Ireland (Dublin / Galway / Kilkenny / Belfast)
Trip Summary
Ireland has always been a focal point in my family’s history as I was growing up, and on my mom’s bookshelf, there is a family tree book that details my family’s early start as fishermen in Galway then their journey to the States and their lives afterwards growing crops in the Dakotas. From Irish flags being flown alongside the American one to tattoos of the Irish flag on most of the men in my family to Celtic music being played in the house when my mother, sisters, and I would clean the house, Ireland was always a part of us even though we had never been there.
When I was a teenager, my family lived in Germany, and we decided that our first major trip together…would be to Ireland. So all six of us crammed into a tiny rental car and drove the island for a week…shopping at supermarkets and staying in bed and breakfasts, monasteries, and sheep farms (before the days of AirBnB). We explored Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway–riding horses in the countryside, taking a boat out on a lake (and ended up taking cover on a small island because a rainstorm had come through), and spending afternoons looking through family records in libraries, court houses, and churches.
It was an amazing trip, so twenty years later, when my husband had an unexpected work trip to Ireland, a place he had never been, he asked if I thought we should go….and the answer was a resounding YES!
It is an interesting experience coming back to a country as an adult–some things are exactly the way you remembered it, but you also discover new things and look at everything with a new sort of understanding. Better still is showing all these things to someone you love, and this was a great way to revisit the country and show my husband what a gorgeous place this was.
Unlike my first trip in which my family and I traveled a lot and were in a new place every night, we were a bit more tethered to Dublin this time around as my husband had to work during the day…but that was a good thing! Because it allowed me to get to know the city better, experience new things that I couldn’t experience the first time (like drinking a Guinness!), and still take day trips to the farther places (on the weekends).
So let’s start with where we stayed this most recent time. Granted, since this was a business trip, we had to stay in the sponsored hotel, the Hilton Dublin, and while it wasn’t perfect, it definitely had its perks. First, the location is great as it is right by the tram, easily walkable from the heart of the city, and near a bunch of shops and restaurants. It also has a gym, an in-house restaurant, and wifi. With it being my husband’s first international business trip, we were careful with expenses and only booked the cheapest thing (which was a mistake as the rooms at the bottom of hotel are terrible and the quality of them goes up the higher your floor). We discovered this when we were assigned a room on the first floor that smelled terribly of mold and mildew (it was so bad that you could smell it from the hallway). The room also looked out toward a major construction site (with the tram going by until late at night), and with the windows open (necessary in the summer with no A/C), it made for some very loud and sleepless nights. The mold was bothering us, too, so eventually, we asked the front desk if we could be moved, and they put us in a room higher up toward the front of the hotel–one without mold, noise, or construction, and this is when things really started looking up! Wish we did that earlier, so if you think you need to speak up–do! It really helped, and we needed the sleep for all the exploring we had ahead!
So while the experience started out terrible (which is why it didn’t get an A), it did get better. When you book a room, make sure that it is on one of the higher floors and facing the street out front, and your experience will be good from start to finish. Worth the extra money, for sure.
Hotel Dublin: B+
However, you know that when you are in a new country, you are hardly ever in your hotel room. You are OUT! Seeing the sights! Eating! Drinking! Enjoying your vacation! So let’s get started on all that…first up, what to eat and drink!
You know you can’t see Ireland without getting the famous fish and chips! I remembered the fish and chips being very good last time I visited, so for our first meal in Ireland, I was determined to take my husband to the best fish and chips place in Dublin…Leo Burdock’s, Dublin’s “oldest chipper.” It was easy enough to find, though it is quite small, so if you go, just plan to take your meal away and eat it on the street or somewhere. St. Stephen’s Green, a park, was nearby, so carrying our fish and chips (one order to share as it was so large), we set off to sit by the water and watch the ducks as we ate.
It was a lovely experience, so if the weather is nice, I highly recommend doing the same! The fish and chips were wonderful–the fish was fresh and beautifully battered, the fries were crisp and hot, and my husband had gotten a sausage dog, and that, too, was good!
