caprisun1978

I have been researching this trip to the point of exhaustion.....I need help! We (4 adults) are arriving in Dublin on December 26th.....we were planning to rent a car, but I had a recommendation to take the train from Dublin to Shannon and rent a car there instead. Is the rail a good way to get around Ireland or am I better off to rent a car? We think we want to go to Killareny or Kinsale, Kilkenny, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher....is this possible without renting a car? Which is more economical and timely?

Any recommendation of "not to miss" places that I have no idea about? Also, hotel, B&B, pub, and restaurant recommendations are also very welcome!

We depart from Dublin on January 3rd....so I would like to be back in Dublin by the first so we can have a couple days there unless Dubin is where we should be for New Years.

Also, I have been told that this is not the "prime" time to be in Ireland, but it is the time I will be there and I am looking forward to it very much and will make the most of it.

Thanks!!

Jillian

irishface

My opinion is that a `car is the best way to see the sights that you have mentioned. Trains do not cover all of Ireland and busses can be infrequent so that you spend a lot of time waiting for one or else shortchange a visit to catch one.

In your planning, be aware that some sights will be closed at this time of year and that days are quite short (think sunup about 8:30 and sundown 4ish and on a rainy day, it will seem even shorter. I would suggest that, if you are going the B&B route, you book ahead as many B&Bs close for the week between Christmas and New Year's. I believe that December 26 is a holiday in Ireland.

You really have only five days for sightseeing outside of Dublin.

If you want to do the train to Shannon idea, you will have to change to a bus in Limerick which is the end of that rail line. Pick up your car at the airport and check into your lodgings rather than driving any distance jetlagged. Perhaps look into Ennis for an overnight. Ennis is a large enough town to have an interesting walkabout.

Dec. 27, Cliffs of Moher and then head to Killarney.

Dec. 28 ring of Kerry from Killarney.

December 29 Head for Kilkenny via Rock of Cashel

December 30 Walk about in Kilkenny. Maybe explore Jerpoint Abbey in the area.

December 31--head for Dublin via Glendalough. check weather conditions before heading up into the Wicklow Hills.

January 1-3 Dublin

Another option would be to spend your whole time in Dublin. There is lots to see and do. Rent a car for a couple of day trips out of Dublin to Glendalough or north to Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice. If you have a really nice day (and it can happen even in December--I remember a few sparkling winter days when I lived there), take the Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) from Connolly, Pearse or Tara Station to one of the seaside towns such as Bray, Greystones, or DunLaoghaire and walk along the beach.You could take a train to Kilkenny for the day.

some who live in Ireland now will be able to help you more and may have better ideas about how to spend your time.

irishface

According to one website there is no train service Dublin to Limerick on December 26, as it is a public holiday. You might want to check this further at http://www.irishrail.ie

Check all of your transportation options carefully because of the holidays on December 26 and January 1.

janisj

"<i>I had a recommendation to take the train from Dublin to Shannon and rent a car there instead. Is the rail a good way to get around Ireland or am I better off to rent a car?</i>"

I'm pretty sure the recommendation was only to take trains on your arrival day. Jetlag, unfamiliar roads, 'wrong' side of the road/'wrong' side of the car, VERY short days, and potential for nasty/wintry weather all add up to . . . Don'tdrive on the days you arrive.

After you've had a decent night's sleep -- then yes, a car is the best way to see Ireland.

So what I'd do is stay the first night or two in Dublin and then rent a car and head west. You only have to be back near Dublin the evening before flying out.

Bushgirl

I'd take the Dingle Peninsular over the Ring of Kerry any time. Have travelled both by car from Dublin s/w to Cashel and onwards, and also caught the train from Dublin to Cork and picked up car there. Much more relaxing if practicable.
Would try for some of the west coast too if time permits - Galway/Donegal beautiful as well. Day trip to Bray from DUB on the train was great; wonderful restaurant overlooking the water, not far from station (few yrs ago now). Weather may determine a lot. Enjoy the wonderful hospitality you'll no doubt find.

annw

I agree about Dingle peninsula over ROK, myself. Also agree about Ennis as a nice town for a stopover if that works with itinerary.

If you did want to use the trains you could take a train across the country to Galway--about a 3 hour ride from Dublin, I think. I found Galway well worth seeing, good traditional music, pubs, lodging, food, one of the youngest cities in Europe. Aran Islands nearby (day trip, though).

