My husband and I spent 8 days in Ireland in Oct 2016. This is truly a beautiful place. We decided to chart our own path and rented a car. If you do this - listen to all the advice out online! Smaller the car the better, they drive primarily manual, roads are narrow and speedy, and they drive on the left 🙂 We toured mostly the southern parts of Ireland and then we took a train to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Dublin ->Kilkenny ->Killarney -> Galway ->Dublin -> Belfast. We toured so many castles, churches, and other great standards like Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Guinness Storehouse! I'm happy to answer any questions you have or give you my perspective on visiting certain towns.
Ireland is an amazing place. Like @nreinardy I rented a car and drove- I would highly suggest renting a REALLY small car as the roads are very narrow. I went south and spent time in Wexford, Waterford (visited the crystal factory), and Dublin. I also really enjoyed the time I spent with local vendors in the small town of Howth. If I had it to do over I would have gone north to also visit Giant's Causeway. More than happy to have coffee and share photos or additional travel details.
I have been to Ireland twice! The first time it was probably November during a study abroad trip in college. We did a PaddyWagon tour and stayed in hostels. I liked it so much I took my husband there for our honeymoon. This time it was in June....while the island is still green and beautiful in November, the flowers were blooming this time and it was even more amazing. We spent a little more and did a coach bus tour and stayed in nice hotels. Both trips pretty much visited the same places...Dublin, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher..... I would most definitely go back again, but this time I think I would rent a car and stay in bed-and-breakfasts. Happy travels!
My husband and I spent 8 days in Ireland in Oct 2016. This is truly a beautiful place. We decided to chart our own path and rented a car. If you do this - listen to all the advice out online! Smaller the car the better, they drive primarily manual, roads are narrow and speedy, and they drive on the left 🙂 We toured mostly the southern parts of Ireland and then we took a train to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Dublin ->Kilkenny ->Killarney -> Galway ->Dublin -> Belfast. We toured so many castles, churches, and other great standards like Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Guinness Storehouse! I'm happy to answer any questions you have or give you my perspective on visiting certain towns.
If you're going to be in the Dingle area and don't mind a bit of suspense in your driving, the Conor Pass is gorgeous (and super narrow--one lane most of the way even though traffic can come from either direction). I really liked the Burren too.
If you rent a car and the car rental place offers cheaper insurance with a high deductible and a bit more expensive insurance with a lower deductible, go with the more expensive. I went there on my honeymoon and accidentally scraped the side of the car on a stone fence trying to get through an intersection with some kind of horse cart stopped in it. We were out 100 euros instead of 1000 because of the more expensive insurance. (Also, I spent a little more to get automatic transmission, because it's enough extra brain work to drive on the other side; learning how to use a stick shift seemed like a bad idea.)
Ireland is a beautiful country and the people are even more amazing and very friendly. Most of my knowledge of Ireland is of the west coast because that's where my wife is from. Most of the cars in Ireland are small in comparison to the US and renting is a good way to do your own thing around most anywhere. However, those taking kids will be happy to know you can still rent a 7 passenger vehicle. I wouldn't recommend driving a car in Dublin though because of the congestion. Ireland has a very good public transportation system and you can get around most anywhere without a car.
The sites to see on the west coast (north to south) would be Galway and Connemara, Aran Islands, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and the Ring of Kerry. Galway is a somewhat more modern town, but still lots to see. The Aran Islands are amazing and there are a few accommodations on the islands but plan well in advance. There are regular ferries to the islands, but beware that side of Ireland can be windy and with rough seas. The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are essentially in the same area. Be sure to stop at Aillwee Cave if you're going to the Burren. As mentioned by others, the roads around Ireland and the Dingle Pass are narrow and some are single lane only with a few spots to pull aside to let other cars by. If you go around the Ring of Kerry, stop at the Gap of Dunloe. The views are breathtaking.
Dublin is a huge city for Ireland. I think I heard 3/4 of the population of the country lives there. I would recommend the hop-on hop-off busses that go around the city. It's a nice way to see the cites and you don't need to worry about parking to get around. They will take you around to most of the major sites including the Guinness Brewery which is an impressive place to go even if you don't/can't drink alcohol (e.g. kids). Also recommend going to Trinity College and seeing the Book of Kells.
As far as flights into Ireland, it will depend on where you're planning to spend most of your time. Since we spend most of our time on the west coast, Shannon is very easy to fly in and out of. Not nearly as chaotic as Dublin. So, if you want to avoid the headache of Dublin airport, I'd recommend flying into Shannon.
