Itinerary Summary:
Travel Time: September – good time! (check avg. temperatures by month here)
Day 1: Galway and western Ireland
Day 2: Ins and Outs of Dublin
Day 3: Belfast and Northern Ireland
Travel Tip: Travelling between Ireland and Northern Ireland is generally seamless, with buses every two hours between Belfast and Dublin Airport. As a precaution, however, carry your passport at all times and check visa requirements in advance.
Day 1:
We landed in Dublin on an early morning Ryanair flight and were soon off on a scenic bus ride through Ireland’s lush countryside to the western Irish city of Galway, made famous the world over by Ed Sheeran’s chart-topping hit – Galway Girl!
1) Salthill Prom: Upon reaching Galway Bus Station, we hopped into a taxi to explore the district of Salthill. The promenade offered sweeping views of Galway Bay, as the fresh sea breeze and the sound of crashing waves welcomed us to this charming part of the city. We strolled along the shore, braving the strong salty Atlantic winds, towards South Park and Claddagh Hall.
2) Claddagh Quays, Galway Docks, and the Spanish Arch: We strolled past the Claddagh Quays, stopping for tranquil waterside views, and continued along the River Corrib to the iconic Spanish Arch. Once a key point in Galway’s maritime history, it now stands as a testament to the city’s rich maritime past.
3) Quay Street, the Latin Quarter, and Eyre Square: With the weather taking a turn for the worse, we made our way to the bustling thoroughfare of Quay Street and the Latin Quarter. Quaint shops and inviting pubs with their colourful facades dotted the cobblestone streets, before finally landing up at Eyre Square, the heart of Galway and a perfect spot for understanding the town’s pulse.
4) Galway Cathedral and National University of Ireland Galway: A short walk away from Eyre Square, stood the imposing Galway Cathedral, a masterpiece of neo-renaissance architecture. Walking along and across the artery of Galway – the 6km long river Corrib, we were soon inside the Quadrangle of the National University of Ireland, admiring its ivy-covered buildings and impressive and imposing architecture.
As the day began to wane and stars started lighting up the Irish night sky, we made our way back to Eyre Square, before heading off to our hotel for the evening – reflecting upon the serene and tranquil beauty of Galway!
Food haunts of the day: Brunch at Dela, Snacks at the Creamery Cafe & Bistro, and Dinner at the Lana Galway City.
Day 2:
Our journey through Ireland continued as we left Galway behind, boarding an early morning bus to the capital of the Emerald Isle, Dublin.
1) O’ Connell Street, Dublin Spire, and Henry Street: Upon reaching Dublin, our first stop was the unofficial centre of the city and its main thoroughfare – the 120m tall Spire of Dublin on O’Connell Street. We spent the next hour exploring the alleyways off O’Connell Street, especially Henry Street with its wide range of shops, pop-up stalls, and cafes.
2) Ha’penny Bridge and Temple Bar Pub: Circling back towards the river Liffey from Henry Street we came to the iconic Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin’s beloved river crossing. The intricate ironwork was a sight to behold as we headed towards the Temple Bar district, the cultural hotspot of Dublin. It’s cobblestone streets led us into the throbbing heart of Dublin’s arts, music, and social scenes.
3) Grafton Street and Trinity College Dublin: A short walk from Temple Bar is Grafton Street, Dublin’s premier shopping district. We window-shopped our way through this throbbing street to the more serene and reticent surroundings of Trinity College Dublin. Its centuries-old campus reminded us of the intellectual heritage of Ireland, the contributions of the plethora of scholars, especially to the world of English literature.
4) Liffey Waterfront and the iconic bridges of Dublin: Retracing our steps from Trinity College, we once again crossed the river Liffey, but this time walked along it towards the iconic Custom House, the Irish Immigration Museum, and the Famine Memorial, which served as a poignant reminder of Ireland’s past. Walking leisurely along the river we soaked in the city’s picturesque riverside vista while also admiring the architectural splendour of its numerous bridges.
