ashcanannie

What city other than Dublin would you visit if you were dependent upon public transportation? Want to spend 4-5 nights in Dublin, then go west to another city and stay 4 nights. A daytrip or two would be nice, but again using public transportation or a day tour service. Will fly home out of Shannon. Thanks!

Michael

Galway would give you the opportunity to take an excursion to the Aran islands.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...ith/4172432894

Padraig

Galway almost picks itself: easy to get to from Dublin; pleasant enough place with lots of options for the visitor; good centre for organised excursions (Aran, Cliffs of Moher & the Burren; Connemara); bus link to Shannon for your flight home.

nspotz

Galway to do a day trip to surrounding Connemara/Aran Islands.

Dingle if you have a car and want to see some beautiful scenery.

ashcanannie

Thanks! I had Gallway in mind as a city that would provide several daytrips. Wish there was a way to do Dingle without having to drive. "Been there and done that" left-hand side of the "very narrow roads" and nearly had heart failure. Will travel this time with another couple, who has no interest in driving, so we're stuck with public transportation or tours.

Any other suggestions are welcome!

Tony2phones

3 nights would be enough for Dublin, 3 nights Galway and then 3 nights Killarney which would give you the chance to follow the hoards to Dingle on a tour and get back to Dublin by train.

PalenQ

cork is one city that I felt was really interesting and old looking - a nice river, cool university area and lots of historic buildings and famous 'singing pubs' with traditional Irish music - great rail service from Dublin.

Blarney Castle is a few miles out of Cork and has rail service too I believe.

nspotz

You could always do a tour to Dingle from Killarney. They also have day trips from Dublin to Dingle, although it makes for a very long day.

ashcanannie

Thanks for the additional suggestions. Not enough to do in Dublin for more than 3 nights? Any worthwhile daytrips from there to Northern Ireland area? Didn't go there on our other Ireland visit. Ancestors are from County Tyrone...not saying I could find any sign of them but might be worth trying.

sheri_lp

Definitely Dingle. Give my regards to An Conair Pub "Sports bar always, Music venue sometimes"

Padraig

There is plenty to see and do in Dublin. Herself and I, both natives of the city, have just spent three days there, deliberately ignoring family and other commitments in order to have a true city-break experience. We have a new list of targets for a repeat visit when the weather is better.

I like Cork city, perhaps better than I like Galway, but it is more difficult to get value out of a visit there is you don't want to drive.

Dingle is special but it's not nearly so good if you are not driving.

I don't see the point in giving yourself a major logistics challenge when you have good and simple options by using Dublin and Galway as bases.

trintraveler

Hi, You could easily take a daytrip to Belfast from Dublin, by train...for Co. Tyrone, I think you would need a car.....

ashcanannie

Thanks everyone! Now, would you car to make hotel recommendations for Dublin, Gallway, and Killarney?

We would want something moderately priced and easy access to public transportation.

meath1

The Volvo Ocean Race will finish in Galway July 1-8th. It was a fantastic event 2 years ago and should be bigger next year. The entire city was involved in the race. If you are interested in sailing it's a great opportunity. If Galway doesn't work out you might also consider Kilkenny. There are buses from Dublin, lots to see and do, great restaurants, and a good walking city. http://www.kilkennytourism.ie/

ashcanannie

meath1...thanks for the heads-up on the Volvo Race. We haven't set our dates yet but I suspect it will be in May or early June. Thanks, too, for the Kilkenny suggestion. Will definitely take it into consideration. Without a car, we are limited but as I said above, we're not interested in driving again!

Tony2phones

Just don't fall into the all too frequent trap of trying to include everything. Limit yourself to 3 places on good public transport routes with tours available to the outlying feature spots. This is especially relevant when you are travelling without your own personal transport.

Prices of accommodation will no doubt double again for the Volvo stop so unless you are really interested??

flpab

Galway and take the Michael Faherty Aran Island tours. If you are doing public transportation the go bus was great from Dublin to Galway and back. Nice bus and 25 euro rt.

JanKF

If you do the hop-on, hop-off bus in Dublin, you could easily take two days to do that. (You can check to see the choices online). I mentioned in another place that I was really impressed with the tour of Kilmainham Gaol and enjoyed St. Patrick's, Christ Church, Dublinia and Dublin Castle. There is also the stop -off at the Guinness Storhouse and Jamiesons's Whiskey. The National Museum on Kildare Street is free and has wonderful exhibits. There is a bus tour for the day to Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. I think I noticed a day bus tour out of Dublin to the Giant's Causeway in Antrim, No. Ireland. I would probably look at all of my options for bus tours before deciding on how many days in Dublin. (I have been to Wicklow but found it far less interesting than Newgrange or even the Giant's Causeway). Good luck!

mstwomey

I agree; Newgrange and Giant's Causeway are both outstanding stops.

cottageireland

Cork and Belfast - either easily accessible by rail. Cork City actually really nice. Don't get too hung up on driving though. Good motorway network connects Dublin with almost evey main city except Derry.