Thinking of a trip to Ireland? So many people come to this wonderful country and never get further than the city of Dublin. Yes Dublin is a magnificent city and there is plenty to do there, but there is so much more in to see and explore in Ireland than just one city! Here are some suggestions to get you started.

The Giant’s Causeway

The Giant’s Causeway on the north eastern coast of Northern Ireland is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ireland and is defiantly a must see of you are taking a trip to the Emerald Isle! This unusual but treasured feature of the Northern Irish coastline and is famous all over the world for its 40,000 honeycomb shaped basalt columns caused by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.
The National Trust own and manage the site and visitors are able to walk right onto the rocks to really make see this amazing natural feature up close. In the years since the original rock formation, weathering of the rocks has caused really interesting features like the giant’s boot and chimney stacks, named because of how the weathered rocks look. Truly fascinating stuff!

Cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

From the Giant’s Causeway, make a day of it by walking along the coastal path to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. You will want to pack a picnic to take with you because the bridge is approximately an eleven mile walk from the Causeway, with stunning coastline and wonderful panoramas of the sea to enjoy along the way. It truly isn’t for the faint hearted! The 20 meter long rope bridge is suspended more than 30 meters above the craggy rocks below with just wooden slats and handrails to stop you from falling. It is a very popular and visitors can cross the bridge for a small charge. The view from the bridge is beautiful and the feeling of freedom makes the journey to the bridge really worthwhile.

After a long day out walking in the fresh air, you will want to retreat to your accommodation to relax. There are plenty of high quality options, including lots of great quality holiday cottages in Ireland , from super modern new houses to much more traditional white washed stone cottages. But whether you choose to go camping, or stay in hostels, hotels or a holiday cottage you are sure to be spoilt for choice!

The stunning scenery of County Donegal

The rugged landscape of County Donegal makes it a wonderful place to visit. From the craggy mountains to the dramatic coastlines, the scenery is second to none and makes the area a favourite tourist destination of many. County Donegal is also a hub of thriving Irish culture and language.

Sports enthusiasts are defiantly in for a treat, with world class golf courses and great trails for mountain biking and hiking, activities that the rugged landscape lends itself to. Also County Donegal is a great place to catch a game of Gaelic football.

Photo by kaysgeog

Irish Breakfast

A full Irish breakfast is a meal so hearty you’ll barely need to eat again all day. The full breakfast generally includes bacon, black pudding, sausages, eggs, stewed tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast accompanied by condiments like brown sauce and jam. Depending on where you are in Ireland, breakfast could also include white pudding, baked beans, or fried potatoes. The main breakfast plate may also be preceded or followed by fruit and cold cereal or porridge.

Soda Bread

A simple bread made only of flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt, Irish soda bread is a staple perfect for covering with butter and jam or dipping in lamb stew. Although you’ll find many types of soda bread today studded with raisins or dried fruits, these are considered cakes in Ireland, not soda bread. The only variation in true soda bread is whether it’s made with wheat flour or white flour. You’ll find it served alongside any stew, at breakfast, and with many other meals in Ireland.

Dublin Coddle

Meaty and warm this rustic dish is perfect for fighting damp, chilly days. Sausages, potatoes, bacon, and root veggies are cooked low and slow in a light broth with a few herbs. Often served with soda bread on the side, coddle is comfort food at it’s simplest and best.

Fish and Chips

Thick pieces of flaky, fresh fish battered and deep fried served with chips/fries to go on paper smell of salt and the sea. Sprinkle a little malt vinegar over both and you’ve got authentic fish and chips. Many pubs serve it more formally on a plate, too, but the best places are usually take-aways. In Dublin, you’ll find plenty of take-aways open late for a midnight snack.

Cheese

Handmade, artisan cheeses from sheep’s milk, cows’ milk, and goat milk are an Irish specialty. As much of the country is agricultural, seeking out these cheeses is easy to do. Head to local markets, delis, farms, and grocery stores to find great cheeses to try like Irish cheddar or blue. Pair them with some beer and soda bread and you’ve got a perfect picnic.

