Trying to plan a trip to Ireland from the USA for this summer

[happybaker]

We were supposed to go in the summer of 2020. Most everything was booked and the plan was to fly into Shannan, spend a night somewhere (this part hadn't been finalized, but we were thinking somewhere around Limerick or Ennis), head up to Galway for a coupe nights before taking the train to Dublin for a few nights. We finally went in August 2022, but flew in/out of Dublin because of flight prices/times. By that time we had shortened our trip by two nights as well.

We didn't rent a car. We had a group of five adults, and none of us really wanted to drive. And yes, we realized that there was a lot of stuff we just wouldn't see that trip. We walked around Dublin just fine, including my 80 year old dad. We hired a private driver for one day to take us down to Cork and Blarney Castle. He was fantastic! He made an unexpected stop for us at Dunamase Castle, which was really interesting and had some amazing views. We still kept Galway as part of our trip and took the train from Dublin. We spent a couple of days meandering around there, and did a day trip from there to the Cliffs of Moher. Took the train back to Dublin for the last night before flying home.

There is no way you're going to see an entire country during a ten-day. If Dublin is one of your locations, then I think you have more than enough time to add two more locations. Like us, it will give you a reason to plan another trip.

Enjoy planning, and have a great trip!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

We were supposed to go in the summer of 2020. Most everything was booked and the plan was to fly into Shannan, spend a night somewhere (this part hadn't been finalized, but we were thinking somewhere around Limerick or Ennis), head up to Galway for a coupe nights before taking the train to Dublin for a few nights. We finally went in August 2022, but flew in/out of Dublin because of flight prices/times. By that time we had shortened our trip by two nights as well.

We didn't rent a car. We had a group of five adults, and none of us really wanted to drive. And yes, we realized that there was a lot of stuff we just wouldn't see that trip. We walked around Dublin just fine, including my 80 year old dad. We hired a private driver for one day to take us down to Cork and Blarney Castle. He was fantastic! He made an unexpected stop for us at Dunamase Castle, which was really interesting and had some amazing views. We still kept Galway as part of our trip and took the train from Dublin. We spent a couple of days meandering around there, and did a day trip from there to the Cliffs of Moher. Took the train back to Dublin for the last night before flying home.

There is no way you're going to see an entire country during a ten-day. If Dublin is one of your locations, then I think you have more than enough time to add two more locations. Like us, it will give you a reason to plan another trip.

Enjoy planning, and have a great trip!

This is a very sensible approach and I applaud you for doing your own thing. Galway and Dublin are a great idea for a base and then doing day trips. Using the train between Dublin and Galway is something huge amounts of Irish people do. Ive done that journey many times as I used to live in Galway.

 

[Frwinkley]

OP here: thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions.

As first timers, we are all about the touristy spots. I like feeling like I’m on vacation.

 

[Buzz Rules]

OP here: thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions.

As first timers, we are all about the touristy spots. I like feeling like I’m on vacation.

https://www.avivastadium.ie/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/ireland

 

[lovesmurfs]

Thanks for posting @Frwinkley! My daughter and I are doing a chicks trip in late June for her college graduation, and the "touristy" southern route is what SHE wants. My SIL, who lived in Ireland, is pretty perturbed that northern Ireland isn't on our itinerary for this trip.

We haven't finalized, but flying into Dublin, renting a car. My only request is Waterford (I'm a crystal junkie!). She wants Puffin Island, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, but is pretty open to anything else. We have the airline tickets and car rental taken care of -- I need to do everything else yet.

Agree with the previous advice about Aer Lingus. I bought tickets through American, and am having trouble reserving specific seats. But it was a direct flight from Indianapolis, which worked for us.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm going to throw out a distinction: there is a major geographical difference between the "Wild Atlantic Way" and the "Atlantic Drive"; both are promoted by Irish tourism authorities, but one is a subset of the other, and is the part least visited by most non-Irish tourists (don't take that to mean you won't see tourists in summer there, though. The Irish go on holiday, too, though if you go in June the schools will still mostly be in session.)

