About This Trip
We took this trip with friends in 2009. We found roundtrip prices for airfare to Dublin at about $300 per person, which was insanely cheap even then. Our group pre-planned to rent a van and explore east, north, and west Ireland. We never made it south. We flew into Dublin, drove to Belfast (and other parts of Northern Ireland), drove to Galway, took a boat out to the Aran Islands, and then spent time in Dublin. Newgrange, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Giant's Causeway, the Aran Islands, and the Dublin Pub tour were my highlight cannot miss Ireland experiences.
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Drive from Dublin to Northern Ireland
As we drove up the northern coast of Ireland to get to Belfast, we stopped at Newgrange/ Bru' Na Boinne which was an amazing experience and really great tour. Bru na Boinne is an archaeological site that includes large burial mounds and stone circles. During the winter solstice, sunlight enters a passage tomb called Newgrange, illuminating its inner chamber for a short time; it's profoundly interesting to recreate that experience.
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Belfast
In Belfast, we saw shipping cranes that helped launch the doomed Titantic, admired the Dome's 360° views of the city, and savored the vibrant atmosphere of St. George's Market. Belfast City Hall and the Eye of Belfast (ferris wheel) offer more city views if interested. We also toured the Shankill and Falls Roads, witnessing murals depicting "the Troubles." Belfast's history is really interesting and it comes out in its artistry. I suggest listening to some podcasts about the Troubles before you go. We enjoyed drinks at The Spaniard and Union Street Bar.
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Northern Ireland
The following day, we drove further north to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Giant's Causeway. We were there in April and it was so, so cold. The wind was biting. In hindsight, I should have brought heavier gear. Everyone kept telling us how perfect the weather was the week before we were there though; just just luck of the draw (or the Irish?). The rope bridge and the causeway are both absolutely can't miss experiences. Both are very popular so expect crowds.
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Before heading West to Galway, we visited the Old Bushmills Distillery and explored the majestic Carickfergus Castle, immersing ourselves in medieval times and marveling at its impressive architecture. As we ventured through the countryside, we were enjoyed the rolling green hills dotted with fluffy sheep, painting a picture-perfect backdrop that felt straight out of a storybook.
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Galway and the Aran Islands
We arrived in Galway in the evening and enjoyed the lively atmosphere of King's Head Pub. The next morning, we took a boat over to the Aran Islands which are stunningly beautiful. I did get a little seasick on the boat, but that is not uncommon for me. If you are prone to seasickness, grab that dramamine ahead of time.
Also in Galway, we took in the the ancient ruins of the Seven Churches which is hauntingly beautiful. After the Aran Islans, we grabbed drinks at the American Bar which served Smithwicks, Guinness, and maybe some cheeseburgers.
Dublin
After Galway, we drove back east to Dublin. We visited the Gin Palace and the Guinness Brewery and Storehouse, where we learned about the brewing process and enjoyed drinks. We also spent time in Temple Bar, which was fun. Crossing the Ha'penny Bridge was a memorable experience, and we made sure to take plenty of pictures. One of the highlights of our trip was the Jameson Distillery tour, where Eric and the other guys in our group became certified Irish whiskey tasters and received official certificates.
The next day, we explored Trinity College, admired the Book of Kells, and visited the intriguing "Body in the Library" exhibit. We also made a stop at Christ Church Cathedral and took in the fascinating history. The National Museum of Archaeology impressed us with its intriguing (and gross) bog bodies exhibit, and we ended our trip by visitng the Oscar Wilde statue in Marion Square.
On our last evening, we participated in a musical pub crawl. The crawl kicked off at the Oliver St. John Gogarty bar, and we were treated to an unforgettable experience. We hopped from pub to pub, listening to talented musicians playing traditional Irish music. The tour operators even invited couple of our friends onstage to showcase their musical talents by performing an original song about Christine Amanpour, leaving us with a lasting memory of our time in Dublin.
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