Irish Stew

At it’s most basic, Irish stew is lamb (often extraneous bits like shank and neck) and potatoes boiled slowly with whatever other ingredients one has on hand like carrots, onions, and barley. Today you’ll find many versions all over the country. Many pubs add Guinness to their stew recipes for a little extra richness. You’ll find Irish stew made with beef and full of other veggies like mushrooms. An authentic Irish stew can be just about anything as long as it’s warm, filling, and cooked slow.

Apple Cake

With all the heavy, delicious food in Ireland you might find it tough to save room for dessert, but try to hold out for a slice of Irish apple cake. Spiced with cinnamon, topped with ice cream or caramel sauce, flavored with a little local whiskey…every Irish baker has a favorite apple cake recipe. It’s often on the dessert menus at pubs or you can grab a slice from a bakery.

Beer

When most people think of Irish beer, the first word that usually comes to mind is Guinness. The black, smooth stout is as iconic as the shamrock (but much tastier). One could easily drink nothing but Guinness Stout on a trip to Ireland and be perfectly satisfied. But if you did, you’d be missing out on the many other good Irish beers out there. Smithwick’s Draught, an Irish red ale brewed in Klikenny, and Kilkenny Cream Ale, which shares similarities with Smithwick’s Draught and Guinness Stout, are two national beers that showcase the flavor of Ireland. Many local and microbreweries are also popping up throughout the country. For a taste of something sweet, you’ll also find cider on tap in many pubs.

photos by JaredFrazer, TheLizardQueen, Savil95, bjaglin, birasuegi, Arcane_Magazine, Elin B, Danielle Scott

To make the most of your days, you’ll want to fly open jaw into Shannon and out of Dublin (or vice versa). Since long-haul bus and train trips in Ireland are sporadic and don’t serve some of the smaller towns, it’s easiest to rent a car for much of the trip. Public transportation is reliable and quick in Dublin so we recommend dropping off the car at Dublin Airport and then heading into the city on the bus.

Quick search for cheap flights to Shannon:

Quick search for cheap flights to Dublin:

3 days in County Clare

Miles of rocky coastline, farms split by tiny country roads, farmers walking their flocks home over the hills, fresh baked brown bread with locally made jam, and pints of beer with flute music underscoring your conversation: welcome to County Clare. This region of western Ireland must be where most of the idyllic thoughts of Ireland originated. It’s just as you might imagine: quiet but intriguing, friendly, and vibrant. You could begin your trip at the Cliffs of Moher where the waves of the Atlantic crash against the rock-face that extends 214 meters tall. Take a scenic drive through green fields cut by moon-like Burren rock to the Burren Birds of Prey Center to learn about endangered birds of prey, taste some local cheeses, and tour the Aillwee Cave.

Quick search for hotels in Doolin:

We recommend sleeping in Doolin – a small, waterfront town with three pubs serving up good grub and live music. It’s close of enough to the Cliffs of Moher that you could hike there. If you want to see the Aran Islands, ferries leave from the port in Doolin.

2 days in Dingle

In keeping with the relaxed pace and beauty of the trip thus far, Dingle is an ideal second stop. The Dingle Peninsula is a Gaeltacht – a region of Ireland while Irish is still widely spoken and traditional Irish culture is well-protected. Half a million sheep reside on the 40 mile by 10 mile peninsula, but only 10,000 people call it home. Stay in Dingle Town, a fishing village with a few shops and pubs to explore.

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Since you’ve rented a car, you’ve opened your trip up to flexibility and scenic drives. On the Dingle Peninsula, the Slea Head Drive is a great introduction that circles the peninsula. Set aside half a day or more for ample time to explore the villages you’ll drive through, have a picnic in the hills, visit historic ruins, or pop in somewhere for a pint and a basket of fries. Hikers can spend awhile on Mount Brandon, Ireland’s tallest mountain, with views of the countryside stretching into that iconic Irish fog.

