BootsnAll Travel Community

We've decided to start our rtw in Dublin! I have been to the big Dub before but only for a couple days. Mainly we want to travel around the country and really take in the culture, etc. We plan on staying in Dublin maybe 2 or 3 days and then we're off. I've been reading a lot about hitching there which seems interesting although i've never done it. I guess i'm really drawn to it because it seems "free". The last time I was in Dublin it was so expensive we can't see how we could fit in more than 2 weeks.

My question is - is 2 weeks enough to really see and take in Ireland and how much is it realistically to stay there for that time period? We'll be hosteling it and going on the cheap and we were considering renting a car to drive around the country but i have not looked into the $$ of that yet.

Basically any help would be great! - Thanks! Beth

public transport is good enough to get by without a car - though obviously a car would be great.
You should get a good feel for the place in 2 weeks. Try not to do too much. Most towns come alive at the weekends so if yer into socialising save your going out money for then, spend the rest of the time mincing around the country. Donegal, mayo sligo and galway are all worth checking out. Down south is very touristy esp kerry though its still worth the trip - really beautiful down there...
Kilkenny is also good for a night out

Thanks Phil- I was wondering about a car myself - any idea how much that would cost there?

You know yourself, two weeks isn't really enough for any country, especially Ireland where we have SOOOOOOO many nooks and crannys to explore.

If you've been to dublin already don't bother with it again.

Saturday nights are the best times for drinking (i was gonna say socializing but c'mon, it's the same thing here)

#1 Definately check out galway city. Whatever you do there, make sure to head to the "Roisin Dubh" pub on a friday or saturday night (preferably both) AFTER a bit of a pubcrawl. Do not get lured into any of the "night clubs" because they are shít, cramped and sell dirty flat overpriced pints. Check out the pubs n' late bars. During the day do a bit of wandering around the streets and get lost. Go for a drive around the countryside. Check out "cong". If possible check out the aran islands off the coast.

#2 Check out cork city. The "real capital of Ireland" according to a massive budweiser billboard hanging from a building in the city. It's like a big-budget sequel to galway. Check out "the brogue" pub AFTER a bit of a pubcrawl.

#3 Sure kerry is right beside cork you might as well check that out!! A vit touristy, even the Irish go there for little holidays.

#4 Belfast Belfast Belfast. Don't worry you wont get blown up.

#5 I'm bored, HAVE FUN!!!

I think that 2 weeks will be sufficient to get a pretty good feel for Ireland. Since you have already been to Dublin, you could probably just pass through it in about a day or so. The buses are very cheap in Ireland, so it is easy and economical to go between major cities with the buses and to rent a car for a few days to see some of the smaller towns. I spent about a week and a half in Ireland I felt I got to see quite a bit of the country. Good luck

Hi -- I'm in Ireland at the moment, but I'm here for a month. One can't really say if two weeks is enough because it depends on what you want to do. If you want to see "everything," then no, it's not. If you want to check out a few places and are happy not trying to see a gazillion things, then yes, quite doable.

Renting a car is expensive because they add a lot of hidden charges. Plus gas is almost $5 a gallon. I paid about $60 to fill up a ten gallon tank. Yikes. But, a car allows you to have a far, far, far more intimate experience with the country. It's great to take off up side roads and discover ruins or ancient sites that haven't been visited to death. Otherwise you are pretty much stuck with tour buses.

Suggested places: Galway, where you can take a bus then ferry to Inish Mor, the biggest Aran Island. It's really cool.

I have a travel journal over on LP, if you want to check it out. http://lonelyplanet.mytripjournal.com/westcoastireland07

I'm also staying in hostels so when you get your trip planned I can offer suggestions if you want them.

Ireland is awesome - the people, especially in the rural areas, are SO nice. One problem with hitching though is that 99.9 percent of the cars are tiny -- they just won't have room to pick up two people and their gear. You could waste a lot of time standing in the rain.

Cheers,
Marcie

Thanks for all the info! I would love to have a month or more in Ireland but i just don't know if we can. I really appreciate all the great places to visit and hints about the pubs - I can't wait!!