Should I do a guided tour or self-drive?

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SassyLassy

If you have never traveled Internationally, I would recommend a guided tour. But it really depends on how independent you two are. For my first International trip I did it solo and with no tours. It was great!

But with the driving, definitely do a guided tour. Not only will you be navigating roads in a place you aren't familiar with, you will also be navigating a new way of driving. It isn't as simple as getting into the car and just doing everything in reverse. Driving is instinctual and this could be very dangerous. There will be too many distractions.

Besides, with a tour you'll have more time to enjoy yourself because everything else will be taken care of. Also, perhaps pick a tour that allows some time where you can go off and do your own thing from time to time.

Have a great and safe trip!

Shiori_hime

Personally, I recommend skipping the guided tours. On the one hand you don't have to worry about the driving, but on the other hand you're stuck with a bunch of strangers for several days and you have very little freedom to choose exactly what you want to do, where you want to go (for anything, not just tourist sites), and when you want to do it. What happens if you get somewhere and decide you want to leave early or stay longer? On a self-driving tour you could change your schedule like that, but on a guided tour you can't.

When it comes to the driving, just take it slow and try to avoid driving in the cities if you can (beyond what you need to do to get to your hotels). In cities like Dublin and Galway it's fairly easy to walk to most of the interesting sites, and Dublin offers regular local bus tours around the city. You pay for a day's ticket and then hop on and off when you feel like it. Just make sure you know which buses belong to which company, there are a couple of different ones and I don't think they have any sort of ticket sharing arrangement. If you want to do something like the Ring of Kerry and don't want to drive it, there are daily tours that leave from cities like Killarney (which is a lovely city by the way) and take you around the Ring. Basically, if someplace or something looks interesting to you, do a bit of research online and see if there's a day tour you can take.

Things I suggest seeing: Galway City in April is amazingly lovely, especially if you go down to Salthill and walk along the waterfront. You can actually start at the Salthill waterfront and walk all the way to the city center. The path brings you out in the Claddagh waterfront at the very end of the pedestrian shopping street, which is the place I recommend you go shopping in Galway if you want any kind of souvenir. There are also some interesting pubs on that street. Tigh Neachtain's is small and very old and extremely Irish, and it's nice because the locals actually go there (my landlady and I met for tea there quite a few times, and I went with my host-brother and his friends once too). There's another pub close by called Quay's/Teach na Ceibe that has an absolutely fascinating interior. Definitely worth a look. Taaffe's Bar is on the same street as well and is quite popular. Also in that area is a riverside walk that takes you from the Claddagh area up to the Salmon Weir Bridge and the cathedral nearby. It's a pretty walk, and it's short. If you go to Galway, definitely go out to Connemara (just bring a bilingual map or guidebook -- once you get past Spiddal the signs are all in Irish Gaelic, and the Irish place names often have nothing in common with their English counterparts). Leenane has incredible scenery, and Kylemore Abbey is on the north part of Connemara. From Galway it would also be easy to take a day trip up to Westport and Achill Island in Mayo, though that are might be worth at least an overnight stay so you don't feel rushed. If you like archaeology you might be interested in the Ceide Fields in north Co. Mayo. Don't try to get there from Galway, though -- it would be a good trip from Westport.

Donegal is also a nice city and again, you have incredible scenery if you drive north from the city and head for Gweedore. If you like seals, there's a regular boat tour that leaves from the city harbor and you get to see a ton of seals.

I definitely recommend the Ring of Kerry, and if you're feeling particularly adventurous you must go to Dingle. I was in Dingle last April and let me tell you, there are few places in the world prettier than Dingle. Unfortunately I was only there for a day so I didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked, but apparently there are some interesting ruins in the area you might like.

Heading back east, a stay in Tipperary might be worth your while if you're interested in visiting things like the Waterford Crystal factory and shop in Waterford, the emigration museum at Cobh, and sights like the Rock of Cashel, all of which I recommend. Co. Meath has some fun stuff like the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. And of course in Dublin you get the Book of Kells, which is actually displayed with some other books.

slipstreamer

Self. Best way to explore. Otherwise you will just get the basics and don't really see anything or experience it in a real way. Just read up on tour books/guides, decide what you want to see, get a map and go. Chance is a part of holidays and exploring new things - a tour negates that possibility

The trains/buses are also pretty good - you don't need a car for Dublin at all. It's a fairly small country so I do think a guided tour isn't necessary. You will have a more memorable trip doing it on your own.

Driving on the opposite side of the road is a bit scary - but take it slow. It's better to see a place on your own time and at your own speed.

Terry C

I have been to Ireland on 15 different occasions but I have never taken a tour as I like to come and go as I want, not when I'm told to. I usually hire a car but have used their bus and rail systems and they are very good When driving in Ireland, you drive on the left hand side of the road and the first couple of days can be a little nerve wrecking but then you get used to it. A tip to remember is that whatever country you're in, the driver is always near the center of the road. Dublin is a big city and you won't find many Irish there because the immigrants have practically taken it over. I would suggest that you go south to Killarny, Cork or Kerry and don't miss going to the West Coast.No matter where you go, you will always find the Irish friendly and helpful. I could give you a bit of an itinerary to follow if I knew how long you are going to be over there. If you wish, you may contact me at - terryachara@yahoo.ca
Slan

Cian R

Well obviously we drive on the left side of the road and not the right so it is up to yourself whether you would be confident enough to drive on the left

Cullen

Definitely no guided tour - it's a tourist trap.
If you want to FEEL the vacation - SELF-DRIVE is the only way to go.
You'll feel the spontaneity of the people, find the places you'll never get to with a "tour" - won't be brought to buy stuff you're not interested in. Stay in the the B+B's - so comfy and hospitable..... Great experience.
I guarantee it will be the first of many visits - Ireland the Beautiful.
Which part of my home country do you intend to go to? Dying to know.
email me....
SlÃ¥inte.

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