Expertise the Better of Dublin and Galway in One Week

Spending one week in Eire is ample time to find the wonder and appeal that the Emerald Isle has to supply. In relation to breathtaking landscapes, wealthy historical past, and heat hospitality, Eire by no means disappoints. 

From the colourful metropolis lifetime of Dublin to the fascinating cultural scene of Galway, this week-long itinerary guarantees an unforgettable journey by means of two of Eire’s most charming cities. 

Get able to discover historic castles, enjoy conventional music, and savor the best Irish delicacies.

2 Days in Dublin

Two days in Dublin is nearly the fitting size to discover the capital of Eire. It’s a culturally wealthy metropolis with quite a few museums and vacationer points of interest to go to. And naturally, it’s completely full of numerous bars and eating places. 

Dublin Day 1 Itinerary

Take within the magnificence of Trinity Faculty

A go to to Trinity Faculty, Eire’s most prestigious College is a good way to start your journey to Dublin. Right here you’ll be able to go on a tour of the ‘E-book of Kells’. It is a medieval spiritual manuscript thought of to be one of many oldest books on the earth. 

It’s believed to have been crafted by Celtic monks again in a monastery on the Isle of Iona circa 800. The tour is a large vacationer attraction the place you’ll be able to be taught all in regards to the creation of the e book in nice element. 

And this tour additionally permits you entry to the principle chamber of the Faculty’s Outdated Library, referred to as the: ‘Lengthy Room’. This unimaginable 65-foot-long chamber is among the most spectacular libraries on the earth and is just a powerful sight to behold. 

Though on the time of writing the Lengthy Room goes by means of an costly restoration course of, so practically all the numerous cabinets are empty. However there are some books on show on the bottom flooring, together with the oldest harp in existence. 

Go to Oscar Wilde’s residence

Not too removed from Trinity Faculty is one other cultural and historic focal point; Oscar Wilde’s childhood residence. It’s potential to go to the inside of one among Eire’s most celebrated poets and literary darlings of the 1800s for the worth of 12 Euros. There’s additionally the choice of a full guided tour that lasts 90 minutes and prices 20 Euros per particular person.

It is a fascinating alternative to achieve perception into Oscar Wilde’s upbringing firsthand. The home is of Georgian structure and nonetheless options interval furnishings from his time there. And immediately reverse the home, you will have Merrion Sq. Gardens. 

It is a beautiful park to walk round and also you even have a well-known sculpture of Oscar Wilde which is effectively price seeing as effectively. 

By the best way, when you’re fascinated by structure and planning to go to Dublin, you gained’t need to miss this whole Dublin Structure Information. 

Go to some Dublin museums

There are over 40 museums to find in Dublin, which is a large quantity and it’s unattainable to find all of those in simply two days in fact. Many of those museums are freed from cost as effectively.

Persevering with with our day one itinerary of Dublin, let’s discover two of the preferred free museums throughout the metropolis:

Nationwide Gallery of Eire

Primarily based simply throughout the highway from Merrion Sq. Gardens is the Nationwide Gallery of Eire, which is effectively price a go to when you like your artwork. The everlasting assortment is completely free to enter and options an in depth variety of Irish and European work courting again to the Center Ages. 

The constructing itself is a pleasure to stroll round and the gallery is taken into account among the finest in all of Europe. It’s extremely really helpful to spend no less than 1-2 hours right here to understand all the good art work on present. 

Nationwide Museum of Eire-Ornamental Arts & Historical past

Subsequent on our record is the Nationwide Museum of Eire – Ornamental Arts & Historical past, situated at Collins Barracks, a former army barracks. That is one other completely free museum to enter, which focuses on historic and modern collections and provides a deeper perception into Eire’s cultural heritage, army historical past, and extra. 

There are quite a few collections housed right here that are actually fascinating and you’ll simply spend a few hours appreciating the numerous antiques, costumes, and ornamental gadgets from Eire’s previous and current. 

