Belfast, Northern Ireland’s buzzing capital, is a city with soul. In just one day, you can dive deep into its rich history, soak up its creative spirit, and end the night sipping pints in atmospheric pubs that echo with music and stories.

Whether you’re here on a quick trip or squeezing in a day before heading along the Causeway Coast, this is your perfect 24-hour Belfast itinerary.

Before your trip to Belfast:

• Make sure you have the Northern Ireland visa
• Watch the movie Belfast to better understand “the troubles”
• Familiarize yourself with the song “Belle of Belfast City” by the Irish Rovers. You’ll hear it played live all over the city & you’ll want to be able to sing along during a late night pub session when the whole bar is singing in unision “She is handsome, she is pretty! She is the belle of Belfast city!”

9:00 AM – A Black Taxi Tour: Belfast’s History from the Backseat

Start your day by stepping into one of Belfast’s iconic black taxis for a political and cultural tour like no other. These local drivers are not just drivers—they’re storytellers, historians, and lifelong residents who give you a raw, emotional, and eye-opening account of The Troubles and Belfast’s journey since.

The murals of the Falls and Shankill Roads, the Peace Walls, and the tales of resilience and hope are powerful and unforgettable. It’s an intimate introduction to a complex city—and one that stays with you.

You can book the tour here.

11:00 AM – City Stroll & Coffee Fix

After the cab tour, take a little time to explore the heart of Belfast on foot.

Wander past the grand Belfast City Hall, check out the quirky Cathedral Quarter, and pop into one of the independent cafés nearby for a caffeine boost—Established Coffee is a local favorite.

12:30 PM – Award-Winning Lunch at Sawers

By now, you’ll be ready for some serious local flavor, and there’s no better spot than Sawers Deli—a Belfast institution. Tucked away just off the main shopping district, this place is packed with character and cheese (seriously, it’s a cheese-lover’s paradise).

Grab one of their award-winning deli platters, seafood chowder, or gourmet sandwiches. Everything here is delicious, fresh, and bursting with Northern Irish charm.

I highly recommend the goat cheese sandwich, it’s phenomenal!

2:00 PM – Set Sail at Titanic Belfast

No trip to the city is complete without a visit to Titanic Belfast. This iconic, iceberg-shaped museum is built on the very site where the RMS Titanic was constructed. It’s more than just a museum—it’s an experience.

Walk through nine interactive galleries, feel the scale of the shipyards, ride through the building of the ship, and dive into the myths and memories surrounding the most famous ship ever built. Allocate at least 1.5 to 2 hours—it’s that good.

You can buy tickets here.

4:30 PM – Check into your hotel

If you’re staying the night in Belfast, I like to stay at Leonardo Hotel Belfast. It’s walking distance to everything except the Titanic. (But you can easily Uber over there or drive yourself if you have a car!) The breakfast is great and it’s right near the main square.

Pro-tip for this hotel: Half the hotel has been renovated with AC. When you book, you’ll need to request to be on the side of the hotel that has air conditioning if that’s important to you! (It’s very common for hotels in Ireland to not have any air conditioning. With Ireland’s cool temperatures, you don’t need it most of the year anyway.)

6pm Irish Pub Crawl: Raise a Glass in the Heart of Belfast

The best way to close out your Belfast adventure? A proper Irish pub crawl. The city’s pub scene is legendary—full of character, music, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Here’s your route:

First Stop: Kelly’s Cellars

One of Belfast’s oldest pubs, Kelly’s is full of old-world charm, low ceilings, and hearty craic. Live traditional music? Check. Guinness poured to perfection? Double check.

Enjoy the live music, explore the historic interior and have a pre-dinner Guinness.

Next Up: White’s Tavern

A short stroll away, this is another one of Belfast’s historic pubs. Think stone walls, glowing fires, and cozy vibes. Grab a pint of local craft beer or a whiskey, and settle in. This is a great place to have your dinner!

Then: The Thirsty Goat

A bit more modern, but full of life. Outdoor beer garden, upbeat crowd, and usually some live music. This is where you start to feel the weekend energy, even if it’s a Tuesday.

Finale: The Duke of York

Tucked down a cobbled alleyway lit by fairy lights and lined with murals, The Duke of York is a Belfast icon. Inside, it’s an eclectic mix of mirrors, memorabilia, and banter. Outside, it’s Instagram heaven. End your night here and soak it all in.

Screenshot or save this little pub pocket itinerary below for reference! All of these pubs are within walking distance of one another.

One Day, A Thousand Stories

Belfast is a city of contrasts: raw yet beautiful, heavy with history yet full of light. One day is just a glimpse—but what a glimpse it is. From black taxi tours to Titanic tales, and pubs that feel like home, this is a day you’ll never forget.

So go ahead—plan it, live it, and raise a toast to Belfast. Sláinte!

If this sounds like fun, join for one of my Ireland group trips!

Read: Ultimate Ireland Group Trip Highlights – May 2023

The post The Perfect One-Day Belfast Itinerary: Black Cabs, Titanic Tales & Irish Pub Charm appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Galway, Ireland
A Complete Guide For Your Visit

Easily one of my favorite cities in Ireland, Galway is bursting with color, live music and traditional Irish pubs on every corner.

If you’re visiting for the first time, you can easily just wander the streets and find all sorts of cozy, cute spots.

After three trips to Galway, I have finally put together a guide highlighting my favorite restaurants, hotels and activities.

So here are my top tips for Galway. Although definitely leave time to simply wander and get lost!

My childhood best friend and photographer, Emilee Elofson, joined me for my 2023 Ireland Group Trip. Some of her photos are included below! You can check out her work here.

Where to Stay

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing accommodation in Galway, Ireland.

