Hello,

I will be flying into Shannon airport next week. I am trying to plan out my 8 days in the south west of Ireland. I will be flying from Dublin.
Should I book hostels in advance? Rent a car or use public transport? I am not the best driver and certainly not used to driving on the other side of the road. But if it is easier and better I will do my best.
How long in each town? I definately want to go to Galway, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Mohr..

Any travel suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!
Meg

Traveling in Ireland solo is little different from traveling in Ireland with a partner or group. You'll get more answers to this if you post on the Europe board.

Hi Megs -

Oh, you're in for a such a treat. Ireland is gorgeous, and the people are so friendly. The Irish b & b's are charming, breakfasts are usually included, and your hosts can give you great tips about pubs, local sites, etc. Some of the b & b's are in castles so they are lots of fun and your hosts might even play some music for you at night. Definately book your b & b's ahead of time. I really loved Dingle and the Cliffs of Moher, which are breathtaking. My family rented a van while we were there, so I can't be much help about public transportation, but I recommend avoiding driving if you can. The roads in Ireland are very narrow, so it can very scary when another car comes at you. (My aunts actually said the rosary while we driving over O'Connor Pass.) Hope that helps, and have a wonderful trip!

I'm going to be travelling by myself to Ireland this year as well, much to the general freaking out response of my family. It's pretty safe, is it not? Provided you're generally intelligent and don't walk into deserted alleys and such? Is there anything in particular I ought to know being by myself?

I think that Ireland would be entirely safe for solo travelers - anyone with good common sense will be fine. Perhaps the cost of a car rental on your own may be more than you want to pay, but if I were going back alone, I'd love to have the freedom of a car. Yeah the roads are narrow, but if you go slow and take your time, it's all good
You would also be comfortable at any pub, conversation is easy and it's good to strike out on your own. Have fun!

Not only will you be driving on the other side of the road you will find the steering wheel to be on the opposite side of the car as well. Also beware the shifting gear with a manual may be reversed. I'm from the USA so these were additional concerns for me and my traveling companions. We spent the extra money and rented an automatic. You also need to be informed about the CDW charge(very expense unless you have the correct credit card that covers this charge in Ireland). I think only some Mastercard Co.'s in USA allow for the CDW.

Hi Meg,

I would book accommodations in advance. That will let you have a definite place to stay when you arrive in each town and not have to spend your vacation time searching, especially since July is a popular time to visit. You might also check into bed & breakfast costs as well - you can find some pretty easily for about 35€, and depending on the hostel and the sort of room you get, that may not be too much more than a hostel bed. Plus they're much more comfortable and almost always come with a big breakfast. (Hard to beat a dorm bed in a hostel, though, for price.)

I would really recommend renting a car - we used Irish Car Rentals and had no issues at all, and they were easily the best deal we found (that was two years ago, though). It gives you much more flexibility. Since you'll be driving by yourself, though, I would definitely recommend getting a GPS if it's offered (or bring one from home), and unless you always drive a stick at home, I would make sure to reserve an automatic.

Driving is NOT that scary. It will take you a bit to get used to driving on the opposite side, but everything is flipped including the steering wheel and gearshift, so it makes sense. The roads are narrower, yes, and I would get all the insurance you can to avoid paying for scratched mirrors, etc., but you will be FINE. (The Connor Pass is a notoriously difficult stretch of road, but there's nothing that says you have to go on it.) Most of the roads I drove on were narrower than I'm used to, and you may need to pull over on some of the smaller roads occasionally to let another car pass, just as you would on a rural road in the US (assuming you're from the States). But really, you'll be fine. Just take it slow - you won't have a choice anyway - and don't try to do a long drive on your first, jet-lagged day.

As far as how long to spend where, with eight days you could drive to Galway, spend a few nights there, and then go somewhere else (I'd recommend Dingle or Kenmare) for a few nights before heading somewhere close to Shannon for your last night. You can see the Cliffs of Moher on the drive between Galway and County Kerry, and can get to the Aran Islands from Galway.

And for both you and greenlady09, I would feel completely comfortable traveling solo in Ireland. Use plenty of common sense and you'll be fine. During my trip there was never a moment when I felt unsafe.

megs80 writes: << I will be flying into Shannon airport next week. I am trying to plan out my 8 days in the south west of Ireland. >>

I have 'solo tripped' to Ireland several times. But I am a male Septuagenarian (quite different from you, I am sure). You can take BusEireann from Shannon airport to Ennis or Galway. Once, I was on a Bus to Ennis with a couple who were making a connection to Doolin. The Driver assured them that they wouldn't miss their connection.

<< Should I book hostels in advance? >> Definitely! But more likely you'll be staying at B&B's. The Abbey Tourist Hostal in Ennis Closed down last year.

<< How long in each town? I definately want to go to Galway, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Mohr.. >>

You can get a Boat to the Aran Islands from Doolin or Galway (Ross a'Veal).
It's the 'Cliffs of Moher.'

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELPFUL COMMENTS!!

NEDSIRELAND wrote: "You can get a Boat to the Aran Islands from Doolin or Galway (Ross a'Veal).
It's the 'Cliffs of Moher.'"

And it's Rossaveel or Rossaveal but, as it is the Gaeltacht, the signposts will direct you to Ros an Mhíl.