Hello, I apologize because I know a similar question has been asked, but I didn’t want to hijack somebody else’s thread.

I recently spent 10 days in ROI and NI, including a couple of days in and near Dublin.

I loved it so much that I plan to go back, taking my son and his wife with me this time, so it has to be during my son‘s spring break, which happens to be the week of St. Patrick’s Day. We’ll have approximately 8 days. Likely flying in/out of Dublin, as my son couldn’t find good flights from his area to Shannon.

I’ve always wanted to see Dingle, and have read wonderful things about Connemara and Donegal too. So I’d love help choosing! Any recommendations for somewhere in the west with cute villages, cozy pubs, scenic moderate hikes or at least good walks? I’d like to spend at least a few days in one spot, probably in a B&B.

But my daughter in law’s bucket list includes Belfast, and I wonder if it’s too much of a push to visit both areas. Whatever we do we will end in or near Belfast, as it is near both my next destination (Monaghan town) and theirs (Dublin for flight home to the US).

Thanks for any advice!

Where in Galway or Dublin is the least expensive place to exchange some US currency to Euros? I have cash that I was going to bring with me and I guess use towards bus fares but I don’t want to pay a large fee at the airport to exchange it. Trying to see if it’s more cost effective to deposit the cash at home and just use the atm when I get there or bring some cash and exchange it.

Has anyone from usa recently brought back more than 5 liters of alcohol from ireland without issue ?

I’m really confused with this and we leave tomorrow so I have to figure it out. Currently we are taking planning to take the 761 (I think or the 760) citylink from the airport to Galway and then from Galway to Dublin. Can we use the leap visitors card for those rides?? If so I’m going to cancel my citylink and get the leap card for 7 days…

If fully booked, is there any chance they come available again? Are there resellers? Any help would be great. Trying to make a late trip with my sister and brother in law special.

I need advice about how to bring my medium size dog (16 lbs) into Ireland from us. I brought my smaller dog a few years ago but she was able to travel in cabin which was very easy. I don’t think my medium size dog will be able to travel in cabin. What airline should I fly with? Should I fly to the UK and take a ferry so we can take a direct flight? The only direct flights from where I live are via aer Lingus but I heard they aren’t great for pets in the hold. It’s a 9 hour direct flight from where I live.

Next week I will be in Dublin for a short vacation: do you have any specific tips on how and where to watch Ireland vs New Zealand on Friday night, since the tickets are sold out?

Hi all! I’m 26 and it’s my first solo trip. I am worried about eating alone in restaurants or feeling lonely, what is the atmosphere like at this time of year? What experiences do you have or what places do you recommend? Are there many more friendly people traveling alone?😊

So, my boyfriend is celebrating a round number birthday in January 2025 and he wants to celebrate it in a country he's never been to before. We settled on coming to Dublin - for an extended weekend!

We both live in Finland and have never been to Ireland, so I was wondering if anyone has any pub suggestions - ideally somewhere that could take a bigger group because we don't know yet how many of his friends are joining us there - to celebrate his birthday! He's very much a sit down, have a beer, and talk kinda guy so not planning on hitting any clubs.

Also accepting recommendations for general areas to look for accommodation! thanks a lot peeps

Does anyone know if the Dublin Halloween parade is happening tonight ?

Hello,

I will be in Dublin for a business trip this weekend Fortunately on Monday and Tuesday I have free time to explore the city. I am very interested in seeing Gaelic football live. Is there a chance? I don't care if it's the lowest amateur tier or the best league, I just want to see it live and for a reasonable price. Obviously the weekend would be better for amateur sport, but is there the possibility for me to see it anyways on the two dates listed? Thanks!

Hello! 😀

My wife and I will be traveling to Ireland for 3 weeks in March of 2025 for our honeymoon. We went back and forth between a beach destination and more of a relaxed/hiking adventure and we decided that Ireland is perfect for what we're looking for.

In terms of timelines, we fly out from the US to Dublin the first week or March and head back to the US and the end of the third week of March.

We have some stops we'd ideally like to make including Cork and spending Saint Patrick's in Galway. Other than that, we've been exploring smaller locations that are more off the beaten path.

We are renting a vehicle after we spend a few days exploring Dublin and would love to focus on the southern coast and back up to Galway. We're both the kind of people who want to spend a few days at each stop versus powering through in the car everyday. (We can always go back and see more!)

