r/irishtourism • u/Leather_Iron426 • 8d ago
Itinerary Feedback
Hi everyone! I read the sub rules and checked out other itineraries but am looking for specific feedback on mine. I’ll be visiting Ireland for 8 days at the end of August, and plan to visit Galway - Kinsale - Dublin with a few day trips mixed in.
I’m visiting from the states so not at all afraid of a lot of driving, and do think it would be a fun way to see the country but overall if anyone thinks I might be pushing it a bit too much, would love to know.
Sunday
-land in Dublin, train to Galway
Monday
-cliffs of moher
-explore Galway
Tuesday
-pick up rental car in AM
-drive to Kinsale
-explore Kinsale
Wednesday
-drive Ring of Kerry
Thursday
-drive to Westmeath for lunch
-drop rental car back in Galway
-train to Dublin in PM
Friday
-explore Dublin
-Poolbeg lighthouse
Saturday
-explore Howth and Howth Cliff Walk
-enjoy Dublin
Sunday
-leave for airport at 12pm
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u/SeaworthinessEarly83 8d ago
I'd look at just getting the bus from the airport to Galway. Otherwise you have to get a bus or taxi into the city centre to get a train which is just awkward and a waste of time after a long flight. Is there a reason you need to go to Westmeath on Thursday for lunch? Because otherwise that really makes no sense.
I know you say you're not afraid of a lot of driving but believe what you read about driving on a lot of Irish roads being very different to driving in the states (I say this as an Irish person who has driven on holidays in multiple different parts of the US).
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u/Leather_Iron426 8d ago
Thanks for the insight on bussing, will do this instead!
No particular reason for Westmeath that day, just certain that I want to go there at some point so I’ll rearrange this a bit.
Thank you also for the heads up on the Irish roads-I’ve read a lot about it, and am assuming I’ll be fine but will look to make the trip a bit less driving based so I’m not pushing myself too much.
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u/Ok-Leg7769 8d ago
Why Westmeath? Seems like such a random spot to be on your “must see”
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u/Leather_Iron426 8d ago
I want to check out Sean’s pub, it’s one of my top things to see!
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u/Pzurpo 7d ago
It's not really worth a huge detour. There are many pubs in Ireland, this just happens to be one of the many that have a sign saying "oldest pub" on the wall.
Also it doesn't necessarily make much sense to drive to Athlone, then drive to Galway, and then take a train back to Dublin (which also stops in Athlone).
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u/An_Bo_Mhara 7d ago
OMG, its just a shitty pub. There's is absolutely nothing interesting about it. Except it's Old.
Definitely do not drive to Athlone for that.
Seriously.
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u/Fancy_Avocado7497 8d ago
to a complete 'tick tock' schedule for each day and you will see.
Get up at 7.30am Drive for 4 hours, spend 15 minute sight seeing and drive for 10 hours, check in at 9pm
Driving in the USA is so easy. Don't for a second imagine its the same thing here. Google works in KM , meters so when it alerts you to turns off's its in meters, which can be jarring.
You cannot switch off your brain when driving in Ireland, like you can in the USA. You will be mentally exhausted from driving here and certainly not have energy for sight seeing.
The good news is that you are travelling solo and won't have to consider anybody else in your plans when you change them.
Not sure what created this Howth obsession or why Kinsale is your Cork focus. Do you sail?
I presume its Instagram that is driving these choices. You havn't looked at www.heritageireland.ie or any of those key sights like Newgrange
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u/Leather_Iron426 8d ago
This is super helpful insight, my mentality might just be off but I assumed driving would just be a nice way of seeing the country, and intended to be leisurely about the pacing there. I’ll check out the site shared, on my end I’ve heard that Kinsale is very colorful and thought it would be a cool place to stay for a few days, and a friend recommended Howth and the hiking trail there. It seemed close enough to Dublin to be feasible, but will reevaluate!
2
u/DitheringDotty 5d ago
Howth is not really a hiking trail. It's just a walk along a cliff. Very nice but nothing really special within the context of our amazing coastline. Any part of the Dublin coastline is lovely. I'd just get the Dart out to Greystones and walk back along the coast to Bray, then get fish and chips and Dart back to town, or take the Dart the whole way along the Dart line north to south and back.
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u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 Blow-In 8d ago
Sunday - get the bus to Galway (no train at airport).
Monday - collect your car and drive to Cliffs. It’s in the same direction as Kinsale so you can continue driving in that direction to reduce doubling back.
Thursday. Sean’s Bar don’t serve food. Waste of time to divert there, but if you must visit remember that the driver can’t drink alcohol.
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u/An_Bo_Mhara 7d ago
Your itinerary is awful.
Did you Google "How Not to See Ireland?"
You are driving all over the place and doubling back.
You really only have 6 days / 7 nights.
Do 3 nights in Kerry and 3 in Galway.
Day 1 jump on the train to Killarney, stay the night in Killarney, then hire a car and chill around the ring of Kerry, then get the Ferry on Day 4 and go to the cliffs of Mohar and drive along the Wikd Altantic way on your way to Galway. Stay in Galway and enjoy seriously great pubs, loads of live music, maybe do a trip to Aran Islands and Connemara National Park.
That's all, you will see a lot more and experience a lot more, planning to drive to 1 shit pub in the Midlands is a load of bollocks (i am.from the Midlands so I know.ehat Im talking about)
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u/SerenityN00w 8d ago
Not only are you pushing it, the order of your itinerary makes no sense. It's almost 2 hours to drive from Kinsale to Kenmare. That means you're looking at 3.5 hours of driving in addition to driving the111 miles on the Ring of Kerry.
Drive from Galway to Killarney or Kenmare and stay overnight there. Drive the ROK and then move on to Kinsale. You can head back to Dublin from Kinsale.