2 days in Kilkenny

A small city known for the beer it brews, its castle, and the myriad of bed and breakfasts you’ll find there makes a good transition from the quiet of western Ireland to the hustle and bustle of Dublin. Even a traveler on a shoestring budget should splurge on staying in a B&B for a night or two in Ireland. Kilkenny is home to enough that there should be one to suit every taste – you can enjoy the lauded Irish hospitality and a traditional Irish breakfast. With a belly full of eggs, mushrooms, bacon, fried tomatoes, black pudding, toast, and tea, you’ll be ready to explore all day long.

Quick search for hotels in Kilkenny:

You could begin your day with a walking tour of the city highlights like Black Abbey, Kilkenny Castle, and the Rothe House. For a view of the city and the surrounding countryside, climb up the round tower of St. Canice’s Cathedral. After lunch, you might pop over to Smithwick’s Brewery for a tour of the brewery as well as a sample of their product. From Kilkenny, it’s an easy side trip to the Rock of Cashel where the well-preserved remnants of centuries wait to be explored. Also called St. Patrick’s Rock, this site has served many purposes over the years and was gifted to the church in the twelfth century. Head back to Kilkenny in the evening to take in a show at the community theater.

3 days in Dublin

No trip to Ireland is complete without a trip to its iconic capital city. Visitors can take in historic sights like the Book of Kells at Trinity College, sip pints at the old haunts of famed Irish writers, or go just off the beaten track to the nearby coastal fishing villages. For a cheesy but informative introduction to the city, you could kick your time in Dublin off with a Viking Splash Tour. On no other tour will you get to see and learn about Irish landmarks while also wearing a Viking helmet and roaring at strangers?

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Fans of Ireland’s most famous dark brew shouldn’t miss the Guinness Storehouse. You could spend an hour there sipping Guinness at the Gravity Bar or devote a whole day to the experience learning how beer is made, studying the history of the company, learning to pour your own pint of Guinness, and immersing yourself in the iconic Guinness ads past and present. In the evening, sign up for the Musical Pub Crawl where local Irish musicians will take you behind the scenes of two pubs, play you a myriad of jigs and reels, and teach you a bit about the history of music in Ireland.

Further reading on Dublin:

• Cheap hostels in Dublin
• 2 day itinerary ideas for Dublin
• Day trips from Dublin
• Free things to do in Dublin
• Famous people buried in Dublin

photos by Rambling Traveler, Corey Leopold, Irish Typepad, fabiopaoleri

Ireland is an island in Europe, comprising both Northern Ireland (belonging to the UK) and the Republic of Ireland. Those visiting the UK often add Ireland to their itinerary (or the other way around) because it’s fast, easy and affordable to travel between Wales and Ireland.

Quick summary

For the purpose of this article, I talked about getting from Cardiff – the capital of Wales – to Dublin and Belfast. It is slightly cheaper to travel by bus from Cardiff to Dublin (£31* one way) than to fly (£36 one way), but the bus ride also includes a ferry crossing and takes about 12 hours. The flight time is 1h 10 min. You also need to account for the time and money to get to/from the airport. When traveling from Cardiff to Belfast , flying is the cheapest and fastest option (£40 one way).

Flights from Wales to Ireland

There are six airports in Wales, but most of them only handle charter flights , helicopters and private flights or a home to flying schools. The main airport serving Wales is Cardiff International Airport (CWL), which is an international airport , located about 12 miles from Cardiff city center. It is base for Manx2, Thomson Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines. Flybe is the largest carrier at the airport.

The Republic of Ireland is served by four major airports, but flights from Cardiff only land on Dublin Airport (DUB), which is the busiest airport in the country. It is hub for Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional, CityJet, Europe Airpost, Ryanair and Thomson Airways. Flights to/from Cardiff are run by Aer Lingus . The flight time is 1h 10 min.

