We've been "invited" to go with friends to Ireland in February for a long weekend (we live in NYC - direct flight, inexpensive - $220-ish).

Some questions (I know they are dumb-ish, just need to start somewhere):

1) Is it "worth" going for such a short period of time (3 nights) when the days are so short?

2) Must we rent a car? All posts seem to indicate so.

3) Is there enough to keep us busy in Dublin for a long weekend, or is travel to Ireland really all about going around the country?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

I went for 3 nights a few years ago in January & it was definitely worth it. We traveled around too much because we wanted to see as much as we could in a short time. I loved the little villages in the countryside the best but we also had a blast in Dublin. Go for it. You only live once!!!

I too went for a long weekend last January (over Martin Luther King weekend); we had a blast. It was spring there; the Irish people were apologizing for the weather, but for me, a New Englander, it was quite nice. And not at all crowded!

YES it's worth it! Three days in Dublin and nearby (consider a train trip to Skerries, nearby).

You can do it with just train trouble I think.

Remember Galway on the other coast is just a three hour trainride straight across the country.

Walking around Dublin (Grafton St, Temple Bar), getting some great meals, listening to traditional music, what's not to like?

akkk, too tired to post. Train TRAVEL.

Thanks everyone! I hope our trip works out because now I am psyched about it, after hearing how much fun everyone else's travels were!

3 nights is the perfect amount of time in which to explore Dublin, even during short-day months.

A car is definitely not necessary for visiting the city - most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other. For a day out of the city, you could use the DART (suburban railway) to travel along the coast and stop off at some pretty villages along the way (e.g. Dalkey, Killiney, Howth).

In February, it ought to be OK, and that would be sufficient time to see Dublin, but not much countryside.

However, I made the mistake of going to Dublin over New Years, and most things I wanted to see were closed. Having that bad experience is what made me take travel planning more seriously.