Trip in August with cruise

pattjohn · Member

Trip in August with cruise

tony2phones · Guru

You won't see much in a day but your ship will probably provide a shuttle into Dublin so you could get a bus or train to Galway, Killarney or Cork. Unfortunately you wont get there until after the Tour bus's leave at 10am. If you hire a car then Dublin to Galway is just under 3 hours with Clonmacnoise a regular visit half way over. You could then possibly do a small Connamara loop or visit the Cliffs of Moher even both before heading back to Dublin the following day. To be honest though wouldn't a trip out of Dublin and a day exploring the city be an equally good option.

Wellsley · Guru

I think Tony is right taking a tour out of Dublin and seeing some of the sites in Dublin is maximizing your time. Check the day trip tours out of Dublin to see if any of them interest you. Unless you have you're heart set on something in the west that you must see.

http://www.newgrangetours.com/newgrange-tara-info.html

http://reservations.bookhostels.com/tours/dublintourist.com/tourdetails.php?TourUID=13

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-msgr&p=tours%20leaving%20dublin&type=

Frank

tony2phones · Guru

http://www.newgrangetours.com/newgrange-tara-info.html

http://reservations.bookhostels.com/tours/dublintourist.com/tourdetails.php?TourUID=13

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-msgr&p=tours%20leaving%20dublin&type=

Wellsley · Guru

Thanks Tony,

I learn something every day.

Frank

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Here's another option -- theey'll even pick you up at the ship!

http://www.discoverwicklow.com/index.php

Bob

Wellsley · Guru

I know alot of cruise lines also arrange tours for their ports of call. Check with them to see if they offer anything. But it might be more expensive than doing it yourself.

Frank

-- Edited by Wellsley on Saturday 7th of May 2011 08:49:19 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

pattijohn,

If you don't want to see Dublin itself, then choose either Newgrange (just north of Dublin) or Wicklow (south of Dublin) as a day trip. If you are interested in history and archaeology, choose Newgrange. To see some beautiful countryside, mountains, gardens and Glendalough go south to Wicklow.

Michele

pattjohn · Member

Thanks to everyone for their input. I guess I should have added our point of interests. First I must apoligize I have my times wrong. The cruise gets to Dublin about 2 pm on Sunday - our thought was we might be able to tour the city that day though I know a lot of things might be closed because it is Sunday. We aren't really "town touring people" so just kicking around ourselves or finding a good cabby to show us around would be good - Any suggestions on prebooking for that - company name or ???
Then on Monday we have until 4pm - The cruise line does have tours to Wicklow - so we might reconsider that. We want to see the countryside as must as possible, maybe some history, etc - think hubby would be bored with too many castles and such. The info we have researched seemed to show the cliffs, etc in the West to be a once in a lifetime site.
Side note - Tuesday the ship docks at Waterford from 7am to 4pm - Where should we head that day?
thanks again for the info - this forum has been a huge help.

Wellsley · Guru

Hi PattiJohn,

If you want to ride around the city of Dublin and see the sites take the Hop on Hop off bus.

http://www.dublintours.net/?event=offer.detail&offerId=13456

You can get on and off all day. Do some research on the city and get a map. Many things are open on Sundays. Find what you want to see and check their web sites.

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Pattijohn,

Do the hopper bus as Frank suggested for Dublin. The whole circuit takes about 1 1/4 hours then you can get on and off at sites that appeal. Since your ship offers the Wicklow tour it might be best to take that since they will have you back in time to embark. The other tours might not be back in time.

In Waterford City you can take a walking tour, see The House of Waterford Crystal and Waterford Treasures Museum.

Michele

pattjohn · Member

Once again thanks for the advice. The HOHO bus idea is great. John wants to do the Irish Pub thing for dinner on Sunday - music, Irish food, atmosphere. Since we are there Sunday afternoon and for dinner. Any suggestions for locations that aren't tourist traps - small, fun and good food.
I think we will take the Glendalough tour from the ship for our full day as well as a full day tour in Waterford.

Wellsley · Guru

Patti,

I'll be back the 1st of June and I'll let you know. This is one place we intend to visit.

http://www.brazenhead.com/

Here is a small list of a few of the pubs in Dublin. Someone once said you're never more than 20 yards from the nearest pub.

http://dublinweekendbreak.net/pubs.html

Frank

pattjohn · Member

THanks for Pub info - will look forward to Wellsley's info in the coming weeks.

New Question - We followed Michelle's advice and booked some excursions through the cruise line but saved the Waterford port (actually in at Dunmore East) to find something to do ourselves. We arrive at 7am and leave at 4pm that day. Is that time to get to Cork or Limerick? Is that someplace we should head? I know Waterford has the crystal but that really isn't us - want to be outside/countryside more. I saw some info about Moran Falls?? near Waterford. Again any ideas would be appreciated.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Patti,

What sort of day trips is the cruise line offering from Dunmore East? It is a very small village with some thatched houses. Lovely seafood chowder at the Spinnaker pub. You would need to rent a car to get up to Mahon Falls. I wasn't overly impressed with it. I would not do Cork or Limerick from Dunmore East.

Michele

pattjohn · Member

The previous day we will go to Glendalough out of Dublin. In Waterford the cruise line is offering: Waterford Crystal, Waterford Crystal with Kilkenny, or Kilkenny with Jerpoint Abbey coming back through Nore & Barrow River Valleys (4 hour trip husband was think this one might be good). Is the countryside in this area really different from Glendalough area?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Patti,

I would do Kilkenny, Jerpoint and river valleys. Glendalough is in the mountains. Kilkenny has a gentler landscape but still beauitful.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

pattjohn wrote:
Once again thanks for the advice. The HOHO bus idea is great. John wants to do the Irish Pub thing for dinner on Sunday - music, Irish food, atmosphere. Since we are there Sunday afternoon and for dinner. Any suggestions for locations that aren't tourist traps - small, fun and good food.
I think we will take the Glendalough tour from the ship for our full day as well as a full day tour in Waterford.

Go to the Temple Bar Area. We ate at Shack's pub which is across from Temple bar. The food was excellant and very reasonable. The area comes alive as the night gets older. I'm not sure how late you can stay. The Brazen Head also had very good food and is worth seeing.