As you can imagine, it was a lot of food, so we ended up taking a lot of it back to the hotel with us, but it was a glorious meal (and one that was met with nods of approval when we met with some local friends and told them where we had gotten some fish and chips)! So I highly recommend getting a meal there. The food is on the expensive side, but the portions are massive, so you at least get a lot for your money. Highly recommend!
Leo Burdock: A+
My husband is a major pizza fan, so naturally, we try to find good pizza spots in any new city that we visit. So we tried two in Dublin! The first one was Bambino, and it was good. Out of the two pizza places we tried, I liked Bambino a lot better, because the slices were fresh, hot, greasy, and full of good ingredients!
We each just got a slice of pepperoni pizza to go when we visited, and they hit the spot. The place also seemed quite popular as there was a line to order and pick up food.
Lots of people were outside eating their slices (which is great advertisement!), and they all seemed pretty happy, so that was another factor in us deciding to try it out. The pizza is on the thin side, so the slices aren’t super filling, but overall, not bad!
Bambino: A-
The other pizza place we tried was Dublin Pizza Company. We ended up each getting a personal pie to take back to our hotel, and while the pizza options looked good, this ended up being the lesser-liked pizza. My husband and I got different pizzas, but both were extremely salty, and the dough was not all the way cooked, so it was pretty disappointing. The toppings looked good, and the combinations looked tasty, so the letdown was sad, but oh, well–they can’t all be winners!
So definitely go to Bambino over this one, but there’s lots of pizza options in the city, so you may find one even better!
Dublin Pizza Company: C
However, let’s follow the lowest rated eatery with the HIGHEST rated one! Sushi! Like the best sushi I have ever had in my life…was in Dublin! It was actually such a surprise find, too, because I didn’t even have this restaurant on my list. After walking around Dublin all day, I ended up near the Guinness Storehouse when I was getting hungry and didn’t want to wait until I had walked back downtown to get something to eat, so I looked to see what was by the storehouse. Granted, it’s not a super great area, and there are not a lot of eateries, but there was a tiny hole-in-the-wall place that caught my eye–a place called Panda Dublin. They had the strangest menu with sushi and burgers dipped in cheese, but I was hungry, so I stopped in to see what it was all about.
I was originally thinking about the burger, but when I was seeing all these delicious trays of sushi coming out of the kitchen, I quickly changed my mind and ordered the Howth Combo–a plate with uramaki salmon cream cheese, hot rolls, nigiri salmon, and joe salmon. And you always know that you made a good choice when the waiter nods his approval and says that you made a good choice…because…Oh. My. God. I have never had sushi like that ever!
Unbelievably fresh and smooth, the salmon tasted better than the salmon we’ve had at really fancy places. The rolls were impeccably made with not one ingredient spilling out. The wasabi was unlike any wasabi I have had–a much wetter, creamier wasabi that melted in the sushi and gave it a lovely kick. Even the condiments sent you into a dreamworld as they had a teriyaki sauce that was super thick (it would only drip out of the container one drip at a time), but it was beautifully sweet, smoky, and rich. I literally could not believe my mouth as I was eating. Everything was so good!
When I came back to the hotel to tell my husband all about this amazing sushi place, I found that he was skeptical, but I had talked it up so much that on our last free day in Dublin, he said he wanted to try it! So we went back, and ordered the same thing (my husband also ordered a side), and as soon as my husband took a bite, his face changed, he paused and sat back, and said, Oh, wow. Oh, wow, is right! Then, he understood! It was the best sushi HE had ever had in his life, too–and he spent years in Japan!
So I seriously can’t give this place enough A+s. It is really one of the best meals I have ever had, and I would seriously go back to Dublin just to eat there again!
Panda Dublin: A+
Granted, Panda Dublin is a little out of the way as it is not downtown and more by the Guinness Storehouse, so if you want a more centralized location for some Asian cuisine, there is Asahi Asian Street Food. That place was actually right by our hotel, and one night, we were too tired to walk back downtown, so we looked for a place super close, and Asahi fit the bill!
It was right across the street, so we went and got some sushi and noodles, and it was good. Not near as good as Panda, and the service was honestly quite slow (we had to track down someone to take the order and then had to track down someone again to pay), so it was not one of my favorites, but it was still good food for the night.
