Scotland/Ireland

[Anonymous]

We'd like to do a trip this summer . . . anyone done these two in one trip. We've already done Edinburgh and some of the Highlands in Scotland. Looking for a recommended itinerary. Have no experience with Ireland.

[Anonymous]

How much time will you have (one week, two weeks, three?)

What do you like to do?

Will you be renting a car?

[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]

I did a three week trip in college where we flew into Dublin, wound our way to Cork and western Ireland, went up into Northern Ireland, then took a ferry to Scotland, visited Edinburgh then down through the Lake District and departed from London.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in west Cork and think it's one of the most beautiful places in the world!

[Anonymous]

NP here...while discussing Ireland...how would a visit be at the beginning of March? I was surprised to see that the average temps are as warm or warmer than here in DC? Are the rural areas shut down for tourism since it's off season?

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks. To answer some of the questions, there would be three of us (parents and a 10 y.o.). We love cities and countrysides, both. We LOVED Edinburgh and the Highlands of Scotland both. We love history stuff (battlefields/castles) and always build in downtime to just sit and the pubs or outside and take pictures. (I also, personally, like the ghost tour stuff).

We would likely rent a car and do our own thing vs. a highly schedule tour group.

Has anyone been to Isle of Skye in Scotland? We missed it last time and I want to see it.

[Anonymous]

I've been to Isle of Skye. It is beautiful and worth a visit. Two days, one night is enough to see almost everything.

[Anonymous]

Galway and Donegal. West coast. Beautiful like you wouldn't believe.

In some of the smaller towns of Donegal every person you pass on the street will say "hello" and you should say hello back.

Then they will talk about you and laugh in Gaelic, but just ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Galway and Donegal. West coast. Beautiful like you wouldn't believe.

In some of the smaller towns of Donegal every person you pass on the street will say "hello" and you should say hello back.

Then they will talk about you and laugh in Gaelic, but just ignore it.

http://www.bitesize.irish/blog/irish-scottish-gaelic-differences/

The language spoken in Ireland is Irish...it is a Gaelic language but the language called Gaelic is spoken in Scotland.

[Anonymous]

Ireland is a great country to drive around, because you can make a big circle and see everything easily.

[Anonymous]

I would like to visit Ireland with a 7 year old. Anything I should be aware of traveling with a kid? carseat issue? castle visits allow kids?