So if anyone has solid recommendations that are more off the beaten path that you'd say is a can't miss?

Ideally, we'd love to embrace local areas as neither of us go for the touristy types of attractions. Thanks for the help and really looking forward to experience Ireland for the first time 😁

Hi 😊, I am a Canadian from Montreal, I am going to visit Ireland in several cities including Dublin. I am coming in March 2025 and I would like to know if it is safe for a single woman in her thirties to walk in the evening around 9 p.m. - 10 h 30 p.m. I will be in the center of Dublin in the O’Connell Quarter. I would like to go to an Irish pub at least once. I don't drink alcohol so I'm going to stay very lucid.

I am so excited to get to know your magnificent country, I have a 6th generation Irish ancestor who immigrated to Canada and ever since I have had a fascination with your country. I can’t wait to discover this culture so rich in history!🇮🇪☘️

Thank you, and sorry if my English is not perfect, my mother language is French.

Hello! My mom, sister in law and I are taking my Grandma on her last trip. We will be traveling at the end of May to Killarney, Kilkenny and one night at the Cliff at Lyons. None of us have been to Ireland before. We do have a rental car.

I have planned out a route and outlined what we might do. Mostly scenic routes. We have three nights in Killarney, two nights in Kilkenny (but can easily be switched to Waterford) and then overnight in Kildare.

Any recommendations on things we should do? Looking for ideas outside the popular places like Blarney, Muckross, Ring of Kerry, etc. I thought maybe a private falconry tour. My grandma enjoys pubs, music and dancing.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

We are staying in Dublin for the week to celebrate Halloween in Ireland.

We have tickets to the Samhein circus show in Athboy tomorrow night at 2100. We did not realize that the Bus Éireann - Route 111 stops at 2145 and the festival coach bus tickets are sold out!

Does anyone have any tips on how we can get back to Dublin after the festival, around 2330?

looking for advice on a place for one night (a Saturday in Dec.) A good pub or two, scenic, seaside is a plus. We'll just be in from the airport, heading north. Thanks!

Hey everyone, my spouse and I are headed to Ireland next week (pinch me I’m dreaming) and want to make the most of it! We are on a bus tour style trip but with a good amount of free time. We’ll be staying in Dublin, Galway, Killarney, Cork and back to Dublin again.

I have some places saved already but I’m looking for extra recommendations for pubs, restaurants, castles, must-see views, activities, etc.

I’m also wondering where the best place would be to purchase wood carved items (similar to what is sold in DR, Jamaica, etc.) I tried looking online but didn’t find much.

Thanks in advance!

Hi! I’m hoping to take my family (two adults, three kids) from the US to vacation in Ireland.

I’m starting from scratch with no itinerary, “must see’s”, or locations in mind. So I’m coming to this sub for recommendations and advice. Here’s a bit more about us and how we prefer to vacation:

-My boys are ages 14, 11, and 8. Our best vacations are mostly spent outdoors hiking, going to beaches, swimming in waterfalls, kayaking, etc. mixed with a few days of sightseeing museums, aquariums, etc.

-We typically spend a day or two in a larger city on our way in and/or out, but for the bulk of our vacations we prefer to rent a home (VRBO/AirBnB) outside of the busy areas but not too far from activities. We do day trips and unwind at “home”.

-My husband brews beer so we always go to local breweries. But I think that’s more of an American thing?

Where would be some good locations for our “home base”? I’m thinking quaint countryside and maybe with a local pub and a restaurant or two within walking distance. It would a huge plus if we could visit a castle at some point too.

Thank you for reading this far!

Hi guys! I'm going to Dublin in March over St. Paddy's day, and was just wondering if there were some specific pubs to hit on actual St. Paddy's day or what other fun things there are to do? I've been to Dublin once before but would love to see if there are any places recommended that I haven't been to yet! Appreciate any recommendations anyone has! Thanks! :)

Hi Everyone,
We’re visiting Ireland in December from Toronto and would love your thoughts on our itinerary:

22nd December:

• Arrival: Land in Dublin at 8 AM.
• Kilkenny: Drive to Kilkenny for lunch and a quick brewery visit (~1-hour stop).
• Killarney: Continue to Killarney to check in, explore the town, and unwind.