I've visited several times and done train travel (supplemented by taxis a few times) and had a great trip. Auto does give you ability to see the smaller towns and more of the country, but as mentioned not recommended after transatlantic flight, given the driving situation.

cambe

caprisun, the problem with Ireland the week between Christmas and New Year is a lot of B&B's are closed and many sites will also be closed. Additionally, if the last 2 years are anything to go by we were 'snowed in' and the country ground to a halt (we are not used to or equipped for heavy snow and snow tyres and chains are almost unheard of).

I would definitely suggest that you spend New Year in Dublin but book early as it is popular and good 'craic' around this time.

Personally, I would spend the whole time in Dublin and weather permitting, use the train to visit areas outside the city.

caprisun1978

OK, so how about this?

Arrive 26th--Stay over night in Dublin (rent car)
27th-- travel to Ennis (stay over night)
28th--Travel to Dingle (stay two nights)
29th--Dingle
30th--Cork ? ****suggestions somewhere between Dingle and Kilkenny***
31st--Kilkenny (stay over night)
1st --Dublin until departure on the 3rd

Unless it snows and then....Dublin for the duration!

Thank you!!

annw

Don't know Kilkenny but really liked Kinsale (not far from Cork). But I don't think I'd give up another day in Dublin for Cork City. Also, you are covering *a lot* of real estate in a short time, and the roads, while good, are definitely not superhighways. Given the time of year and the brevity of the stay, I'd consider majority of time in Dublin, and then over to Dingle to see something of the country. Ennis makes more sense for a Shannon arrival/departure more than for Dublin.

Another thought, outside of Dublin -- accessible by train -- is a small but lovely town called Skerries. A friend and I hid out there for a few days after being stranded in Dublin on 9/11. But I understand the desire to get out and see more of the country. Good that you are being flexible given the weather.

pajohnson58

My husband and I went to Ireland 4 years ago and absolutely didn't want to leave. Didn't go to Dublin because we live in Houston and we wanted to get into the real heart of the country. We fell in love with the southern part of Ireland and stayed 10 days. We flew into Shannon and rented a car which is the best way to get around.

Started out in Killarney for 3 days in a B&B which was very nice and economical. You MUST do the Gap of Dunloe trip. We hired a jarvey and rode in a jaunting cart pulled by a horse. (Try to find Dan....he has always lived in that area and can teach you so much as you see the breathtaking views of the mountains, lakes, sheep,etc.) You will take an 8 mi. journey through the gap between the mountains on a winding tiny road. I can send you pics. if you would like to see what I am talking about. You will come to Lord Brendan's cottage for lunch. (We brought our own.) Then you will board a boat that will travel through 3 lakes total by the end of the trip. You will go through rapids, the lakes, and on to Ross Castle at the end of the trip. As you are in the middle of the lakes you will be looking up at the famous Ring of Kerry. The views are incredible. Rododendrens everywhere with their gorgeous pink color and all of the surrounding mountainsides.
You will see Purple Mtn. which is made of purple quartz at the top, hence the name.

While in Killarney we also went on a Wed. night to see a traditional Irish dance group in the back of the Killarney Grand. We sat and watched this group that comes once a week to keep their old style of dance alive. All ages were there just having a great time dancing to a 3 piece band. People were so excited to have Americans amongst this all Irish group. We also saw River Dance in Killarney which was so electric. The crowd just loved it.

We also stayed in Limerick at the Radisson SAS. Great rates.
We drove through Tipperary all the way to Cork where we barely caught the famous English Market (featured on Samantha Brown's show on the Travel Channel). She was right, it was fantastic. We only had 20 minutes to quickly go through as they were closing, but we got one of the best tips of where to eat the best John Dory fish. They directed us to the gourmet capital of Ireland which is Kinsale. Bullman's is actually a pub on the lower floor and a restaurant on the top floor. FANTASTIC JOHN DORY and the Irish beef was superb. Call ahead for reservations. Too many restaurants, too little time.

We stayed 2 nights at Dromoland Castle which was built in the 1500's. While there we hired a driver to take us to some more breathtaking places close to Shannon. We went to the famous Cliffs of Mohr (got to see them). You walk on a trail around the cliffs and look down into the beautiful water about 700 feet down. All of the back roads wind around and lead you to some incredible old prehistoric burial grounds that have been there for 7,000 yrs. called the Portal Tomb.

