Tour Ireland by train/bus?

Schoolmom3 · Newbie

Tour Ireland by train/bus?

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Carol:

The train system in Ireland is a bit awkward in that it branches out from Dublin like spokes on a wheel with very little to connect them. There are a few routes that cross, but it's not great. There is a pretty significant bus system and I think choosing a few bases and trying small private tours is a good option. There are plenty from Dublin, Galway and probably Cork to keep you going for a while and if you wanted to hit some smaller towns and just visit them, you can still catch a public bus. http://www.cie.ie/home/

Factory prices are no better than most of the shops. Just as a note, despite it's huge name in the US, Waterford crystal is not considered the best crystal in Ireland. We stopped into tiny Kinsale crystal which is a family run operation. They use a deep cutting method as does Dingle crystal. If I think back, I think I remember hearing that the owners are related (brothers?). Anyway, they sort of scoff at Waterford as being "mass produced".

I've done the Waterford tour once and it was interesting but I don't think it's worth a long trip on a bus by any means.

Bill

Dude · Guru

Carol, Galway Crystal has factory tours and you can actually buy very nice seconds in the gift shop, which you can't do in Waterford (they smash the seconds and recycle them).

Connemara Marble is an interesting experience. When we were there, there was just a very charming gent there who told us some facts and showed us marble but we didn't actually get to see any work being done. They also have a gift shop.

We enjoyed Belleek but on the third trip couldn't take the factory tour because we were there too late in the day, and then when we showed up the next morning a tour bus had filled up the first tour so we just headed south. If you go there, be sure to check out the sale table. I wouldn't have known about it had it not been for Michele.

I'm not sure whether you can buy it in the Republic, but I have given some lovely bogwood pieces as gifts and bought some for myself. That's something you won't find at WalMart! Check them out at http://www.islandturfcrafts.com . They are located in County Tyrone so not on the way to anywhere you'll be, but the website doesn't mention anything about a bricks and mortar site.

YaYa · Guru

Dear Schoolmom3,

Six of my trips where done by public transportation. I would do as you mentioned, train to a town, stay and take day trips. My 1st time traveling this way, I flew into Dublin stayed a few days, trained to Kilkenny and took taxis for day trips. I did end this trip with a taxi back to County Clare via Cashel. Another trip, landed in Dublin and trained down to Cork, after trained over to Killarney. Another trip, again landed in Dublin, trained down to Wicklow for about a week and toured by taxi, trained up to Dundalk taxied to Carlingford used buses for trips over to Northern Ireland. Oh, dear, two of those trips I just used taxis. Both of these I flew into Shannon, just stayed in County Clare for 3 weeks. Another we flew into Shannon and the owner of Mal Dua in Clifden came and picked us up and took us back to Cllifden. I had 2 rooms for 7 nights, so I think he was happy to do it. You can find tours out of Dublin, Killarney, and Galway. I'm sure someone here knows of others. I loved train travel in Ireland. If you are not first class, it is sorta hard getting your suit case in and out of the car. I only went 1st class down to Cork and it was lovely. I would travel on trains again in a minute.

Kind Regards, Joan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Carol,

Welcome to the forum! You have received some excellent advice so far from several forum members. When are you going in the fall? Many of the day tours are seasonal so you will have to take a look to see if they are going when you are in Ireland.

For a place in the southwest I suggest Killarney. There are many day tours you can get from there. If you plan carefully, you can have a great time seeing Ireland by public transportation. Please do go to my "Transport" page (click on IrelandYes Index near top of page). There you will find links to the rail and bus systems in Ireland.

As for shopping, your sister will find plenty of good shops in the areas you will visit and the prices are mostly the same as at the factories. As was mentioned, Belleek has a "sale corner" or as they call it Collector's Corner with lower prices on close-outs. Waterford factory often has specials on a few items but you will find that places like Blarney Woolen Mills run specials like that too. In the fall you will find more sales so your sister will actually find some bargains. Don't worry too much about going to Waterford, Belleek or elsewhere. Just enjoy shopping where you are.

Michele

Laoghaire · Senior Member

Hello Carol,

The only advantage there is to shopping at the Waterford Factory, I find, is sometimes there is an artist present who will sign your pieces for you. It makes the crystal very special. I have quite a few pieces that were signed, then shipped directly to my home.

Helen

Michele Erdvig · Host

Helen,

That does make the Waterford pieces extra special and even more collectable. For sheer volume of crystal the showroom at Waterford can't be beat. One thing they didn't have was lamp finials. They make them because I have seen them for sale on Ebay but since Irish lamps don't use them they don't carry them at the Waterford factory.

Michele

Schoolmom3 · Newbie

Wow! Everyone replied so quickly! Thanks for the info. I'm confident now that our plans will work out. I'm sure I'll have more questions as we plan. I'll post our plans when we have more info and will welcome any suggestions.

Michele, we will probably be traveling in late Sept/early Oct. That is the same time of year my mother and I were there in 2004. My mom passed away last May and my dad just passed in January. My sisters and I have to go through their things (both collectors of very different items) and then sell their home. My mom always wanted to return to Ireland, she talked about it all the time. I'm sure she'd be pleased that we are going when everything here is settled.

Thanks everyone -- Carol

Michele Erdvig · Host

Carol,

My condolences on the passing away of your parents. It must be very difficult to deal with all the loose ends and I'm sure it will take a lot of time. Late September and early October will have fewer tours. You might also consider spring. May is my favorite month in Ireland. Everything is blooming and there are little lambs, horses and calves in the fields. A beautiful and refreshing time of year.

Let us know if you need more help as your trip progresses. We are always here to help.

Michele