So for its cuisine, it gets points, but it loses some for service.
Asahi Asian Street Food: B
But wait, there’s more! In a bigger city, there are more opportunities to try new food/cuisines, so when we saw that there was a Korean fried chicken place called Chimac, we thought we would try it out!
The menu looked delicious, and this was the only place that I wish I waited until I was hungrier to eat there as I wasn’t very hungry and just had a few bites of what my husband ordered. We had a chicken sandwich called “The GoodGood,” a dish with a lot of fun ingredients like cheddar cheese, honey, jalapeño relish, and habanero mayo, and it was every bit as delicious as it sounds! So good and definitely deserving of its name!
We also shared the bacon cheddar fires, and those were also good, but the chicken sandwich is where it was at–don’t miss out on ordering and enjoying that! The staff was also nice, the facility was clean, and the service was quick, so I highly recommend this place.
Chimac: A
If you are in the touristy bit of downtown, there is a famous pub called The Hairy Lemon. My husband and I met there for dinner one night, and they had good seating (lots of seats by windows so that you could eat and people-watch), live music, and a variety of food options available. We tried a variety of things there–I had the chicken and fries, and he had the bangers and mash–and everything was good. The staff was also very helpful in separating checks and offering food suggestions. The location is also excellent as it is close to a lot of attractions.
So if you need a place to rest between attractions, want to people-watch, and enjoy the local cuisine, this is a good place to stop!
The Hairy Lemon: A-
If you are wanting something simple like a burger and fries while you are out, Bunsen is a solid choice. It is very unique in that the entire menu fits in a single business card–but that just means that they perfect what little they make! There are several locations in town, and all are convenient to tourist areas.
The burger was tasty, the fries fresh, and the service was quick. The burger is on the smaller side (so think a single patty with minimal ingredients), but it was still good. Another restaurant to consider if you want something easy!
Bunsen: A
Another place my husband and I checked out was 147 Deli. This place is a small hole-in-the-wall place, and the menu online looked delicious, so we took the tram to the north side of town and tried it out! But imagine our disappointment when the whole menu was different than the one they had posted on their website! I had a sandwich all picked out, but when we got there, we saw that they change up their menu just about every day, and even then, they sell out of the popular items quite quickly. We went in the morning before it was even lunch time, and 70% of the menu was sold-out, and the chicken sandwich I ordered was actually their last one!
So that was frustrating as their menu looked quite good, but they didn’t have any of those offerings when we got there. The limited supply of dishes was also a letdown as we couldn’t try a lot of the things that looked tasty, so we had to basically settle for whatever was left.
So for its inconsistent advertising and very limited food, it loses points. The location is also not in the best area, and you have to take your food and walk with it as there is not a dining room, so I might recommend skipping this place. Unless you know for sure for a FACT that they will be serving a special sandwich that they are famous for and are actually in stock, I might skip it.
147 Deli: B-
Of course, we can’t forget about breakfast! There is one doughnut place in Dublin that I would highly recommend hands-down–the Rolling Donut! They actually had everything on their website in stock, so my husband and I got an assortment of treats, and we still walk about how good they were! So fresh and delicious!
My husband’s favorite was the apple doughnut, and mine was the chocolate kinder one, but honestly, they were all delicious! The staff was also very friendly, service was quick, and the location is close to a tram stop, so I was able to easily take the tram there one morning and take the doughnuts back to our hotel without any trouble.
It was a delicious way to start the morning–highly recommend!
The Rolling Doughnut: A
Okay, you ready for one more? I’ll end the food section with a good one (and one that I wished we had eaten at multiple times!). When you research Dublin, you hear about these “spice bags” that are famous in the area–usually an assortment of fried chicken, vegetables, fries, and sauce, so on my last night, I knew that we had to try it before I had to head home…and I’m so mad that I waited until my last night! If we had it earlier, we would have totally gotten it again as it was both delicious and cheap.
We went to Xi’an Street Food–a place famous for spice bags, and while the place was hopping with people, we got our takeaway food in a reasonable time frame–and it was so good! Their sauces are also excellent (I got one of each which I highly recommend so that you can try them all!).
