southern ireland travel blog

I was stunned to come across this expansive beach with soft sand and views of the Irish coastline. Youll compete with others for hotel rooms, and prices are higher, so book in advance to get the best lodging and deals. Even if you arent keen on hanging onto a ladder and leaning over backwards to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle is well worth a visit. The south is where you'll find a majority of the larger cities of Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick. Youll want to stop and explore, so dont take the tour bus for this one. Dublin City Sightseeing. Most travellers enjoy exploring our Southern Ireland trips in September, making it the most popular time of the year. If you dont have time to see everything in Dublin, Helene has listed the top ten things that she thinks no traveller should leave without doing. With tips on where to fly into, what to do in Galway, and what to see in the area, Karisa shares just how breathtaking this slice of Ireland really is. Don't plan an ambitious itinerary chasing down all the top 100 golf courses. Located in Killarney National Park is Muckross House; a beautiful Victorian mansion where Queen Victoria actually stayed for a visit! Even if this is the only castle you see, youll get to know it in depth thanks to these 8 secrets. Obviously youll have to find out if its true by kissing the stone yourself! If youre brave enough to visit a haunted castle (which Im definitely not), this blog post shares 15 castles in Ireland where you might encounter a ghost. Beautiful Belfast: 10 Things to See and Do in Belfast, Ireland A Passion and a Passport. Killarney & National Park. A spooky weekend in Dublin at the Bram Stoker Festival The Travel Hack. You can also pull up a seat and dine on traditional dishes like drisheen and pigs trotters at the markets Farmgate Caf. Follow along on my adventures on social media! The drive time from Cork to the Cliffs of Moher are a little over 2.5 hrs. Here you'll find some of the most beloved towns in Southern Ireland - Killarney, Kilkenny, and Cork - and the famous the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. 15 Awesome Free Things to do in Galway Ireland Stole My Heart. Visiting the Torc Waterfall near Killarney Town is easy as it is only a 200 metre walk from the carpark to the beautiful 20 metre high falls which are at their best when the weather is wet. Community My Ireland My AccountSign in Destinations Things to do Not a golf fan? Dont miss the Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian Church of unknown age and origin. 1. Rent a campervan and drive Ireland yourself. Blogs are a great place to discover things to do and what to avoid and bloggers often create the best travel guides because they are based on their own personal experiences. This is road trip goals right here! After getting a taste of the Irish countryside, you are ready for the crown jewel. While you will want to come prepared, driving in Ireland is completely doable and SO worth it. It is useful to have Euros for small purchases, tips, and to accommodate smaller businesses. County Clare . 1. Dont miss the Castle Gardens, Blarney House, and the Rock Close. Dont feel like you need to take the tour. The capital of the Republic of Ireland and its largest city, Dublin offers so much to explore. Plus, that happy hour spirit kicks in at the top and youll watch the magic happen with hundreds of other happy tourists overlooking the Dublin skyline. Follow Kiersten on her adventures! Follow Kiersten on her adventures! You can choose to take a tour or walk around and admire the outside of the castle. I would say that the number one thing to do in Ireland is to hire a vehicle and drive yourself around Ireland. Visit during the Bram Stoker Festival, which takes place the weekend before Halloween, and which celebrates the Dublin-born author of Dracula. It is also best to drive during the day. Galway: Gateway to Irelands West Coast Flirting with the Globe. Taking you right up to the rocky face, this would be our choice if you do find yourself pressed for time. Check out these local caffeine hotspots, which all offer just a bit more character than your average Starbucks! Give yourself a full day for Kerry. This is great inspiration for anyone travelling with small kids, as Amber shares what her two little ones enjoyed, and what theyd do differently next time. This tourist attraction is probably one of the most popular on the entire south coast of Ireland. Talk about craggy coastlines and lush meadows as far as the eye can see! Summer is peak season and tourists from all over the world flock to soak up the little sunshine that Ireland receives. Popular long-distance routes from Dublin are: Dublin Connolly to Belfast (2:08) This route has stops in Sligo, Wexford and Rosslare Europort. Better views and far less people will be at the Skellig Ring cliffs. Lets uncover your next trip together . THE RIVER LEE HOTEL(Cork) This luxury hotel on the banks of the River Lee is in the heart of Cork, walking distance from the English Market and St Fin Barres Cathedral and a 15-minute drive from Blarney Castle. This is a bit confusing, but basically Ireland controls who enters the country who is not an . Dunmore Cave (Kilkenny) Photos with thanks to Olivier Bruchez (CC BY-SA 2.0) Dunmore Cave is another of the more unique places to visit in Ireland and you'll find it tucked away in Kilkenny. Adare Manor is the gem of a town, and youll want plenty of time to explore it. To read my blog post, A Road Trip Through Southern Ireland, click here. Dublin is on the East Coast and the Cliffs of Moher are on the West Coast so you will be driving across the country. Take a look at the best bits of Westeros in Northern Ireland, including the beautiful Dark Hedges and some furry stars! Ed Sheeran fans must visit OConnors Pub in Salthill, where he filmed part of the music video for his song Galway Girl. Killarney is a lively tourist town thats the perfect base for explore nearby Killarney National Park which was the first National Park created in Ireland. Expect hundreds of people enjoying the sunlight and ice cream stands that park in on the front lawn. HOTEL DOOLIN(Doolin) Located just 7km from the Cliffs of Moher, this boutique hotel in quaint Doolin village offers a great base for exploring Irelands Wild Atlantic Way. Take a gorgeous drive past Connemara National Park to the stunning Kylemore Abbey. 1. Ireland is beautiful at any time of the year but it also has pretty unpredictable weather. I won't go into too much here because you'll see how the itinerary is laid out but I would say that a main reason for doing the southern part is to do the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Michael, Dingle, explore castles and ancient ruins. Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ireland 1. The upside? The latter is the perfect spot to lace up your hiking boots and ramble through the landscape or explore ancient ruins with your expert leader on a small group tour in Southern Ireland. Ireland. But local guides canhelp you decide which oneis more up your alley. Its not only Game of Thrones that brings mega-fans to Ireland from all over the world Star Wars fans flock here in droves thanks to one short scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Irish eyes shall smile as we greet you with the true beauty of the Emerald Isle. Oh, and dont forget your umbrella! To create positive change through the joy of travel. Take the M50 to Powerscourt Estate, just an hour outside of Dublin and a beautiful first stop on your road trip. Rather than you having to search for the best travel blogs while youre researching your Ireland trip, Ive rounded up the ones that I think are the most useful, interesting and inspiring! Time for a full day of adventuring on the Ring of Kerry! Do you have any more tips to add to this guide to Ireland? Ireland is amazing! Youll need to book this well in advance, but believe meits worth it! What to Wear in Ireland: Packing List Ideas for Dublin TravelFashionGirl. They even share packing tips and ideas for getting online on the road. Drive south for an hour to the popular Blarney Castle. Before heading to Dublin Airport area, end your road trip through Ireland at Malahide Castle and Gardens for some down time. Distance: 200mi (323km) Estimated time: 4.5 hours, not including stops. In this helpful post, Hayley shares her top 20 favourite things to do in Dublin, including where to eat and drink, where to shop, which museums to visit and where to go on day trips from Dublin, if you fancy exploring a bit further afield. Lining up to kiss the Blarney Stone. Caution: dont read this post while youre hungry! 24 Best Places to See on the Dingle Peninsula Drive, Ireland Christobel Travel. Ireland Family Road Trip Itinerary 3 Weeks in Ireland with Kids Itinerary Days 1-3 Belfast, Northern Ireland Day 4 Galway Days 5-10 Connemara Cycle Tour Day 11 Cliffs of Moher Days 12-13 Dingle Peninsula Driving time: Cork to Dingle - 2 hours 20 mins. Want to experience more of Irelands sensational scenery? I hope you enjoyed this road trip itinerary for southern Ireland! Northern Ireland. This is an area where an Irish local will definitely know bestafter all, Ireland is full of hidden gems that usually don't make internet listsbut we have a couple of favorites. And while all of these things do exist, Ireland surprised me with so much more on my recent 2-week Ireland road trip! Check Rates on Hotels Combined. Warm socks (several pairs incase they get wet). Can you believe that the Atlantic Ocean was warm enough to take a dip? No problem. Here are 10 tips for first-timers looking to make their trip a success: Irish golf trip tip 1. We share transformative Responsible Travel, Sustainable Living & Going Green Tips that make a positive impact. Nordic Visitor Ireland Since then, Ive traveled to over 70 countries and have knocked some big adventures off my bucket list. Our brochures | Ireland.com. Dublin. I created this space to inspire your future trips through my own recommendations. 3. Knock off the day by strolling the citys Trinity College, home of the historic Book of Kells, and quite often a good game of cricket. Make sure to take the shuttle to the Victorian Walled Garden. Galway is a perfect starting point for your adventure. Got a little bit longer than just a week in Ireland? The Ring of Kerry is just over 100 miles long. They are on the main streets of every town and city and might be labeled as a Cashpoint.. The location is Skellig Michael, and although it can be difficult to reach (especially without a booking), this blogger was determinedand found a way! If you have extra time, you might consider flying out of Dublin too. Sausage links, fried eggs, toast and butter are made fresh every day. So be sure to pack for multiple climates, wear layers, and to always keep a raincoat or a travel umbrella nearby. From soda bread to boxty, and plenty in between, use this guide as an Irish food bucket list. For over 200 years, people around the world have climbed the steps of the castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Take the R115 through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough. Arrive! The little town of Dingle is a colorful little place that youre going to love. Check out these great options! 10 Day Ireland Itinerary Earth Trekkers. The Emerald Isle has quite unpredictable weather which can make planning a trip to Ireland a bit tricky. Ring of Kerry. Experience the warm Irish welcome, immerse yourself in rich history and let your imagination run free in spellbinding landscapes on a tour of Southern Ireland with . From Dublin to Belfast and everything in between, these are the Top 10 Essential Things to Do on the island of Ire. Wander its stalls and chat with the stall holders to learn more about the fare on offer. Triberg and Gengenbach: Gems of the Black Forest, Germany, A Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast, Italy, 10 Things to Do in Niagara Region, Ontario. , Bermuda Travel Guide is now LIVE on the blog with, 10 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travel, The Best Girlfriend Getaways Around the World, 10 European Destinations for Female Travelers, 10 Incredible Adventures to Have in North America, 10 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations Around the World, What to Expect on a Luxury Galpagos Cruise, 7 Budget Travel Tips for Student Travelers, Ethical Animal Encounters Around the World, Why You Should Travel with Reef Safe Sunscreen, My Gender-Neutral Backyard Baby Shower in San Diego, The Best Babymoon Destinations in the United States, The Best Travel Products for Babies and Kids. We chose to stay in the small town of Kenmare for the next two nights (and loved it) instead of Killarney, which is a larger and more populated town. Limerick via Dingle. Before you head to the land of Guinness and gorgeous views of greenery, here are my 10 tips! Thistakes you through dozens of small towns, letting you explore castles, farms and restaurants slightly off the beaten tourist path. Give yourself about an hour and head over for a late afternoon boat ride view of the same rocks, but a completely different experience. For a lovely view over Middle Lake, take the steps that lead up to the second higher viewing point after youve enjoyed your first look at the falls. Use the last of your time in Ireland to avoid the pubs, skip out on the chips, and seek out the local markets. 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