dtatum

I have 5 or 6 nights to spend in Ireland in late September and am trying to decide what I should see. Part of me wants to see Blarney Castle but I've heard it's such a tourist trap to not bother. My husband and I have never been and were thinking of heading from Dublin airport to Galway for 2-3 nights and taking a few of guided tours through Galway Tour Company - specifically Cliffs of Moher and Connemara. Would it be better to just do one and then go to Cork for a night to see Blarney Castle before heading back to Dublin? I know the Ring of Kerry is beautiful but I feel like with us not having a car it wouldn't be worth seeing, thoughts? I want to see a lot but know we have limited time and traveling between places takes time.

Assuming we stay the 3 nights in Galway and do 2 day tours while exploring Galway in the evenings/upon arrival day 1. We would then explore Dublin the other 2 days/nights with the possiblity of adding a 3rd night where we head to Belfast and explore Giants Causeway for the day and then fly from Belfast to London instead of Ireland. I worry about timing though with having to get from Galway to Dublin and then Dublin to Belfast if we are allowing enough time to see Dublin. My husband definitely wants to do the Guienuss tour and possibly Jameson of we have the time. I'm more about nature and castles

Andy advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tony2phones

Not sure where you read that Blarney is a tourist trap, probably the same Tour writer that helped turn Dingle into one.

Blarney castle is one of the few Irish rather than Norman castles in Ireland it is well worth a visit just for the grounds and whist there is no need to snog the rock the views from the top are pretty special.

That said it is the wrong end of the island for the rest of your wants apart from the Iveragh Ring of Kerry which as you say is best seen off the main tour bus route.

Another option although a little pushed could be to arrive Dublin and get the bus straight to Belfast then a bus to the Causeway and back to Belfast. Day 2 get back to Dublin for nights 2 and 3. There is a Cliffs of Moher rail tour from Dublin which you could take but stay in Galway rather than return to Dublin on night 4

You are then on Day 5. You could take a tour of Connemara and Ashford or Kylemore Or you could get an express bus to Cork and see Blarney. There are flights to London from both Shannon and Cork which could open some options.

You could also get the express bus from Dublin Airport to Cork on arrival, and reverse the above?

bvlenci

Whether 2 nights are enough for Dublin depends on what you want to see there.

You would definitely need three nights in Galway if you want to take those two day tours. I think I'd prefer to visit one of the Aran Islands instead of seeing the Cliffs of Moher. You could do that yourself from Galway by ferry, and on the islands, which are very small, there are many ways to get around, including walking, biking, or taking a ride in a horse-drawn jaunting car.

You should spend two nights in Belfast in order to take a tour of the Giant's Causeway. It's pretty much an all-day tour.

Three nights in Galway and two each in Dublin and Belfast would fill a week. You should tell your husband to read some reviews of the Guiness Tour before deciding, because they are pretty bad. I believe that there are lots of tours from Dublin that combine the Giant's Causeway with a Bushmill's tour.

flpab

http://www.fahertytours.com/aran-islands.php

Best tour to Inismor and the cliffs here are better than cliffs of Moher imo. You pick this tour up from the Galway bus station in the morning. Bigger ferry if you are prone to sea sickness than the Doolin ferry.
I loved Belfast and you can fly easy from there to London.

Padraig

Your basic proposal is two nights Dublin, three nights Galway, and you have ideas for using your time. I see nothing wrong with that.

I think Blarney is something of a tourist trap - nice enough, but not sufficiently special to reward a lot of effort. It's worth a visit if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, but not worth taking a whole day of your trip just to get there.

My own taste runs to slow tourism. I tend not to run off to the next destination if there is good stuff close to where I already am. You could take your possible extra night in Galway, and use the day to visit Inishmore, the largest of the Aran islands.

bvlenci

I don't know that I'd say one is better than the other, but the cliffs on Inishmore are certainly impressive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

And they're right next to the prehistoric fortress of Dun Aenghus, which is even more impressive.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

flpab

bvlenci, great photos. Our apartment in Westport is owned by the Clew Bay hotel so was nice to see a picture. We are going to climb Crough Patrick.
I think the first time seeing the cliffs was before they built the visitor center and it was very wild and free. Last time I went someone had just taken their life off the cliffs and the coasties were trying to find them. So sad. The cliffs at Inishmor are beautiful with the fort. Great cafe before you climb up to the fort.
Teach Nan Phaidi

Bette

flpab,
Do be sure to wear appropriate hiking footwear when climbing Crough Patrick (which I have done twice). The top 1/3 is very severely eroded and causes a lot of slipping and sliding.

Tony2phones

Proper Pilgrims climb the Reek barefoot ;-)

Bette

I know, but that will not ever happen with me!

flpab

What did you wear? They said trekkers were good. I have a collapsible cane I am bringing. I looked at walking sticks but they don't seem to collapse small enough for my suitcase. We will be in Westport five nights so am hoping for a clear day to climb.
Tony, are you a proper pilgrim?

Tony2phones

Wish I could climb the Reek these days but recently I'm limited to short flat walks.

Croagh Patrick isn't a heavy walk (unless you take the ridge route), the paths are generally good but can be wet in places, mainly the bottom section. You need what they call sensible shoes, good waterproof outdoor (flat) shoes with decent soles and comfortable you don't want to start a 3 hour wander in straight from the box footwear.

Bette

I wore low-hikers on both occasions. Also, there was a gentleman just after the car park area renting hiking / walking sticks for a few euro. Not sure if he is still there.

We have collapsible hiking poles and usually bring our own.

dpsimmons

@dtatum - Have you confirmed your itinerary for your upcoming trip to Ireland? Just curious since my wife and I will be arriving Dublin on Oct 1st (staying for only 6 full days, ourselves. We were planning to rent a car and travel the country-side from Dublin down to Killarney (then thought about circling back via Blarney, but....). Anyway, just found your post and this thread - thought I'd check in on your plans (we're flexible and may revise ours prior to arrival

dtatum

@dpsimmons we have a semi finalized itinerary:
Day 1 Drive to Galway
Day 2 Aran Islands/Cliffs of Moher
Day 3 Connemara
Day 4 Drive to Dublin
Day 5 Explore Dublin
Day 6 Fly to London

Days 2 and 3 can be flipped if the weather is bad