23rd December:

• Ring of Kerry (Part 1): Start exploring the Ring of Kerry. We plan to do about half—any spot suggestions are welcome!
• Evening: Return to Killarney to rest and explore the town.

24th December:

• Ring of Kerry (Part 2): Check out from the hotel and complete the rest of the Ring of Kerry. Suggestions for good lunch stops along the way would be appreciated!
• Galway: Head to Galway, explore the town, and check into our hotel for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (with dinner included both nights).

25th December:

• Cliffs of Moher: After breakfast, visit the Cliffs of Moher and explore any other nearby attractions.
• Evening: Return to the hotel by 4 PM for a festive Christmas dinner at 4:30. Relax and enjoy the celebrations.

26th – 28th December:

• Dublin: Check out and drive to Dublin. Explore the city, including:
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Kilmainham Gaol
  • Dublin Castle

29th December:

• Departure: Morning flight from Dublin.

Thank you so much in advance!

i left my airpods casing on the bus from dublin to galway and had filed a lost property form on their website. Honestly, just wondering what are the chances of lost items being recovered, low chance or high?

Wife and I just got back to the US from an amazing 11 full days in Ireland. From Dublin to the Causeway to Sligo and Galway. What an incredible trip. Tourist spots, local spots. It was all a dream.

Sligo was an incredible treat.

Here’s my itinerary if you would like to read through it.

Day 1-3 Dublin and surrounding areas. Gresham Hotel

• Guinness factory tour 10/19 (Saturday)
• Wicklow Ireland Day Trip (Friday Early)
• Glenmacnass waterfall (sally gap drive)
• Wicklow heather restaurant. (Sunday)
• Laugh toy viewing point (sunday)
• Howth (Saturday AM)
• Newgrange (Monday on the way to north)
• (Hannah’s Breakfast)
• Glendalough roundtower and ruins (Sun)
• Lower draw tower (sun)

Pubs/Dinner Dublin

J Grogens Bar 1661 The Church Bar Bovinity Mister S

Days 4-7 (Northern Ireland) - Letteran Lodges (Cookstown)

• Giants Causeway Route 10/22
• Fidela Roasters✅
• The Dark Hedges✅
• Carrick-a-rede rope bridge✅
• Dunseverick castle. ✅
• Giants Causeway Car park✅
• Dunluce Castle ✅
• Magheracross view point✅
• Shanty (Dinner) ✅

Belfast 1/2 Day Tourist Bus Tour Titanic Museum Neighbourhood Coffee

Day 7 head to Sligo On the way to Sligo and in Sligo

• Fairy Bridges
• Foam (Coffee)
• Harbour Cafe (Lunch)
• Glenif Horseshoe
• Glencar waterfall
• Coach Lane (Dinner)
• Mad Circus Tattoo

Galway Days 9-10

• Aillwee Caves
• Keoghs (lunch)
• Classiebawn castle
• [x]Morans Cottage (Dinner)

Galway to Dublin Day 11 Tullamore Dew Tour The warehouse (lunch)

Day 12 - Travel Back to USA

I am visiting cork and Dublin in a few weeks. I am planning to go to Cork from Dublin on the Sunday. I have been hearing mixed reviews about what is open on Sunday and how early does stuff close. Does everything close early in Cork on Sundays? Is it worth getting there later in the afternoon? Would there still be much to do ? I am only there for one day as I leave the following evening.

Hi all! I’m from Tennessee, USA and our family will be travelling to Ireland in November. Can’t wait to visit your beautiful country!

During one leg of the trip, we’ll be driving down from Cong to Doolin. Google Maps has us taking R346 -> R334 -> N84 -> N83 -> N67 -> R477.

Just eyeballing it, it looks like we’d be bypassing Lough Corrib and also Galway. I’m wondering, for those familiar with the area, if there’s a more scenic route we could take? (Or is the current drive already scenic in its own right?) We could take up to 5 hours, so time’s not an issue (though obviously we’ll be driving cautiously!).

Thank you all in advance!

Hi there! We are a group of 7 italians that are planning to visit Dublin in January. We would like to go around Dublin and surroundings to see as many things we can.