I remember that we couldn’t eat it all, so we put our leftovers in the fridge then when I left the next morning, all the eateries in the airport were closed, so I was flipping starving by the time I got on the plane…and all I could think about were my spice bag leftovers! Ah! So get this first thing so that you can have it again and again! I learned my lesson! Highly recommend this place!
Xi’an Street Food: A+
Of course, there is more to Dublin than just food! With so many attractions in the area, you know I had to check them all out! While my husband worked during the day, I walked all around the city and explored, and there are lots of churches, castles, and cathedrals (as well as other sights) that are free to see, so be sure to check out Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, Grafton Street, Ha’Penny Bridge, Church of Christ Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Anne Street, and the Spire. Sometimes, the doors to the churches/castles are closed, but the outside area is still gorgeous and worthy of pictures!
If you want to go on a tour and see some things, Trinity College is a popular spot because of the Book of Kells and its famous library inside. Being an English teacher, I had to see both (obviously!), so I made this an early morning stop before seeing the rest of the city. You can buy tickets online for whichever time slot you want, so I got one of their first morning slots and started to explore. The grounds are beautiful enough themselves, so the inside of the buildings and the Book of Kells are a bonus.
The library is perhaps the most popular bit of the whole tour and sure enough, the library was packed when I made it inside. The library was also undergoing a renovation, so all the books had been removed. This really changed the appearance of everything, so that was a little disappointing, but it was still an impressive sight nonetheless!
Even so, definitely see it! Trinity College is a fun place to explore, and they also have one of the better gift shops in town (I got my nieces their birthday presents here!). The Book of Kells, while you can’t take pictures or video of it (there’s even a guard in the room), is still an impressive sight, so that and the library are worth the price of admission.
Trinity College Tour: A
Another place that is worth the splurge (and then some!) is a tour at the Guinness Storehouse. I actually really lucked out when I visited, because I was thinking that you could just walk up and buy tickets, but then the person at the door said that I had to buy them online…and everything was sold out for the day…except for a single ticket for the next hour! And exploring solo on this day, I snatched it right up! And what a tour!
I have never been to such a visual and interactive place and while you wouldn’t think that the brewing process of beer is all that interesting, the designers behind the storehouse did an amazing job in setting everything up so that a floor was dedicated to each stage of the process. Whether you were walking around a huge display of grain or walking through barley and steam, each part of the display was fascinating as you even saw how they marketed their products and sold them.
There is a tasting room where you can sample a Guinness and at the very top floor (that has great views of the city!), you can redeem your ticket for a full pint of Guinness. I will say that this top floor is extremely crowded, and there are only a few select areas to sit, so a lot of people have to stand and enjoy their drinks. Some people tried sitting on the floor but were then quickly reprimanded by the staff as it was a fire hazard. I stood for most of the time, but then scouted out a table that was being vacated, and as soon as I sat down, people were coming by every two seconds asking when I was leaving so that they could have the table, so just be warned…and be prepared to stand as seats are highly valued there!
A newer addition that they have at the storehouse is a “Stoutie” area where you can get your picture taken and printed on the foam of a Guinness. It’s actually very cool! It’s an add-on charge (but you can buy it when getting your original ticket), and you get a full pint. This area is much less busy than the top floor and the seating is very comfortable, so it’s a much more relaxing experience enjoying a drink without being harassed for your seat like upstairs. So I highly recommend adding that to your experience!
So for its innovative exhibits, good beer (even the locals said this was the best place in town for a Guinness, and they take this very seriously!), and the extra Stoutie experience, I highly recommend taking the tour. Even if you aren’t a beer drinker, it is still fun, and part of the Dublin experience!
Guinness Storehouse Tour (with Stoutie add-on): A+
Of course, if you want to see a show, Dublin is a very cultured city with lots of venues for entertainment. My husband and I saw signs for Riverdance at the Gaiety Theater, and not having anything planned one night, we decided to go! And what a show! I had seen portions of it before, but my husband hadn’t seen it, and with it being a 25th anniversary show, there were some fun updates that were not part of the original. Such talented dancers and singers, they made a beautiful production, and what better way to see Riverdance than in its home country?
