cslasor

My husband (75M) and me (66F) will be making our first trip to Ireland in late May 2023, probably for about 12 days but we could add a day or two if we want. We'll be renting a car - we're from the US but we spent 2 weeks driving around Scotland a few years ago and had no problems. In fact it was part of the fun of the trip. ;-) We'll probably fly into and out of Dublin.

We have a general idea of what we'd like to see. Mostly the west side - countryside, coastline, mountains, villages, etc. My husband is an avid amatuer photographer and neither one of us are fond of large cities so we plan on getting out of Dublin as soon as we get the rental car.

My question is, at that time of year would reservations for accommodations really be required? Ideally we'd wander along and stop at a B&B or hotel when we get tired. That's how we did most of Scotland and it worked out really well. But that was 10 years ago and things may be different now and in another country. I'd hate to get stuck with sleeping in the rental car but also hate to be stuck with reservations someplace we really don't want to be.

Any thoughts?

janisj

" That's how we did most of Scotland and it worked out really well. But that was 10 years ago and things may be different now and in another country. . . ."

IF that is the trip for which you asked here about Edinburgh (just a guess) that was 17 years ago. Would I have winged in in Scotland in 2005 -- sure. In 2022 not a chance. At least not in many of the 'popular' areas.

There are lots of places in Ireland where one can wing it -- but a lot of the scenic bits on the west coast are popular from March to October. In your favor/favour is you are traveling in May before family summer holidays. But even so, anywhere near the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula etc -- I'd want pre-booked rooms.

nylilly

Quick question - if you’re most interested in the west coast of Ireland, why fly into Dublin? Have you looked at Shannon?

cslasor

OMG I can't believe it's been 17 years since we went to Scotland. I'd swear it was no more than 10 years ago. Amazing how fast time flies! Well, the world has definitely changed in the last 17 years so I think we'll choose 2 or 3 places to use as a base and just live with that.

And I did look into using the Shannon airport, but I can fly nonstop from Orlando to Dublin while Shannon would require a 4 hour layover and cost over $800 more. We don't mind the extra driving - it gives us a chance to see more of Ireland. Unless somebody has a reason for using Shannon that offsets a plane change, 4 hour layover, and the extra $$.

janisj

-- me too. I recently referred a poster to one of my trip reports from 'a couple of years ago' - and when I checked it was actually in 2015.

No real problem flying in to DUB since there are many more options for flying there. One thing I did note in your OP -- " . . . so we plan on getting out of Dublin as soon as we get the rental car.". I do hope that doesn't mean driving on your arrival day. Please don't. It isn't just jet lag one needs to worry about but the micro sleeps that can hit without any warning. Even not being 'city people' I'd stay one night in Dublin (or even at DUB) car-less before collecting a rental car and heading out. OR - you can take a direct bus from DUB to say - Galway and pick up your rental car there the next day. Frequent buses -- about a 3 hour drive.