5) Grand Canal Square and Docklands of Dublin: Our final stop of the day in Dublin was a few metres off the harp-like Samuel Beckett bridge, the Grand Canal Square and the Docklands. It presented to us a glimpse into the modern side of Dublin, where one can see the city’s ever-evolving skyline, and where the glass facades of multinational companies that are making a beeline for Dublin sit aside old warehouses, reminders of a time when it was the Irish who were eager to emigrate and head out to different corners of the globe.
6) Train ride along the coast to Bray: Our day concluded with a scenic DART train ride to Bray, along the picturesque coast. We passed through scenic south-easterly suburbs like Blackrock, Monkstown, and Shankhill, soaking in the breathtaking views of the Dublin Bay and the Irish coastline at almost every turn, before making a quick pitstop at the charming Bray promenade, and then circling back to Dublin City Centre for our overnight stay – a perfect end to our day in Dublin!
Dublin, with its unique blend of Irish history, culture, and newfound love for commerce and modern architecture, is a charming and understated capital city. It’s not yet a second London, but there is hope that it can evolve into a more attractive destination in the future.
Food haunts of the day: Snacks at Brazil House and Lunch at Xian Street Food.
Day 3:
Having visited the eastern and western shores, we had kept Day 3 for exploring the northern shores of the island. For this purpose, we rented a car from Dublin Airport and headed out towards the country/ region of Northern Ireland.
We were apprehensive of how smooth the process of driving between these countries would be – the images of IRA bombings from not so long ago fresh in our minds. But driving on the highway/ motorway, the differences were hardly perceptible – there were some though, like the naming of the roads, for example the M1 in Ireland became the A1 in Northern Ireland, or the speed limits which were in kmph vs. mph, or for that matter the presence of interchanges in Ireland vs. spots for U-Turns in the middle of the road in Northern Ireland. All in all, it was a very smooth three-hour drive from to the Giant’s Causeway UNESCO world heritage site!
1) The Giants Causeway: Walking down from the parking lot along a well-beaten trekking track, with towering cliffs and crashing waves around us, we were awed by the untamed beauty that we could see and excited by the prospect of seeing a place where myth and geology collide. And it certainly was worth it – the sight of thousands of interlocking basalt columns stretching into the sea left us speechless! According to Irish folklore, the causeway was built by a giant as a path to Scotland. Walking along the unique hexagonal formations, we could understand how this result of ancient volcanic activity could easily be the stuff of legends. Retracing our steps through the stunning cliffs, we were left feeling small yet deeply connected to nature.
2) Belfast: After driving along the majestic and rugged coastline A2 road that leads to and from the Causeway, we were soon back on the A26 through the heart of Northern Ireland, on our way to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. We explored the Titanic Quarter, where the ill-fated ship was built, meandered through the city centre, and passed by the impressive City Hall, Albert Memorial Clock, and St. George’s Market, before spending some well-deserved time by the river Lagan waterfront, contemplating on the peace and tranquillity that we were lucky to have enjoyed, and that till as late as the 1990s, seemed elusive and unthinkable.
With the sun-setting and a chill settling in, we started our journey back to Dublin. This trip to Northern Ireland provided a glimpse of how the two countries on this small island in the Atlantic, with different currencies, measurement systems, and to some extent cultural and social systems, have (largely) buried the hatchet that kept them at war for nearly a century, to map out a future that is rooted in peace and harmony.
Total Distance Driven: 529km
Giant’s Causeway Open Times and Prices: Check the National Trust website.
Food haunts of the day: Snacks at Tesco Cafe, Newry, Northern Ireland.
As our time in Ireland drew to a close, we were contemplative of all that we had seen and experienced. A small but proud nation with abundant natural beauty and a vibrant culture, the Emerald Isle is on its way to prosperity like never before. We look forward to coming back and seeing all the changes that are likely to take place in the months and years ahead!
