Ireland: By car or by train
 

I'm going to Ireland this summer with 3 family members and my boyfriend.
Is it better to rent a car or take the train. We will fly into Dublin and stay for two weeks.

Answer:Car car car... Question:WHY are you flting in through Dublin?There is nothing to see on the east coast.Do yourself a favour and fly in through shannon and explore the beautiful,castle strewn west coast.

Disagree with the first writer...the East coast is just a wonderful as the West....Car in my opinion is your only option...I spent 2 weeks in Irlead virtually travelling around the whole of the place in this time.
Places I'd see again...Kerry,Dingle,Kinsale,Cork,Doolan,Cliffs of Mohr,Dublin is a wonderful city aswell.

Shane

CAR, CAR, CAR. We flew into Shannon. The more rural area made it easier for our first experiences of driving on the left. Start with the West Coast of Clare, stay in Doolin, see Cliffs of Moher, and work your way through the Burren, etc. You may not see it all in 2 weeks, but you will love what you see and you will want to come back. We met our group in Dublin later, then took the train straightaway to Killarney -- that was our only train experience and it was just fine. I think that the train routes are limited. Lot of people take buses from place to place, but I prefer the independence of a car.

I just reread your original message and it reads like you have 5 people in your group. Our experience was with a small car, manual transmission, only 2 people with 2 huge suitcases that took up the entire trunk. Perhaps a van is an option for you, or two cars? I know that 5 would not fit, with luggage, in the smaller ones. Good luck.

Go by car! With five people it is certainly more cost effective than train travel. Also, train routes are extremely limited in Ireland, though, there is a more extensive bus service. Driving in Ireland is a joy! You'll have fun exploring all the scenic and twisting country roads.

Car most definitely! Make sure to make rental arrangements in the States before you leave. Also, van sounds like a good idea. We were four and fairly cramped, but it didn't make much difference because we had SO MUCH FUN, especially getting caught in the middle of a sheep stampede (okay, stampede is a bit much, but the other respondents will know what I mean). Have fun!

If there will be 5 people, you WILL need a van. Four of took what as called a station wagon and were shoe horned in. You must limit your luggage. Having said this, I too think that driving is the only way. We loved it!