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Things to do in Ireland when traveling solo.
SilverEternity
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
This summer I am traveling to Ireland to do a study abroad program in Galway from mid-June through July. Since I will be spending a significant amount on the plane ticket, I'm planning on flying over early to do some solo sight seeing. I would like to be as thrifty as possible (staying in hostels or cheap hotels, taking trains, etc). What are the best places to visit in Ireland (on a budget)? I'll have about a week before the classes begin and occasional free weekends sprinkled throughout.
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Kerry is really nice. Overall I'd rate the south-west of Ireland as the nicest part. Dublin is expensive as fuck (pretty much London prices). Cork is fun for a night or two, and I liked Killarney too.
You should also check out "The Burren," a Karst region in Co Claire.
There is the annual comedy festival in my home town of Kilkenny at the end of May/beginning of June, though that may be too early for you. Kilkenny in general is a popular tourist spot, for the Castle/Cathedral and what not I suppose.
I can generally be found in Dublin, sometimes Kilkenny, if you are looking for a PA person to have a drink with. My patience for showing people around tourist sites is limited though.
The train is going to be a miserable way to travel, and not get you much of anywhere except the major city centers. Consider renting a car.
Spend at least half a day in the burren. Particularly go find the ancient dolmen there, and go see O'Brian's Tower and walk along the Cliffs of Moher.
Take a day trip out to the Twelve Pins mountain range. There's a visitor center there that's nice and a couple miles of hiking, and then (carefully) just pull over if something looks interesting and set off. The bog can be dangerous though, so again be careful! There isn't a whole lot to "do" out in Connemara, but there's a lot to see.
Get crepes at the stand in the Saturday market in downtown Galway. Think of me as I weep for them being so far away now. They are amazing! Also, if the french restaurant by the bridge near downtown is still open, give it a run. The escargot was great and the wine was cheap.
The drive northwest along the Galway Bay and the western coast coast is amazing. I liked it more than the Ring of Kerry, personally, but I go in for the wilder landscapes.
Consider Kylemore Abbey and Ashford Castle, both worthwhile tourist destinations.
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Thanks, that is also an option. The flights to Glasgow, London, and Paris from Dublin are all <$80.
Part of the reason I want to travel solo is simply the experience of travelling solo since I've never done so before. I found out this weekend that a number of my family members are interested in meeting me in Ireland at some point so solo travelling may not happen.
Thanks for the advice on renting a car, it may be fun simply to drive around and see the country for a few days.
As part of the study abroad there are a few pre-arranged field trips so I think chances are good I will see a number of touristy things around Galway regardless. I'm looking for more out-of-the way places.
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Also be careful in Dublin. I have been in major cities all over the world and Dublin was by far the seediest one I have traveled in outside of the middle east. It made new york, Paris, and hong kong all seem crime free in comparison. Multiple stabbings/muggings/fights the entire time I was there in the general vicinity of the major parks and social areas. A couple was mugged walking in the exact place I had walked not 30 minutes before they were mugged. I was traveling alone at the time and normally as a 6.2 military male am not that concerned about personal security. I was in dublin.
Wat. I have lived in Dublin for a total of say, six years, with regular visits my whole life and I have never seen or experienced any crime or even threat of violence. I've walked home alone for 40 mins plus after nights out countless times in perfect safety. I've seen more trouble in just a weekend or living for a few months or a year in other cities than in all of my time in Dublin.
Dublin like anywhere has crime, but its as safe as anywhere for the average punter. Its certainly not unusually dangerous.