Ireland Itinerary

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Logistically, it makes sense to skip Belfast but that area interests but getting from Belfast to Doolin is a hike. Trying to get perspective if it's worth

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Belfast was my favorite part of our Ireland trip. The architecture of the city is beautiful. All those things you mentioned are great, plus the rope bridge is nearby GC and Dunluce. And a visit to Bushmill's is cool if you like whisky. Hell, even if you don't. It's a 400+ year old distillery.

I was there for 8 nights in 2023.

We flew in/out of Dublin. Dublin was by far the "lowest" part of the trip. Not bad, but its just a big international city. Only need about 1.5 days to hit the high spots.

We landed in Dublin and got processed and picked up the car by noon. Got a bite to eat and wandered around Temple Bar for an hour or so, then headed out of town to Galway.

We didn't go north, so I can't advise you on that part of the country.

We spent 2 nights in each of these cities- worked our way around the western coast of the island.
Galway
Dingle
Killarney
Dublin

The highlights of our trip:

From our hotel in Galway we saw the Cliffs of Moher, Corcomroe & Kilmacduagh Abbeys
Galway town, dinner at King's Head pub. The Cliffs of Moher are amazing! We had beautiful sunny weather but very WINDY

Drove from Galway to Dingle, stopped in Limerick to see King John's castle and have lunch.
In Dingle we ate at The Fish Box and had a beer at Dick Mack's pub. Dingle is a great town, we could have spent the week here. Took a boat cruise out of the harbor.

Drove the Slea Head drive from Dingle. It was truly amazing. I was not expecting the coast to be so beautiful. I have been to Big Sur, CA and I can say the sights along the Slea Head drive were just as amazing if not better. We walked out to Dunmore Head, beautiful green hills with sheep grazing. Drove up to Conor Pass that evening. Very narrow and winding road to the top with great views over Dingle.

Then we drove toward Killarney, and drove a little bit of the Ring of Kerry. We stopped at the Cahergall Stone fort, it was an interesting sight, and could see some old castle ruins in the distance. We also stopped at Derrynane Abbey- it is an old graveyard and church ruins right on the coast. It was beautiful. We spent 2 nights in the Killarney National Park at a traditional Bed and Breakfast. Very quaint and charming.

We did a horseback ride through the park, hiked to the Torc Waterfall, and took a buggy ride through the Gap of Dunloe. Dinner in Killarney at Murphy Browne's- excellent.

Then we drove towards Dublin, stopped at the Blarney Castle. It was a bucket list stop for me, but the wife and kids didn't care too much about it. We also stopped at the Rock of Cashel and the Kilkenny Castle. Both of those are nice, but are not "can't miss" items.

We ended our trip in Dublin, we stayed at a hotel on St. Stephens Green- a beautiful park in the city. We toured St. Patricks Cathedral, Trinity College & Library, had a coffee at Queen of Tarts. We toured the Guinness brewery and had a nice dinner at The Bank Pub.

Our favorite part of the trip was the people. All along the way everyone we met was so nice and welcoming. The Irish are a happy people, and very humorous. Dublin wasn't as friendly, more of a bustiling international city. Since you are flying in/out of Dublin, you can see a little bit once you land, and then on your way back try to plan it where you get into Dublin late in the evening, have one full day, and then fly home the next day. Your time is better spent seeing things outside of Dublin.

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But you may be there an hour - but at least you see them, right?

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That's along the lines of what everyone else has said. There may be a way for us to stay a night in Limerick or some other place along the way of Dingle ->Belfast and make a quick stop at the Cliffs. Just not sure if it's worth it. Would probably cost us a 1/2 day in Dingle and 4 extra hours in the car.

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Belfast - 2 days - Titanic Museum, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle

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The Titanic Museum is probably the best museum I have ever been to. Incredibly comprehensive and interesting.

I also suggest taking a black cab tour to learn The Troubles in Belfast.

Before I went, I knew nothing about The Troubles. I read a fantastic book about it called Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland before going, which made the black cab tour even more interesting and worthwhile.

Afraid I can't really answer that, I spent a few days in Ireland but I was pretty much entirely in Doolin. FWIW, I though Cliffs of Moher was awesome.

Belfast was nice. I had a great time, but its the kind of city where you can see everything in two days. From what I've seen of S Ireland + what I've read since my trip, I'd vote spending more time in S Ireland.

I spent 3 weeks circling Ireland in May. Dublin to Belfast is easy, we took the train. Favorite attraction in Dublin is Archeology Museum. Favorite food is Winding Stair restaurant. Tourist parts of town can be extremely crowded.

Giants Causeway is a better coast experience than Cliffs of M if you have to pick.

Galway is my pick of west coast towns. It's a university city with a nice casual vibe and a compact party neighborhood.

Flying back to US from Dublin has the advantage that you clear US customs and immigration there sparing you the hassle in US.

SNN has offered pre clearance for decades.