A trip to Ireland has been a lifelong dream and my husband surprised me with a week stay in Dublin in May 2013. Dreaming of going and having to actually plan a trip out of nowhere are 2 totally different things and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I've purchased 3 guidebooks and have begun searching the internet.
I'm looking for suggests of things to NOT miss while I'm there. Also, I would love some ideas on day trips that could be easily arranged out of Dublin. I really want that authentic "Irish" experience - the green hills, a visit to a scenic castle.
Here's where it really gets interesting... I will be traveling alone... Any recommendations/tips for a solo, American, female traveler?
Surprise trip to Ireland
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My main advice is to travel beyond Dublin. Start your trip in Dublin, end it in Shannon, and explore the beautiful country in between. That's how you're going to experience Ireland, its amazing scenery, and its "40 shades of green"!
You might check out http://www.britishislestouring.com. There are some 7 day tour itineraries on the left sidebar that you can check out for ideas.
If your ticket is already booked in and out of Dublin, there is a lot to see and do within a day of Dublin. The east coast seems to get short shrift for the wonders of the west, southwest here. While it is true that the west is beautiful, you can exsperience much on the east.
Day trips that can easily be arranged without a car:
1. Take the train to Kilkenny city and back It can be done in a day. There are medieval streets to wander, a round tower, St. Cannice's cathedral, Blackfriars Abbey, a castle with a beautiful garden. The castle has been refurbished (19th cwntury) so that the family could live in it.
2. Day tour to Glendalough (monastic ruins including a round tower) set in a quiet valley. The road down goes over the Wicklow Hills on roads that seem deserted. You might also find a tour that includes Powerscourt Estate. Wonderful gardens.
3. Take the DART (commuter train) south to one of the seaside towns and walk the beach.
4. Take the train out to Howth--rhodendrons are beautiful, the harbor is picturesque, a seaside walk by the lighthouse is interesing.
5. Take a tour out to Newgrange, the burial tomb older than the pyramids.
6. Take a bus (not sure about train) up to Trim, an interesting town with and old castle and walls.
There is also lots to do in Dublin itself:
Kilmainham gaol (jail), Christ Church and St. Patrick's cathedrals, National Museum (closed on Mondays), Hop On/Hop Off bus ride, Trinity College and the Book of Kells.
Thank you irishface. Exactly the info I need!
Travel and lodging have already been booked so day trips will be perfect! Leaning towards Trim and Kilkenny.
Thanks again!
Hello JenowareMS,
That's a nice surprise!
You will be very welcome !
Irishface has provided some really nice suggestions here. Take heed !
One week based in Dublin will offer a great opportunity to discover the East coast, as there is a great public transport service which includes the DART, the LUAS, Irish Rail and Bus Eireann. You could also join some group day tours.
Many tours leave from Dublin and can bring you as far as the Cliffs of Moher on the West coast, or even the Giants Causeway, which is situated on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland, and is beautifully scenic, with Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 included. Is it something you would like to do?
You have plenty of options
For an evening, why not enjoy some irish «craic » with a nice dinner and a traditional Irish dancing show?
Irishface sure has given you the "A list" of possible (day) trips from Dublin already.
Just a little add-on info as you seem to have to rely on public transport:
Irish Rail has good discounts if you book in advance on their website, e.g. when you want to see Kilkenny (which I'd also second as the best day trip for seeing a nice town w/ castle).
The train will get out of Dublin during the morning rushhour much fast than the buses.
So this may be your preferred option to go TO Kilkenny.
But going BACK to Dublin you could use the regular inter-city buses (Bus Eireann, maybe also another competing company) for which you don't have to book in advance as the price is only a tiny bit lower if you do. Just show up at the bus stop and buy the ticket from the driver. Should be around €12 o/w.
So you'd have more flexibility to stay as long or not so long in Kilkenny as you please.
DO visit the National Museum in Dublin.. it's a gem (and yet quite compact/ manageable in size).
If you don't get see any houses and gardens like Powerscourt you can still get your green and more colours at the National Botanical Garden in Dublin
http://www.botanicgardens.ie/home.htm
Thank you so much! Wonderful information. Never considered a west coast day trip and I'm so excited that is now a possibility.
Any suggestions for reputable tour companies? I'm assuming the concierge at my hotel can help but any first hand knowledge would be great!
What a great surprise. You will have so much fun.
As far as tours, I was in Dublin for a week last spring and took 3 day trips as well as the hop on and off tour. I booked all of mine through Viator.com because if you spend a certain amount, you can get FF miles. We went to the Giants Causeway, Cliffs of Moher and Blarney Castle/Cork. Blarney was my favorite of the 3 day tours.