The Wild Atlantic Way is long (500km) and the southern end of it, especially, tends to be clogged with tourist coaches, whereas the Atlantic Drive at the very northern end is very short (12 km) and has almost no tour coaches (mostly because the roads there are too narrow for them; yes, really; with stacked stone walls to make sure you know it.) It's easily done on foot or on a rental bicycle in a half-day, and has truly beautiful beaches (the water is still pretty cold even in summer, though it's a popular area for windsurfing. Swimming here can be dangerous because of submerged rocks and riptides.)

The Atlantic Drive is also in the Gaeltacht (it begins and ends in the village of Downings), so if you want trad music, you'll find plenty of it. It is also adjacent to Ireland's 2nd-largest national park (Glenveigh), the neighborhood of which has the unusual distinction of harboring both a real castle and a fake one: Glenveigh Castle, the "fake" within the park, was built as a country house in the 1870s, while just a few miles up the road you'll find Doe Castle, which is very much the real thing, constructed in the 1420s. There is also a historic links golf course, a woolens factory and a famine heritage centre that hosts local craftsmakers if you think you'd like to buy souvenirs. Lastly, there is an interesting natural phenomenon near Dunfanaghy called McSwyne's Gun: it's a cave in the cliff that creates a geyser when the surf is high; you can hear the boom from a mile away.

BTW, Tink is right about the roads. I once memorably got stuck behind a tractor all the way from Dundalk to Monaghan. The map will tell you that's a one-hour drive (it's about 37 miles), but that day it took me 8 hours. If you plan to drive anywhere outside of major cities, allow at least 3X as much time as the map says you will need.

 

[Frwinkley]

https://www.avivastadium.ie/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/ireland

Just beautiful! Thank you!

 

[Frwinkley]

Slight wrinkle to our plan: we may add a few days and go to Edinburgh. Fly into Edinburgh from the US, but then fly home from Dublin. My DH really wants to go to Edinburgh, realizing that we may not do much more than spend a few days in the city.

We're in Pittsburgh, so no direct flights. However, out of Cleveland (about a 2 hour drive) Aer Lingus does have a nonstop flight, but it only operates 3 x a week. That makes me nervous. I think I'd rather have a layover in a city with more flight options in case something happens.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Slight wrinkle to our plan: we may add a few days and go to Edinburgh. Fly into Edinburgh from the US, but then fly home from Dublin. My DH really wants to go to Edinburgh, realizing that we may not do much more than spend a few days in the city.

We're in Pittsburgh, so no direct flights. However, out of Cleveland (about a 2 hour drive) Aer Lingus does have a nonstop flight, but it only operates 3 x a week. That makes me nervous. I think I'd rather have a layover in a city with more flight options in case something happens.

https://www.visitscotland.com/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland

 

[Frwinkley]

https://www.visitscotland.com/

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland

So much beauty! We hate the idea of being in that part of the world and not seeing as much as we possibly can,

 

[Moliphino]

My sister and I did a week trip to Ireland back in 2015. We had both been before, but not to the same places (aside from Cork, so we skipped that on this trip). We started in Dublin for a few nights and did many of the big touristy things (Guinness, Jameson, Leprechaun Museum, Dublinia, St. Michan's Church, Archaeology Museum). Then we rented a car and drove to Cashel and saw the Rock (which is amazing, highly recommend). Then we drove on to Kerry, stayed in Dingle a few nights and drove around the whole peninsula. My great-grandparents were from there (Great Blasket Island and Coumeenoole). We wanted to get out to the Blaskets, but the weather was never good enough for the boats to run. We flew home from Shannon.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

We did a 12 day British isles cruise and saw a few stops in Ireland. We loved our excursion to the giant’s causeway, blarney castle and its grounds were beautiful (don’t kiss the stone, was told the locals will pee on it ). I would recommend going to some of the big tour sites like Tauck, adventures by Disney etc and see what they include in their trips there as a planning starting point. I do it every time I start to plan a big trip.

Kiss the Blarney Stone - I don't think so. When we were there, we watched others do it. No thanks. I agree it is beautiful there. Would love to go back.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I agree. Irish roads and the driving time between point A and point B is something American tourists hugely underestimate.