Northern Ireland is also served by three major airports, but flights from Cardiff only land on George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD). It is located just 2 miles from the city center and serves mainly flights within the UK. The flights to/from Cardiff are run by Flybe . The flight time is 1h 15 min.

Regardless of when you travel, the flights from Cardiff to Dublin start at £36 one way on Aer Lingus. Also, regardless of when you plan to fly, the flights from Cardiff to Belfast City start at £40 one way on Flybe.

>> read more about Airfare to Dublin Airport

Buses from Wales to Ireland

Coach National Express , part of Eurolines , offers a daily bus between Cardiff and Dublin and includes the Rosslare ferry crossing. The total travel time is almost 12 hours and includes the ferry crossing. The bus leaves Cardiff at 11:15 p.m. The single ticket is £31 and also includes the ferry ticket.

The same company also offers a daily bus from Cardiff to Belfast , with a stop in Birmingham. The bus departs Cardiff at 7:35 a.m. and the travel time is about 16 hours. The singe ticket is £47 and includes the ferry ticket.

Trains ferry from Wales to Ireland

There is a fully-integrated train (bus) and ferry service from London to Dublin, which also goes through Cardiff. The train departs Cardiff at 10:54 a.m. and 10:26 p.m. from Monday to Friday, at 10:54 a.m. and 10:12 p.m. on Saturday, at 11:18 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. It includes the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry crossing but from Rosslare you need to take a bus to Dublin, if you use the morning train. If you prefer the night train, there are train connections from Rosslare to Dublin. The total travel time is about 11 hours.

Should you need to get elsewhere in Ireland, note that Rosslare is also linked by train (bus) to Wexford and Wicklow. .

If you head to Cork or Limerick, you are better off traveling via Holyhead – Dublin ferry route. The train leaves Cardiff at 7:21 a.m. and the ferry arrives at Dublin Ferryport at 5:25 a.m. There’s another departure at 11:21 a.m. from Cardiff. The cheapest off peak fare is £33.00 one way for the entire length of the journey.

If you want to travel from Cardiff to Belfast, you need to transfer from Dublin Ferryport to Dublin Connolly to catch the train to Belfast. There are four trains departing from Cardiff each day at 5:10 a.m. 7:21 a.m., 11:21 a.m. and 7:34 p.m. The cheapest off peak fare is £44.00 one way for the entire length of the journey. The travel time is between 11 ½ h and 14 h, depending on the connections you choose.

Driving from Wales to Ireland

You can rent a car in Wales in drive to Ireland but make sure to ask whether you can take the rental car across the border if you plan to visit the Republic of Ireland.

Should you plan to drive from Cardiff to Dublin, there are two possible routes:

• on N11 and use the Fishguard – Rosslare ferry; the route is 273 miles and takes about 7 hours (including the ferry crossing)
• on A470 and use the Holyhead – Dun Laoghaire ferry; the route is 263 miles and takes about 7 ¼ hours (including the ferry crossing)

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Should you plan to drive from Cardiff to Belfast, there are three possible routes and all go via the Dublin – Holyhead ferry crossing. The shortest route (381 miles) is via A470 but the travel time is similar for all routes (about 8h 30 min, including the ferry crossing).

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Note:* at the time the article was written

Photo credits : Cardiff Airport , Cardiff Train Station

Weather

July is a summer month, when the days are usually warm and long (18 hours of daylight). A “hot” summer day in Ireland means you should expect 22-24C, although it is possible to experience 30C. It’s a good idea to pack a sweater for those nights when you plan to stay out in the town. Make sure to pack appropriate shoes.

Some temperatures:

Cork avg high 18C (65F) / avg low 11C (53F)
Dublin avg high 18C (66F) / avg low 12C (54F)
Galway avg high 18C (66F) / avg low low 12C (54F)
Shannon avg high 19C (67F) / avg low 12C (55F)

>>read more about Weather in Ireland

Facilities

Since you’ll be traveling during the high season, all attractions and accommodation are open. However, it’s also the most expensive time to travel so be prepared for that. You can consider staying in a private room in a hostel rather than pay for a hotel . And make sure to book everything in advance.

