We visited Ireland this year in April before flying to Norway. The following was our itinerary:

3 nights in Galway

2 nights in Killarney

2 nights in corks

We then flew to Tromso via Oslo. After Norway, we then flew back to Dublin, and took a bus to Belfast. We were at Belfast for 4 nights, then took a bus back to Dublin for a night before taking the evening flight home.

We did not have a car, we just used the public transportation to travel from one city to another and it was easy to use the bus transport in Ireland. When we were in the cities , we also used the local tour companies to visit all the well known places. We had good weather throughout the journey except when we were at the visitor center of Cliffs of Moher.

Day 1- We arrived in Dublin at 8am, easily got through the immigration, with no check in luggage, we got on the couch bus from the airport station to Galway around 9 am. We bought tickets from the driver and paid by credit card. The bus stopped at Dublin to pick up more passengers before leaving directly for Galway.

We arrived at Galway station around noon, walked to our hotel, left our bags for storage since it was not checked in time. Our hotel was just situated at the front of the Eyre Square. It was a sunny cheerful day, there were wedding couples having pictures taken around the square.

We happily ventured out to explore the vibrant city. It was a lively Friday in the city center.















Day 2- We joined the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Tour and Cruise.

Departing Galway at 9 AM, we boarded the coach and travelled south along the Wild Atlantic Way and Burren region, heading to the picturesque fishing village of Doolin where we boarded the express ferry to Inisheer, the smallest Aran Island.

Inisheer is only a short sailing distance from Doolin and with visiting attractions included an ancient castle, a sunken church, one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches, a shipwreck and several pubs, restaurants and cafes. We chose to enjoy a peaceful stroll through the boreens to see the castle, the sunken church, and the shipwreck.

After the visit of Inisheer, we then cruised alongside the foot of the Cliffs of Moher. This is a unique view of the Cliffs of Moher from the water. We then had a traditional Irish pub meal suggested by the tour guide. After the meal, we spent an hour at the top of the Cliffs. We took a walk onward to the tower near the visitor center. Unfortunately, a stroll along the cliff edge was accompanied with a sudden heavy rainfall, and we quickly took shelter at the visitor center.

Departing the Cliffs, the tour took the coast road, following the Wild Atlantic Way, arriving in Galway at approximately 7:30pm.





Ferry to Aran Island

Pony carts available for a fee, if you do not want to trek. Of course stories telling is included

Beautiful beach, too cold to swim!







Sunken church

“Castle” on the hill










Our ferry boat

Cliffs of Moher from the water



Cliffs of Moher-land view

Great photos

Day 3- We joined the Connemara and Kylemore Abbey day tour from Galway. We could only choose between 3 hours to trek the Connemara National Park or 3 hours to explore the Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens. We decided to choose the first option as we enjoyed nature walk.

Departing from outside the Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, Galway at 9:30am, we left the city of Galway, through the historical fishing village known as the Claddagh and onto Salthill.

Our route to Connemara along the Wild Atlantic Way hugged the shoreline of Galway Bay. The mountains started to rise up in the distance and the terrain became dotted with lakes separated by blanket bog and forestry.

Our first stop was at the tumbling waterfall at Screeb, next stop was at Derryclare Lough, a freshwater lake at the entrance to the Inagh Valley.

We stopped at the town of Clifden, with brightly painted shopfronts, bars and restaurants lining the narrow streets. Clifden was a great place to find local crafts or unique special gifts.Next, we followed the Sky Road route for the panoramic views over the Atlantic Islands.

The Connemara National Park- 3 hour stop for us to explore the scenic mountains, expansive bogs, grasslands and woodlands. There were 4 marked walking trails, each beginning at the visitor Centre at the foot of the mountain. We chose the trail that climbed towards the Diamond Hill.

We did not climb all the way to the summit as it was very windy and the view was almost the same throughout the climb. We walked back down and completed the lower loop trail.

We were picked up three hours later and stopped at the Kelemore Abbey to pick up the remaining group.