This is a photo I took in December, when I went to visit relatives in Co Cork. I was on a Bus Eireann bus which is the Irish equivalent to Greyhound buses in America. This the main big road, the N71 from the West Cork region to Cork City, yes that's right, what you see, one lane each direction. All vehicles from cars to trades people to the big delivery trucks and the bus I was on, all use this road. Roads marked N are National Roads in Ireland and are the equivalent to state highways in America.
View attachment 926490

We were on a tour bus going to a restaurant on a road by the ocean. Can't remember exactly where it was. One lane only but two directions. We met up with a car and they have to reverse down the road to let us pass. Was quite interesting.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

In the 80's, I went on a bus trip through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with a couple of frieneds. We had the most amazing time. Got to see so much. Definitely want to go back. (if has been a while). We loved the convince of not having to worry at all during our trip. We were chauffeured around, got to stay in amazing hotels (some very old), ate at some good restaurants, went to dinner shows in Ireland & Scotland with traditional foods, music and dancing and saw lots of castles and interesting places. Saw much more than if we did a trip on our own.

I'm pretty sure there are tours of just Ireland.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time. Ireland is beautiful and the people are so friendly.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Slight wrinkle to our plan: we may add a few days and go to Edinburgh. Fly into Edinburgh from the US, but then fly home from Dublin. My DH really wants to go to Edinburgh, realizing that we may not do much more than spend a few days in the city.

We're in Pittsburgh, so no direct flights. However, out of Cleveland (about a 2 hour drive) Aer Lingus does have a nonstop flight, but it only operates 3 x a week. That makes me nervous. I think I'd rather have a layover in a city with more flight options in case something happens.

We're doing the reverse of what you were originally planning.

In September we're going to England, Scotland and Wales. Originally I wanted to do Ireland as well but after looking at the amount of days we had, thinking about the potential time sucker of trying to hop between the two places and flight options and all we nixed Ireland especially because we realistically could have only done one maybe two cities (like you're only thinking about doing one city in Scotland). We always have planned on going there and we'll just focus on a separate trip for Ireland entirely...much like your original trip was.

In Scotland we're staying in a castle just south of Edinburgh (it's a Hyatt hotel) then doing some stuff in Edinburgh and staying in Glasgow (and then traveling by train in between Glasgow and Edinburgh). Do be aware that Edinburgh is expensive to stay in, it was about double the cost of Glasgow with most hotels being at least $300/night (most were $350/400) which is why we switched our night stays to Glasgow (we plan on doing stuff in Glasgow as well). I wouldn't recommend going to Edinburgh during August with the Fringe festival as it is crowded and even more expensive (I haven't been to Scotland before but I've heard from enough people if you can pick a different time of the year to go do it). My DISer friend went in September several years back and said it was great crowd and weather wise with Fringe being over.

IF it were me I would honestly just stick with your Ireland trip. If you think you'll eventually get back to the UK you could do either a Scotland focused trip or a trip that includes England and maybe Wales. Logistically I don't think it's super hard to get between the two places just adding a layer of complexities just for one city. If you're adding quite a few days to your original trip that would probably make it much easier to plan for any issues that may arise although you're still only getting one city there.

 

[Frwinkley]

We're doing the reverse of what you were originally planning.

In September we're going to England, Scotland and Wales. Originally I wanted to do Ireland as well but after looking at the amount of days we had, thinking about the potential time sucker of trying to hop between the two places and flight options and all we nixed Ireland especially because we realistically could have only done one maybe two cities (like you're only thinking about doing one city in Scotland). We always have planned on going there and we'll just focus on a separate trip for Ireland entirely...much like your original trip was.

In Scotland we're staying in a castle just south of Edinburgh (it's a Hyatt hotel) then doing some stuff in Edinburgh and staying in Glasgow (and then traveling by train in between Glasgow and Edinburgh). Do be aware that Edinburgh is expensive to stay in, it was about double the cost of Glasgow with most hotels being at least $300/night (most were $350/400) which is why we switched our night stays to Glasgow (we plan on doing stuff in Glasgow as well). I wouldn't recommend going to Edinburgh during August with the Fringe festival as it is crowded and even more expensive (I haven't been to Scotland before but I've heard from enough people if you can pick a different time of the year to go do it). My DISer friend went in September several years back and said it was great crowd and weather wise with Fringe being over.

