Planning a Trip to Ireland in May. Need Advice.?

Question

I am planning my first trip to Ireland in May with a group of friends. I have a few questions. Our trip is for 2 weeks. Is this long enough to see a great deal of the country? It will be about 10 of us traveling together. All of us are women and most of us are either African American or Asian. How is it for women traveling? Should we worry of being harmed because of our ethnicities? We plan on staying in Galway. Is this a better choice than Dublin? Is Ireland an expensive country to visit?

Answer 1

Glad to hear you are visiting my homeland.  I'm sure you will have a ball!! The people are very friendly and helpful, and Galway is a wonderful choice as a base for your vacation.  Like every city Galway can be expensive.  I would recommend you stay on the outskirts of the city and if you choose the local residents Bed and Breakfast accommodation, it should work out quite reasonable compared to the more expensive city central hotels. If you contact the Irish Tourist Board or Bord Failte,  if you look up their website they will provide you with info regarding all your options for accommodation. Guest houses and B&B's are very popular and if they are tourist board recommended, their standard is usually second to none.

The bus service in Ireland is called Bus Eireann. Unfortunately the bus and train service is not very good in the West coast of Ireland, but in the Summer season the bus company run tours or day trips to locations of interest or well know areas such as Leenan where they filmed the movie "the quiet man".

I would suggest you think about travelling further up the coast to such places as donegal where the scenery is breath-taking all around the coastline. Derry and the Giants Causway are also a must.

Most large towns have a tourist office where you can book your accommodation a day or two in adavnce for a small booking fee which is then deducted from the price of the Guest house bill.

There are also one or two private bus co. which run services to Galway from Derry and from Donegal to Dublin.  Their names are  McGeehan and Feda O'Donnell.

I hope this is a help to you and that you and your friends really enjoy your trip. I don't anticipate any problems regarding your ethnic background as Ireland is now very much a multi-cultural society and we have a reputation for making everyone welcome.

Answer 2

Galway is a good place to base your trip. Spend some time in the West (Clifden, etc.). The Burren & the Cliffs of Mohrer are impressive.

In the Southwest, the Dingle peninsula is beautiful.

Don't try to see everything. Take your time and enjoy the places you visit.

Answer 3

No need to worry about ethnics, everyones really nice there.Lots of variety of people so there is no need to worry.

I went on a trip around Ireland last year and the most special place there is definatly Clonakilty the people were lovely there and really welcoming. Really good beach and spa there too. It is in the South in County Cork. It would take about 3-4 weeks to see enough of what you'd like to see. Galway is also a really nice place to visit, lots of shopping!I can't say that Irelands a cheap country but its worth every penny! I hope you enjoy your trip as much as I enjoyed mine, one downside though..............................

the weather!

Answer 4

I think you can do a good amount in 2 weeks. Question - how are you traveling? By bus with a driver? Cars?

I've been twice; the second time we rented a condo in what we thought was a central location so we could eat, sleep and do what we wanted when we wanted, but sometimes it was a pain to drive back and forth. Ireland isn't big, but the roads aren't either.

A group of women traveling shouldn't be a problem. You'll be there, I think, at the start of tourist season, so prices will be a bit higher than off season, but still, you can find good food and great company, especially if you go off the beaten path.

I saw some mentions of places to see - check out the Cliffs of Moher. I spent St. Patrick's Day in nearby Doolin one year and had a great time, surrounded by Irish, as it wasn't a hoppin' tourist place at the time. Good cider, too.

Pack light, but be prepared for anything. First time I went we even saw some snow flurries and the wind howled so strong it shook the pipes in a small B&B we were in (March).

Have fun. I'm envious. Makes me want to head back that way!

Answer 5

Nice place, lovely people,Galway central if you are motoring straight across to Dublin you must visit,down south to Dingle round to Cork,Wexford.

Then Galway up north to Port Rush,Belfast up to the Giants Causeway and then round to my holiday place wee Bangor a lovely little holiday resort but with no car you will be pushing it.

Answer 6

You'll love the people, especially in the South and South West, but 2 weeks for the whole country, you'll be pushing it a bit.