#WeAreMayoClinic
Like
Helpful
Hug
Ireland sound amazing, @sullivanc! Are you planning a trip to Ireland soon?
Thinking about it for either 2018 or 2019.
You have hit upon one of my bucket list items, but unfortunately I haven't been there yet. I have been told that Ireland is spectacular in Spring!
It's on our bucket list as well. Hoping to go in 2018 or 2019.
My husband and I spent 8 days in Ireland in Oct 2016. This is truly a beautiful place. We decided to chart our own path and rented a car. If you do this - listen to all the advice out online! Smaller the car the better, they drive primarily manual, roads are narrow and speedy, and they drive on the left 🙂 We toured mostly the southern parts of Ireland and then we took a train to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Dublin ->Kilkenny ->Killarney -> Galway ->Dublin -> Belfast. We toured so many castles, churches, and other great standards like Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Guinness Storehouse! I'm happy to answer any questions you have or give you my perspective on visiting certain towns.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionIreland is an amazing place. Like @nreinardy I rented a car and drove- I would highly suggest renting a REALLY small car as the roads are very narrow. I went south and spent time in Wexford, Waterford (visited the crystal factory), and Dublin. I also really enjoyed the time I spent with local vendors in the small town of Howth. If I had it to do over I would have gone north to also visit Giant's Causeway. More than happy to have coffee and share photos or additional travel details.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been to Ireland twice! The first time it was probably November during a study abroad trip in college. We did a PaddyWagon tour and stayed in hostels. I liked it so much I took my husband there for our honeymoon. This time it was in June....while the island is still green and beautiful in November, the flowers were blooming this time and it was even more amazing. We spent a little more and did a coach bus tour and stayed in nice hotels. Both trips pretty much visited the same places...Dublin, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher..... I would most definitely go back again, but this time I think I would rent a car and stay in bed-and-breakfasts. Happy travels!
My husband and I are going to Dublin in April 2018! What are your top three must do things?
If you're going to be in the Dingle area and don't mind a bit of suspense in your driving, the Conor Pass is gorgeous (and super narrow--one lane most of the way even though traffic can come from either direction). I really liked the Burren too.
If you rent a car and the car rental place offers cheaper insurance with a high deductible and a bit more expensive insurance with a lower deductible, go with the more expensive. I went there on my honeymoon and accidentally scraped the side of the car on a stone fence trying to get through an intersection with some kind of horse cart stopped in it. We were out 100 euros instead of 1000 because of the more expensive insurance. (Also, I spent a little more to get automatic transmission, because it's enough extra brain work to drive on the other side; learning how to use a stick shift seemed like a bad idea.)
Ireland is a beautiful country and the people are even more amazing and very friendly. Most of my knowledge of Ireland is of the west coast because that's where my wife is from. Most of the cars in Ireland are small in comparison to the US and renting is a good way to do your own thing around most anywhere. However, those taking kids will be happy to know you can still rent a 7 passenger vehicle. I wouldn't recommend driving a car in Dublin though because of the congestion. Ireland has a very good public transportation system and you can get around most anywhere without a car.
The sites to see on the west coast (north to south) would be Galway and Connemara, Aran Islands, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and the Ring of Kerry. Galway is a somewhat more modern town, but still lots to see. The Aran Islands are amazing and there are a few accommodations on the islands but plan well in advance. There are regular ferries to the islands, but beware that side of Ireland can be windy and with rough seas. The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are essentially in the same area. Be sure to stop at Aillwee Cave if you're going to the Burren. As mentioned by others, the roads around Ireland and the Dingle Pass are narrow and some are single lane only with a few spots to pull aside to let other cars by. If you go around the Ring of Kerry, stop at the Gap of Dunloe. The views are breathtaking.
Dublin is a huge city for Ireland. I think I heard 3/4 of the population of the country lives there. I would recommend the hop-on hop-off busses that go around the city. It's a nice way to see the cites and you don't need to worry about parking to get around. They will take you around to most of the major sites including the Guinness Brewery which is an impressive place to go even if you don't/can't drink alcohol (e.g. kids). Also recommend going to Trinity College and seeing the Book of Kells.
As far as flights into Ireland, it will depend on where you're planning to spend most of your time. Since we spend most of our time on the west coast, Shannon is very easy to fly in and out of. Not nearly as chaotic as Dublin. So, if you want to avoid the headache of Dublin airport, I'd recommend flying into Shannon.