lovexhappiness

Hi, everyone.
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Ireland for March 2017. I am a bit overwhelmed due to all there is in Ireland to do. I want to make sure we make the most out of our time there. I would love itentiary recommendations from those with knowledge on Ireland!

We leave the States a Friday evening and land in Dublin Saturday morning at around 10 AM. We thought we would spend the first day exploring Ireland and taking it easy because we will probably have some jet lag. For Day 2, my boyfriend would like to do some golfing in Dublin. So we thought we'd do that day 2 and spend the night in Dublin.
We leave Saturday morning at 11.
We want to take a road trip leaving Monday morning from Dublin, needing to be back in Dublin Friday night because of our flight home Saturday morning.

this is where I get overwhelmed... I want to see as much as possible Monday-Friday but don't want to spend the whole time in the car driving. I am very open to recommendations. For my must see list, the cliffs of Mohr and the ring of Kerry. Has anyone done the Murals in Belfast? I think that is something my boyfriend would enjoy. I also want to spend one night at the Ashford Castle. I know it is expensive but it is rated one of the best castles and I think it would be worth it! Other than that we would like to stay on the more affordable side for lodging.
We will be renting a car from the Dublin airport and driving ourselves, in order to be able to make stops along the way whenever we want.

Hopefully I didn't babble too long. I so appreciate any feedback!!

Hooameye

Don't understand why this post is tagged United Kingdom when you're only planning to visit Ireland, have you left out the UK bit?

NewbE

Belfast is in Northern Ireland. Are you sure the rental car company will let you take the car from Ireland into Northern Ireland and back?

I would not recommend renting the car at the airport, because you won't need it in Dublin. Pick it up from a central Dublin rental site when you're ready to leave the city.

janisj

>>Don't understand why this post is tagged United Kingdom when you're only planning to visit Ireland, have you left out the UK bit?<<

NI topics are filed under the UK . . .

>> Has anyone done the Murals in <i>Belfast?</i><<

lovexhappiness: You really only have 5 days so I would limit how far toy travel -- the driving is slow in the scenic bits.

You have enough time for the RoK and then a bit of time for County Clare and Galway.

janisj

Didn't see the previous post - taking a rental into NI is not an issue -- taking a car into NI and dropping it there could be. But there is really not enough time to venture that far.

or2nh4me2

I would be more a fan of spending the end of the trip in Dublin rather than a day in the beginning, and one in the end, but yes you will be jet lagged. Also driving on the other side of the road will take adjustment. We didn't make it to Galway but people love it. If I were you and definitely going to Ashford Castle, on the day of arrival I would take the train from Dublin to Galway 2 1/2hrs, and stay there for a few days. Then pick up rental car in Galway and go up to Ashford (1hr north). Just a thought. I cannot advise you on North, we only went as far as Ennis. I will say that if you go to Ashford, Belfast, West you might be cross crossing the country. I would say you need to choose between going northwest, or southwest before heading back to Dublin, but more experienced Irish travelers might feel differently. As for golf, I know there are options in the West and in Killarney (great views)-not sure what's around Dublin. Also I would watch the weather before deciding what day to play golf. That way you give yourself the best chance to find a clear day.

We loved the Cliffs, Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, but the driving is time consuming so research where you want to go and prioritize. Definitely ADD time to any drive time estimates you get online. As soon as you get off the main drags (M) you are dealing with narrow roads and frequent roundabouts. Enjoy!

Hooameye

" Has anyone done the Murals in Belfast?"
Read post too quickly, missed that bit.

lovexhappiness

I'm not sure why it tagged the U.K. either. I didn't do this but maybe I hit a wrong button or something. I do not intend on visiting the UK in this trip.

I am not opposed to ending the trip in Dublin rather than beginning it there, that might make more sense.
I was debating on flying into Dublin and out of Shannon but price wise it just doesn't make sense.

Those of you that stated I wouldn't need a rental car in Dublin - Do you suggest getting the rental car at the airport and heading on the road trip and dropping it off when we arrive back in Dublin?

Can anyone provide me with a realistic itentiary? (Like; day 1, day 2, day 3, etc) including driving times in a day?
We are going driving 2 hours or so a day, but would not prefer much more.

Thinking it over - maybe we take a train/railroad to the first stop and pick up a rental car there?
I know a must have is the Cliffs, Ashford Castle, and Ring of Kerry. Outside of that we are totally up for recommendations! Would like one full day in the end to golf in Dublin.

