I was not kidding when I said going through my Spain pictures from Barcelona and Madrid was giving me serious wanderlust – after talking with friends and securing time off from work I am now booked on a plane to Dublin in early October! Eek! Despite having been to many European countries, including Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic last fall I have never made it to the land of my people and am very excited for the trip, plus how pretty is the Cliff of Moher photo below?
(Source)
My flights in and out of Dublin are booked but everything else is up in the air and that’s where you come in – I would love your help picking out all of the top spots that are must sees for my nine days in Ireland! And the one big thing I will have to put out there before we get any further, no, I will not be renting a car. I completely understand that it may be one of the best ways to get around the beautiful, lush country but for me and this solo trip, it is not in the cards. Currently on my running list I have:
Dublin
- Chester Beatty Library
- Dublin Walking Tour
- Guinness Storehouse
- Kilmainham Gaol Prison
- National Botanic Gardens
- Phoenix Park
- Ruby Sessions
- St Patrick’s Cathedral
- St. Stephen’s Green
- Temple Bar
- Trinity College
Cork
- Blarney Castle
- The English Market
- Waterford Crystal Tour
County Clare Day Trip
- Bunratty Castle
- Cliffs of Moher
- King John’s Castle
- Neothelic Tombs
- River Shannon
The only thing on this amazing list I have booked is the House of Waterford Crystal Factory Tour which I am thrilled about especially as both my parents and brother took the tour and thought it was incredible. Other than that, eight days of fun that need to be planned!
Have you ever been to Ireland?
If so, where should I go? What should I do?
The Great Barrier Reef
Travel Diaries: The Peace Wall in Belfast 
Travel Diaries: Carrick Rope Bridge
The Stunning Cliffs of Moher
Lucy says
This sounds like it is going to be an incredible trip, I can not wait to hear what you decide to do!
Adaleta says
This looks amazing! I would absolutely love to be planning a trip to Ireland because it’s one of the highest places to go on my list. I travel often, but I’m going to Portugal later this year, and not Ireland sadly :/ Next time! xx Adaleta Avdic
Sherita @ Vodka + Cupcakes says
YASSSSSS!! Love this post and great list; Ireland is on my expanding list as well of places to visit. Can’t wait!
Pamela says
The Guinness Beer tour, the Ring of Kerry, a pint at a local pub and if you are lucky enough to be there for a sing a long, you will see the true side of Ireland!
Jessie @ Just Jessie says
I went to Ireland almost a year ago, and I loved it! I did write some posts about it on my blog if you’re interested (I’ll leave the link at the end of this comment). Kilmainham Gaol Prison was amazing, but very humbling. Just crazy to hear what happened there. Guinness Storehouse was super fun, too! I did the hop on / hop off bus in Dublin and that was a great way to get around.
Cork was my favorite, though I wish I would’ve had more time IN Cork, but Blarney Castle + the grounds were out of this world. The Cliffs of Moher were breathtaking. Can’t wait to see your posts about it when you come back! I’m dreaming for another vacation there soon!
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thehautecookie says
dublin seems so amaze! xO!
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Michelle says
I have been to Ireland but only one time and only to Cork to visit a friend studying abroad there. The countryside is lovely. Blarney Castle is beautiful and surrounded by a gorgeous park.
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Megan says
Hey Kelly, I’m from Ireland so very excited that you are planning a trip there. Although I know seeing your photos will make me miss home (I live in Wales at the moment)
You have some great ideas for your trip. One thing not to be missed is Kilmainham Goal so i’m really glad you have that on your list.
When you go to Cork you should try and visit Kinsale (pretty fishing village – big foodie town) or even Cobh – this has a massive connection with the Titanic as it is where the last of the passengers embarked the ship so they have a nice museum all about the titanic.
I would recommend booking an escorted day trip – even out of Dublin but that would be a very long way to go especially for the Cliffs of Moher but it is doable. Just some of the places are quote remote with not the best of public transport links and I know you aren’t keen on renting a car.
Another suggestion – if you have the time is Galway City, very vibrant but with so much history an lots of great pubs with local music. They have a city link bus service that goes from Dublin to Galway and only takes about 2 hours.
As I am from Northern Ireland – I am a TAD biased but maybe a trip to Belfast might be of interest to you… even a day trip, two hours on the train or bus from Dublin to Belfast. But if you do stay a little longer you can even go up to the Giants Causeway – a sight to be seen! There is also themed tours taking in Game of Thrones filming sites but any time spent along the north coast would be great. Check out the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Belfast is a very cool city, with great places to eat and drink so it would be on my list – again i’m biased but I can’t help it! 🙂
I could go on and on…..
Happy planning!!!