Ireland - Cork and Galway itinerary by train/bus
 

We have traveled the southwest and southeast of Ireland along with Dublin by car. We would like to do a short trip in early September to visit Cork City (maybe Ballymaloe for lunch one day) and Galway. We are starting to research retirement cities. We would like to fly in and out of Shannon and take it from there...possible 3 nights Galway (bus there from Shannon), then travel to Cork and stay another 3. Ennis for night before the flight home. Any thoughts on this? Much appreciated. jcg

There are buses every hour between Galway and Cork via Ennis, Shannon Airport and Limerick.
www.buseireann.ie
By train, you need to change at Limerick and Limerick Junction. Trains go via Ennis but not the airport.
www.irishrail.ie

have you ever been to Cobh(pronounced COVE),the island southeast of Cork City? well worth a visit! do you know where you're staying in Galway? Ennis?

Check also www.citylink.ie for their Galway-Limerick-Cork services.
When you book far enough ahead, you can get €1 fares.
That bus company does not call at Ennis and Shannon AP, though.

Cobh is a wonderful place to take the train down from Cork. The line from Limerick to Galway has been open a year now so no need to go via the Junction. Ennis is the County town of Clare and gives easy access to the whole of the County. Galway of course is further north. Citylink is a faster service than Bus Eireann taking a more direct route skipping Ennis and limited service to Shannon Airport.

Thanks for all this information. Any hotels...restaurants to suggest in Galway, Ennis and Cork.

Tony2phones, there are trains between Galway and Limerick, but to get from Limerick to Cork, a change at Limerick Junction is needed. The train journey between Galway and Cork requires two changes: at Limerick and at Limerick Junction.
Limerick Junction station, incidentally, is a desolate place, all of 35 km from Limerick.

That's why I would bus from Limerick to Cork should probably have clarified that.

The Main Hotels for Ennis are the Old Ground and the Temple Gate although I would also consider Grey Gables B&B

Cork I can't really help with but the Commodore in Cobh is a good place to spend a night down there

Galway has a few good hotels but I would opt for the Park House Hotel on Eyre Square or a B&B in Salthill

I used City Link Bus from Galway to Clifden and back. booked online the day before and played around with departure times and got the 1 Euro rate both ways. We stayed in Cobh at the Waters Edge Hotel ,had a nice room with a view for only 65 Euros. Also stayed at the Meyrick Hotel in Galway right on Eyre Sq. 95 Euros for a nice room and the train/Bus Eirann station is virtually right in the hotel.. it used to be the GREAT SOUTHERN HOTEL (for the Great Southern Railway).The promenade walk in Galway (actually Salthill) was really nice. We also stayed at the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway before going to Clifden .We walked from there through Salthill and down to the promenade along Galway Bay.very nice! nightlife in Galway is great. we went down to Quays St. Lots of choices. Music at Taffees was extra special.

We are thinking about a short trip over Labor Day weekend...5-6 days and only concentrating on one city...Galway or Cork for this trip. Interests are the people, culture, my partner for music, me for art and architecture...and of course food. Any suggestions?

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You should defiantly go to Ballymaloe House for a day. The food is magnificent but expensive, be prepared. And im sure if you are eating in the main hall, not the café then you need to book it. But I swear to you, for real good quality Irish food it is the best place I know. My Aunt takes me there every year for my birthday! The Gardens are worth a visit too. But if you are relying of public transport then I don’t see how you are of getting there! Maybe there is a service? Sorry I don’t know, but maybe you might be able to find something.
Cobh is also nice and convenient due to its close proximity to the City. But I wouldn’t stay in Cobh, it’s nice for half a day’s visit to see the Cathedral, Streets and harbour area. If you are heading out that direction then visit Bramley Lodge for some good food too. Fota House and Gardens are also worth a visit.

Happy Travelling =)