Kylemore Abbey was originally built as a private castle in 1867 as a token of love by Englishman Mitchel Henry for his wife Margaret. The Abbey is now home to the Benedictine Nuns.

Our next stop was the tiny village of Recess, home to the Connemara Giant. We passed Claddagh and Salthill before returning to Galway. It was a windy beautiful day and the journey was beautiful.









[img alt="Sky Road route for the panoramic views over the Atlantic Islands.
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Sky Road route for the panoramic views over the Atlantic Islands.



Connemara National Park - visitor center

Diamond Hill trail



View from 3/4 of the trail up the summit




Kylemore Abbey



Connemara Giant

Day 4- We left Galway at 8:00am by bus to Killarney via Limerick. We chose the bus company Expressway, but the bus was no express coach at all. It took 4 and a half hours to reach Killarney, but the transfer was right at the Limerick bus station which made the change of bus very easy and convenient. We reached Killarney around 12:30pm.

After checking into our hotel, we went to town and looked for the Killarney National Park Red Bus tour information. We were lucky to hop on the 2:00 pm bus to the Torc Waterfalls, and then walked our way back to the Ross castle and took the 5:30pm last bus back to town. With the three and a half hours on hand, we were able to see the Torc waterfalls, walked part of the shore of Lough Leane, visited Muckross House and Garden, then to the Ross Castle before picking up by the Red Bus back to town. It was a wonderful day after all.

We also booked a local tour recommended by the visitor information center to Dingle and Slea head for the next day.


Ireland Thatched cottages


Ross castle

Ross castle


Torc waterfalls

Muckrose garden

Muckrose Garden

Muckrose Garden

Muckrose House

Lough Leane Lake

Muckrose Abbey

Day5- Dingle and Slea Head day tour

The tour started at 10am near the visitor information center. We left Killarney, passed through Milltown and Castlemaine before reaching our first stop at Inch Beach.

The tour bus made a stop for us to walk on the beach for about 30 minutes. It was a beautiful beach and we just enjoyed the sea breeze and the morning sun.

Later on, we had a short stop at Dingle coach park for a toilet break, and then continued to Ballyferriter and Slea Head. The Slea Head Drive- a scenic circle loop of 26 miles. We travelled through the small towns of Ventry, Dunquin and Ballyferriter. In this area, cottages and picturesque stone houses sat against a patchwork of fields. Slea Head is the most westerly point in Europe. It was a sunny day, the drive was absolutely stunning. The tour returned to the small town of Dingle for lunch after the beautiful drive on the Slea head drive. We returned the same route as we came after lunch, passing beautiful Inch beach again.


On the way scenery to Inch Beach

Inch Beach

Inch Beach

Inch beach

Beautiful patchwork fields

Dingle





Ceann Sraithe

Ceann Sraithe


Beautiful Ceann Sraithe

Ceann Sraithe

Beehives hut


Dingle


Inch Beach

Rolling patchwork fields

Wow!!! Cherthor, your photos are amazing! I am getting so excited for our trip, 6 months from now! I love all the countryside photos, the stone walls, the seascapes, etc. Was the weather cold? Everyone looks bundled up!

Was the hike at Connemara easy? moderate? difficult? I will re-read your report as I continue planning for our trip.

What hotel did you stay at in Galway?

KarenWoo Hi Karen,
We stayed at the Hardiman at Ryre Square. It was convenient for our tours and bus rides.

If you are from Boston, I can tell you that Boston is a lot colder when compared to Ireland in April. It is the wind at the countryside that can be unbearable. In May, Ireland can be pretty warm when compared to in April. There were weddings in April when we were in Galway, so Galway was not cold compared to the coastal area, where the wind was prominent.

Like all others had said, you have a very well plan itinerary. You just have to find out where to park your car when you are on the scenic routes. Europe road tends to be narrower than The States.

There are at least 4 hiking trails in Connemara NP. There are some trails that are along the foothills which are pretty flat and easy. We took the harder one to the Diamond hill, but you can turn back anytime when it gets harder. It is very well paved paths. You shouldn’t have any problem going to the area where we stopped and turned back.