I don’t know how long the production is in town as it is a traveling show, but if you get a chance to see something at the Gaiety Theatre, it is nice! A very historical theatre with a pretty interior, it all adds to the experience!
Riverdance: A
If you want to see the whole city without walking your legs off, there are several bus tours that go around the city. On my last day before I had to head back, it was a Saturday, so my husband also had the day free–so I wanted to show him all the places I had discovered that week! We figured the fastest way to see everything was to get tickets to an all-day bus tour and just get on and off at the places we wanted to see. After looking at schedules and pick-up spots, Big Bus Tours seemed the best bet, so we caught the first bus of the morning and rode it all around town.
The busses are double-deckers, and it was a nice day, so we rode on top so that we could get a good view of everything as it passed by. The stops were plentiful and timely, and the drivers were helpful and informative. We ended up riding with several drivers as we got off and back on a few times, and their differing personalities were humorous to observe as they narrated the city’s history. Some were very cordial and polite and then our final driver was having a blast of a time getting into the nitty-gritty of the history, joking with the tourists, and laughing the whole time. It was fun.
Tickets are completely reasonable, too, and I liked the freedom in getting on and off when you wanted to, so I recommend doing a bus tour like this one. Even having already seen a lot of the sights previously, it was fun to drive by them again and see my favorites with my husband (for whom everything was new)!
Big Bus Tours: A
Of course, Ireland is so much more than Dublin! When I visited Ireland the first time, my family had rented a car and toured all around the southern part of the country and while we couldn’t do this on this most recent trip, we did take advantage of weekends to explore more of the country. I told my husband that he couldn’t visit Ireland and not see the Cliffs of Moher, so we booked a day trip with Wild Rover to see Galway, the Wild Atlantic Way, and the legendary cliffs!
Like the name suggests, it was definitely an all-day tour with an early pick-up and a late drive back, but we were able to make full use of the day in seeing more of the countryside! The tour operators, David and Joe, were pleasant and timely, the bus offered charging stations for phones (necessary for such a long day), and the seats were relatively comfortable.
After driving to Galway, we had a free walking tour included where we saw the highlights of the city and then we were left to our own devices to explore and have breakfast. My husband and I found a breakfast place, Rooster’s Cafe, and enjoyed a sandwich and piece of carrot cake as we sat outside and people-watched.
The country was busy preparing for the Cannonball Run the next month, a big event with all sorts of luxury cars, so those were out on display, and it was fun seeing all the impressive designs and hearing the rumble of the engines.
Once our time in Galway was up, we walked back over to the bus and set off toward the cliffs! Granted, seeing the cliffs is really a luck of the draw, because the weather can change on a dime in Ireland, and that weather is very often wet and rainy (which means only foggy and misty views). However, our luck held with sunny skies and great weather! This meant we could see as far out as possible, and what views they were! So beautiful to see the waves crashing against the cliffs, and that majesty just continuing on and on into the distance. Such a gorgeous sight!
We had a full two hours at the cliffs, so we were able to take all the walking trails and explored all over. It being a weekend in the summer, the place was packed with people (which proved a challenge on the narrow walking paths as there was an electrified fence on one side), but the time was plenty to look around. There is also a restaurant in the visitor’s center where you can buy drinks/snacks, so there is a lot to do in the time that you are there.
Soon enough, though, it was time to meet the bus again, so off we went back toward Dublin (but first a detour through Wild Atlantic Way which is a beautiful road alongside the ocean where you can catch epic views of the coastline). Once we arrived back in Dublin, it was at the end of the day, but we liked the tour company so much that I booked a second trip with them later that week for one of the days my husband would be working (I would later see Kilkenny and the Wicklow Mountains). So for the reasonable cost (you can get the tour for much cheaper on sites like Viator), the comfortable bus, and nice staff, I highly recommend the tour.
Wild Rover Cliffs of Moher Including Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City from Dublin Tour: A
Later that week, my husband had a busy work day in which he would be gone the whole day and then had a work function that night, so I decided to take a solo day trip to make the best use of time. And what a time it was! I booked with Wild Rover again, except I booked their Wicklow Mountains tour. The tour would also be an all-day event with stops in Kilkenny, Glenadough, the Wicklow Mountains, and then a sheep farm to see the famous sheepdogs at work.
