5 days between Dublin, le Cliffs of Moher, the Atlantic Ocean, ed and Celtic cimiteri
Green Ireland, made of legends, Music, alcohol, ancient stories is a little more than two hours flight from Italy: and, after seeing her once, you'll want to go back right now!
I spent 5 days in Ireland, visiting both the capital, Dublin, both the Atlantic coast (Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and other wonders of the’Ireland dell'Ovest), sia le tombe celtiche North of Dublin (Newgrange, Hill of Tara, and the surrounding area), and I must say it would have served at least some other, to see more of the South West and the Giant's Causeway (Nord Irlanda).
I arrived at dawn Dublin, by ferry from Holyhead in Wales. This has allowed me to do FULL five days of visit to Ireland, and then set off on the morning of the sixth day.
The capital is cute and is not very big: majority of the points of interest are in the center, but to reach areas a bit’ more distant (type Phoenix Park the Howth), You can use the double-decker bus, the tramway (BROAD), o la ferrovía suburban (DART). The ticket price varies depending on the distance, and the total calculation is quite complicated even for some drivers, as you can see. When you get to the middle, communicated to the driver your destination, and he will calculate the exact amount. or, in the case of LUAS and DART, You can use the vending machines placed in stations.
If you go or come back from’Dublin Airport, you can use the Public buses. particularly, if you use the line 16, which runs every 15 minutes and takes 40 minutes, the cost is less than 3eur, but there is a risk that the driver will forbid to come up with a trolley too big.
In alternative, you can use the line 747 (Airlink), the cost of 6EUR, which has the same frequency and duration.
It follow my itinerary, indicated at the end of the post, I do not recommend to buy daily or weekly subscriptions, as it will be cheaper to buy the ticket from time to time.
I also made the much sought tour of the Guinness factory but, to be honest, I found it extremely confusing, with missing information, audio guides with routes not updated, and too crowded. In short, I prefer the tour that I did at the factory Miller, in Wisconsin, I mentioned in This Post, where guides are dedicated to small groups of visitors, and provide much more information on the process of beer production.
Regarding the visit to Ovest coast dell'Irlanda, I have dedicated a day intero ad un organized tour .. Extreme Ireland, including Limerick (where the peace treaty was signed between the Catholic Jacobites, and supporters of William of Orange, Protestants), le splendide Cliffs of Moher, the village of Doolin with its cliffs overlooking the sea (The Burren), the old abbey Cocomroe, and the village of Kinvara, with its castle in the countryside.
Spreader is to book the tour at the tourist office to Visit Ireland, in Suffolk Street, a short walk from Trinity College, cost of 45EUR (40eur for students).
I shot a video, by bus, as we walked towards Doolin. You can see some stunning scenery!
Also with regard to the visit to the historic site of Newgrange and to Hill of Tara, place of great historical significance for the Irish, I was assigned to a tour di Mary Gibbons, which occupies a little more than half a day, seems to be booked in the visitor center of Suffolk Street. In alternative, You can book the tour online, on the official website.
To purchase tickets attractions, as the Library of Trinity College or visit the Guinness Storehouse, I preferred to buy at the best price, without queuing.
The photo of my 5 days spent in Ireland, can be found in my gallery, to this address.