We also completed the lower purple trail, it was pretty easy.



We hiked up to a little beyond the ‘you are here’ and turned back. Scenery were just as beautiful.

Cherthor, Yes, we live about one hour from Boston, so we are used to cold winters, and cool springs, especially in April. April can be very iffy in New England. It can be warm, or chilly, and we have had snow in April. So it's nice to know that Ireland in April can be warmer that what we are accustomed to. So May should be even nicer. Of course, I realize weather changes from year to year . . .but we have no control over that.

I clicked on your name, and I see that you have traveled to so many interesting places. I remember reading your TR for Norway, which was fascinating. I see that you hiked the Hooker Valley Track in NZ; we did that hike as well. It was amazing. I am proud of myself for that accomplishment especially at my age. It took us 4 1/4 hours! How would you compare the Hooker Valley hike to the hike you took at Connemara?

What lovely, colorful photos of one of our favorite places.
I love your adventurous spirit of taking on Ireland without a car.
One of the biggest surprises in Ireland for us was the fantastic food. We didn’t expect that at all.

KarenWoo We did not do the Hooker valley trail as it was closed when we were there.

The upper Diamond Hill trail has a greater elevation gain when comparing to the Hooker Valley trail, but the lower trail should be fine for you. The paths are all very well paved and marked. The higher elevation is all with stone steps but no hand rails. You can turn back anytime and do the lower trail like what we had done. You just need to be slightly elevated to see the surrounding beautiful views. There is a resting area where we stopped for a picnic lunch. The views were beautiful but the wind gusts were strong, so we decided to turn around for the lower trail.

I enjoyed all your travel reports, they brought back a lot of our fond memories. Looking forward for your next travel report in the forum.

Thanks for following along. We sure learn a lot of the history of Ireland by joining the local tours. The drivers/guides are good story tellers.

Enjoying your report and photos. Youve had a stellar travel year so far - Ireland and Norway! Where to next?

Day 6 Ring of Kerry day tour from Killarney

We departed from the visitor information center at 10am, and the first town on the route was Killorglin, which we did not stop for a break. Instead we stopped at the Bog Village with thatched roof cottages, which required an entry fee for the museum.

The Bog Village demonstrates Kerry’s rural life in the 1800s. The museum village has a replica blacksmith’s forge+house, turf cutter’s house, labourer’s cottage, thatcher’s dwelling, and tradesman’s house. The Red Fox Inn was where we enjoyed our coffee and scones, and our toilet breaks.

After departing the Bog Village, we continued through the village of Glenbeigh with a view of the beautiful Rossbeigh Beach and a fantastic view of the hills at the back of the Iveragh Peninsula.

Later we arrived at Killinane to see a sheepdog demonstration. It was interesting to see how the sheepdog herded the sheep into a group from the far side of the hill and back to their owner.

Next, we arrived at Waterville to see a life-size statue of Charlie Chaplain on the promenade.

The small village of Sneem was our next stop. It is indeed a charming and colorful town with a pretty running river through rugged stone beds.

Leaving Sneem, we traveled through the very rugged landscape and arrived at Moll’s Gap, where the viewing point at the Gap offers sweeping views of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Ireland’s highest mountain, Corrán Tuathail.

Continuing from Moll’s Gap to Killarney, we experienced far-reaching views over the broad valley of the Killarney Lakes.

The tour also brought us to the “Ladies View” which was named by Queen Victoria, on her visit in the 19th century with the ladies in waiting, so enthralled by this view, her majesty named in their honour: “Ladies View”.

The tour bus then drove past the Muckross Estates and returned to Killarney at approximately 5:00pm.

We took the train from Killarney to Cork after picking up our luggages from the hotel. We arrived in Cork around 9pm, and checked in our hotel for the night.