We have already a lot of stuff to see, but we are actually interested in Puffins and/or Whales watching, does any of you know if is still possible to watch them in January? Do you have any suggestions or information about it?

P.S. We'll be glad if you also have any other suggestions for different places or activities to do.

I know this sub gets flooded with these posts, but I’d appreciate any thoughts from folks who enjoy weighing in on itinerary planning. This trip has been revised many times and has been postponed twice due to COVID and twice due to cancer, so I’m crossing my fingers we make it happen next May!

I’m especially interested in feedback about Sunday 5/18 - my husband would really enjoy Cashel, but is there any other place we should stay besides Cork or is it worth spending a night in Cork?

Friday 5/16

• Land 8:30 AM
• Explore Dublin for the day

Saturday, 5/17

• Bus trip to Belfast from Dublin
• Dublin Overnight

Sunday, 5/18

• Pick up rental car
• Travel from Dublin to Cork
• Rock of Cashel midway

Monday, 5/19

• Travel from Cork to Killarney
• Stop at Blarney in the AM
• Muckross Abbey and Killarney Park

Tuesday 5/20

• Gap of Dunloe tour for the day

Wednesday 5/21

• Travel to Doolin
• Cliffs of Moher

Thursday 5/22

• Cliffs and/or Aran Island

Friday 5/23

• Travel to Galway for the day

Saturday 5/24

• Bus from Galway to Dublin airport

Hello, fellas and gals, I am from China and have been fascinated by Irish music, history and culture for several years. I am 26 years old and have been working for three to four years. I started to learn about things of Ireland when I was in high school. However, as I come from an ordinary working-class family, I have never had the opportunity to go on middle-class outbound trips. But the good news is that I am determined to save money this year, and I have made a few trusted friends who are willing to travel with me, and we have agreed to take a trip to Ireland at May 1 to 7 next year.

Here is my current arrangement:

Day 1, we will arrive in Dublin at noon, pick up our booked rental car at the airport and rest overnight in North Dublin, and before going to bed, if we had energy after a long fly, we would visit the blocks around our B&B's location.

Day 2, we will drive west in the morning, passing and visiting Tara Hill, Newgrange, arriving at a B&B near Galway, where our will spend the night resting.

Day 3, we will visit Galway City and its surroundings before returning to our B&B for the night.

Day 4, in the morning we will head to the Cliffs of Moher and in the afternoon we will drive to Nenagh and spend the night in a B&B near Nenagh.

Day 5, we will drive around Nenagh and visit the ancient buildings (castles and estates) and towns nearby.

Day 6, we will drive to south (or west) Dublin and visit some of the sights of Dublin city. And buy some affordable Irish goods as a souvenir.

Day 7, we will pack up our things, drive back to the airport for delivery, and then catch a plane back to China.

The following is the information of me and my companions: The confirmed personnel include me, friend H, friend Y. If possible, one more friend is expected but we didn't decided.

I can't drive, but my English is the best of the three, and I can cook. I'm interested in all things Irish (especially history, people, music, republicanism) and I'm happy to talk to the locals and, if I can, share my cooking with B&B hosts.

My friend H and friend Y are both non-binary and don't mind personal pronouns, he,she,they are fine).

Friend H is the youngest, he is 22 years old, but he has two years of driving experience. He didn't have too many subjective ideas about this trip, he mainly wanted to enjoy our company.

Friend Y is the oldest, two years older than me, and he is getting his driver's license, but I can't rely on him as the main driver. He doesn't know much about Ireland either, but he appreciates the Celtic and medieval feel aesthetically, so he'll be happy to visit castles and all the places that evoke the Lord of the Rings.

I am keeping an open mind about this plan and I would love to hear your suggestions and recommendations and thank you for seeing this.

I’m planning on traveling to Dublin in March 2025 w/ 1 other person! We will be there a week exactly & want to know if anyone has recommendations on going w/ an ABNB or Hotel when visiting Ireland? :)

I was hoping to plan a trip around Ireland for my birthday but I just realized it falls on Easter next year. I’ve been looking for hostels but not finding many open dates around that time in Galway and Dingle. I’m wondering if it’s because things are booked up for Easter or if the dates just aren’t available yet.

Where should I stop on my drive from ennis to dingle? Doing slea head drive + Conor pass the next day so don’t wanna do any of that in the drive down. Thanks!!