Thinking of visiting Ireland. Worth a trip?

[Anonymous]

Any advise on visiting Ireland for the first time? I don't even know where to start in planning this. Any good pointers in planning a 10 day or so trip? Seems like the country is small enough that I can drive to most places.

Is it worth splitting up my trip between the Dublin side and Shannon area? Thanks for any idea's!

[Anonymous]

Ireland is fantastic. If you only saw Dublin, you would miss a lot. Personally, the love the South and West Coast much more than Dublin. Places like Dingle, Kinsale, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the Aran Islands are all sensational and not to be missed.

Renting a car is much more flexible than a lot of other options. Can you drive a stick shift? If not, you will likely need to request an automatic. Otherwise, it's a lot to learn when you are also already learning to drive on the other side of the road. Our first trip, we spent about 2-3 days in Dublin and then basically did a driving tour of the southern and western parts of Ireland staying in bed and breakfasts along the way.

Northern Ireland is fantastically beautiful as well, but that's probably a whole different trip.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above! We flew in to Dublin and out of Shannon which I recommend. We went to Cork, Killarney, Dingle (favorite spot) etc. If you need to cut costs we also went in January and it was fine. Just a bit cool and drizzly every day but got great deals and had a great time. When we went on a tour of the Jameson Distillary it was just us! Can't wait to go back one day.

[Anonymous]

Ireland is amazing! Dublin is a great city with lots of attractions. Go to the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College, and the cathedrals. The Brazenhead Pub has beautiful architecture and delicious food. Kids are allowed in Irish pubs prior to 9:00. Definitely venture outside of Dublin too. Howth and Dalkey are both easily accessible on the DART (local train system) and are only a 30 minute ride from Dublin. They are both charming seaside towns with a lot of good restaurants. I also suggest going up to Northern Ireland for a few days. Belfast is only two hours from Dublin via high-speed train and has a fascinating history. You can sign the peace walls and take tours with former IRA members who can tell you what life was like during the Troubles. The Titanic Museum is great as well. In addition to the city, the Antrim Coast is the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Game of Thrones was filmed up there!

One final note, make sure to try the scones and tea!

[Anonymous]

Tips for driving on the left:

Remember that the driver is in the middle of the road--not the passenger. (And, by middle, I mean close to the line in the middle of the road--not literally. Be aware, though, that there are lots of narrow roads in rural areas.)
Be especially aware when you are turning on to a divided highway. That's when it is very tempting to revert to American right of the road.
If you have a passenger, remind the passenger to remind you. Try not to react to backseat driving when the passenger does remind you.

I would recommend renting the car in a more rural area rather than starting in the city. Ditch the car in the city and rely on public transportation.

If possible, go to Dublin first and use public transportation to give you a "feel" for driving on the left before you start. Rent the car somewhere on the outskirts of town.

[Anonymous]

For the driving thing, I drew a picture of the correct way to go when turning on a post-it, and put that on my steering wheel. It helped! Turns can be disorienting and it's easy to find yourself in the wrong lane. I found the visual reference kept me in the right place (which was on the left, lol!).

[Anonymous]

I loved Ireland! Go! We did a tour group and it was amazing how many places we saw. We started in Dublin and then visited Waterford, Kerry, Galway, Killarney, Belfast and some other places in between. My favorites were the Cliffs of Mohr, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Giants Causeway.

[Anonymous]

You need a good guidebook. I like lonely planet but there are many good ones. In addition to the detailed listings they have recommended itineraries.

[Anonymous]

Go in the Summer. Otherwise it just rains and rains. And even in the Summer it will rain, but less.

[Anonymous]

We once took the train from Dublin to Killarney. We then had family drive us so we didn't have to rent a car. Just chiming in to suggest looking into train travel across the country if driving freaks you out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved Ireland! Go! We did a tour group and it was amazing how many places we saw. We started in Dublin and then visited Waterford, Kerry, Galway, Killarney, Belfast and some other places in between. My favorites were the Cliffs of Mohr, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Giants Causeway.

Can you please recommend the tour group you did? And were there teenagers in the group?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go in the Summer. Otherwise it just rains and rains. And even in the Summer it will rain, but less.

And June is not summer there. July-September is better.

[Anonymous]

Grew up in Ireland and going in the summer is a waste as far as I'm concerned. Weather is hit or miss any time of the year. Dubin is fine, as biggish cities go, but definitely get out to the country. Train to Kerry or Cork or Galway is easy and cuts out some driving. Look at Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Kerry. I personally love walking and hiking along miles of beach or old trails.

[Anonymous]

The weather is awful even in summer. Take your rain gear and warm clothes!

Must admit, its not my favourite place to visit. There is much more of interest in the UK or on the continent.

[Anonymous]

I've been twice--once was in late September and the other in mid July. Although the weather was sunnier and slightly warmer in July, I preferred visiting in late September because it was less crowded.