Regarding airfare to Ireland , this is the most popular time to travel here so you need to book in advance and also search for various airlines’ offers in order to get the best price.

Read more about:
>>Cheap Hotels in Cork
>>Cheap Hostels in Cork
>>Cheap Hotels in Killarney
>>Cheap Hostels in Dublin
>>Flights to Dublin Airport
>>Flights to Shannon Airport
>>Flights to Cork Airport

Things to do

The month of July is filled with festivals to choose from: the Clonmel Junction Festival, with music and theatre performances, the Galway Summer Racing Festival and the Lighs Out National Film Festival For Young People.

July and August are the only months when you can actually swim in the ocean. So pack the sunscreen and the bathing suit and hit the beaches. There are lovely beaches in Donegal , Kerry, Derry or Antrim.

There are many walking trails in Ireland, so take advantage of the warm weather and spend town in the nature. There are six hiking trails in the Gougane Barra Forest Park, Ireland’s first national park. The longest takes 1.5 hours and it’s a moderate trail.

Should you prefer to stay more in the cities, check out the museums in Dublin , Cork and Limerick. When you want to eat out, head to one of the pubs . The pub food is not exactly very healthy but it’s filling and traditional. Plus, it goes down well with Guinness.

Or you can rent a car and see some of the Irish castles scattered in the country. Some are renovated and double as hotels, while others are in ruins.

Photo credit

Weather

June is one of the sunniest months , but the weather is variable and Ireland’s weather is definitely not very predictable. Sometimes the weather in April might be nicer than the weather in June , so the trick is to be prepared for mild temperatures, but pack some additional layers. So, the sweater and raincoat are a good idea to be in your bag. And don’t forget about good walking shoes.

Some temperatures:

Cork avg high 16C (61F) / avg low 10C (50F)
Dublin avg high 16C (61F) / avg low 10C (50F)
Galway avg high 16C (61F) / avg low low 10C (50F)
Shannon avg high 17C (63F) / avg low 10C (51F)

>>read more about Weather in Ireland

Facilities

It’s not as cheap as visiting Ireland in March, but June is definitely a cheaper month than if you visit the country during the high season. But do expect at least some crowds and consider booking the hotel or hostel in advance.

When it comes to flights , check the fares from various airlines. There are several low cost carriers flying into Ireland and you can find good rates if you book your ticket 2-4 weeks before departure.

Read more about:
>>Cheap Hotels in Cork
>>Cheap Hostels in Cork
>>Cheap Hotels in Killarney
>>Cheap Hostels in Dublin
>>Flights to Dublin Airport
>>Flights to Shannon Airport
>>Flights to Cork Airport

Things to do

The 16th of June marks Bloomsday in Dublin, which celebrates James Joyce’s Ulysses character Leopold Bloom criss-crossing through the city. So expect to see mostly elderly people walking in the city, wearing old-fashioned clothes. For those who haven’t read the book, it’s about a day in the life of Leopold Bloom. He walks from the Martello Tower in Sandycove to his home in Eccles Street. The descriptions of the city are so vivid that you feel as if you were walking along him.

The traditional way to celebrate Bloomsday is to actually walk the same route (as far as possible as the city has changed since the book was written). There are also Joyce-related events taking place around the city.

But, regardless of the month of weather, you can always try some of the fun things to do in Ireland , such as:

• drink Guinness in one of the pubs . Sure, you might have been to pubs in other parts of the world but nothing feels like eating pub food and enjoying a fun game with friends in a real Irish pub.
• rent a car and visit at least some of the Irish castles . You get to see the interesting buildings, visit the ones which have been restored and enjoy the scenery as you drive between them. Plus, you can take some day hikes if you want to.
• if you prefer to spend most of the time in the cities, you can visit the sights. In Dublin , aside from the Joyce-related events, you can visit the museums and the Castle, along with many other interesting places. While if you are in Galway you can visit the Spanish Arch, which is part of the old city wall. Or just enjoy a day shopping for bargains and gifts for the loved ones.

