a couple of nights and enjoy traditional Craic. If you can get to see West Cork also (Clonakilty and Skibbereen recommended). Cork City is also nice and Cashel is also worth a visit if you have time.
There is a good website for checking accommodation and entertainment in each town - www.mytown.ie

Thanks,
Garry

Posted
19-Mar-2008 05:13
by: timothysolberg

Posts: 1,227
Registered: 20/01/02

4

Without knowing what kinds of things interest you most, it's hard to get very specific with itinerary suggestions. Go to a public library and check out some Ireland guidebooks. After you find one or two that appeal to you because of what they cover or how they are written, go to a bookstore or to amazon.com and buy the newest editions. My personal preferences are the Ireland guidebooks by Rick Steves and Lonely Planet. The LP book is much more thorough. Both books are written for independent travelers on a budget.

After you've read the books, you'll be prepared to return to the Thorntree and ask more specific questions.

Posted
19-Mar-2008 08:00
by: Gusphanzer

Posts: 13
Registered: 23/01/08

5

Don't skip Dublin! It deserves the most time you can give it, but at a minimum give it two days and nights. That gives you enough time to see the highlights--if you plan well. I would also advise leaving it for the end of your trip because attempting to do it whilst still adjusting to the time change takes away slightly from your enjoyment of it. I would not rule out hostels entirely because I stayed in two during my time there that as a first time hosteler impressed me with their cleanliness, value, and accessibility. We stayed at the Harrington House Hostel in Dublin, and the Grapevine out on the Dingle Peninsula.

If you're going to be using public transport, don't do what I did: plan too much. Pick 3 cities/geographic areas you want to see and stick to it. I would suggest Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, and then Dublin for the ease of connection. You could throw in using the railway system along with buses or daytrips in the West Coast. Use the City buses in Dublin, take the 16A either to or from the airport (1.90euro vs. 8euro to take the Airlink).

If you're a student, get the Heritage Card for 8euro. If you go to more than two of the places it covers, you've already saved money. Go to Kilmainham Gaol, the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, walk down Grafton Street and give the human statues coins to make them move, stroll through St. Stephen's Green, and hell, even go to Temple Bar.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. I just got back from Ireland a few days ago so I'm chock full of advice, feel free to message me.

Posted
19-Mar-2008 18:55
by: research_girl

Posts: 36
Registered: 30/12/07

6

Dublin probably has the most fun nightlife in Ireland, so if you want to go out drinking, make sure you spend a couple of days there.

Most buses and trains in Ireland go from Dublin to another city. There is very limited service between other cities and town and you may even have to go through Dublin. If you try to get around by public transit, you will have a very rough time of it and spend a lot of unecessary time on buses. If you're not renting a car, concentration on day trips out of two cities- I'd suggest Dublin (Glenalough, Dun Loughire) and Galway (Aran Islands, Connamara, Cliffs of Moher)

For places to see, Dingle is the must for me, the place I reccomend everyone go. The Ring of Kerry is very near Dingle, but is hugely overrated in my opinion. Dingle is the Irish scenery you see in movies, not the Ring of Kerry.

Glendalough is an easy drive from Dublin and very accesible by public transportation, beautiful scenery.

The Cliffs of Moher in Clare are spectacular and well worth a visit. Galway City is very nice and a good jumping off place for exploring the west of Ireland.

Giant's Causeway is amazing, but most people don't want to go North to Belfast unless they have a lot of time.

I consider Blarney Castle utterly skippable, do it if you must.

Other places to consider are the Aran Islands, Kilkenney, Waterford, Rock of Cashel, Kilarney, Connemara.

Suggested Itinerary arriving/departing Dublin (if arriving in Shannon start Day 5 and work around) with a car, stopping at sites in between:
Day 1-Dublin
Day 2- Dublin
Day 3- Glenalough
Day 4- Waterford
Day 5-Killarney
Day 6- Dingle (sleep Killarney)
Day 7-Cliffs of Moher and the Burren (sleep in Ennis)
Day 8- Galway City
Day 9-Clonmacnoise
Day 10- Dublin for return flight

Suggested Itinerary with no Car (assuming Dublin arrival):
Day 1-Dublin
Day 2-Dublin
Day 3- Day trip the Glendalough
Day 4-Bus to Galway City
Day 5-Day trip to Cliffs of Moher through tour company
Day 6-Ferry to Inishmore
Day 7-Inishmore/return Galway
Day 8- Day trip to Connemara through tour company
Day 9-Galway City
Day 10-Return by bus to Dublin for flight

Posted
20-Mar-2008 02:10
by: Aribo

Posts: 5,152
Registered: 25/03/05

7

Previous poster also mentioned it, but in addition to my earlier post I would like to recommend Glendalough too, it's lovely.
Honestly I found the Guiness Storehouse the biggest disappointment of my Ireland trip, apart from the great view (that was mostly blocked by the enormous number of visitors) from the panorama bar it is IMHO not worth the hefty entrance fee. Have your Guiness in one of the historic pubs in downtown.