Just like our previous tour, the bus was timely, and the tour guides, Kevin and Michael, were great. After an early pick-up, we set off toward Kilkenny. Kilkenny is a fun town with a castle, a river, and tons of little shops and restaurants that you could explore.
After a small walking tour, we had time to explore before we had to get back to the bus, so I walked up and down the streets, ate lunch, and took pictures of all the sights. The lunch place I stopped at, The Fig Tree Restaurant, was decent, and there, I enjoyed a panini. There were lots of food options, and the place seemed quite popular as it was very full with lots of happy customers.
After Kilkenny, we set off toward Glenadough and the Wicklow Mountains. After a short stop at an overlook (where the wedding scene in Braveheart was filmed), we stopped at the visitor’s center where we could wonder at our leisure. The Wicklow Mountains are full of beautiful trails and knowing that if I wanted to make it out to the longer trails (with better views), I would have to RUN in order to make it back on time to meet the bus, so that is what I did!
A very quick walk through Glenadough then over to the lake and waterfall then up to the peaks where you could see everything below then a quick run back meant that I definitely got my steps in, but I had to make the most of my time before leaving! It is such a beautiful place (and honestly, if you can rent a car, I would recommend it just to visit this place as there were trails that I still wanted to see without being restricted by when I had to meet the bus again). So gorgeous!
Then after a magical few hours in the mountains, we had one more stop–the sheep farm! This was a fun stop as it included a demonstration in which a sheep dog herded sheep across a field and into a pen and even opportunities to bottle-feed and hold baby lambs! My goodness, those lambs!
So soft and cuddly, they just melted in your arms when you held them. Such a cool experience–and a great one to end on–as you had time to reflect on all the cuteness as you drove back into Dublin! Another long day for sure, but worth the money as well! Highly recommend!
Wild Rover Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin: A
One more tour, and I promise it’s a good one! Having only seen the southern portion of the country on my first visit, I wanted to see Northern Ireland this time around, so I booked a day trip with Finn McCools Tours to see Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, Belfast, and the Titanic Distillers (this was another long work day for my husband in which I would not see him until later that night, so it was solo day trip time again!). This pickup area was a lot farther away this time, so I had to take the first tram of the morning to get there, and from there, we set off to the north!
The tour guides, Quiggs and Noshad, were great, and I especially appreciated Quiggs’s dry sense of humor and no-nonsense way of explaining history, keeping time, and making sure that the trip went on without any issues. Whether he was telling stories of him and his family growing up in Ireland, berating people for getting back to the bus late, or telling everyone how to find him–telling us to look for the “unkempt Jesus” (a funny and fitting description), he was hilarious yet serious when he needed to be.
Our first stop was Dunluce Castle, or as you might know it, Castle Greyjoy from Game of Thrones. The viewing area was such that you could only see the castle from a distance, but it was still beautiful with the ocean in the background, and the sun hitting its worn remains. Very pretty!
Then, of course, we had our main attraction next! Giant’s Causeway, a gorgeous site where you could easily spend the whole day, was a place where we would stay for a bit just wandering the shoreline and exploring the columns that make the area so unique. You can pay extra for a bus ride from the parking area to the actual causeway, and if you are short on time or are not very mobile, I would recommend that as it is quite a walk. Luckily, the walk is pretty, and I could walk fast enough that I didn’t lose too much time. The weather was also beautiful on this day, so this made for some beautiful pictures!
One thing that I did not expect was how slippery the rocks would be at this place! People were falling everywhere, and even if you were careful and walked slowly, you had to worry about people falling on you from above. I saw several wipeouts before I decided to just distance myself as much as I could from the crowds, and this worked out because it was much safer and as a bonus, I could get some good shots without a lot of people in them. The columns were stunning and deserve a look at from all angles!
Sadly, it was soon time to head back, so after walking back to the bus, we set off to the Dark Hedges and then to Belfast. The Dark Hedges were cool and are famous for their place in Game of Thrones–are you seeing a theme? A lot of the series was filmed here!
