BootsnAll Travel Community

Next March I'm planning on spending two weeks in Ireland surrounding St. Patrick's Day. This is my first time to Ireland (well anywhere really). I'm hoping for some advice on well anything. Good Budget? I'm staying in hostels, but want to see most of the touristy things. I'm trying to figure out how much I can see in two weeks. I'll be in Dublin for the first 5 or 6 days after that unknown. Any help for a travel newbie????? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

I am only posting to say: make sure you go to the Aran Islands. I loved that place.

I agree with the above, the Aran islands are amazing.

My typical budget for Euro countries is $100/day. In Dublin this will be doable, but you have to watch your expenses. Drinking in Dublin is stupidly expensive, so if you intend to have more than one beer every day, add an extra $20. Outside of Dublin it's a comfortable budget and you shouldn't have to watch yourself too closely. However, you are going at a busier time (I haven't been in March, but my understanding is that St. Pat's day is when Americans descend on the country) so prices will likely be higher than usual, and sites busier.

Lots of people on this board spend less than I do, and you may find that you do as well...but particularly for a first trip when you don't really know your own style, it's always a good idea to have more than you need instead of having to miss out on something cool because of money restrictions.

I think the biggest thing I'd suggest is less time in Dublin. It's got its pretty bits, but it's not really world's most interesting city...really there's little to distinguish it from other major european cities. That would leave more time for the west coast, and getting out to smaller towns and villages, which is where the best of Ireland can be found.

Thank you for the info. Big help 2wanderers!!!!!

I agree! Get out of Dublin!
Galway seems to be the most popular with tourists, Kerry is my personal favorite. Bus travel is pretty cheap, around €10 to get from Cork to Dublin, but stay away from trains! Cheaper to fly to Italy than get a train anywhere!

You'll want to be a bit careful, since March is pretty much the beginning of tourist season, so some attractions may not be open, or will be open shorter hours. That shouldn't be an issue in Dublin or Galway, but once you get into the countryside you may run into it.

I'll agree: Dublin is convenient, but that's about it. You'll be able to get almost anywhere in the country from there pretty directly and in a few hours, even by bus. I also second any nomination to visit Inishmore (Aran Islands) if you have a chance, though the weather in March may make for a dodgy ferry ride. Personally, I love the West (Counties Clare, Galway and Mayo), but I go mostly for the scenery, and I think the weather's still pretty icky in March. I've been in mid-April and found it to still be kinda cold and wet, but I'm from a hot and humid climate, so your travel tolerances may be different than mine.

As for how much you can see, well, that depends on you. Do you want to zip around the country and see as much as possible, or do you want to go to two or three places and really get into those areas? Are you more interested in ancient history, literary Ireland, the pub scene or something else entirely?

I agree, less time in the capital and more time seeing the country.

Will you be driving or relying on public transport? Any interest in Northern Ireland? Dublin - Belfast is easy to do as a day trip and the City Sightseeing tours are excellent up there.

Otherwise, I did a trip with my parents when they were here for Christmas (we've done others before but this was the most recent!). From Dublin we went to Belfast for a day, and then after that ended up in Cork. We hated the big city atmosphere so we left for Cobh (Cove) and loved it. We then headed toward Killarney as we have a family friend there. Stayed for a few days, did the Ring of Kerry and the Gap of Dunloe before heading north along the coast. Managed to get around the Dingle Peninsula and a fair bit of Clare before staying in Ennistymon for a night (again, I have a friend there). Onward to Galway, where we have a holiday home in Barna. Christmas week ensued (which just meant local day trips around Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) and then ended the trip down at Bunratty (Co Clare, by Shannon Airport). Next time, they want to do Ulster!

Lots to see in do, even in March. It will be busy, but not packed, and most things will be starting to open. Weather is hit or miss, but that's certainly not why you're coming! Don't discount Aer Arann flights if there's somewhere you want to go but you're lacking in time. I've had to use them for urgent trips.

Enjoy planning!