Ultimately, I ended up deciding on revisiting Killarney because its stunning, and seeing Cork and Kilkenny. Riding the train is a more expensive option compared to the buses, but it really makes much of Ireland very accessible without needing a car. You also need to choose a bit strategically because the difficult part of not using a car is getting between cities that arent Dublin. I went to Ireland many years ago but have been itching to go back! Its quite a steep walk up but worth it. FAQs About Ireland Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?1. This inner city public park is where youll find the non-touristic heart of Galway city. Where to Sleep in KilkennyI stayed at Celtic House B&B which was very close to the Medieval Mile and especially convenient to walk to St. Canices Cathedral. If you dont have as much time in Galway, or if you dont want an exhausting full day of traveling and sightseeing, here are a couple of amazing options for half-day tours you can take from Galway. Within the nature reserve lies Saint Endas Well, a monument dating from the 5th or 6th century, which is still used for prayer and contemplation to this day. You could also visit Galway instead of Cork and Kilkenny. Sightseeing Tours in Galway Bus Tours in Galway Segway Tours in Galway Walking Tours in Galway Water Sports in Galway Boat Hire in Galway Dolphin & Whale Watching in Galway Speed Boats Tours in Galway Kayaking & Canoeing in Galway Scuba & Snorkelling in Galway Surfing & Windsurfing in Galway Swim with Dolphins in Galway Beer In Galway, the Salthill area is a nice place to stay and there are good pubs and restaurants there. Have a close encounter of the underwater kind; 3. The hop on hop off bus in Killarney was 12.50 euros. 1. Free talks, fashion shows, markets and family events. POPULAR POSTS:First Time Flyer Guide Finding Work as an Expat in Ireland 57 Best Things to Do in South Bay, LA, Copyright 2023 Make the Trip Matter | Privacy Policy, Kylemore Abbey (a Gothic Benedictine nunnery with restored Victorian rooms and free garden tours), Leenane Village (megalithic tomb on Leenane Hill), Spiddal Village (has a popular beach for swimming), Enniscrone (a sandy beach, campsite, and golf course make it popular), Poulnabrone Dolmen (one of the most ancient religious sites in Ireland at 5,800 years old). This blog is meant to help you create your dream lifestyle through travel. It really is a beautiful country and Im glad I could inspire you to visit again! The Cliffs of Moher are dramatic sea cliffs above the North Atlantic Ocean and the main attraction in Ireland. Im glad this could help. However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.>>> What to know about driving in Ireland>>> The best car rental in Ireland Make sure to try out the pubs! Once you got to Killarney, how did you get to your b&b? Which is best hotel without a car or driver? It continued to pour rain as we waited for our bus to Kilkenny. I knew when planning today would be essentially a lost day because of not sleeping. The Diamond Hill hike. Youve inspired me to visit again! I have a feeling the only people you will be drinking with are other tourists though. Sightseeing Tours in Galway Bus Tours in Galway Segway Tours in Galway Walking Tours in Galway Water Sports in Galway Boat Hire in Galway Dolphin & Whale Watching in Galway Speed Boats Tours in Galway Kayaking & Canoeing in Galway Scuba & Snorkelling in Galway Surfing & Windsurfing in Galway Swim with Dolphins in Galway Beer The islands have a long history dating back to the Bronze Age, and there are many ancient ruins to explore. I think the train might be more comfortable than the bus for them, although as present there is a bus transfer from Burren Day Tours from Galway: The easiest way to see the Burren without a car is to go on a group tour. This incredible tour combines travel by coach bus and boat to see the top landmarks in the west of Ireland including the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and Connemara. It has a completely different vibe to it than Killarney or Cork. And the history is just as fascinating the Burren has been home to humans for over 10,000 years, and there are remains of Bronze Age settlements, Iron Age forts, and early Christian churches to be found throughout the region. As such, there is a museum dedicated to the Titanic and the White Star Line. Find a cosy corner of a coffee shop, read a book and watch the world go by. They also serve up a fantastic breakfast. Or, if you happen to be especially interested in Irish castles this tour is the one for you! This trip sounds amazing! Using public transport is always my priority including when traveling, so I love this itinerary. The tour I was on was this one and you can read my full review on my day trip to Wicklow here. Not driving manual really makes the rental car costs so much higher though . Barna Woods and Rusheen Bay Nature Reserve are separated by a main road but a short walk into either and before long youll sense only the natural surroundings of wildflowers, birds, mammals and some of the oldest oak trees in the west of Ireland. The Marina and Galway Docks are a great place to take a walk or go for a swim, and they offer stunning views of Galway Bay. Did I want to drive there? You went from the airport, to the bus, to the train station, to Killarney. Galways scenery is as inspiring as it is beautiful, with a wide range of activities, sights, and experiences to Acres and Acres of gardens, an old gothic style church and much more. If you play an instrument, there is sometimes an opportunity to join in, particularly in The Crane Bar or in ras na nGael in Galways Westend area. This is a unique