first time in Ireland
 

Would like to spend around 10 days in Ireland. Would be in the spring. Is a car necessary? I would rather use the train for day or overnight trips. Would land in Dublin.
Not sure of the itinerary yet.
Thanks

Hard question to answer without more information. Are you going solo, or are you taking kids? What do you think you would like to see? Are you planning to take tours? (Any particular reason you don’t want to drive?)

Two adults love to see castles history
and lots of traditional Irish pubs and local
events. We love to walk. Driving could
Be an option but we enjoy the trains.
Thanks

Would be two adults with a lot of travel exp.in Europe
we love history castles local events amd
culture. We love to walk. A car could
ne an option but we really like the trains
to get around.
thanks

You don't need a car but the trains don't go everywhere. Train routes from Dublin include Belfast, Limerick, Galway among others. We did Belfast as a day trip from Dublin, then went by train to Killarney (one change at Limerick (Junction, I think). Many options in Killarney to see the scenic West Country, big bus tours and private tours. We did two private tours with Killarney Tours and Taxi around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. Then a two day tour with Elegant Irish from Killarney to Galway via Adare, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren. Second day included the Connemara, Kylmore Abbey, etc. Bus or private car would be far cheaper, but we splurged a bit.

There isn't much useful info you can get with what you have provided.
Irish pubs are everywhere.
There are walking opportunities all over Ireland.
There are castles all over.
There are histories everywhere.
If your interest is in trains, just look at the Irish train route map. It shows you where you can go with trains. Train network in Ireland is not extensive and what little exists connects Dublin to major cities and back.

Hi!
I think a car is better if we really want to discover all the country because it's cheaper than public transportation, you save time on the journeys... and you can get to places that the bus or train does not reach. I higly recommend you visiting Wicklow Mountains (where Brave Heart was filmed). Tha landscape is spectacular.

DH and I have been to Ireland many times and have always rented a car because we like to go to a lot of places that we would miss otherwise. A car also gives us the freedom to easily change our plans if we are tired or the weather is lousy, or take a detour when we see something interesting.

That being said, if you are spending some time in Dublin (which actually ticks all of your boxes) having a car is a PIA. Take the train or bus back to the airport and pick up the car when you leave the city.

Why dont you you come back with the sketch of an itinerary and I’m sure you will get a better idea of what makes the most sense for you. (We are booking a car for 12 nights in April and the cost is super cheap, although we don’t buy the insurance. Check it out!)