Expertise the numerous pubs of Dublin

After a busy first day experiencing the cultural highlights of Dublin, it’s time to finish it with visiting one (or a number of) pubs that may be discovered within the metropolis. 

After all, no journey to Dublin is full with out savoring a pint of Guinness in one among Dublin’s many pubs. The concept of offering hospitality with a drink and a spot of relaxation is deeply ingrained into Irish historical past. 

Consuming institutions actually turned trendy in Dublin again within the seventeenth and 18th centuries and so they’re nonetheless simply as fashionable to this present day. The town’s Temple Bar district is the liveliest place you would want to uncover, situated on the south financial institution of the River Liffey. 

This space is stuffed with conventional Irish pubs, most of which function dwell Irish conventional music. Probably the most well-known of those pubs is in fact Temple Bar, which at all times seems full and full of vacationers having fun with a quite pricey pint of the black stuff (round 9-10 Euros right here!).

However there are an entire host of bars which might be simply as energetic and entertaining and have cheaper Guinness (usually round 6 Euros). Getting some typical Irish meals akin to Irish stew and a drink on this district is a should!

Dublin Day 2 Itinerary

Dublin Fort

Day two in Dublin begins with a go to to Dublin Fort, a historic website with outstanding structure and delightful gardens. The fort is the best level in all of Dublin and relies handily within the metropolis heart. 

It’s some of the vital websites within the metropolis with an extended, advanced historical past courting all the best way again to 1204. You’ll be able to be taught all in regards to the fort on a self-guided tour right here and tickets value 12 Euros for adults. 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

After Dublin Fort, the subsequent cease is a go to to the magnificent St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a surprising instance of Gothic structure. Primarily based within the historic Liberties District of Dublin, the Cathedral was based in 1191 and is legendary for its every day choir and its gorgeous inside. 

There are every day, free guided excursions of the Cathedral which you’ll request upfront through the Cathedral’s web site, and entry is free if in case you have a Dublin Move which you should purchase upfront as effectively. In any other case, it prices 9 Euros to enter for adults, and round an hour ought to suffice to soak up all of its glory. 

Guinness Storehouse Manufacturing unit Tour

Following lunch, it’s time to take pleasure in a tipple or two of the black stuff on the well-known Guinness Manufacturing unit or Storehouse because it’s known as as of late. This place is among the prime vacationer points of interest in all of Dublin, as in fact, Guinness is its most well-known product that it’s given to the world. 

The storehouse consists of a number of flooring filled with historical past in regards to the well-known Irish beer, all throughout the manufacturing facility that has been producing it for over 250 years. On the highest flooring is what’s known as the Gravity Bar, which options wonderful 360 views of Dublin. 

Tickets value round 29 Euros which is a bit steep, however you do get a complimentary pint of Guinness upon reaching the Gravity Bar. 

Jameson Whisky Distillery Tour

And having skilled the Guinness Manufacturing unit, you’ll be able to comply with that up with a tour of Dublin’s different favourite drink on the Jameson Distillery Whisky Manufacturing unit. Based in 1780, right here you’ll be able to be taught all about this well-known Irish spirit. Plus, you’ll be able to learn to make your personal whisky and get to style a few of it as effectively!

Tickets value 25 Euros per grownup, which just like the Guinness Manufacturing unit value is definitely not low cost, however an fulfilling and enjoyable expertise nonetheless.

Touring from Dublin to Galway

After two days in Dublin sampling all of its many delights (and possibly recovering from these delights too!), it’s time to move over to the west coast of Eire, to the attractive metropolis of Galway. 

Touring from Dublin to Galway is comparatively simple. The best choice, if counting on public transport, is to catch a practice from Heuston Station, which is located simply exterior of the town heart and definitely inside strolling distance. 

The practice journey to Galway takes round three hours and is a nice journey, passing by means of loads of Eire’s wonderful countryside and stopping off at a number of small cities. Tickets value round 30 Euros and the practice itself has comfy seating with loads of area. 

You’ll be able to catch a bus to Galway which is cheaper however takes longer and the views are fairly as aesthetically pleasing.

