Along the Strand Road, there are plenty of places to park. Our day began at the peaceful Powerscourt Estate and Gardens.About an hour south of Dublin, the sprawling estate is a brilliant place to enjoy nature. (Or skip Dublin and just stay in Galway or another town our last night) The big question here I have to leave Dublin on 4/5. But if it isn't, I wouldn't risk it. The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Dublin, Useful Information for your Stay in Dublin, The Hotels and Resorts Bringing Luxury to The Red Sea, The Must-see Gaud Buildings in Barcelona, Destination Guides Night Activities and Attractions. Stay in Galway 2 nights in a quiet residential neighborhood close to downtown Going this December. The area is home to some of the best pubs in the city, and you can find plenty of live music, comedy, and theater performances in the area. If youre looking for a great place to take a peaceful drive, the parks and churches in the city are great options. Its a great place to go for a night out with friends and to experience the best nightlife that Dublin has to offer. The highlight of our Western Ireland trip was Inishmore, an Aran island off Galway. The Republic of Ireland and Northern Irelands capital respectively, both have enough sights and scenes to keep any visitor busy and are luckily only a two-hour drive from one another. This humble pub is a place of pilgrimage for good reason. It's an amazing trip, but expect to have busy, action packed days. La Stampa Hotel, 35 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. The first is the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Museum, which is a replica of an original ship that made 16 journeys from Ireland to North America between 1847 and 1855. Not quite what youre looking for? We're itching to explore, discover and rediscover the best that the fair city has to offer. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. I'd like to drive from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher on 4/2 but then am not sure where to go next. As an added bonus, live Irish music is played daily around 8pm. This photo of Dublin Castle is courtesy of TripAdvisor As the sun goes down the lights are turned on, which makes the pretty castle even more beautiful. In a grand Georgian townhouse on St. Stephens Green, the understated entrance leads into MEMBERS CLUB the award-winning Restaurant Forty One, two peaceful private terraces and drawing rooms with crackling open fires. Most of the stops listed below will require getting off the motorway and exploring some of Irelands more rural scenic drives. Its cheap at only 5 per vehicle and will cut a decent chunk of driving time from your journey. Opening Hours: 11am - 11:30pm, Monday - Thursday; 11am - 12:30am, Friday - Saturday; 12 - 11pm, Sunday, Access: Bus Route 44B; Private Shuttle Service. Doing the drive today looking forward to these recommendations. A bit of a TV junkie, she replenishes lost brain cells by curling up with her (Do a quick search on the following sites). We are not making any hotel reservations and all our plans are open!! The Liberties is another great place to visit at night. Dublin Castle The Dublin Castle grounds are perfect for an evening walk. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Used to be Steilacoom, now its Las Vegas, http://www.kenmaretaxitours.com/home.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g211861-d215108-Reviews-Eask_Tower-Dingle_Dingle_Peninsula_County_Kerry.html, https://www.alltrails.com/ireland/county-kerry/kenmare. An alternative to staying in the City Center could be to keep the car and stay near the airport. But if the only strong urge youre feeling is the desire to fill your stomach, then the Carlingford Arms does some great pub grub and wont break the bank. Although this is a beautiful spot no matter what time of the day you decide to venture out here, it's particularly tranquil at night. Our car hire is through a "package deal", so everything's paid for already, and the cost won't change if we knock a day of the rental. We are heading to Dublin in October and plan to drive around the coast from Dublin to Dublin. We had driven to Cong, over to Doolin, across on the ferry at Killmer, out to Dingle, Kenmare, then back to Dublin so I really appreciated the break in driving I got when we did the RofK. I know that some people like to advise people not to try and do too much or move around too much, but that is how we roll. http://www.kenmaretaxitours.com/home.html It was nice to have a day off of driving and a chance for me to see the sights rather than drive, look, and duck! Dublin to Galway Drive Stops 