Ireland - what to do & where to go? Worth hiring a car?

Question

1st Q - My flatmate and I are off to Irealnd for 5 days in April and want some suggestions about what we could do. After reading older answers to similar q's its obvious drinking is a top tip and we'll definitely spend some time doing that but we have a car so can go just about anywhere! 2nd Q - is it worth getting a hire car - its only £50 for the 5 days?? or is public transport better?.

We want to have some serious fun!

Cheers!!

Answer 1

Public transport outside the major cities is abysmal in Ireland, so if you really want to explore, hire a car.

Avoid the "drinking" bit if you are hiring a car, the drink-drive laws are now pretty strict, and checkpoints are now a regular occurrence, especially the "morning-after" stops.

Answer 2

As a native of Ireland, I would say to hit the West even though I'm a Dublin girl! I went on a random trip to the West and thought everyone was so so friendly. If you want a city break Dublin is still the best though!!

Answer 3

Stay AWAY from Irish public transport, I can't emphasise that enough. It's so unbelievably c**p. The vast majority of Irish towns have no bus service. Car is the way to go. The roads are REALLY bad tho, we have a kind of 100km/h speed limit on a twisty pot-holed top-of-a-cliff country road thing going, which we're fond of, but visitors don't usually expect it.

Answer 4

Croke Park, Wicklow Jail and Kilmanen Jail are great things to see.

You could go down to Cork and See the Blarney Stone. The myth is I you kiss it you’ll never shut up!

For the scenery I like the Wicklow mountains.--- > http://www.gsi.ie/NR/rdonlyres/6CC9C746-...

Also in Wicklow, are the Sugarloaf mountains. They’re very beautiful too.-- > http://www.lookaroundireland.com/countie...

In Dublin, The best night life is definitely in Temple Bar.

If you want a relaxing, quiet holiday in the country or enjoy the scenery, then any parts of the country will do it for you really like Donegal, Galway, Clare, Mayo etc.

If you want a shopping, busy, touristy holiday then anywhere (or most places) in Dublin will do it for you.

A town in Kerry (the South of Ireland, It’s beside Cork too) called Tralee is very touristy. It is the largest town in Ireland.

It has many attractions and loads of shops and a great night life.

It’s great for young people and people with small families. It suits everyone.

It has an aqua dome swimming pool which is always packed and outside the pool, You can play crazy Golf.

Here is a site on Tralee:  http://www.tralee-insight.com/

Here are some sights on Tourism in Ireland:

http://www.tourismireland.com/

http://www.shamrock.org/

http://www.discoverireland.com/ire/

http://www.visitdublin.com/ (Dublin Tourism)

Good Luck. = )

Answer 5

come to Clonakilty West Cork

www.rebeladventures.com

Answer 6

Hiring a car is a great idea, especially if you want to go somewhere where public transport is zilch - and there are many places like this in Ireland.

Just don't drink and drive.

Answer 7

throw a tent into the car and head west.   better going by  car more time and you can go at your own pace.  irish roads arent the best in the countryside.  public transport especially bus eireann arent the cleanest come to think of it last time i was in dublins main bus station it was minging as well.  me and the missus head 120 miles west of belfast to donegal pick a field and pitch a tent nobody to date has said anything, just make sure its not an arable field or used for cattle. when people say ireland they usually forget about the north if you have the time visit belfast we have the blacks mountain absolutely beautiful and in county down the mournes, slaibh donard will take your breath away then all you gotta do is head for the m1 for the south or the m2 for derry and the west.

Answer 8

you will want you own car. Getting down country roads in a bus can be interesting. Granted your first time driving on the wrong side of the road can be nerve wracking. Beaches are the best place to go...no matter where you are. Go and find some old castles to take pictures of. Visit the local restaurants. Just travel...Go everywhere. do some research on google were you are going in Ireland see what kinds of things are in that area. also..."self catering" houses are cheaper then any hotel you'll find. but you have to book them in advance.

Answer 9

Nearly every town has something to offer. If thats all the car is then definitely hire it. Public transport isn't that wonderful in Ireland. Much better to drive.You've got to do Dublin, i'd advise Kerry and Cork and maybe Wicklow