Half of the tour group was going to explore Belfast while the other half went to see Titanic Distillers, and being in the Titanic Distillers group, we were dropped off and met by the staff who would show us all the work that went into making the famous whisky.
The tour was good as it included a lot of history, exploration into the areas where they fermented the ingredients and made their whisky, and then ended with a tasting of two drinks. Of course, not as grand and comprehensive as the Guinness Storehouse tour, but still a fun one to take, so if you are thinking about the add-on, it’s a good one.
Then after being dropped off in Belfast for some time to wonder and get drinks/snacks for the drive home, we wrapped up the tour with a drop-off in Dublin. A very long day, but a great one nonetheless!
Great guides, timely transportation, and an all-around wonderful day. Highly recommend!
Giant’s Causeway and Titanic Tour from Dublin: A
Whew, so I think that is just about everything, and can you believe we did all this in a week? So much to see in Ireland, so definitely make the most of your time there. Remember that the early wake-ups and late nights are worth it! So worth it! So make a plan to see everything and if an opportunity comes up to see more, take it! The day trips I took solo were so fun, and on our last day together in Dublin before I had to fly home (I had to go back home to teach while my husband stayed another week), my husband and I went to Phoenix Park where we spent the day riding bikes, taking pictures, and seeing the massive herds of deer in the park!
It was such a fun and unexpected thing, so take advantage of it and enjoy that trip to Ireland to its fullest!
Favorite Experiences
There are so many! I loved seeing the Wicklow Mountains and Giant’s Causeway on the day trips. The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin (and all the amazing eats there) were wonderful, and my husband and I still walk about that epic sushi we had there! Just being there together was so fun, too, and while we were a bit tethered to Dublin, the city surprised us in being quite delightful to see for the whole week. I loved how walkable the city was, too, how easy it was to take the transportation, and how friendly the Irish people were. A great trip back to the motherland!
What I Wish I Knew
Granted, we did a lot in the time we had in Ireland, but I think if we had more time to stay and do things, there are a few more things that I would add to the list! On the night we saw Riverdance, we were between seeing that and Celtic Nights–another popular show–and while we ended up seeing Riverdance, I think I would have added Celtic Nights if we had another night free. I also wouldn’t have waited until our last day to try the famous spice bags of Dublin! So definitely get that early in your trip so that you can enjoy it multiple times–excellent (and reasonably priced) food! Oh, and I think if we had more time, we would have checked out the Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Speaking to the locals, they all recommended the Guinness Storehouse over Jameson any day, so that is what I ended up doing, however, if I had more time, I would have checked out both.
Oh, and this deserves its own paragraph, but Howth! Take the train or bus to see this fishing village outside Dublin as every single person in Dublin will tell you to go here! This is probably my saddest omission as I didn’t get a chance to go out there (because you can clearly see how busy the trip was, ha!), but if I had another day, I would have made the journey out there to go on the cliff walks, enjoy the food (I hear the Octopussy Seafood Tapas Bar is amazing), and see the sights. So make sure you do that! If I ever have the chance to come back, I think this would be a priority since I didn’t get to see it last time.
One last thing–well, two! You can get your VAT taxes back at the airport for any commercial goods you take out of the country (this includes items like souvenirs, but not things like hotel/rental car/tours). In order to get this money back, you have to ask for a VAT tax form with the receipt whenever you purchase something and then fill out the paperwork and turn it in at the airport). Many European countries do this, so if you have done it in another European country, Ireland’s process is very similar. Finally, when you go to the airport (if you are traveling to the U.S.), you go through two customs screenings and then when you arrive in the U.S., you DON’T have to go through customs! I had no idea about this as it was my first trip to Ireland from the U.S., so I had booked a longer layover to get through customs, but then when I arrived, I could walk right to my next gate! So if you are traveling to and from the U.S., go ahead with the shorter connection, because you will be able to make it easily!
Of course, be sure to check out the forums and message boards here and here. Ireland is a wonderful place to visit (for all ages!), and having visited both as a teenager and later as an adult, I have loved it both times.
I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:
TikTok: @touristyteacher
Instagram: @touristyteacher
Facebook: @touristyteacher
Happy travels!