Photo credit

Visit the Giant’s Causeway

This is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. It is located about 5 km from Bushmills and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is, without a doubt, the most popular attraction in Northern Ireland.

See Belfast from above

The perspective changes drastically when you see a city from above. So, rent a car and drive to Cave Hill. It is located in the northern part of the city and offers panoramic views of both Belfast and the coast. On a clear day you can see all the way to Scotland.

Drive along the Causeway Coast

The Causeway Coast covers about 13 km. It begins in Belfast in the south-east of Antrim and ends in the Walled City in County Londonderry, in the north-west. You’ll pass by fishing villages, beaches, mountains, castles and many other interesting places.

Visit some of the castles

Whether you visit Belfast Castle, Stormont Castle, Castle Cool or any of the other castles in Northern Ireland, you’ll enjoy the views, the history and , sometimes, the creepy locations.

The morning at St. George’s Market in Belfast

Before you head out of the town, make sure to go to the market. Whether you look for something to eat, or want to buy souvenirs, you’ll find them here. St. George’s Market was built in 1896 and is the oldest continually operating market in Ireland. Should you visit Belfast in erly December, don’t miss the two-day Christmas Fair and Market.

An evening at Belfast’s oldest pub

When you visit Northern Ireland, you must try Guinness and whiskey. And you can do that at Kelly’s Cellars, the oldest pub in Belfast. It opened in 1720 and used to be a meeting place for Henry Joy McCracken and the United Irishmen.

See the Belfast Murals

The easiest way to do this is on a Belfast Black Taxi Tour, which takes you on both Protestant and Catholic areas. Aside from the murals you’ll also see the Belfast City Hall, Albert Clock, Harland and Wolf Shipyard Queens University, the Grand Opera House and more.

Visit St. Columb’s Cathedral in Derry

It is the oldest surviving building in Derry and was built between 1628 and 1633. It was also the first post-Reformation church to be built in England and Ireland. The stone inscribe ‘In Templo Verus Deus Est Vereo Colendus‘ (The True God is in His Temple and is to be truly worshipped) comes from the original church built here in 1164.

A day at the Navan Fort

The Navan Fort is the most important archeological site in Ulster. The site is linked with the tales of Cuchulainn. It was an important center around 1150BC, until the coming of Christianity.

City Walls in Derry

The old town of Derry is one of Ireland’s first examples of city planning. It is based on the grid plan of a Roman military camp, with two main streets and four city gates. The City Walls were competed in 1619 and have a circumference of about 1.5 km. They have survived almost intact.

Visit St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh City

This is built on the site of St Patrick’s original stone church. The cathedral you can see today is based on the plan laid in the 13th century but it was rebuilt in Gothic style. Within the church you can see the remains of an 11th-century Celtic Cross that once stood nearby.

Visit the Bushmills Distillery

It is the world’s oldest legal distillery (with license since 1608). The whiskey is made with Irish barley and water from St. Columb’s Rill. It is matured in oak barrels. The distillery can be toured and you’ll be rewarded with a free sample.

Take a scenic ride on the Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills Railway

The line follows a route of a 19th-century tourist tramway for 3km from Bushmills to below the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre. Trains run every hour from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily in July and August and weekends only from Easter to June, September and October.

Bike the Kingfisher Trail

The 370 km route starts in Enniskillen and takes you to the back roads of counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. There’s also as shorter – 115 km – loop which also starts in Enniskillen and which can be tackled in 2 days.

Day trip to Giants Ring

Giants Ring is located in the Lagan Valley Regional Park. It is an enormous circular earthwork, with a 600 ft diameter. The megalithic chamber dates from back to between 3000 and 2000 BC. Access to the site is free.