experience and is especially great for families and those with young kids who want a taste of traditional Irish culture. If youre looking for some ideas of day trips to take from Galway or sites to see in the area, hopefully, this post has given you a few good options. See below for the top options. Strolling, jogging or biking the path is one of the top things to do in Galway, Ireland for locals and visitors, alike! The Leenaun to Louisburgh Drive. One downside of tours is that sometimes other people showing up late after stops mean your time gets cut short other places. Hi Dilly, they will have no problem getting from Limerick to Galway by public transport. If you dont have a car while in Galway, its still possible to do some day tripping. The Cliffs are especially spectacular to see from below by boat! Day 2 started with having a wonderful Irish breakfast at Castle Lodge. Stretch the legs and gulp down lungfuls of fresh air. Today, a Burren day trip is popular for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers, with something to offer everyone. You can generally pick up a town map at the train station or at your guesthouse, or save it as an offline map on Google Maps on your phone. Rome2Rio will be your While some articles list the Ring of Kerry as a day trip destination from Galway, I actually highly advise against that. The largest expanse of urban woodland near Galway city, Merlin Woods is a pristine area of flora and fauna with squirrels, foxes, badgers, hares, rare flowers and butterflies and much more. Just to clear up the pronunciation on this Gaelic word, its pronounced as cove. Almost 8,000 people in and around Galway city are without electricity this morning 16 March. For some reason, I had never realized that Blarney Castle sits on huge grounds with a variety of gardens. I wouldnt because you will miss out a lot, but you could. I felt like I walked all over the main sights in just an afternoon and somehow ended up as far away from the main restaurant area as possible by dinner time. Visitor are welcome but asked to avoid walking around during services. Where to Eat in Kilkenny La Rose Restaurant in Kilkenny is located outside of the Medieval Mile so you get cheaper prices. Because of this, we booked ourselves onto a Dingle Peninsula bus tour for the day. I agree, public transit almost makes you feel more connected to the country because you end up interacting with a lot more locals than you do when you sit in an isolated car. Photos via Shutterstock. Plus, you can take many incredible day trips through the gorgeous towns and scenery that make up the Wild Atlantic Way. Taking a bus costs around 11 to 16 and will take about 2 hours and 15 minutes. You visited some beautiful places; and it is amazing tha tyou could do it without renting a car! Cobh is a pretty maritime town has the distinction of being the last port of call for the Titanic. If you didn't rent a car in Galway, you can still easily reach the cliffs via public bus and coach bus. Im a nervous driver (and I dont drive manual!) Photos via Shutterstock. The Sky Road. Kylemore Abbey is definitely one of the best things to see in Galway. The 3,000 square foot Galway Arts Centre features both Irish and foreign contemporary art and is free to visitors. I have a couple questions about your trip. Connemara National park is an hour and 15-minute drive north of Galway. Kylemore Abbey is definitely one of the best things to see in Galway. In Ireland, you are totally spoiled for choice for how to spend your time. Arriving off of a red-eye cross-Atlantic flight at 5:30 am, I felt like garbage. I was not always entirely successful. While the highlights of the tour are often Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, and the Doolough Valley, you can get off the beaten path to check out Irelands beautiful scenery including beaches, mountains, and loughs. You can park the car at a lay-by close to the falls and theres a pathway that allows visitors to make the short stroll to the waterfall. You can also hike the Gap of Dunloe. Located in the southwest, Killarney has a lot to offer both first-time visitors and returnees. Rain is just one of those eventualities in Ireland, especially if you arent visiting in summer. 5. These tours often combine time at the Cliffs of Moher with some exploration of the Burren. Food and zip-lining at the Delphi Resort Photo via Delphi Resort Our next stop, the Delphi Resort, is a shot, 12-minute drive from Aasleagh Falls. For Day 7 of our rental car free Ireland trip, we woke up to some rain but had a lovely walk in Kilkenny along the River Nore. There arent very many tours directly from Galway just to the Burren. Palas cinema for an arty movie and a drink at their bar, if they're open by then. Where to Sleep in DublinIn Drumcondra, the Skylon Hotel is a convenient location for buses to and from the airport. St Nicholas Church is the heart of old Galway dates from the 13th century and is named after St Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children and mariners. >>>CLICK HERE FOR INFOWhen Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?Summer (June-August) is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall). Where Should You Stay in Ireland?Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. Morning 16 March to Eat in Kilkenny La Rose Restaurant in Kilkenny is located outside the. You can still easily reach the Cliffs via public bus and coach bus Peninsula bus for. Moher are dramatic sea Cliffs above the North Atlantic Ocean and the White Star Line for! I dont drive manual! of the Medieval Mile so you get cheaper prices, how did you to... 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