Is this Ireland itinerary realistic or overambitious?
 

Hello everyone. I'm travelling to Ireland for ten days in a little bit more than a month. This will be my first time overseas, and I don't really know what to expect. I put together a sample itinerary that seems doable, but thought I would run it by people that have made the trip before. In case it is relevant, I'm in my early twenties, travelling solo, and plan on only using public transportation.

Day 1 - Arrive in Dublin (8:45 AM) Spend entire day in Dublin.

Day 2 - Take the first shuttle in the morning to Bru na Boinne to tour Newgrange. Return and spend the rest of the afternoon in Dublin. Take the last train of the day from Dublin to Galway.

Day 3 - Take Lally bus tour of The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and County Clare. Spend the night in Galway.

Day 4 - Depart for the Aran Islands via Galway and Rossaveel. Spend the day on Inishmore Island and take a return ferry to Doolin.

Day 5 - Use the day to explore Doolin, Lisdoovarna, and Tralee. Make it to Dingle by the end of the day.

Day 6 - Tour the Dingle Peninsula. Spend a second night in Dingle.

Day 7 - Travel from Dingle to the Rock of Cashel. Spend the afternoon exploring the Rock, and take the last bus to Waterford.

Day 8 - See the crystal factory in the morning. Then, take the train back to Dublin. In Dublin transfer to a second train up to Portrush.

Day 9 - Explore Portrush and the Antrim coast. At the end of the day take a train to Belfast.

Day 10 - Use this day to see Belfast and return to Dublin at the end of the day.

Day 11 - Fly out of Dublin at 9:30 in the morning.

My itinerary isn't set in stone, so I am willing to take advice from more experienced travelers. Let me know what you think.

Hi SF,

IME over the last 45 years, or so, I have found that it is helpful to make up an itinerary, but to also be ready to chuck it when something unforeseen happens, eg, it's raining so exchange Tuesday's agenda with Friday's.

You will also find that it takes longer to do things than you have planned for. You might even find that you are enjoying what you are doing so much that you don;t want to go onto the next item on the agenda.

I find that planning one "must do" in the morning and one in the afternoon is sufficient. Leave the rest to serendipity.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))
Serendipity is available on line or at your local Tourist Information Office.

This is all by Bus/Train. Sorry non starter.

Drop Dingle, not because I don't like the place but because you will have better transport to get to Killarney where you can catch a bus tour of Dingle which only has 2 bus's a day even in peak season.

Cashel is on the Cork - Dublin bus route and you can get to Cork from Killarney. You would then have to drop back to Cahir for the Waterford bus.

Next you want to go from the south east corner to the north centre in a day? Better to aim for Belfast as a base.

I am trying to be nice but Honestly!! This itinerary would be too much in a car never mind Irish transport.

What is your departure city? I never expect to hit the ground running when I travel to Europe. If you live on the East Coast, the time difference with Ireland will be about six hours, more or less. Then you'll be doing a six hour flight.

I'd want to take it easy the first day.

In general,you're trying to do way, way, too much.

I would check very carefully about the Galway-Inishmore-Doolin leg. This involves two different ferry companies and I don't know if you can do this. The Doolin ferry is quite small so they might just have room for the passengers they brought out in the morning. Don't know if they head back or wait around for their passengers. Also it is weather dependent and even in summer the trip to Doolin could be cancelled.

Then to expect to explore Doolin, Lisdoonvarna and Tralee and then Dingle in one day is going to be difficult. Busses don't run all that frequently.

Waterford, Dublin, Portrush will be a tough day. You will have to change train stations in Dublin. Waterford trains come into Heuston and then to go to BElfast you have to cross the city to Connoly Station.

Remember on all the "moving days" you will also be dragging your luggage with you and trying to find a place to leave it while you "explore". Of course you could always just put a change of underwear, an extra top and your toothbrush in your purse and travel that way.

I hate to sound negative, but this trip would be tough if you were driving, but by public transportation...