Ireland or N. Ireland to Isle of Mann then back again - possible to do in 1 day?

Question

Taking a trip and I would like to visit Dublin and Blarney in Ireland, plus Isle of Mann, plus Belfast and Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. Because of time restrictions, I would like to avoid spending the night on Isle of Mann, although I DEFINATELY want to visit it. How might I do this trip next June in the shortest time possible? If staying overnight on IOM is absolutely unavoidable, can anyone recommend an inexpensive hotel I can walk to from the Douglas ferryport? There's no hostel on IOM, correct?

Answer 1

For all the places you want to visit, you would need longer than you think.  If you spent a day in Belfast, you would be close enough for Giant's Causeway on next day.  A morning there might be enough, and in the afternoon travel to Isle of Man from Belfast, but return to Dublin on a different boat.

http://www.aferry.ie/Ireland/isleofman.h...   travel from Belfast on Wednesdays or Sundays, no other days price £20.12, and from Isle of Man to Dublin only on Fridays and Sundays, I didn't find a price but it is a longer journey.  I suggest you go from Belfast on Wednesday 19.00 and return to Dublin on Friday 15.30

I  found Sefton Express Hotel listed under a search for hostels, 24.03 euro (about £16)  opposite airport,  or 2 hotels from £20 (one of them Arrandale Hotel).  All booked out for TT races end May - early June.  

Good info on http://www.visitisleofman.com/

http://www.visitisleofman.com/travel/acc...   has a list of places offering accommodation.  B & B in Douglas from £20, and also 2 hotels from £20. There is also a link for hostels, but there was nothing in Douglas.  Oddly, I got several names on first try, but on second attempt, only one name.  None in Douglas anyway.

If you wanted to go from and return to Belfast, the ferry timetables don't allow for a day return trip.  Your best bet would be go on Wednesday 19.00, return Thursday 15.00.  Then from Belfast to Dublin by train is 2 hours.

Dublin to Blarney is quite a distance  -  first get train to Cork  (from Heuston station Dublin) about 3 hours journey,  then bus to Blarney, 4 miles or so.  If you go in the morning, that's half the day gone.  There are evening trains back to Dublin leaving 18.30, 19.30,  20.30   -  so you could see Blarney, but it would be an all day event. The Dublin – Cork train current price is 31 euro each way.

That's very intensive travel that you are planning.  When you get back home, you will need a couple of weeks free just to get your breath back.  If you can make your visit longer, you will enjoy it better.  Anyway, whatever you decide, have a good trip !!

Answer 2

Hi

It depends on what you really want to see...

The Giant's Causeway is up the North of the Island in County Antrim, around 1:30 minutes from Belfast (according to the AA website).

Dublin  is around 2 hours away from Belfast so... is it possible? Yes... Are you going to be able to see anything??Not really...

My suggestion would be to spend one night in Belfast or Dublin... A good website for accommodation in either IE or NI is http://www.booknow365.com or http://www.laterooms.com ...