9 Days in Ireland | Ireland - Lonely Planet Forum

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Wed, 11 May 2011 03:32:21 +0000

Hey everyone,

This is partially in response to an earlier thread about an 11 day trip someone is planning. Coincidentally, a friend and I are traveling to Ireland at the same time (July 22-31) and would like some advice getting around without a car (too young to rent). Given that tourism will be madness in July, I'd prefer heading out in some lesser-visited areas but wasn't sure how friendly the bus/train routes would be.

My (tentative) itinerary/must sees are the following:

Dublin - 2 Days (Daytrip to Glendalough)
Kilkenny
Kinsale / Cork Co.
Kerry Co. (Dingle)
Doolin
Galway - 2 Days (Maybe Aran Islands)
Back to Dublin

I'm thinking some items on the list will need cut or compressed into day trips from a central city/town.

Thanks everyone for the help!

Edited by: weareribbons

ONLINE

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:14:48 +0000

Welcome to TT. You're itinerary looks like the classic Dublin plus west coast one week-10 day tried and true and is do-able.

See post 15 in this thread for an itinerary recently completed by a poster who asked a question similar to yours.

I am of the opinion that Dublin needs a good solid two days depending on your interests - one centring around the west end and sights like the modern art museum, St Michan's Church (check for tour times as a tour of the vault is a key part of the visit), the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmanhaim jail, Phoenix Park/zoo and Collin's Barracks (more likely a selection of) and a second day centrally to include the national gallery, Merrion Square, the Kildare St archaeology museum, Chester Beatty, Trinity College/Book of Kells, Temple Bar, Grafton St and St Stephen's Green. Christ Church, St Patrick's and Dublinia (a viking 'experience') can be included in either the west end trip or the central one if they are of interest. IMO, the Guinness factory and the Book of Kells are not worth it (particularly price wise) but visitors seem to come away satisfied from visits to both.

The Irish train system is not particularly helpful in visiting smaller places (but do consider it for trips when you can as the price compared to a bus may not be different and it is a more pleasant ride) and the bus system is better for visiting smaller town but still not very good.