BarbaraMH

Our family of 4 goes "somewhere" in Europe every summer. This summer, we'll spend a week in Ireland (after a week in Holland ... Don't ask!). We are open to all recommendations as we have no itinerary at all at this point. We are flying in and out of Dublin. Already have plane tix, so now way to change to an open jaw option.

Usually we base ourselves somewhere for at least a week and travel around that area, but someome suggested driving cross country to Galway, which they find to be the prettiest part of the country, making some stops along the way. Sounds like a lot for one week, but she says it's manageable.

We enjoy exploring beautiful towns, trying the food and drink, shopping for unique items/crafts, the very occasional museum. We also like the beach and staying in seaside resorts/coastal areas. Our girls are 13 and 17.

I know this is a wide open question, but where would you recommend we visit on our first trip to Ireland? Thanks!

BarbaraMH

BTW, we'll be there around the first week of July.

flpab

Are your kids into Game of Thrones? You could land in Dublin and take the 2 hour bus to Belfast. Tour Belfast seeing the Titanic exhibit and then the next day do McCombs Game of Thrones Tour, very fun and beautiful. I could fill a week in Dublin doing great day trips to Wicklow, the coast and a tour of Newgrange. Dublin has a lot the girls will enjoy. The west is beautiful but the northern coast is spectacular.

BarbaraMH

Thanks, flpab! No, they are not Game of Thrones fans, but they've both had an interest in the Titanic. Would you recommend making our way up to Belfast and exploring the coast along that route instead of heading west? Are there good stops along the way?

Also, what suggestions would you have for Dublin specifically? I was only planning on about 2 days there. Would you do more?

Thanks for your help. Barbara

irishface

You could stay in a coastal town like Greystones which is south of Dublin. There is a beach there. The town is on the DART line which makes it an easy train ride into Dublin where you don't want a car. From Greystones you could take your rental car and drive up into the Wicklow Hills for some nice walks, a visit to Glendalough (hikes and ancient ruins and round tower), walk around Avoca (nearby craft shops and scene of Ballykissangel, the PBS show which went on for several seasons), Powerscourt Gardens, Pwerscourt Waterfall for nice walks, village of Enniskerry.

You could base yourselves in a village north of Dublin (Malahide is near the airport and easy run into Dublin by public transport.) By rental car, explore the Boyne Valley--Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice, town of Trim and its castle.

irishface

Sorry hit submit too soon.

Spend two nights in Dublin and see stuff there, head north by train or bus to Belfast, pick up a rental car and see the Titanic and then drive north along the Antrim coast . The Glens of Antrim offer scenic walks.

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is near Ballycastle. Also nearby is Rathlin Island, bird sanctuary and small village.

Within easy drive are the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle ruins (where the kitchen fell into the sea one stormy night during a banquet at the castle), a distillery (not sure which one as it just isn't my thing, but know that it is highly recommended by many.

There is near Belfast a folk park where you can see how people in this area lived a couple hundred years ago. Craft shops and docents dressed in period clothes to explain stuff. Also craftsmen at work.

Or stay in Dublin a couple of days and head west to Galway with a stop at Clonmacnoise, ruined abbey, wonderful examples of Celtic crosses and round tower. From Galway you can explore Connemara with its wild scenery, ruins, craft centers, beaches, small towns, etc.

irishface

Just another thought, you might leave your two days in Dublin till the end of the trip since you won't be coming off an overnight flight. Pick up the car at the airport and head out and then return it to the airport and head into Dublin. There is a bus which goes right into the city center, where it makes several stops. Easy run back to the airport on the day of departure.

BarbaraMH

Thanks for the great ideas, Irishface! I'll do some reading on those places and share with my husband and daughters to see what they prefer.