Hike in the Mourne Mountains

They are an area of astounding natural beauty and offers excellent hiking trails. You can also bike on these trails or you can choose to climb the highest peak.

Photo credits: Cave Hill , Belfast Castle , St. George’s Market , Belfast Murals , Giant’s Causeway , Causeway Coast , St. Columb’s Cathedral in Derry
City Gate Derry , Bushmills Distillery , Giants Ring

See the city from above

Head to Cave Hill, which is located in the northern part of the city. It offers panoramic views of both the city and the coast. On a clear day you can even spot Scotland.

Visit the Belfast St. Malachy’s Church

It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Belfast. The church is located close to the City Hall. It is best known for its stunning interior.

Visit Belfast Castle

The castle was built in 1870 in the Scottish Baronial style

Take the Titanic Walking Tours

Belfast is proud to be the place where the ill-fated Titanic was built. If you are fascinated by this ship – or just liked Leonardo di Caprio in the movie – consider taking this tour which explores those locations in Belfast where Titanic and its sister ships were designed, built and lunched. The tour departs from Donegall Quay and lasts about 2 hours.

Visit the Ulster Museum

This museum offers a lot of artifacts and includes a section on the history of Irish conflict. Entrance is free.

Take the Black Taxi Tour

If you want to know more about the Irish conflict, this is the best way to do it. Both Protestant and Catholic drivers guide these tours, so there is no danger for the tourists driving in both areas. But you’ll also see other places in Belfast, aside from the murals, such as Belfast City Hall, Albert Clock, Harland and Wolf Shipyard Queens University, the Grand Opera House and more.

See the Falls Road Republican Murals

The first republican murals date from 1981, with the emergence of murals supporting the hunger strike. Later, the scope broadened to cover wider political issues. Common images include the phoenix rising from the flames, scenes and figures from the Irish mythology and the face of hunger striker Bobby Sands.

A night at the Opera

The Opera is located in the heart of the city and has been open since 1895. The building offers a superb architecture while the shows range from ballet, to opera and eclectic plays.

The morning at St. George’s Market

Should you look for something to eat, want to buy souvenirs or some clothes, this is definitely the place to be. It was built in 1896 and is the oldest continually operating market in Ireland. There’s a two-day Christmas Fair and Market in early December.

Visit St. Anne’s Cathedral

Although the building started in 1899 , it wasn’t finished until 1981. The black and white marble floor is a labyrinth. If you follow the black route, you’ll reach a dead end, while the white route leads to sanctuary and salvation. The 10 pillars are carved with images symbolizing Belfast life.

Half a day at the Botanical Gardens

The gardens were established in 1828 on the banks of the River Lagan. It is located next to Queen’s University. The palm house features tropical and exotic plants.

Day trip to Giants Ring

It is located in the Lagan Valley Regional Park and is an enormous circular earthwork, with a 600 ft diameter. The megalithic chamber dates from back to between 3000 and 2000 BC. Access to the site is free.

Take photos of the Albert Memorial Clock Tower

This is Belfast’s own leaning tower , erected in 1867 in honor of Queen Victoria’s departed husband.

An evening at Belfast’s oldest pub

Kelly’s Cellars is the oldest pub in Belfast , being opened since 1720. It used to be a meeting place for Henry Joy McCracken and the United Irishmen. It remains old fashioned and is a good choice to listen to live music and enjoy some Guinness.

A day at Belfast Zoo

Especially if you travel with kids, consider spending at least half a day at Belfast Zoo. It is set in an attractive sloping site and is considered one of the best in Ireland and Britain.

Visit Stormont Castle

It is located in east Belfast and is actually a baronial mansion. Between 1921 and 1972 it served as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.