3 Days in Galway

So how does Galway evaluate to Dublin? It’s a a lot smaller metropolis however nonetheless has rather a lot to supply. It jogged my memory slightly little bit of what Brighton is to London in England; it’s a special vibe, quirky but historic as effectively. It feels extra like conventional Eire in comparison with Dublin, which in fact is a serious European metropolis. 

3 days in Galway is an efficient size of time to find all the metropolis’s many points of interest. Let’s take a look at a few of the many issues that there are to do and see on this energetic, coastal metropolis. 

Galway Day 1 Itinerary

Galway Metropolis Museum

The easiest way to start out your itinerary in any metropolis in my view is to be taught a bit about its historical past, and there’s no higher method to do this in Galway than a go to to the Galway Metropolis Museum. It is a actually good museum that has three flooring of attention-grabbing exhibitions. 

These exhibitions delve into Galway’s previous, with plenty of fascinating artifacts and historic gadgets. The exhibitions clarify what life was like for the Gaelic folks a number of hundred years in the past, as much as the previous century, and the political revolutions that the town has skilled.

It additionally options Galway’s proud musical historical past and the numerous well-known rock bands which have performed right here through the years. It’s free entry into the museum and you’ll simply spend 1-2 hours right here educating your self.

Go to the Magnificent Galway Cathedral

Galway Cathedral might be the town’s most spectacular constructing to go to. It’s a Roman Catholic Cathedral that was the town’s jail till it was transformed in 1958. 

The inside of the Cathedral is actually a spot of marvel. It’s an enormous area inside with wonderful brickwork and stained glass home windows. Entry to the Cathedral is free, although donations are appreciated.

Benefit from the Ambiance of the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is undoubtedly the beating coronary heart of Galway Metropolis. It’s identified for its vibrant, colourful streets, boutiques, and conventional Irish pubs, most of which have dwell music most nights.

This generally is a surprisingly busy place, in the midst of August all of the bars and eating places have been packed to capability, with lots of people queuing exterior ready for a desk. I might go as far as to say it was busier than Dublin, with vacationers from all around the world having fun with the Latin Quarter. 

It’s a energetic previous place with nice nightlife, making for an fulfilling finish to your first day in Galway. 

Galway Day 2 Itinerary

Go on the Lengthy Stroll of Galway

Shifting on to day two of our Galway itinerary, and we’re beginning it with some train on what’s referred to as the ‘lengthy stroll’ of Galway. You’ll be able to start the lengthy stroll by passing below the Spanish Arch; which was in-built 1584 the place items have been transferred from ships to the quays. 

After passing by means of the arch you’ll be able to proceed down the Lough Corrib, the place you’ll cross by a row of conventional colourfully painted homes, with views of Galway’s harbour the place you’ll see a number of fishing boats. 

Should you’re nonetheless feeling energetic then you’ll be able to proceed throughout the harbour all the best way to Mutton Island Causeway. Though you’ll be able to’t truly enter Mutton Island, the causeway gives stunning ocean views, with Salthill seen within the distance. 

Bask within the solar at Salthill Promenade

Good climate just isn’t essentially the very first thing you consider when planning to go to Eire, however you might be in for a shock! Should you go to Galway through the peak of summer time then it’s potential you might take pleasure in some good sunshine and delightful blue skies if the climate Gods are sort to you. 

Visiting Eire in Winter? Examine this out

Don’t anticipate tremendous excessive temperatures, however you might expertise some good days round 20-25 levels Celsius. And if so, then there’s no higher place to absorb the rays than Salthill Promenade, situated simply exterior of Galway. 

There are a couple of sandy seashores alongside the promenade, in addition to retailers, eating places, and cafes. 

Go on a Nature Hike to Menlo Fort

To complete off a full day of train, you’ll be able to stroll (or possibly bike) a nature path that results in Menlo Fort. It is a beautiful, peaceable nature stroll alongside the River Corrib and in addition passes a number of College campuses. 