We took a side trip to a wonderful beach and watched people surfing and having just an awesome time with their families. The thatched roofed buildings are so Ireland. The fields of lush grass with gorgeous cattle grazing and the miles of handcut rock fences that have been there for years and years line the countryside, even up into the mountains. They are everywhere. Old remnants of castles everywhere you look make great photo opts. If you need a driver Kevin is the one to get. He was wonderful and grew up in New Market on Fergus close to Dromoland. You could probably set all of this up beforehand to save time and get every minute covered.

Please contact me if you would like for me to send you pictures or just ask some questions about places to eat or whatever. I absolutely was ready to move to Ireland. It is so quaint and charming. I remember it as if I were just there. [email protected] is my e-mail address.

I drove the whole time we were there and had no trouble getting around at all. The main roads are well marked and even the smaller roads are easy to get around on.

Happy travels and I'm so jealous!!! LOL

ter2000

Hey thanks annw - I've lived all my life in Skerries!

madcat

You will need to rent a car to visit the major sites. I sounds like a lovely time of the year to go. Don't miss out on the Cliffs of Moher and the ring of Kerry which is just outside Killarney. Also Co Wicklow it beautiful and Glendalough, I would love to visit in during the winter time, maybe if there is just light snow, I saw some post card image when we were there and it look beautiful

caprisun1978

Thank You all for the insight! I really, really appreciate it! pajohnson58 I would love to see some of your pictures if you don't mind... my email is [email protected]! Thanks again for all the advice. We are going to have a planning session tonight, so I may be reposting new ideas soon!

caprisun1978

madcat...Thank you sooooo much for shedding a positive light on going in the winter....several people have been extremely negative!

flpab

I just checked reservations for the hotel we are staying at in Dublin for the 26th and 27th and they are already booked so would not wasted anytime in getting a reservation for Christmas week. I would take RT bus into Dublin for your stay and then go back and rent the car. Head out towards Galway and go south towards the Cliffs, Kerry, Cork or whatever and get back to Dublin for New Year's eve if the hotels are no super high. There is so much to see in Dublin and would imagine the city is beautiful for the holidays. I would go more for Inns and hotels because many B&Bs might be closed for that week. The train to Howth and Greystone is a good tip.

flpab

http://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/hard...bbdce56a05dX14

I loved the Harding, right across from Christ Church, anyway booking.com is a good site.

annw

Hey ter2000, the Skerries residents were enormously kind and considerate during a very difficult time, from the B&B lady to the lads at the pub. Slante!

cambe

I am not negative about Ireland in winter but I do want to let you know what to expect.

Definite: your days will be short

Dublin to Ennis : it will be dark before you arrive there,

Dinglr to Cork - it will be dark before you arrive.

Possible:

No one knows what the weather will be like in December 2011 but IF IT SNOWS or IF THERE ARE ICY NIGHTS, major roads are gritted but not minor roads and 1 inch of snow and ice can cause major problems. It looks lovely if you are walking but can play havoc if driving.

I think you should come back to Dublin for New Year's Eve and book accommodation as soon as possible ( Dublin at New Year is a major City and great fun)

With your limited time forget Cork and concentrate on the West of Ireland but listen to the weather forecasts and remember that a few inches of snow here is a major problem compared to the US

AlessandraZoe

Agree that you might want to change the dates of your travel. Dark, dark, dark.

HOWEVER, buses are NOT infrequent in Ireland. And the idea that one has to rent a car to see major sites is stuff and nonsense.

Since we are cyclists with some major touring companies, we often needed to get from Point A to Point B several hundred miles away. We did NOT rent a car. We took a bus. Easy, comfortable, convenient.

Hard to believe? I agree. A beloved poster here, NedsIreland set me straight. Thank goodness.

For all the schedules: http://www.buseireann.ie/

We were certainly naysayers since we refused to take a bus in the US. We now find it ironic that Megabus in the US is finally taking off.

janisj

AlessandraZoe: But the difference is -- you were touring by bike. You used the buses to move from region to region. Long distance buses and trains make total sense for something like that. But IMO sightseeing/touring by bus/train is a good deal harder/less convenient.