first time to Ireland

Stephens_first_trip · Newbie

first time to Ireland

CowboyCraic · Guru

Stephen,

First off, Failte'! Welcome to the forum. We are glad you found your way to us.

Before any help can be offered, we need to know some specifics:

What are your dates of travel?
Do you Depart from Dublin, as well?
Will you be relying on public transportation or are you renting a car?

Any trip to Ireland is exciting but your first is ultimately more so. We will do our utmost to make suggestions that will prevent you from having that dreaded "green blur" biggrin

Slan Beo (take Care),

Bit

Stephens_first_trip · Newbie

Hi Bit,

Thank you so much for a quick response. We will be arriving ireland around the 11th of May and will depart around 16th. We get our tickets tomorrow. We will arrive and depart from Dublin. I think that we will be using public transportation we are open to also renting a car....i just want it to be simple...so public transportation sounds the best. I just dont want to spend our time trying to get somewhere to see something. We would also like to take the ferry to Whales one day ...if thats something you think is worth the time and effort, Or is there more to see near Dublin. You can see that you are leading the blind here. I will look for your suggestions.

Slan Beo to you to!

Stephen

CowboyCraic · Guru

Stephen,

If I am reading it right, you will only have 5 full days on the ground in Ireland. You would be best to use Dublin as a base. You can grab some day tours or take the train to the outlying areas.

I wouuld do it thusly:

May 11 - Arrive Dublin - take public transport to your lodgings and leave your luggage - grab the Hop-on/off Double Decker Bus tour and use that to get acclimated to Dublin and it environs.

May 12 - Take Mary Gibbons' NewGrange Tour

May 13 - Take an Over the Top tour to Wicklow & Glendalough

May 14 & 15 - Take a look at a Paddywagon tour to the West Coast

May 16 Depart from Dublin for home.

As to taking a Ferry to Wales, there really isn't enough time for that on this trip.

As to lodgings in Dublin, I would recommend Paddy's Palace, which is a hostel run by Paddywagon tours. They really take good care of their guests. I think they have even added an airport shuttle for those staying at the Hostel. If a B&B or hotel is more your speed, I would recommend Ripley Court. They are running an awesome rate right now, especially for Dublin.

Others should be piping up soon, enough. Together, we will get you going in the best direction.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Stephens_first_trip · Newbie

Hey Bit,

Thanks so much for all of the information. I am going to get with my friends tomorrow and try to plan the trip based on your suggestions. If you ever want to visit the south east or New York City....let me know and i can do the same for you :)

Stephen

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stephen,

Bit has started you out on the right foot. You can certainly base yourselves in Dublin and see plenty from there. You mentioned that you like gardens so you might want to take a tour that includes both Powerscourt Gardens and Glendalough: www.buseireann.ie

You can also jump on DART or the bus and go about 8 miles north of Dublin to Malahide Castle.

Railtours offer other options.

Be sure to pop into the tourist office in Dublin for brochures and info about tours. They will be very helpful.

Michele

Stephens_first_trip · Newbie

Thank you for your response Michele! I am sorting through the information that Bit sent and will add yours to the mix. We are so excited...and since we are there only for a short time, we want to make sure we hit the high spots. I will be ordering your book this week , which looks to have lots of juicy details also. Just alert me to any must sees if you think of anything. Im thankful that theres a site like this to get information from.

Stephen

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stephen,

Always happy to add my "two cents worth". I agree completely. It is very exciting planning your first (or even 47th) trip to Ireland!

In Dublin you will want to take a look at Phoenix Park, Farmleigh Estate and the Botanical Gardens.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele