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Hey guys, I plan on traveling Europe for 6 weeks. I WAS planning on flying into London, but after finding one way tickets into Dublin from LA were $320 I added another country to the list Tickets haven't been bought yet, I'm waiting to see what I hear here.

Have any of you started your Europe travels in Dublin? Is Dublin a city worth spending a few days in or should I head straight to Galway? (From what I read on here last night, Galway is a must see). My concern is that I would have to fly into Dublin, head to Galway, then head straight back 1-2 days later to catch a Ryan Air out of Dublin again heading for London.

Not sure how well this would work or if it's worth it or if I'm thinking this through correctly?

Dave

Hey unless you want to hit the town i'd say head straight to Galway.. maybe walk around Dublin and see the city for a couple hours to get a feel for the place....
It may seem like a dose going Dub - Galway - Dub but i'm sure it will seem a doddle compared to other treks you will make in your 6 weeks.

Also you can get from Dublin - London for as little as €20 (incl. tax) on a good day.

20 euro? that's just amazing.

So the vibe I got that Dublin isn't the most happenin' place is right. Galway doesn't happen to have an airport, does it?

I think Dublin is a really cool city, in fact I loved it. However I don't think you need more than 2 days unless you really want to wander around. Also, don't forget to hit up the Guinness factory - at the end you get a free beer in their sky bar which overlooks the whole city. It was cloudy and rainy the day I was there and it was beautiful, i felt like I was in a James Joyce novel. Plus the Guinness does taste a lot better! Also, before you take the tour head to the gift shop and buy one of the chocolates made w/ beer, eat it when you have your beer - it's literally out of this world. It was so good i bought like 6 to bring home for gifts and gave them out w/ a 4 pack of Guinness for xmas. I wouldn't just leave the city right away, check it out but you don't need to spend a lot of time.

The Book of Kells is also there in Trinity college, which is free. The Temple Bar area is the really happening, tourist area. Ireland is great everyone is SUPER friendly. Have fun - I can't wait to go back!

What's all this about Galway being great??
I'm from Cork, but I love Dublin, I could walk around there for hours. Galway's great, the best part is the countryside though, which you probably won't have time for.

If the flight is cheap to Ireland you should definitely go!
It's my favorite country.

Also, Galway does have an airport, or maybe the nearest one is Knock...
Either way don't think Ryanair goes there so it's won't be that cheap. Air Arann is your best bet.

Well I very briefly was checking out stuff to do in Ireland, and it looks like Cliffs of Moher is right up my alley. Would staying a night in Galway be a good "double date" to go see the cliffs?

hey, don't get me wrong Dublin is a wkd craic. It's just i assumed you were set on Galway and since you only have a few days in Ireland i thought it might be best to head straight there.

Don't be put off it by my post!.. It's very happening.

Temple Bar is very cool.

quote:

Well I very briefly was checking out stuff to do in Ireland, and it looks like Cliffs of Moher is right up my alley. Would staying a night in Galway be a good "double date" to go see the cliffs?

It's certainly a reasonable thing to do, most people seem to base their trip to the cliffs from Galway, and there's lots of buses that run that trip. Galway's lovely, but it's a city, and as a result just doesn't have as much character as some of the rural parts of the country. My own favourites were Connemara and the Aran islands, also very close to Galway, and I'd highly recommend fitting in a day and a night on one of the islands in, if you can.

Galway does have an airport, but it's really small, though Aer Arrann does offer some reasonably priced flights to several airports in Britain from there. Galway's also reasonably close to Shannon, which you could use to get to almost anywhere on the continent, might be a bit more convenient than heading back to Dub.

There isnt much point in getting a flight to galway (knock airport) There are trains, buses and car hire. About a 4 hour drive. Go to cobh in cork

Dublin city is definately worth two days at the least - that's if you're really pushed for time. There is just so much to see and do in this city - that you could easily spend a week here! It's quite compact so you can walk to most of the top attractions like Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, the Natural History Museum. You can take the red Luas tram to see attractions like the Guinness Brewery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin Zoo, Kilmainham Gaol and the National Museum Collins Barracks. Dublin city has a rip-roaring nightlife scene and if you want to experience it - head straight for the Temple Bar area. For shopping go to Henry Street or Grafton Street.

You could get a bus or a train from Dublin to Galway which roughly takes about 3 hrs, and this is a good way to get a glimpse of the countryside as you travel. Galway is such a vibrant, welcoming and friendly city. There's lots of accommodation here whether you want a B&B, guesthouse or hotel. With Galway city as your base you can explore Connemara, the Burren, Ailwee Caves and of course the spectacular Cliffs of Moher! In Connemara, at a little coastal village called Rossaveal you can get a boat trip to the Aran Islands.

Galway city is only about 1.5hrs drive from Shannon Airport where you can get a Ryanair flight to London Gatwick or London Stansted

Hope this helps!!!