Ireland

I'm looking at doing a 3-day weekend somewhere in Ireland. We have cheap flights to Belfast and Dublin. Anyone have recommendations for outings/cool spots to see in Ireland? Also, which city would be a better base of operation for seeing the island?

if you're choosing between the two and you've not explored much of ireland before, i'd go with flying into dublin.  there is lots to do in dublin proper but small towns just on the outskirts are very easy to get to via train or bus (i'd recommend malahide or howth) and if you wanted a longer day trip, you could get a bus to kilkenny or you could go to glendalough, which is an absolutely fantastic place for outdoor exploring. 

It depends on what you're interested in. There's enough to do in and around Dublin for 3 days. Are you renting a car? You'll see much more if you do that rather than use public transportation. Ireland isn't known for its efficient public transport. We took the train to Kilkenny for the weekend and it was a 2 hour train journey each way that cost about 30 euro round trip. If you choose to go there that will use up one full day of your three days. It's nice, but if only had three days to spend in Ireland, I don't think I'd use one of it in Kilkenny. I can't speak about Belfast as I've never been there.

Personally, if you can get a cheap flight to Galway or Shannon I'd go there, rent a car, and explore the west of Ireland.

Belfast is a great city but while public transport within the city is pretty good, getting out of the city will probably require a rental car. Giant's Causeway and the north coast of Ireland are fantastic.

That's not to say that Dublin and environs aren't great, too. Just wanted to give you input on the north.

That said, Donegal is my favorite place in Ireland but probably not doable in 3 days.

I've spent time in both cities, and found a bit more to do in Dublin.  The Guinness Storehouse is great, there's lots of night life, and plenty of history if you're interested.  Shopping was incredible as well.   

Yes, recommend Giants' Causeway and also Donegal and Sligo.  But might need more than 3 days for a proper tour.

Personally, if you can get a cheap flight to Galway or Shannon I'd go there, rent a car, and explore the west of Ireland.

This is what we did and it was brilliant.  We saw so much in just a few days.  Had a great time and am looking forward to doing it again!

It depends on what you're interested in. There's enough to do in and around Dublin for 3 days. Are you renting a car? You'll see much more if you do that rather than use public transportation. Ireland isn't known for its efficient public transport.  

Sorry, I should have clarified this further....only rent a car if you want to leave Dublin and you're planning on staying outside of Dublin. If you come to Dublin and stay here for the three days you definitely don't need a car. There is great transport from the airport to the city centre and you can walk to most of the touristy places. If you choose to go to Malahide or Howth the DART can take you from Connolly Station.

And as for shopping....there's lots of it, but not all shops have adjusted for the euro strengthening against the pound. For example, a pair of flats I'd like from Accessorize are 25 pounds in the UK and 40 euro here.  

I'm going to Ireland next week.  Flying to Dublin, staying there for one night, so two days to look around, then driving to the West Coast to see the sights and the rellies, and flying back from Shannon two days later.

Vicky

I was just going to start a thread with some questions about Dublin..

I'm taking my mom to Ireland this fall (and meeting up with Tim!). We're flying into Dublin, and on two of the days are taking organized day trips via train. Does anyone have any recommendations on hotels close to the train station? And how would we get from the airport to the hotel? I know hotels in the UK don't have shuttle busses the way a lot of US hotels have, but if the airport is really far away, I don't want to have to shell out a bunch for a taxi.  Is there light rail or anything like that?

I'd like to stay somewhere central-ish.  Close enough that we can explore Dublin on foot, but far enough out that we're not paying through the nose for a hotel.

becca: no hotel recs, as i've always lived in dublin rather than visited, so i never paid too much attention to hotels. 

but as for getting to town from the airport:

aircoach is a private company that makes lots of stops throughout the city centre (roundtrip used to be around 12 euro).  i think the busses were usually blue and just outside the airport... i used to tell the driver where i was going and he would pick a spot within walking distance for me.

there is also an airlink bus operated by dublin bus which goes to o'connell st.  i think the number is 747 if i'm remembering correctly, but it's been 4 years!

there are also regular dublin busses that run to the city centre, but have a lot more stops.  i think these bus numbers were 746 and 16a.  these could be a bit confusing with all the stops but would be the cheapest option.  the drivers are really helpful if you tell them you need help finding your stop.

I was just going to start a thread with some questions about Dublin..

I'm taking my mom to Ireland this fall (and meeting up with Tim!). We're flying into Dublin, and on two of the days are taking organized day trips via train. Does anyone have any recommendations on hotels close to the train station? And how would we get from the airport to the hotel? I know hotels in the UK don't have shuttle busses the way a lot of US hotels have, but if the airport is really far away, I don't want to have to shell out a bunch for a taxi.  Is there light rail or anything like that?

I'd like to stay somewhere central-ish.  Close enough that we can explore Dublin on foot, but far enough out that we're not paying through the nose for a hotel.

Which train station - Heuston or Connolly??

Which train station - Heuston or Connolly??

Heuston. I didn't even know there were two!  Doing this tour: http://www.railtoursireland.com/tours/dh02.asp

Lilybelle - thanks!  I'll be sure to google around for specifics, but that's a BIG help!

My parents are coming in August and they're staying here: http://www.staydublin.com/

The Millennium Tower apartments are just around the corner from the Luas line that will take you to Heuston station. It's self catering, so you'll save some money on meals and there are loads of shops on Henry Street where you can get food. You'll be within walking distance of pretty much everything in the centre.

If you were going to stay at this location, you could get the AirCoach to O'Connell Street, then you could walk to the hotel. Lilybelle is right that they are blue and they are right where you exit the airport. I'm not well versed on the buses here because I live in the centre so I walk everywhere or get the Luas, and, well, most of the buses you will see are out of service. Don't ask.

Have fun on your train trip! You will be WRECKED by the time you get back! And if you think about it, take some food on the train and don't rely on the buffet car. The prices are ridiculous and the food isn't great.   

65 Euros/night at Ablion apartments - http://www.staydublin.com/apartment-albion.php

Does that sound like a good offer?  We're totally fine with self catering as long as there's a place nearby to buy food at.