Thank you all so much for your reply. Trying to plan the best for our short time in a IRELAND and am overwhelmed a bit.

lovexhappiness

I guess the Golfing doesn't necessarily need to be in Dublin... just throughout research found the famous St. Andrews golfing there and my boyfriend was interested in that.

Anyone familar with that?

janisj

I don't think you tagged it for anything . . . When I first saw your post there was no tag. The moderators likely tagged it for the two countries (FYI Belfast/Northern Ireland IS considered the UK so that is probably why its there -- if you don't plan on going to NI it will become obvious in the discussion)

>>I know a must have is the Cliffs, Ashford Castle, and Ring of Kerry. Outside of that we are totally up for recommendations! Would like one full day in the end to golf in Dublin. <<

Then I'd definitely take a bus or the train to Galway or someplace and spend the first night car-less. Get the golf fix in that area, do Ashford C., the Cliffs, RoK -- head back to Dublin, drop the car and spend the last night or two in Dublin before flying out.

NewbE

Yes, it's in Scotland.

Macross

Ok, spend first day in Dublin recovering from jet lag. You can take the 747 bus into the city, You are young so sty at Blooms hotel or something in that area. Buy a rt and pick up your car next morning. http://www.blooms.ie/

Day two: Sunday, drive to Ashford castle, explore the area. Cong, Glebe stones etc.
Day three: Head south along the coast stopping to see cliffs. Spend night in Lahinch and let bf golf on a links course, make reservations early. He will love you the rest of the trip. Lahinch is nice to explore while he does this.
Day four: Head to Kerry and spend a couple of nights catching your breath and taking it all in.
Day five: Kerry
Day six: Head back towards Dublin and turn in car
Rest of trip, you can take a tour like Wild Rover from Dublin and go to Belfast for the day.
https://wildrovertours.com/day-tours...e-rope-bridge/

Long day but worth it. Do the black cab tour included with the price. You can get on the dart and go to Dalky one day or Howth but think you will find a lot to do in Dublin.

Enjoy Dublin, ton to see there and great city.

SeeDee

From a completely practical point of view, seeking out a place to rent clubs and play a round of golf solo on a Sunday near Dublin - this would not be as easy to achieve as it might seem.
Even if you set up a suitable tee time, you would certainly require a car to get to the golf course - and you will need something to occupy yourself for five hours that the round may take(you will understand the need for you to be able to drive the hire car).
Perhaps you could go for the plan to perhaps to try a night in Dublin on Saturday night and make tracks for Galway by train on Sunday. Rent a car on Monday morning and make tracks for Ashford Castle.
The good news is the Ashford have a modest 9 hole golf course, not up to St Andrews standard, but you can adjourn to the spa while himself is testing his golfing skills. Golf is not the easiest pastime to work into a road trip BTW - long hours to kill for the non-golfing other half; you have been warned......
Anyway, after your Monday luxury stop over, you are likely to head south, perhaps following the Wild Atlantic Way which will take you to some of the big highlights of the western seaboard - Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry.

Macross

http://www.buswells.ie/ I never knew Blooms was that pricey and you need money for Ashford. Aircoach will drop you off at museum on Kildare St right by Molesworth where hotel is located. Buswell's is several old Georgian style homes that is now a hotel. Very charming and great Java Republic several doors down. If room isn't ready you can leave luggage and go into the museum and see the bog men for free.

Good point about husband getting in a round of golf at Ashford though not a links course.

jaja

At Ashford you and/or your husband can enjoy a Hawk Walk.

lovexhappiness

Is the Ashford golf course a good course? Ashford itself is fairly pricey. Anyone have any price estimates for golfing there? 9 holes is probably what he'll do.

I really appreciate all your help.

janisj

contact the hotel and ask them what guests' greens fees are.

But for courses nearby . . . google is your friend.

https://en.leadingcourses.com/europe...tle/clubs.html

colduphere

It looks like golf is free if you stay there but renting clubs would be 50E. Unless they provide those for free as well, which I doubt.

https://www.ashfordcastle.com/activities/golf

I have been holding back on offering a comment as I am not sure how your boyfriend thinks. But as a frequent traveler to Ireland/Scotland and an avid golfer I would only try and include a round of golf on such a short trip if I was playing one of the noted courses. Inland courses will be much like playing at home. Lahinch is a fabulous course. Ballybunion is just off your route but I think it may be closed in March. Tralee is exceptionally beautiful but has limited times in March I believe.

And I say all that and then look at the picture on the above website and think ....hmmm that does look like a nice course.