SusanP

I'm planning a very spur-of-the-moment trip to Ireland, leaving July 5. (Finally had to give on flight prices to Italy and found much lower prices for Ireland.) I know I have to do a lot of research and have already started, especially looking at bus/train routes, but I don't have much time, so I'd appreciate some input on whether I'm on the right track.

I fly into Dublin and out of Shannon, 10 nights in Ireland. Have the first 3 nights taken care of in Dublin (Hilton points).
Then I'm thinking of 4 nights in Dingle and 3 in Galway (if I can find a way to the Shannon Airport from there that doesn't cost a fortune - the bus from Galway to the airport doesn't leave early enough). If I need to stay closer to the airport the last night, I'd probably take that night from Dingle.

Looks as though the best way from Dublin to Dingle is a train to Tralee and then a bus to Dingle? Still checking out the bus connections Dingle to Galway. Any help on these routes would be great. I know it would probably be better to drive, but I prefer not to if I can avoid it without someone else along (one to drive and one to navigate).
I need to nail down the itinerary quickly so I can look for accommodations. Any thoughts? Thanks for any input.

SusanP

Any Ireland experts out there? I'd appreciate it!

rrobinson75

I would stay in Killarney for 4 nights. You can easily go to Dingle, the ring of Kerry and enjoy sites in Killarney. I would also recommend Kathleen's Country House B&B. We stayed there and loved it. I would also recommend a trip to the Aran Island of Innishmore, while in Galway. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

SusanP

So are the bus routes good from Killarney to those places?
Thanks.

freetoroam

IMO you are on the right track – Dublin [3], Dingle [3,4], Galway [3]. Never visited Ireland w/o a car so can’t be any help on travel by bus/train. But look into Ennis as a possible last night stop to resolve your flight departure issue.

sdkiki

We took a train from Dublin to Cork ~ easy to arrange. I'd recommend staying 3 days in Killarney and take day bus trips which were easy to arrange and the guides provide so much detail! Spend 3 days in Galway and the final night in Shannon so you don't worry. I've learned not to expect clear roads the day of a flight. Slainte!

SusanP

Thanks, freetoroam. rrobinson & sdkiki, please tell me why you think Killarney is better than Dingle! Thanks.

jent103

Killarney isn't better than Dingle (I don't think), but if you want to stick to public transportation, it may be your best option. There's a lot to do around either town, but a lot of day tours originate from Killarney, and the train station is right there and a straight shot from Dublin. I'm not sure about how you would get around the Dingle area without a car - hopefully someone else will know how easy it is to do things like tour the Slea Head loop or go to Inch without a car, as I don't. But I know you can do day tours of the Ring of Kerry or the Gap of Dunloe from Killarney pretty easily.

I much preferred the town of Dingle to the town of Killarney, but both surrounding areas are great. If you want to stay in a town the whole time, I think there's a lot more in Dingle, but if you want to get out to the surrounding areas using some form of public transport, Killarney *may* be a better choice.

SusanP

jent, thanks for that comparison. I was leaning towards Dingle until the suggestions for staying in Killarney instead. I think I'll look further into bus connections in Dingle. I know I can get a tour out of Dingle to do the Slea Head loop, and I would like being on the ocean. Of course, the straight shot from Dublin to Killarney would be good (and maybe it's also easier from there to Galway). Decisions, decisions!

cadwe

Dingle B & B recommendation
Towerview B & B
Perhaps the nicest B & B we stayed in while in Ireland.
Great rooms & breakfast, nice hosts.
Only negative is the longer walk into the town center, especially if it is raining. Some of the B & B closer to the
center are a bit 'worn'
Best wishes
cadwe

SusanP

Thanks, cadwe. I appreciate the info, although I would probably look for something closer to the center (arthritic knees!).