1. My wife and I land in Dublin on May 9th, and will be staying 1 night at the Ballsbridge Hotel. #10 21-04-2008 8:59am df1985 Registered Users Posts: 4,432 Join Date: September 2007 Posts: 4359 We hired Paul Brown (in Kenmare) the day before we did Beara and Paul gave us an outstanding driving tour of the Ring of Kerry. Day 11 Noon flight home 6. The Library bar features plush leather sofas and floor to ceiling bookshelves complete with classic tomes, while the stylish modern club room hosts international DJs to keep the party going well into the night. Seem like a much more relaxing way to spend our last night in Ireland :-), In Doolin there is a guided walk from Doolin up to and along the Cliff's of Moher, you might consider that hike.we did not do it because my wife ws not feeling well but everyone says it is a great way to get to the Cliff's.you then tke the bus back to Doolin. Visiting Dublin as a solo woman traveller? Incredibly moving documentaries, international works, and independent movies help fuel the artistic underbelly of Irelands national film institute. then driving to Galway for one night there. Something that you may be concerned about when planning a Dublin to Belfast drive is the border crossing between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. While the roads in Ireland are generally of a high quality, the motorways are better maintained still and are quite straightforward to navigate. This next suggestion is more of an alternative route for a Belfast to Dublin drive than a location, but there are certainly plenty of worthwhile stops along it! I did some research and it looks like a perfect and relaxing option to stay there our last night and be able to get to the airport by 9am (3 hours ahead of departure) And there are some great accommodation options there. Well-located to explore what the Boyne Valley has to offer, there are both dorm beds and private rooms available and a buffet breakfast is included in the price. Stay in Dingle 3 nights If you spent your last night in Galway, when would you need to leave to make it to the Dublin airport for your flight, including check-in and security? 7 Things to Do in Dublin in Summer Ireland. And listened to many of his podcasts and shows pertaining to Ireland. I enjoyed walking around Dublin very much, but I generally enjoy cities. If we only did one of them then we might have more time for hiking in Kilarney National Park, which has some appeal to me. From here you can walk north on the Doolin Trail for a 7 km (4.3 mi) journey or 5.5 km (3.4 mi) southbound down Hags Head. By FOX 32 Digital Staff. Once youre back down to sea level, the town of Newcastle has plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a well-deserved meal. Do you still recommend these scenic side trips going from Dublin to Belfast? The peninsular drive begins in Newtownards and will take you northwards up along the bounds of the Strangford Lough. When I was there, there were no fences or guardrails to keep you from falling off the cliffs. Much appreciated! Ten days is just enough time to visit the highlights of Ireland, including Dublin, the Rock of Cashel, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Northern Ireland. Ireland is a sporting nation. I actually prefer Galway over Dublin, overall. In a hurry, it can be done in around half an hour, but the drive itself requires taking a diversion from the main road to Belfast anyway, so why rush? Having your sat-nav will be a help. Once upon a time, Dublin nightlife meant an evening at the pub, but the citys surge of wealth in the nineties changed all that. (especially with a long connecting flight back to the West coast of US) Dublin can wait until another time and we will look forward to all of the other lovely places that we will be staying at. That said, the hotel charges 11 euros a night for parking which I thought was very reasonable. 1st full day in Ireland! Spend a little time there and youll quickly find out why: few experiences in Ireland will have you feeling as tranquil as watching the gentle bobbing of boats in the Skerries harbour (enjoying a Guinness or two beforehand in Joe Mays pub may aid in the attainment of said tranquillity!). Nestled in a residential neighborhood outlined with sidewalks and lovingly cared for homes this gem has all the feels and then some. The terrain viewed on the cliff walk is part of the Burren rock formation, I believe. From Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher cliff walk is a pretty easy and very scenic 20 km for the entire length or about half to to visitor center from either end. The Hapenny Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Dublin