Need help with 9 day itinerary in Ireland!?

Question

I will be traveling in Ireland during the first week of June. I will be traveling only by rail. Could I please get some suggestions of where to go in Ireland (no North Ireland) and for how long to stay? Keep in mind I must get there by train! Thank you for help!

As of now, my plan would be Dublin for a day, Galway for 2, Killarney and Kinsale each for day and a half, stop in Kilkenny and back to Dublin.

Answer 1

dublin 2 days (you would need time to get out of the city and explore the wonderful countryside of north wicklow)
then galway for 3 days (take time for a trip to the burren and cliffs of moher etc)
Killarney area 2 days
Cork 2 days

you cannot really get from galway to killarney by train, well you can but it requires you going nearly back to dublin. The bus service provided between galway and killarney is very good

Answer 2

In order to get to Killarney from Galway, you need to travel by train back to Dublin and then take another train - really expensive and you will lose a day.

Get a bus pass, much easier, you can then travel by bus through glorious County Clare and County Limerick on to Kerry. One of the bus routes takes in the Shannon ferry, which is really nice.

If you really can't handle the bus, stick to one area and hire a bike for the week or so you're there.

Answer 3

Are you flying in to Shannon or Dublin?

Anyway. I'd say there are a few things you can't miss. Go to the Cliffs of Moher for sure (Co. Clare). They're amazing - but you need to catch them on a good day (good luck). Blarney Castle (in Co. Cork) is ... well ... touristy. It's where you kiss the 'blarney stone' if you want to do it go ahead, but it'll be pretty busy in June I imagine. The "Ring of Kerry" or the Dingle Peninsula are really beautiful - the Blasket Island centre is really interesting if it's open. If you like Waterford Crystal you could check out the factory in Waterford City (they have a tour). If you like old buildings (like OLD) check out the Rock of Cashel (Co. Tipperary). If you're going to go to Dublin the musical pub crawl is pretty fun (ask at your hotel) and go see the book of Kells at Trinity College. Do NOT waste your time at Dublin Castle. There's a huge comedy festival in Kilkenny the first week of June (the Cat Laughs) - if you want to do that you should look in to ticket and hotels early. Kilkenny Castle is really neat too while you're there (but if you want to see Kilkenny Castle and don't want to run into comedy folks be sure to check your dates!) If you can get a tour of the Burren (Co. Clare) is a really pretty landscape region.

It all depends on what you to see/do. I kind of disagree that you would want to spend all of your time in Dublin. I'm not terribly impressed with it. But, if you are there, or Limerick (which I only recommend if you're like a die-hard Angela's Ashes fan) or another old city, taking a Georgian walking tour is always interesting. The Georgian area will be one of the older areas in the city - with pretty doors! Bye and Good Luck - Slan go Foill 's Go n-éirí an t-adh leat!

Answer 4

http://www.shamrock.org/ - is a great site to check out. And your interests will determine what you want to do.

Dublin is where you will want to spend most of your time. I would go to a book store when you arrive and buy the most current tourist guide. This will give you the most up to date info regarding museums, concerts, restaurants etc.

Be sure to visit Cork -- it is a great little town in the south with fabulous food, great golf courses, and near the blarney stone and the crystal outlets. While there, be sure to go over to Kinnsail (might be spelling this wrong). It is a great little town known as the culinary capital of Ireland. It is my favorite town in Ireland.

You might want to take in a Hurling match or a Golf tournament while there -- it will be the season.

If you can, I would scrap the train idea and rent a car -- it is not hard to drive on the other side of the street, and probably comparable in cost. It will give you way more freedom.

Just absorb the culture -- Spending an evening in a pub will prove to be one of the most entertaining experiences.

Answer 5

quick note; check Iranrod Eireann for the train routes because you can't get from Kerry to Kilkenny by train...