Unregistered User
(3/19/04 5:03 pm)

4 days in Ireland

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My husband and I will be flying to Dublin after 3 days in London. We regretfully only have 4 days to spend in Ireland. I would like to see Dublin, Portodown (where my husband's family is from), Antrim Coast and Belfast. Do we have time to do this itinerary in 4 days? Also, can you recommend places to stay? Thank you

ratula
Registered User
Posts: 19
(3/19/04 11:11 pm)

Re: 4 days in Ireland

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Hi Carla,

I personally think that's alot to do in just 4 days. To enjoy yourself, I'd recommend spending at least 2 days in Dublin, just because there is so much to see and do. So that leaves you a couple of days. I'd say choose one place and use those days to see it, like Portadown. Save Northern Ireland for another time, because it's such a wonderful part of Ireland that deserves 4 days in itself. I don't know how useful my advice really is because I'm a backpacker who is used to bussing everywhere in Ireland, and bussing eats up alot of time. It's probably different if you are driving everywhere, which I'm assuming you are.
Hope someone else on this forum can give you some more insight, but I thought I'd put in my two cents' worth.

Ratula

Anita
Unregistered User
(3/20/04 3:11 am)

Too much

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I would say that it is way too much to do in four days. I spent four days each in Dublin and Belfast and still felt rushed. The train ride alone to Belfast is three and a half hours (I doubt driving is much quicker), and the Antrim coast would be a day trip on itself. My suggestion is that you either do one or the other. Either spend all four days in Dublin and do day trips to Newgrange, Glendalough, and two days shopping and seeing the sights in Dublin. Or skip Dublin and go straight to Belfast and spend you four days there. Of course this all depends on where your flight departs from.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2318
(3/21/04 1:12 am)

RE: 4 days in Ireland

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Hi Carla,

I agree that you will have to make a decision and choose either Dublin or Northern Ireland. Otherwise you will see only a "green blur" of both and not be able to do it all anyway. If you decide to do Northern Ireland, perhaps you can fly into Belfast instead of Dublin. Let me know what you decide and I will try to recommend some accommodations.

Michele

TxDevil
Posts: 17
(3/21/04 9:10 am)

4 days

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While 4 days is NOTHING in Ireland. You can still see Dublin and Belfast.

We drove from Belfast to Limerick in one day and still had plenty of time to do stuff. We left Belfast around 930am which is the usual time that we found ourselves leaving to venture out. We arrived in Limerick around 230-3pm. Belfast to Limerick is a MUCH longer drive that Dublin to Belfast. The only part of Dublin we even ventured into was the airport when we were diverted from Shannon because of the wind gusts.

But be very aware... We had no idea exactly how big Belfast was. It was overwhelming. We had been used to driving through small city centres and when we arrived in Belfast it was just amazing. People everywhere. The Donegall Square is a nice place to shop and see.

We aren't very touristy tourists (aside from snapping photos), so we didn't do all the touristy things (i.e museums, tours etc..). We love scenery and the like, so driving was our main activity (which I love to do anyway). But I do think you need 2 days in Belfast at least. Although we weren't very fond of Belfast because of the whole drabness of it, it is still something everyone who visits Ireland should experience because it is a whole different world than ROI.

Hope that helps some.

Carla
Unregistered User
(3/21/04 2:31 pm)

Thanks for your responses!

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My husband and I have decided to only do Dublin during our 4 days in Ireland and then plan a 2 week trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland next fall or spring. I want to experience the true flavor of Ireland and don't want to be rushing from place to place. Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2328
(3/23/04 2:23 am)

Re: Thanks for your responses!

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Carla,

I think that is a wise decision. This way you can take your time and plan a great trip. Let us know if you need help. Everyone here is happy to add their comments. And enjoy Dublin.

Michele