2 friends and I will be in Ireland in March for 7 days. Coming into Dublin either Friday or Saturday and then flying back home the next Saturday at 13:30. The only restriction is we HAVE to be in Dublin for St. Pat's Day which is that Monday. On second thought, where would be the best place to spend St. Pat's Day? Would we want to drive in that Monday morning or be there already by Sunday night?
We will be renting a car so that we can go to the out of the way places and not waste any time on buses, etc. and can go/come whenever we please.
Having said all that, I wanted to get some opinions and recommendations on where to go and what to see. I searched other threads but none seem to fit my question very well. Would it be best to pick a central location each of the main areas(such as in the Southwest(Killarney), West(Galway), and the NorthWest(Donegal)))and then travel around from there, or should be just stay at a different town each night? We would also like to stay a night in Belfast(or around). Would probably need to be back in Dublin that Friday night, although might have enough time to drive in that morning from somewhere close by? It complicates it a bit by having to be in Dublin on Monday because now we come into Dublin, have a day or two, need to come back to Dublin on Monday, then have 4 days elsewhere, then back to Dublin again.
I was thinking about going to the Wicklow mountain area when we arrive because it is close by and could come back to Dublin easily from there? Then go to the other areas mentioned, end up in Belfast the last night(Friday), and head back to Dublin early Saturday morning to catch the flight back home?
I understand that some will say that it isn't enough time, but that is the time we have and we are wanting to see as much as possible. Our goal is to experience a wide variety of places but want to focus on beautiful country side and pubs the most! We want to drink and converse with locals and get away from the touristy places as much as possible. Trying to figure out if we should even go to the Blarney Stone... although I have heard great things about Cork.
Any opinions, thoughts, recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
As a Dubliner I would advise against hiring a car in Ireland. The roads wont be what you're used to they're a death trap! Especially down the country, i.e. rural areas
I have had friends over from the USA before and they have been very shocked by them. People I know have been to China and Poland to name two countries which are supposed to be a lot more poverty stricken than Ireland they said roads in these countries are at least as good as Ireland.
Any more questions just ask.
good luck,
C
I live in Galway, on the west coast, and I think you're trying to fit in too much, too. I'd recommend say two nights in Dublin, two in Galway (take in a visit to the Aran Islands, or Cliffs of Moher), two in Kerry, etc. You can base yourself in a town and get to see fabulous countryside. It's a long, long way from Kerry to Donegal, both are beautiful with mountaints, sea, etc., but most people wouldn't try to take in BOTH in a short time!
If you have to be in Dublin on paddy's day there's a huge street parade which sees the city centre blocked off to traffic for much of the day. Can I recommend a rare taste of Irish culture by going to the All-Ireland club finals in Croke Park? Four small club teams from all over Ireland play the finals in hurling and football there each year on March 17 and, unlike the big inter county matches in August and September, the 80,000 capacity stadium is usually only half full. Not many non-Irish people get to experience the excitement of hurling .. and you could take in a full hour of the parade before heading to Croke Park, which is a ten minute walk from the city centre.
I am from a rural area as well and used to drving on gravel roads and potholed FM roads so the roads don't scare me. I think it will be fun... Besides, I don't see another way of getting around and being able to go when and where you want without renting a car? How much would it cost for one person to use public transportation for 7 days in Ireland, in towns and going to some of the places I mentioned?
If what I said doesn't sound realistic and would be on the go to much, what would be a more reasonable schedule?
Thanks for the input!
Great great great information staxski! That sounds amazing and would LOVE to do something like that!
Didn't I hear somewhere the Paddy's Day is going to be the 15th of March in 2008 (a Saturday), due to Easter week?
Apparently the Pope has decreed that it can't be the 17th of March, and this happened before a few decades ago and is likely to happen again in the future?
Or maybe someone was pulling my leg?
By the way, sorry to sound like a granny, but I hope you won't be driving around after visiting all those pubs. ; )
Tip for you OP. Due to the Catholic church's influence, St Patrick's say will be held on 15th March 2008, instead of 17th March like it should be!!! 17th March 2008 is the first day of Holy Week and unfortunately, the catholics do not see it fit that we all go out and get wasted for the second day of the holy week!!!!!!
Moved
St. Patrick's Day 2008 Events Schedule
I want to make sure on this from people that actually know, but their website says the parade will still be on Monday, March 17th 2008.
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