Hi Cherthor. Great report and pictures. Thanks for sharing. This is very helpful to me particularly since we are planning something very similar next year, without a car. Our loose plan so far is to spend 3 days in Dublin, to recover from jetlag, visit the city and do a day trip to the Kilkenny area. We will then spend 3 or 4 nights in Killarney with day trips from there and 3 or 4 nights in Galway with days trips also.

I was happy to hear that using public transportation worked well for you. This is exactly what we’re planning. I’ve also found some good day tours from Killarney to visit the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and Killarney NP and from Galway to visit and Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Connemara NP.

I do have one question for you. We are likely travelling in October so I think it will be a similar “shoulder” season as April, about as busy in these areas tourist wise. We are considering renting a car in Killarney as there are things we’d like to visit that we wouldn’t see on our day tours. It sounds like there are a crazy amount of tour buses on the narrow roads in June, July and August that make driving more difficult. How did you find the amount of buses and traffic in general on the roads in Killarney NP, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsual in April?

debinthepeg
When we were at Killarney in April, traffic was not that bad as it was shoulder season. With a car, definitely you will be able to see a lot more places that are less trotted by tour buses.

ANUJ We were blessed with good weather in Norway and Ireland.

I am seriously considering planning a Scotland trip now after reading your report. The only thing that draws me back is the driving. I just do not want my husband to stress on driving.

We had done that when we were younger, but my husband did not enjoy as much since he had to focus on the driving.

We did another trip to the middle part of Norway in the past September, with conjunction of Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. I would see if I have time to make a report for that trip.

Thanks for following along.

Here are the few pictures taken during our Ring of Kerry tour.

I have hard time loading my pictures, I think I have too many to post.


St Mary Cathedral

Killorglin

Bog village museum


Sheepdog herding demonstration

Charlie Chaplain





Scarring Inn for lunch with beautiful views



Outside viewing area of Scarriff Inn


Whitestrand beach



Sneem

Beautiful Sneem storefront


Sneem

Day 7 - We visited Cork because it had good direct transportation to Dublin Airport for our flight to Tromso via Oslo.

Our hotel was just located by the south bank of the Lee river, and the Tourist Information center was just across the bridge on the opposite side of the river.

We went to the visitor center to ask for a map and information on what to explore in the city. We were advised to visit the English Corn Market, Saints Peter and Paul’s church, Father Mathew statue, cork butter museum, Sharon’s bell and Tower, St Anne’s church, St Fin Barre’s cathedral, and etc, etc.

We did cover quite a number of the suggested places before called it a day, and went back to the hotel for the night. We turned in early as we had an early bus to Dublin Airport the next morning.


The Lee River waterfront

Moxy hotel by the waterfront

Father Mathew statue

Surprised to see a huge Singer shop in Cork

British or English Corn Market




Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral At the far end

National Monument


Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral








Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Shandon

After 17 nights in Norway, we flew back to Dublin from Bergen. We arrived before noon, took a direct bus from the airport to Belfast. We stayed 4 nights in Belfast, and took a bus back to Dublin to stay for a night before flying home.

Day 25 - Arriving in Belfast around 2:30pm, after checking in our hotel, we ventured out to the city of Belfast. We walked from the Queen’s University Belfast to the Cathedral Square of Belfast.


Presbyterian church assembly building

Albert memorial clock

John Bell House

Belfast city hall


Arthur Square

Arthur Square

Arthur Square

Arthur Square

Victoria Square

Jeffe memorial fountain


Belfast city hall

Day 26 - We strolled to the Queen’s University Belfast in the morning, explored the historic buildings, then walked to the Botanic Gardens, later we also visited the Ulster Museum. It was a beautiful spring day, the flowers were blooming in the gardens. The museum was such a delight to visit and the admission was free.


Strolling to the Queen’s University Belfast on University St

The University library

Beautiful historic tower

Botanic Garden

Botanical Garden




Botanic gardens



Ulster Museum


Queen’s University Belfast

Inside the historic building

Galileo statue

University courtyard

Queen’s university Belfast

Ulster Museum - inside



Queen’s University

University students dressed up for some events