After round half-hour of strolling, you’ll see reverse the river the stays of Menlo Fort. Though it’s not potential to enter the fort because it’s simply ruins, it’s nonetheless a formidable sight even from throughout the river. 

The fort dates again to the sixteenth Century and is a reminder of Galway’s wealthy historical past. It’s the right place to soak up Galway’s beautiful countryside as effectively, particularly on a pleasant sunny day. 

Galway Day 3 Itinerary

A Day Tour to the Cliffs of Moher

The cliffs of Moher are Eire’s most well-known pure attraction, and a go to there may be the right ending in your final day in Galway. 

It’s potential to journey there by public bus, however I’d extremely advocate reserving a day tour upfront. There are lots of excursions to select from and loads of them embody numerous vacationer spots that you simply’ll go to in your option to the cliffs of Moher. 

My tour was an eight-hour spherical journey that left Galway at 10 a.m. The tour information (who was additionally the bus driver) was very informative all through the journey, giving information on the quite a few villages that you simply drive by means of and the historical past behind them. 

Let’s have a look at a few of the stops you’ll be able to anticipate to make in your option to the cliffs:

Dunguaire Fort

This was the primary cease on the tour and we got round 20 minutes to discover the fort. Dunguaire Fort is among the most well-known castles in all of Eire. It overlooks the shores of Galway Bay and dates again to 1520. 

There are a few reward retailers contained in the fort and you’ll pay to go as much as the highest degree of the fort to have a greater view of the shoreline.

Poulnabrone (Portal Tomb)

The second cease on the tour was Poulnabrone, a portal tomb that’s the oldest megalithic monument in all of Eire. It dates again to the daybreak of man and is an interesting website when you think about that’s it older than the Egyptian Pyramids!

What precisely is a portal tomb I hear you ask? Effectively, it’s a prehistoric stone chamber consisting of two upright slabs and a vertical slab on prime, which resembles a desk, type of. They have been used for a number of completely different causes, with Poulnabrone being a burial website. 

That won’t sound very attention-grabbing, however when you think about the traditional historical past of those portal tombs then it’s fairly an astonishing factor to behold. There are round 180 portal tombs scattered round Eire as effectively and they’re a novel glimpse into the nation’s ancestral previous. 

Lunch at a Conventional Irish Pub

After visiting Poulnabrone, it will likely be time for lunch. Included in my tour was a fast cease at a standard Irish pub. Contemplating there have been round 60 folks on the tour, the employees on the pub we visited was extraordinarily environment friendly and the meals (and the Guinness) was excellent too. The worth of the lunch wasn’t included within the tour value nonetheless, which is price retaining in thoughts. 

Cliffs of Moher

After lunch it’s time for the principle attraction; the enduring cliffs themselves. Anticipate dramatic and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, which actually are breathtaking. There are two routes you’ll be able to take on the cliffs; in direction of the fitting, you’ll be able to head in direction of O’Brien Fort which has an statement tower when you really need probably the most spectacular views of the cliffs. 

I visited the cliffs in the midst of August and there have been loads of vacationers there, which meant an extended queue to entry O’Brien Fort. The opposite route is over the principle cliffs and stretches for a number of kilometers. 

It’s potential to do that however keep in mind how a lot time you must spend at Moher; our tour had two hours so not sufficient time to finish the hike over the cliffs. There’s additionally a restaurant, reward retailers, an info heart, and even a small cinema that has been constructed into the cliffs. 

They are surely awe-inspiring and spending an entire day to see them is completely price doing and a robust suggestion. 

Seeking to meet fellow vacationers and stretch your price range for extra adventures? Contemplate reserving your keep at this Galway Hostel.

Conclusion

This one-week itinerary for exploring each Dublin and Galway offers a balanced mix of historical past, tradition, pure magnificence, and native experiences.

Eire’s appeal is actually charming, and whether or not you’re wandering by means of the bustling streets of Dublin or embracing the inventive spirit of Galway, every day guarantees a brand new journey and a deeper reference to this enchanting land. 

Hold studying:

Mark Jeavons runs Solo Journey Man