Photo credits: Cave Hill , Belfast Castle , Ulster Museum , Falls Road Republican Murals , St. George’s Market , St. Anne’s Cathedral , Botanical Gardens , Giants Ring , Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Belfast Zoo

Quick summary

Because of the short distance between Dublin and Waterford, all traveling is done overland. The fastest way to get between the two cities is by train. It’s slightly cheaper to travel by bus but the travel time doubles.

Flights from Dublin (airport code: DUB) to Waterford

Although Waterford is served by an airport, located just 6 km from the city and is hub for Ireland’s regional airline Aer Arann, the short distance between Dublin and Waterford do not require a flight. Therefore, all flights go through large British airports, such as Manchester or Birmingham or London Luton, making them really expensive (from €340 one way, during the shoulder season)

>>read more about Airfare to Dublin

Trains from Dublin to Waterford

It is possible to travel by trains from Dublin to Waterford. The tickets can be purchased on Iarnród Éireann website and you can also check the schedules there. There are eight departures per day from Dublin Heuston. The travel time is about 1h 25 min. Single adult fare is €10*, while the child fare is €5.

>>read more about Train Travel in Ireland

Buses from Dublin to Waterford

There are direct buses between Dublin and Waterford every day. Service nr. 4 links the two cities. Tickets can be purchased on the Bus Eireann website and that’s where you can also see the timetable. Single adult fare is €12.82, while the child fare is €7.60.
Buses depart from Dublin Busaras and the travel time is 2h 50 min.

>>read more about Bus travel in Ireland

Driving from Dublin to Waterford

If you don’t like to plan your vacation around the timetables, then rent a car and drive between Dublin and Waterford. You can either take M7 (189 km ; 2h 20 min) or M9 (164 km; 1h 50 min).

View Larger Map

Note: * the prices are valid at the time the article was written

Photo credit

Quick summary

The ticket prices are comparable, whether you fly, take the bus or the train. The bus is cheapest though (€24.23*) but you’ll be traveling for about 6 hours. Taking the train will set you back €37, more than a flight would, but consider that the train station is close to the city center, as opposed to the airport, which is located 13 km from the city.

Flights from Dublin (airport code: DUB) to Killarney

Killarney is served by Kerry Airport, also known as Farranfore Airport. It is located 13 km from Killarney and is a hub for Aer Arann. Passenger services are also operated by Ryanair.

Direct flights from Dublin are offered daily by Aer Arann. The flight time is 55 min.
During the shoulder season (November 2011), expect to pay from €30 for an adult , one way. During the same period, return flights start at €70 for an adult. Should you prefer to travel over the winter holidays, a single adult fare will also set you back €30.

>>read more about Airfare to Dublin

Buses from Dublin to Killarney

Bus Eireann makes it possible to travel between Dublin and Killarney, with a stop in Limerick. For the entire length of the journey, the adult single ticket is €24.23, while the child single ticket is €16.15.

Take service nr. 12 from Dublin Busaras to Limerick and then service nr. 14 from Limerick to Killarney. The total travel time is 6 h 10 min. There are departures from Dublin to Limerick daily , every hour. From Limerick to Killarney there are departures daily, every two hours.

Read more about:
>>Getting from Dublin to Limerick
>>Bus travel in Ireland

Trains from Dublin to Killarney

It is possible to travel by train from Dublin to Killarney , with a stop in Mallow. The timetables and ticket prices can be found on the Iarnród Éireann website. The total travel time is about 3h 30 min (you’ll only wait 7- 9 minutes in Mallow, regardless of when you travel). The first travel for this route departs Dublin at 7 a.m. and the last one at 9 p.m. The single adult fare is €37 and the child fare is €18.50.

>>read more about Train Travel in Ireland

Driving from Dublin to Killarney

You can rent a car and drive from Dublin to Killarney. The total driving distance is 302 km and you can either take M8 via Mallow or M7 via Annacoty. The drive time is about 3h 30 min. Please note that you’ll be driving on partial toll roads.

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Note: * the prices are valid at the time the article was written

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