IF it were me I would honestly just stick with your Ireland trip. If you think you'll eventually get back to the UK you could do either a Scotland focused trip or a trip that includes England and maybe Wales. Logistically I don't think it's super hard to get between the two places just adding a layer of complexities just for one city. If you're adding quite a few days to your original trip that would probably make it much easier to plan for any issues that may arise although you're still only getting one city there.

I’m not sure we’d get to the Northern part of Europe again. Our next trip might be to Italy.

We’re thinking July and fully expect that hotels will be pricey.

I think we would do Edinburgh first, maybe 5 days, bus/ferry to Belfast (yes, we could fly which would be quicker but ferry travel adds to the adventure for us), and then 9 days in Ireland, returning to the US from Dublin. We’re not opposed to moving hotels every 3 days or so. We do plan on driving for some parts of Ireland as well.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m not sure we’d get to the Northern part of Europe again. Our next trip might be to Italy.

We’re thinking July and fully expect that hotels will be pricey.

I think we would do Edinburgh first, maybe 5 days, bus/ferry to Belfast (yes, we could fly which would be quicker but ferry travel adds to the adventure for us), and then 9 days in Ireland, returning to the US from Dublin. We’re not opposed to moving hotels every 3 days or so. We do plan on driving for some parts of Ireland as well.

When we've been traveling internationally we're usually moving quite a lot, it can get old quick at the same time it's how we've been able to see so much of the places and in the end has been absolutely worth it.

I'm not sure on the luggage you plan on taking but consider that part when you add more days and the ferry. I knew that was an option to get between Ireland and Scotland or Wales easily enough (I think we would have flown if we did Ireland as well) but I'm not sure on the luggage allowances there.

5 added days would a nice cushion and allow you to maybe check out another place nearby as a day trip via train.

 

[Frwinkley]

When we've been traveling internationally we're usually moving quite a lot, it can get old quick at the same time it's how we've been able to see so much of the places and in the end has been absolutely worth it.

I'm not sure on the luggage you plan on taking but consider that part when you add more days and the ferry. I knew that was an option to get between Ireland and Scotland or Wales easily enough (I think we would have flown if we did Ireland as well) but I'm not sure on the luggage allowances there.

5 added days would a nice cushion and allow you to maybe check out another place nearby as a day trip via train.

That’s exactly why we move hotels so often! We love to see and do as much as possible. I have a friend who did 9 days in Ireland and never left Dublin. They did days trips via bus. That’s not really our style. It has it’s place absolutely, but it’s just not our preference.

Regarding luggage: regardless of where we’ve traveled, we never check luggage. We did 14 days in Hawaii with only carryon. The goal always is to find hotels that have laundry. Since it’s only 2 adults traveling, it’s pretty easy. I even have a master packing list!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That’s exactly why we move hotels so often! We love to see and do as much as possible. I have a friend who did 9 days in Ireland and never left Dublin. They did days trips via bus. That’s not really our style. It has it’s place absolutely, but it’s just not our preference.

Regarding luggage: regardless of where we’ve traveled, we never check luggage. We did 14 days in Hawaii with only carryon. The goal always is to find hotels that have laundry. Since it’s only 2 adults traveling, it’s pretty easy. I even have a master packing list!

While we'll have checked luggage for our cruise in March and did checked luggage for the cruise summer 2023 (largely due to needing multiple outfits per day with the cruise line's dress code) our Japan trip a few months ago traveling around via train, traveling around Europe via train May 2024 and the upcoming September 2025 UK trip traveling via car have all been/will be personal item and carry on trips and these are 14-16 day trips. Each trip I'm figuring out more how to pack best for me, the weather usually has been the thing to adjust what to pack. That would certainly make your Ireland trip and if adding in Edinburgh easy to maneuver around with just having carry ons. It's just my husband and I as well and I agree easier to do it with just us two.

It wouldn't be our style either to just stay in Dublin even using buses to do day trips, that would limit how far you could go.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

always is to find hotels that have laundry. Since it’s only 2 adults traveling, it’s pretty easy. I even have a master packing list!

Just an FYI hotels with laundry are not really a thing in UK and Ireland.

Also another FYI, as Scotland and Northern Ireland are UK and then you plan to go to Republic of Ireland, car hire companies dont really allow pick up in one country and drop off in another country, or evening driving across the border, so you might want to research that if you plan to take a car on the ferry.