We come to’route that I followed:
1 day (arrival in the morning) (pins verdi)
- Temple Bar
- Dublin Castle (site of the former British government – built by 1200 AL 1600 – free except the State Apartments – 10am to 5pm)
- Book of Kells (Old Library – 9:30am to 5pm – 8eur students)
- Trinity College
- Grafton St. (important shopping street)
- St Stephen’s Green (public park in the end '800, in the main square of the Georgian era)
- Leinster House (Irish Parliament)
- Merrion Square (Georgian Square 800 – Statue of O.Wilde placed in the northwest corner of the square)
2 day (pins rossi)
- Kilmainham Gaol (old prison in use until the 1920 – 9:30 to 17 – Visit 1.5h – Students 2eur)
Instructions starting from Temple Bar: Essex Quay (incrocio con Fishamble St.) Take the bus 69 Rathcoole direction to Inchicore Road, Kilmainham Jail - Costo TICKET 2.15 eur - 5 stages
- Phoenix Park (largest enclosed park in Europe)
Wellington Monument (largest obelisk in Europe)
The President's House (residence of the President)
Ashtown Castle (old castle 1400 – is located near the visitors center)
- Henrietta St (old road start '700, and Georgian architecture)
The Phoenix Park ESCI verse Nord, and arrives at the intersection Navan Road / Baggot Road (stop 1699) and take the 38-38a-38b Burlington direction to Blessington Street, Blessington Court (stop 819) – Costo 2,40eur – 9 stages. Then he goes on Blessington St. e gira a dx su Dorset St. Upper e Bolton St. to find (500mt) Henrietta St. on the right.
- The James Joyce Centre (10am to 5pm – 12pm to 5pm domenica – 4eur students)
- O’Connell Street (main road to Dublin)
- The Custom House (neoclassical building of the '700, now home to a Ministry)
3 day
- Cliffs of Moher day tour (Departure 6:50am da Suffolk Street) until 7PM
4 day (Yellow pins)
- Christ Church Cathedral + crypt (main Anglican cathedral in the city – 9am to 7pm)
- Chester Beatty Library (exposure on world religions – Lun-Ven 10 to 17 – Free)
- St. Patrick's Cathedral (Main Catholic church 1200 – 9am to 5pm – students 4,50eur)
Guided tours curently take place at 10.30 11.30 14.30 15.00 15.30 each day (Monday to Saturday)
- Guinness Storehouse tour (9:30am to 5pm – students 13eur)
- James Joyce Bridge (ponte opera di Calatrava)
- Four Courts (venue of the courts of justice)
5 day – tour e Howth (pins teal)
- Newgrange tour (seek time of pick-up) up to 4:15pm – It starts from Suffolk Street
- Take the DART to Howth from Tara Street (check timetables on the official site) 5,60eur / R - Walking 8km
- Howth Pier (walk along the pier)
- Museum of Vintage Radio – Martello Tower (800 built by the British during the Napoleonic Wars)
- Howth Abbey
Howth Abbey or St Mary’s Church occupies the site of a church founded in 1042 by Sigtrygg, King of Dublin. This was replaced about 1235 by a new church founded by Luke, Archbishop of Dublin, who was granted land by Sir Almeric St Lawrence. The present building dates from the late 14th or early 15th century.
- Howth Castle, Deer Park
- Howth Portal Tomb
Situated in the grounds of Howth Castle lies the remains of what would of been a huge megalithic monument, the now slipped quartzite capstone weights an estimated 75 tons which would place it second in size to Brownes Hill dolmen in County Carlow. The portal tomb is aligned South East and the two portal stones,each one an estimated 2 1/2 metres high, and door stone still remain. You can see in the picture middle left where the capstone has slipped backwards from the portal stones.
Folklore: Known locally as Aideen’s grave this tomb is said to be the burial place of Aideen the wife of Oscar the son of Oisin. Oscar the bravest of all the Fianna slew three kings in his first battle, he died at the battle of Gabhra and it is said that Aideen died in grief at her loss, so Oisin buried her at Howth and set a cairn over her, a burial usually reserved for great warriors or kings.
- Ben of Howth (the highest hill of the bay) (cena al The Summit Inn – aperto fino alle 9pm)
- Baily Lighthouse (end of '800 – pointed to the ships the most northern point of the bay)
- Howth Head (unmade road, to be followed up at the lighthouse)
All above itinerary is also available on Google Maps, for a better clarity: link
Usually I avoid restaurants or report, why are messages that leave the time they are, the place may be closed or have changed management, and you will find hundreds on TripAdvisor. 🙂
Let me know if you follow all or part of my itinerary, or if you have suggestions for another trip to Ireland!