and its definitely worth a visit at night. Over the years, Skerries has received many awards for its local scenery, culture, and community. Day 1: Dublin to Donegal. You can choose a place to stay near an Airlink stop. Garret Brady. Powerscourt Townhouse, South William Street, Dublin 2. Day 4 Drive and explore the Ring of Kerry and drive to Dingle Driving isant bad Drivers are rubbish most of them think they drive by phone. County Westmeath. From what I've read the roads are confusing and signage is not always in conspicuous spots. If you have done both Ring of Beara and Ring of Kerry, would you suggest doing both of them in the same trip? We will be there for 10 days. I want to see nature and history but will it be too much to do Dingle and Cork and all the places usually seen in the. Thank you in advance to all that respond. Explore some more and then enjoy the small shops near the port on your way back. Day 3 Drive and visit Beara Peninsula and/or Killarney National Park - looking for hike suggestions Grafton Street is one of the most popular areas of Dublin to visit at night. There was some poor driver trying to turn out of Talbot St today against the flow of one-way traffic! Sheriff Street on the northern side of Dublin is also known for its crime linked to gangs and drug abuse. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! Recommendations for Smooth Irish Whiskies, Best Southern Ireland day trip via train from Dublin, Average time for wait time for luggage at DUB. It's fine for someone who knows their way around but to a visitor it can be very confusing. I visited Connemara National Park as part of a Connemara day tour. Having said all of that, there is little reason to bother with driving in Dublin. Powerscourt Townhouse, South William Street, Dublin 2. Malahide, Co. Dublin Only a half hour's drive from Dublin city centre, the picturesque coastal town of Malahide offers some of the best views of Dublin Bay and is a great spot to grab some food before hitting the road for Belfast and makes for an excellent first stop on a Dublin to Belfast drive. http://www.dublintunnel.ie/tolls_and_permitted_vehicles/, http://www.dublincity.ie/ROADSANDTRAFFIC/TRAFFIC/Pages/RoutesThroughDublin.aspx#inner, Get answers to your questions about Dublin, Leap Visitor card - travel on Bus, DART, LUAS, How can I transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre? Drive to Dublin, explore the city, and retire for the day. If you choose the last night in Dublin, rather than a train from the airport (not sure there is a train), the Airlink Express busses are frequent and fairly quick. The Christ Church Cathedral also prides itself on its musical scores and even has a choir of all female choristers. The reason I ask is because there are different tolls on the Port Tunnel at different times. We did a private all day tour so it was just Paul and my wife and me and it was really great. We are used to big-city driving here in the U.S., but I'm not sure if any of this translates or matters when driving in Dublin. On other fl oors youll fi nd a fabulous Asian fusion restaurant and the Club Downstairs with its coveted VIP booths, ber-cool dance fl oor and champagne tables offering bar and bottle service way into the small hours. Thanks again Cyn..Trim looks like the perfect place for us to stay. Belfast to Dublin - Night 14 Our final day was spent driving from Belfast to Dublin. Are you planning a Dublin to Belfast road trip? 50 km/h (30 mph): in towns, cities, and other built-up areas 80 km/h: on smaller regional and local roads 100 km/h (60 mph): on larger, national roads including dual carriageways 120 km/h (70 mph): on motorways 30 or 60 km/h (20 mph): these special speed limits may be in place around schools, for example. 2.6 Where to stay in Dublin. While Howth Summit gives you steller views from up above, the glistening night lights of Howth are just as pretty from down below, particularly from the pier. Beara is much easier on the driver and very enjoyable. Copyright 2022 New Statesman Media Group Ltd. Latest in Luxury - Sign up to our newsletter, Select and enter your corporate email address. Day 8 Drive to Galway, possibly drive over to the Connemara, explore Galway Forget the Cliffs of Moher, this is the real deal. The church is illuminated with thousands of lights, and its a great place to take a peaceful stroll and admire the beauty of the building. Book a premium seat in the stalls to make the most of the powerful performance space, and enjoy some of the best drama in the English-speaking world. At 850m, Slieve Donard is the tallest point in Northern Ireland. We stopped at the visitors center at the Connemara National Park, but it was going to take so long to hike back to a peak climb that we saved hiking for later on our trip, farther north. Prices vary between companies, but the cost of extension is usually around 30/30. But the real rugged beauty of Ireland and all its rich history wont be found in a petrol station at the side of the M1; its busy impressing adventurers atop breath-taking mountain peaks, nestled in dense, hilly woodlands and along jagged peninsular scenic drives! 