I like the idea of Dublin at the end. Hadn't actually considered that for some reason ��. Is the Titanic museum well done? I hope this doesn't make me sound awfully out of touch, but is all well with visiting Northern Ireland? Thanks again!

flpab

The girls will enjoy walking around Trinity college, great museums in Dublin and shopping on Grafton St. There are always street performers. You could do the hop on hop off bus one day just to see the city.
irishface has good picks for you. The Antrim coast has Giants causeway which is so much fun to walk on. Galway is nice if you decide to cross over and see the west coast but don't do it just to see the cliffs of Moher. Howth is a nice seaside village also. You can take the dart there from Dublin.

http://www.olympia.ie/ sometimes they have great shows your girls might like.

TPAYT

You siad that you are flying into and out of Dublin but how are you getting from Holland to Ireland? Is that also through Dublin?

BarbaraMH

Perfect! My oldest loves the theatre.

I'm being deceived by the map ... All of these locations look far from Dublin, but I've Google mapped them and they're quite short distances. Can tolls be paid by credit card? Anything to know about driving in Ireland, besides opposite side of the road?

Alec

There is electronic toll (eFlow) on M50 beltway around Dublin, and they capture your number plates and bill you, and you have to pay the toll in a store (with Payzone sign), by phone or online by 8 pm of the next day. Easily done in town. Where tolls are charged on other stretches of motorways (not all are tolled), you pay cash (only) at toll plaza. Local drivers often have electronic tag where tolls are automatically debited from their bank account and they use separate lanes for that, so watch out.
I had good experience with Budget Rent-a-car at Dublin Airport in Sept. Quick service, no hard sell of extras and no scrutiny for non-existent damage.

irishface

Alec, your comment about Budget car hire, reminds me of a comment from one of the girls at the desk when I rented from them a while back. I was checking the paperwork and car for damage before I signed. I pointed out a ding on one of the doors. The girl marked it, but said, "Mind you, we don't worry about a little ding like that. We just want you to bring back the car with its door still on it."

jaja

I have been taking my grandchildren to Ireland for several years, in shifts because I can't afford more and to make the logistics easier.

Feel free to peruse my trip reports:
http://www.travelpod.com/members/jjarnold

Tony2phones

A week isn't long.
So. Have you and your party decided on any part of the agenda as to where to go and what to do? Have you looked at any decent travel guides (Rick Steve Guide doesn't count).

Flying in and out of Dublin I would suggest heading out of the city on arrival and having any and all Dublin time at the end of your visit. Either Belfast or Galway are within reach of Dublin Airport especially as there will be no Jetlag flying in from the Netherlands. You can either Bus and take tours or rent a car for more flexibility.

persimmondeb

Northern Ireland is fine to travel in (I went many, many years ago, when things were much less stable, and never felt unsafe).

Lots of good stuff in and around Dublin. We went a few years ago with our teen and had a good time. He's kind of non-typical, but here's a link to my travel report. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-hfa-teen.cfm

BarbaraMH

Thanks for the car rental and toll tips, and I will definitely check out the other trip reports.

We're leaning towards Galway, and as you suggest, waiting to see Dublin at the end. Will 2 days be sufficient?

As I said above, we tend to base ourselves in one place and explore from that base, but I get the impression that many don't do that in Ireland. The trip reports I've read so far have had a lot of town-hopping!

So is there a good town to base ourselves in or should we spend a night or two in a couple of different towns? Thanks!

sarge56

One vote here for Blarney. You get to kiss the Blarney Stone and do some excellent shopping in the Blarney Woolen Mills.
http://www.blarneycastle.ie/
https://www.blarney.com/

Also loved Limerick, with King John's Castle and St. Mary's Cathedral. The views of the River Shannon are lovely.

And, of course, a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory.
http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/

Have a great trip!

sarge56

Oh, and in Dublin, don't miss the Book of Kells at Trinity College! Lovely! https://www.tcd.ie/Library/manuscrip...k-of-kells.php

BarbaraMH

Thanks, Sarge! Investigating Limerick and Blarney ... didn't realize that was actually a town.

Any other suggested bases?