Posted
20-Mar-2008 23:39
by: evanjva1

Posts: 9
Registered: 09/03/04

8

Research_Girl has a great itinerary for you. We use public transportation link Bus Eirann and it works well for us as we don't want the stress of driving. (And I don't think they rent cars to over-70 drivers.) We usually fly into Shannon and leave from Dublin. The price is about the same. This gives us the option of touring Northern Ireland since it an easy trip back to Dublin. We always stay in bnb's.

We have done most of the same places but did go from Dingle to Doolin and then take the ferry to Inishir, the small Aran, which is less touristy but does show how the enterprising Irish used sand and seaweed to create soil to support crops and livestock. You could then take the ferry to Galway to resume you trip. If you can spare a day definitely take the Connemara tour.

If you go to Killarney I would recommend the Gap of Dunloe tour. And try to start from Ross Castle. You will cross the three lakes of Killarney by boat and go through the Gap by pony and cart. You will be outside enjoying the Irish air instead of on a bus looking out of the windows. (We are going back next week to do Dingle and the Gap again!)

We went to Glendalough on a tour through the Hills of Wicklow using a small mini bus with about 10 people. We really enjoyed it! We arranged it through the Tourist office on O'Connell Street.

Enjoy your trip! Once you experience the Irish hospitality, you will want to make more trips to the Emerald Isle. This is our sixth trip!

Evan

Posted
21-Mar-2008 02:46
by: Gusphanzer

Posts: 13
Registered: 23/01/08

9

Yet I would disagree. I found the Guinness Storehouse to be a highly enjoyable experience well worth the 10euros it cost me for a student admission (don't even need the ISIC card, just flash a university id at them). Furthermore the views from the top of the bar, especially towards the Wicklow Mountains can be stunning. While I was there a rain storm was moving in
from them as we sat and drank our "free" pint. I was even told by a couple of native Dubliners (who I admit may be the exception) that they do, in fact, go to the 360 bar for a pint.

Yes, it is less of a brewery and more of a museum of the company, nevertheless the ability to taste Guinness not sold in the US in the Taste Room, and see the various paraphernalia of the company are a fascinating and entertaining way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy afternoon in Dublin.

Posted
25-Mar-2008 10:45
by: longford

Posts: 4,117
Registered: 28/05/03

10

Whomever is advising you to avoid Dublin has not served you well. To visit Ireland and avoid Dublin . . . would be a wasted trip to the country.

Some of my photos of Dublin: click here

Posted
26-Mar-2008 06:08
by: saskja

Posts: 1,365
Registered: 06/07/05

11

I dare disagreeing with the opinions above about not skipping Dublin, and particularly that a trip to Ireland is "a wasted trip to the country".

10 days is a very short period of time, and Galway alone has enough nightlife to make anyone happy. I have spent nearly 2 months in Ireland, and as much as I like Dublin, I'd prefer spending 9-10 days (or is it 10 days total, including the day you loose because you arrive into Europe the day after you've left N. America, and the day of departure? which would actually translate as 8 days of real available time to discover the country) OUT of it, because I was, and still am, more interested by the scenery, and by the way locals are outside the capital city of any country.

If possible, arrive in Shannon and leave through Dublin, keeping it for the very end, you will know for yourselves if you'd rather allow all of the short period of time to this incredible country (from Westport in the northwest, down to the Dingle and Beara peninsulas), or if you have the guts to cut down the time to allocate it to Dublin in the end.

Tel je vis, tel je voyage: sans attaches, sans attentes, et avec bonheur
100 things to do in Scotland before you die
Why I will always go back to Scotland ...
... and Ireland...

Posted
26-Mar-2008 13:58
by: mariha2912

Posts: 181
Registered: 30/12/06

12

I think that OP must give us an idea of what he/she is interested to see/do/visit. So many repplies and still he/she hasn't come back with a comment...

Posted
29-Mar-2008 07:17
by: EoinK

Posts: 4
Registered: 28/03/08

13

If your doing Ireland in September just remember that schools will be back so if your using public transport try using it after nine unless you want to feel like your in a sardine tin!

I would leave Dublin until last because you will probably be tired from traveling and a nice stroll around Dublin will not be too strenuous! I would also aim to do Dublin during the week so you cant walk around in peace or if you prefer the crowds the weekends wont be a problem

If your driving and your going around the country the M50 will be your starting point everyday.
It is basically a car park so you will either have to be on the road at 6:30 to avoid the traffic or wait until 9:30 or 10 before you can get anywhere

And most importantly we have crap weather so a good rain jacket is always important!!!

Hope you enjoy your trip i know i didnt really recomend anywhere in particular but a good guidebook will list the places really worth seeing and what is very overrated

Hope you enjoy the trip

PS Whenever you plan on using the buses in Dublin allow an extra 30 minutes to allow for the bus not to show up and to wait for the next one

Posted
06-Apr-2008 13:32
by: Brigsy

Posts: 166
Registered: 17/06/03

14

Have you considered doing a hop on hop off tour like Paddywagon. Even if you don't do the tour you could see their trips to get an idea about what you want to do. Dublin is a vexed Question. I much prefer Galway for night life. I normally recommend to my visitors to leave Dublin until the end of their visit and than decide how many nights they want to stay there. It is an expensive city.

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