9 Best Stops on the Dingle Peninsula Drive, 12 Best Things To Do In Connemara, Ireland. Trim has castle and abbey ruins and a nice pathway along the River Boyne. 38 Likes, 0 Comments - Edmund Rice College Dublin (@edmundricecollege) on Instagram: "**REMINDER** The 'Pitch In' For ERC Quiz Night and Raffle THIS FRIDAY 8pm . I am pretty happy with the itinerary now, and will look forward to seeing other places next time we come to Ireland! Re: Driving - Galway to Dublin 17 years ago Save shonky, I reckon you will have to be at the airport at about 1pm (you have to return the car, then check in and it can take quite long to get through security). Part One, How can I transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre? Nothing is set in stone and can be changed, but I am pretty sure we are not interested in changing the first 7 nights of our itinerary. If flying out of Dublin, stay in Dublin the last night. While it may not be the first idea that comes to mind, attending an evening devotion at one of Dublins many churches can be a uniquely enriching experience for many. Driving on the correct side of the road is easy. Day 10 Drive to Dublin airport to drop of rental car by noon. 9 Things To Do At Night In Dublin: Capturing Its Very Essence, Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, Top 10 Airbnb Accommodations in Dublin, Ireland, 1. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula: Which Irish Drive is for You? The big draw is the traditional music and dancing, performed every night as well as weekend afternoons, pulling in eager crowds from near and far. We also stayed at a B&B in Clifden in Connemara our 2nd trip. Brittany is an avid travel enthusiast with a love for foreign languages and an insatiable curiosity about the world. The performance of its national teams is outstanding, given Ireland's relatively small population. Located on the historic Baggot Street, this protected building is a charming example of Victorian pub architecture and has benefited no end from a thorough wash and brush-up. Carparking is available in multiple locations at various starting points from the foot of the mountain. I'd like to drive from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher on 4/2 but then am not sure where to go next. Teaming up with Dacia to celebrate the Dacia Duster, we're excited to jump in this SUV and rediscover the scenic magic Dublin has to offer. Wow thank you Jarred for all of that info! You can find plenty of pubs and clubs to choose from, as well as street performers and live music. Castlewellan Castle & Forest Park, Co. Down, Where to Stay on the Dublin to Belfast Drive, exploring some of Irelands more rural scenic drives. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49057506', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car for the day you're not using it, if you wait until the follow day I'm sure the cost of the Aircoach and parking fee will have been more than made up for. Either way will give you epic views! Ireland makes an impact on the international stage in rugby union, soccer and cricket. Dublin Aquatic Centre - 'The Wave'. They have a number of cosy and comfortable rooms available, ample free parking, and a fantastic breakfast included each morning. by Best Pub Crawl | Mar 17, 2023 | Dublin, Things to Do. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Kilkenny A city of well-preserved medieval landmarks. By following the M11 south, the drive from Dublin to Wexford takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes without congestion. Malahide is on the coast and has a manor house and "quaint and charming" shops. Yes that is true Cyn. If youre a sucker for all things eerie and unsettling then you wont want to miss the citys extensive selection of haunted ghost walks, cemetery resurrections, and night tours. Staying in Powerscourt, Enniskerry and want to visit Dublin? The Bord Gais Energy Theatre of Grand Canal is one of the citys most popular performing arts theaters, exhibiting award-winning plays, shows, concerts, and musicals. If youve decided to take our earlier suggestion and have arrived in Carlingford, the easiest and most enjoyable way to continue the journey is to take the ferry across Carlingford Lough to Greencastle. Contact: +353 16725286/7; [emailprotected]. http://www.dublintunnel.ie/tolls_and_permitted_vehicles/ So in other words if you are arriving Monday to Friday try to hold off on using this route until after 10am! I am very excited and can't wait to visit Ireland! Bounce is the #1-rated bag storage network with thousands of 5-star reviews. Thanks for the info. Walk up to the "fort" for the most tremendous and spectacular views in Western Ireland. 