Welcome to the Forum!

You will have a problem in finding lodgings in the smaller towns at that time of year. If you stay to the major cities, Dublin, Belfast, Galway, you should be able to find lodgings in the hotels.

The North country will be indeed cold and blustery then. However, adram or two of whiskey or a pint of Guiness in a cozy pub will chase the chill.  As you are going just before the Christmas holiday, you might get some good deals on hotel stays. It is best to start looking now and booking soon.

I have never had a problem renting a car and traveling into Northern Ireland. some rental companies might charge you an extra fee for doing so. However, you would have to mention that is where you are headed.  I have never been charged extra using Kemwel, for which Michele has a link. You will find yourself in Northern Ireland without effort. There are no indicators of having crossed the border.

Yes, the Glens of Antrim are feasible. They are haunting any time of year but a drizzly, winter day will make them seem even more so.

With ten days in Ireland:

Day 1-3 Dublin
Day 4-6 Belfast - use this as your base for exploring the Causeway, Glens of Antrim, etc
Day 7-9 - Galway - use this as a base to explore the burren, Cliffs of Moher and the Connemara area.
Day 10 - Back to Dublin in late afternoon

Pick up your rental car on Day 4 as you are leaving Dublin and turn it in upon your return. You might also consider looking into turning it in whilst in Galway and taking the train back to Dublin. Your last night, you might look to stay at  the Bewleys Airport Dublin hotel, which is very comfortable. They usually run online specials, as well.

This should get you off on a good start. The others will chime in soon, to be sure.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

Judy,

Also, the color of the road markings changes. The KPH issue is indeed a challenge but luckily my habit of stopping around every bend is not conducive to speeding.  

Slan Beo, Bit

Ok, this is a itinerary that would be cool to do . . .

Dec 13th --- I get in to Dublin at noon with my boyfriend. His brother gets in at 11:30 that night. I thought maybe my boyfriend and I would rent the car when we get there, we won't be leaving until the next morning, but can we really expect to pick up a car on Sunday in December?

Dec 14th --- drive to Belfast, leave early (8am), get there around noon, explore city, maybe take Black Taxi Tour right away, stay in Belfast.

Dec 15th --- another early start, see Glenariff Forest Park, Cushendall?, anything else to see near Glens?, stay in Belfast that night.

Dec 16th --- Giants Causeway and Dunluce castle, maybe some pictures of Mussenden Temple, stay in Derry that night.

Dec 17th --- Derry to Galway, maybe see Cliffs of Sleive on the way.

Dec 18th --- the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, stay in Galway.

Dec 19th --- Galway to Dublin, anything to see on the way?

Dec 20th --- Dublin, return car today or previous day maybe?

Dec 21 --- boyfriend's brother leaves from Dublin (the rest stay until 23rd), rest of us maybe go on a day trip by train, will trains be running to Wicklow or Kildare or anywhere?

Dec 22 --- day trip?

Dec 23 --- Dublin

Dec 24 --- flight home

I already appreciate the advice given, and any other advice would be great. Thanks.

Amanda

Thanks for the advice.

I guess I'll probably have more random questions as I research stuff. Like this one . . .

My boyfriend and I land at 12:30pm on Saturday, Dec 13th. I see that Old Belvedere plays BlackRock College RFC at 2:30pm at the stadium at Anglesea Rd. in Dublin. Do you think it's possible for us to go? I used to play rugby and all my uncles did too, and I think it would be fun to catch a match in Ireland.

I'm not sure how long it'll take us to get through the aiport and into Dublin. We'd be willing to miss the first bit of the game, but we think it would be really fun to do, so we would love to fit it in if at all possible.

What do you think?