3 days in ireland
Feb 19th, 2003, 09:13 AM
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3 days in ireland
i will be taking an 8 day bike trip through western ireland in early sept. covering spots like bunratty, galway, connemara, aran islands, kinvarra, linhinch, etc. i will have three full days following the trip. i fly in and out of dublin and will have two days before the trip begins. i plan to spend the first two days in dublin and don't know where to go after that. possibilities are belfast or the ring of kerry. any suggestions? thanks in advance for any help.
Feb 19th, 2003, 10:34 AM
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I'm sure just about everyone (notable exceptions are wojazz and some others) on this board will say go to the Ring of Kerry, mainly because they've never been to Northern Ireland.
Will you be renting a car? If not, take the train from Dublin to Belfast. You could spend a day exploring the city or take a day trip up the Antrim Coast road. On another post, I listed a couple of tour companies that do that tour. If you have a car, you can do the drive yourself, obviously. Or you could pick up a car in Belfast. There's an Avis on Great Victoria Street, and I think a McCausland's right around there, too.
September's a great time in NI--all of the garbage that goes along with July 12 and marching season is over and done with, and the weather's usually pretty nice.
Will you be renting a car? If not, take the train from Dublin to Belfast. You could spend a day exploring the city or take a day trip up the Antrim Coast road. On another post, I listed a couple of tour companies that do that tour. If you have a car, you can do the drive yourself, obviously. Or you could pick up a car in Belfast. There's an Avis on Great Victoria Street, and I think a McCausland's right around there, too.
September's a great time in NI--all of the garbage that goes along with July 12 and marching season is over and done with, and the weather's usually pretty nice.
Feb 19th, 2003, 02:22 PM
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I liked the drive along the Antrim Coast Road but it would not compare with the Ring of Kerry.I was only mildly impressed by the Giant`s Causeway and believe it does not compare with Dingle.The Carrick a Rede Road bridge is attractive but would not have such a spectacular view as you get from the bridge at Mizen Head in County Cork.All in all I would definitely go to the south-west rather than the north but if you had more time it is worth going north too.
Feb 19th, 2003, 05:31 PM
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lisak,
Given your cycling trip, it would seem you have an adventurous spirit. Therefore, I'd suggest you head west and "do" the Ring of Kerry. But, unlike most tourists, avoid trying to see it in a single day. Rather, spend an overnight around Waterville, and on the following day take a boat ride out to Skellig Michael, one of Ireland's truly great historic sites.
Skellig Michael is an ancient monastic site. The hike to the summit of the island provides incomparable views back to the Irish mainland. You'll also have views of nearby Little Skellig, a bird sanctuary which is home to some 40,000 gannets. As you marvel at the views from atop Skellig Michael (you'll be about 700-feet above the roaring Atlantic), consider how 10th century monks could have survived (both mentally and physically) in such a harsh and unforgiving place. On a clear day, a trip to the Skelligs will be a true highlight of your Irish vacation.
At the same, however, a trip into the North has much going for it, and the Antrim Coast is a highly scenic part of the island. It features many particular attractions (the Giant's Causeway is just one - a truly fascinating place to stroll about), but if I had to choose between the two, I'd opt for a couple days on and off the Iveragh Peninsula.
Best of luck.
Given your cycling trip, it would seem you have an adventurous spirit. Therefore, I'd suggest you head west and "do" the Ring of Kerry. But, unlike most tourists, avoid trying to see it in a single day. Rather, spend an overnight around Waterville, and on the following day take a boat ride out to Skellig Michael, one of Ireland's truly great historic sites.
Skellig Michael is an ancient monastic site. The hike to the summit of the island provides incomparable views back to the Irish mainland. You'll also have views of nearby Little Skellig, a bird sanctuary which is home to some 40,000 gannets. As you marvel at the views from atop Skellig Michael (you'll be about 700-feet above the roaring Atlantic), consider how 10th century monks could have survived (both mentally and physically) in such a harsh and unforgiving place. On a clear day, a trip to the Skelligs will be a true highlight of your Irish vacation.
At the same, however, a trip into the North has much going for it, and the Antrim Coast is a highly scenic part of the island. It features many particular attractions (the Giant's Causeway is just one - a truly fascinating place to stroll about), but if I had to choose between the two, I'd opt for a couple days on and off the Iveragh Peninsula.
Best of luck.