2.1 Visit Trinity College. Unsubscribe in one click. Poetry, art, history, and an active after-hours pub scene are just a few of the amazing qualities that add to the allure of this historic Irish capital. Although live music plays daily here, Foxs infamous Hooley Night is the star of the show. Day 10 Drive to Trim and have one last leisurely day and evening there Theres a reason for that. Hope you enjoyed your trip! Plus, not only do independent shuttles offer nightly services, but children as young as 6 are also welcome to join in on the excitement! Anyone for a spin? You can also find plenty of street performers and musicians performing on the bridge, and its a great place to take in the night sky. The brainchild of renowned nightlife impresario Robbie Fox, The Pink has fast become the glitziest club in town and counts Bono, The Corrs and Joe Elliott among its regulars. Day 3: Drive to Connemara National Park Connemara National Park. Address: Grand Canal Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Shortly after passing through Dundalk if approaching from Dublin, or after passing through Newry if youre coming from Belfast, youll cross the border between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Click here to browse more Belfast hotels! He is a firm believer that we should all know something about everything and everything about something. Thank you for the info. A splendid kayaking tour of the citys canals is a spectacular use of a travelers curiosity and adventurous spirit. We had a blast there as some other guests, total of about 10 of us, broke out guitars and it was fun early evening of music, then you have time to hit OConner's for music later on! The drive from Dublin to Belfast, or from Belfast to Dublin takes just over 2 hours when travelling via motorway, along the M1 on the Republics side and then along the A1 on the Northern Irish side. Thank you all again for your helpful replies. 3/18 12pm-2pm, 3/19 12pm-2p The Spring market has Sprung friends! Even though it's a short journey outside of the city, driving through the bustling village of Malahide makes you feel like you're on a little staycation. Looks like if you dont spend your last night in Dublin, then you wont see any of Dublin at all, except for the airport. Thank you and slainte! Many thanks, and I do apologize for this redundant question :). Here you can expect fi rst class service and a wine and champagne list that will make connoisseurs go weak at the knees. Spoon and the Stars Hostel Located in the town of Drogheda, this hostel is a great option for solo and budget travellers on the drive from Belfast to Dublin or vice versa. Agree that if you can drive in a big city anywhere, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Both churches are open for worship and guided tours. Only a half hours drive from Dublin city centre, the picturesque coastal town of Malahide offers some of the best views of Dublin Bay and is a great spot to grab some food before hitting the road for Belfast and makes for an excellent first stop on a Dublin to Belfast drive. When hes not writing, he can be found travelling well beyond his means. Our prices in Dublin start at just 5.00 per 24h/bag. We also enjoyed the Doolin music house, you might give it a visit if you are there on a night they are playing. Might be a good reason to stay in Dublin the night before then. Newgrange. I have got wonderful accommodations reserved through booking.com and Airbnb that are mostly full refundable if things should make it so that we should not or cannot travel. The Hooley Night consists of a delicious 4-course meal, followed by some Irish folk ballads, Irish dancing and more live music. Skerries has got you covered. 10 Iconic Buildings and Places in Dublin Ireland. Update on 6/6/21 He mapped out for us our own driving tour of Beara and it was very helpful, it is an easy beautiful self drive. Published March 17, 2023 8:51PM. For navigation, an app such as Google Maps or Waze will more than suffice for whichever route you end up taking. 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