Bev

My daughter and I were there 2 yrs. ago. We flew
into Scotland rented a car headed south to where
ferrys are we crossed with the car spent a little
over a week, didn't see everything but circled the
country even went into the west side of North
Ireland, then back to the ferry an Britain.
We spent 3 weeks all told.
T-Bev

Denny Crosby

Mike: Spent 10 days in early oct. in Ireland. It was a trip I was planning for some time. Use the internet for much of it. There must be 200 sights giving tons of great info. 10 days was about 30 days to short. I went in Oct to avoid the tourists and crowds. You didn't say when you were planning to go but I wouldn't go anywhere the island during July and Aug. You will be belching from the fumes of the buses. The pub operators will hate you. We we planning a couple of days in Dublin and cancelled two days into the trip because we were having such a great time in the south and southwest. Don't miss the Beara Penninsula (sp). Magical and friendly. Galway and Innes were worth the drive. I don't think I would attempt to do more than a section of the island. Maybe find a neat hotel or B&B and take day trips. You'll go back without a doubt. Good luck on your trip and let me know how things went. Our next trip we are joining with group of others and renting a house for a month, with each of us spending a week or two or three in the house. Denny C.

audra

Time and money are important cosiderations. While it's less expensive to take a ferry from the UK to Ireland than to travel by air, it's more time consuming, and you'll want to reserve as much time as you can for exploring the countries. However, if you do choose to go by ferry, it's best to leave from Holyhead in Whales and cross the Irish Sea to Dun Laoghaire, a few miles outside of Dublin. Dublin can be covered quite throroughly in two days, but for an Ireland less Europeanized, head out west. Be sure to call hotels out there ahead of time because many of them are seasonal. Galway County, particularly Galway City and Connemara, is well worth the four hour train ride from Dublin. If the weather's warm, try to make it to Dingle Bay in the southwest. Ireland has a reliable transportation system that can get you, whether by train or bus, to all major destinations. It's also small which makes it easy to tackle in a short amount of time. Car rentals are also worth checking into. No mattter where you go though, most everything is likely to leave an impression.

Gerard Finnegan

I read your reply regarding your travel via car from Scotland to Ireland and back. My wife and I are planning a driving trip in Ireland and wanted to include Scotland briefly. Did you have problems with the rental with travel from one country to another? Any information that you could share would be greatly appreciated.

John R..

We did a England-Ireland trip last spring. We started in London and on our travel day, took a train across England and Wales and ferried to Dublin. The trip was a litte long, but economical and scenic. I would recommend it. After bumming around Dublin, we rented a car and did western Ireland. It was great. I especially liked Galway - it is very different from the rest of Ireland. Good luck -- and let your Guiness settle before you drink it!

Jim Blaul

I recommend air transport versus catching a ferry.
Also, I would guess that you could get to any major
city within a day. You may need to use a combo of
bus and train transport. There are Web sites for:
Bus Eireann and Iarnrod Eireann that can provide
some schedules.

D.Greenhill

Hello. I would do air vs. ferry, just to give you more time in Ireland. You can do Dublin in two days, max. While in Dublin, do try to see Trinity College and the Book of Kells. There are places 1-2 hours from Dublin that you should see; Glendalough, to name one. But the things we found amazing are the ones we literally stumbled on, that did not appear in typical guidebooks. One was the Tintern Abbey in Wexford. Gorgeous, and we literally had it all to ourselves. Same with the Augustinian Friary in downtown Waterford. There are lots of places that you just find while driving, and there are signs posted on them saying such things as "check with Mrs. White next door for the key." It's amazing. We went in July, we were not on a tour, and people were extremely lovely to us. If you stay away from places like the Blarney stone and other nonsense, you don't get the tour buses. Do try to do the ring of kerry, in your own car if you can. Also, there's this little place outside of Waterford in Wexford called Kilmore Quay. Absolutely charming, Thathched roofs! Please by the Cadogan guide to Ireland. It's the best...and have lots of fun! Kind regards, D.

Seamus O'Shea

We visit S. Ireland regularly for family reasons. If time is limited, our advice is to rent a small car and drive along the south-east, south, and southwest coasts. Dublin - Wicklow - Waterford -Cork- Ring of Kerry, Dingle, up to Galway, Connemara if possible. Then straight across to Dublin. Why? Most scenic route, no major industrial cities, beaches galore, excellent roads. Every city and town has a fantastic Irish Tourist Board office which will arrange bed & breakfast in whatever style place you like, whatever price range. Go early in day. They'll book days and places ahead, too. People are warm and welcoming, especially outside most major cities. Traffic in big cities can be hell. You will LOVE Ireland. Time for the described circuit - a week for comfort and time to relax and explore. Take a few picnic knives and towels -- heavenly, empty, clean beaches. Be sure to find an Irish dancing/music evening, and be sure to join in. Irish breads, cheeses, tomatoes are fabulous. Get coffee with hot milk, preferably in a sit-in bakery. Cead mile failte!

Nan Davis

Been home from UK & Ireland a month. All i think of is when can I go back! Traveled by train,ferry and bus. Biked around the Dingle peninsula -heaven. TheGreenmount B/B in Dingle was great-fab breakfast. Friendly,friendly people greaat music in the West.Check out the walks in Ireland it was fun to be out in the country with all the lambs. Get a phone card for ease of reservations. I agree with most of thr info in your other messages.Enjoy.

David Felder

My wife and I just got from 2 weeks in Ireland & North Wales. Stena has a HSS "fast ferry" that can do the crossing from Dublin to Holyhead, Wales in 1 hour 40 minutes---it's a fun ride too. Three or four days in North Wales is the perfect compliment to your Irish vacation. Check out Betws-Y-Coed, Llanberis, Llandudno, and Caernarfon. Definitely go with the Irish B&Bs---Ariel House in Dublin & Kathleen's Country House in Killarney make good touring bases. Also, an overnight at Greenmount HOuse in Dingle is a must. Bring plenty of film & enjoy your trip!