1. You’ll want to stay in Eyre Square or the Latin Quarter. It’s a super walkable city so to get the most out of your trip, be within walking distance of the fun.
2. Most hotels in Ireland do not have AC. If this is important to you and you’re traveling in summer months like July or August, you may want to specifically vet out a hotel with AC.
3. Galway is known for its live music. And I highly suggest you go to some hotels for their bands like Skeffington Arms Hotel, it’s always a lively party! They do music 7 nights a week til 2am. However their hotel doesn’t have AC so if you sleep with the windows open, you’ll be hearing the party downstairs until 2am.
4. Book in advance. It’s a popular destination and places sell out!

My Galway Hotel Recommendations:

Eyre Square Hotel
I like this hotel because of its great location! Literally right in Eyre Square so you can easily walk to everything. The breakfast is good and the bar is fun without being so noisy.

Harbour Hotel
This hotel boasts a great location, great amenities and great air conditioning. If you’re visiting in the summer months and worried about Ireland’s lack of AC, you will love this hotel, ha!
Also within walking distance of everything with sleek modern rooms.

Budget option: Galway City Hostel
This adorable, bright colored hostel is perfectly located in Eyre Square. You can walk to everything, the reviews are great and the rooms are clean! Winner of “Best Hostel in Ireland’ . And they run daily tours to Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and The Aran Islands.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Galway

Spring, summer and fall are all great times to visit!

July through October: you’ll find a full calendar of events! There will be a lot going on in the city. There will be more crowds but also more live music, markets, art exhibits etc .

20% of the population is students. So when I visited in May, the students weren’t back yet and the town was generally quieter.

If you want less people around and better prices, go during spring for shoulder season.
If you want a buzzing city with an extra lot going on, I suggest summer through fall.

Where to Eat in Galway

If you love seafood, you’ll love Galway! There are many great places for fish & chips or oysters.

As with most of Ireland, kitchens close surprisingly early. Like in Dublin, it can be hard to find food after 9:30pm. So plan on an earlier dinner and some late night snacks after the pub!

Historic Fish & Chips + Oysters: McDonaghs

Michelin Starred restaurant located in Galway’s West End: Aniar

Great for larger groups, central location & over 800 years old: The King’s Head Pub

You may be surprised to see how early food places close around all of Ireland. Post-pub crawl or clubbing, you might struggle to find some late night, post-pub eats.
In Eyre Square: SuperMacs *open until 3am, while this isn’t an example of fine culinary dining by any means, I have seen many people wandering after bar close trying to find food. Here you can get Papa John’s pizza, fried chicken, chips, subs etc. So if you plan to have a late night, it’s worth noting even though it’s just cheap eats!

Best Bars in Galway

For being a small city, Galway is stacked with Irish pubs every couple of feet! On a single block in the Latin Quarter, you’ll pass several.

Here are a few of my favorites for live music but truly you can wander into any pub in Galway and have an amazing experience.

The Quays

For almost 400 years, this place has been a staple in Galway. And it has won all sorts of awards for its live music.

Best Live Entertainment Pub 2022 – Bar of the Year Awards
The Louis Fitzgerald Group was awarded best pub and hotel group in Ireland 2019
Live Music Venue of the Year 2017 & Best Music Pub 2018 & 2019

Basically if you’re coming to Galway, you need to see at least one band play at The Quays. Often a lively dance floor forms as well. Some bands will be more traditionally Irish while others will play a lot of recent covers. Either way, you’re certain to see some fantastic musicians!

The Skeff Bar

Located inside The Skeffington Arms Hotel, this bar in Eyre Square has great live music 7 nights a week! Even when I’ve been there on a Monday, the dance floor is lively and the band is great. Definitely recommend seeing at least one band play here! Take special note of the fun Harry Potter-esk moving portraits on the wall!

The Front Door Pub

Late nights out in Galway usually end here! They have live music, great parties, multiple bars on different floors and eventually it switches to a DJ. It’s always a great time here and makes for the perfect ending if you’re bar hopping in Galway.

Taaffes Bar

This is a traditional Irish music bar! It’s less of a “pub crawl and dance’ vibe than the others. It’s smaller with very traditional bands. But a very cool experience and a great place to begin your evening.

Here is their current music schedule:

Live Music Daily
Monday – Thursday 5.30pm & 9.30pm
Friday and Saturday 5.30pm & 10pm
Sunday 5.30pm & 9pm 

What to Do in Galway

If you love live music and Irish pubs, you will love Galway, Ireland.

However there are plenty of non-pub related activities to fill the day as well!

Tribe Tours Walking Tour

I definitely recommend joining the free walking tour with Tribe Tours. If you like history, this informative 90 minute tour is a great little introduction to the city. It starts in Eyre Square right in front of Skeffington Arms Hotel.

Tribe Tours Pub Crawl

Tribe Tours also arranges a super fun pub crawl with games. It goes to 3 pubs + a late night venue with a shot at each place.

You can easily do a pub crawl around Galway by yourself but it’s fun to have a guide, games, new locations and the chance to meet other travelers!

If you’re coming as a group, you can also reach out to them to arrange private pub crawls or walking tours for your group.

Read: 10 TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN IRELAND

Galway City Museum: Free of charge!

This little museum is located down by the Spanish Arch at the end of the Latin Quarter. We didn’t spend a lot of time here but it is interesting. I especially enjoyed the historic photos and section on the Claddagh rings and ancient clans.

Enjoy the buskers

The Latin Quarter is bursting with music and it’s absolutely incredible to just walk around and take it all in, enjoying the music.

The buskers here are often absolutely fantastic. Have some small bills ready to tip because these musicians deserve it!

Get a travel tattoo at Galway Tattoos

Located right next to the King’s Head Pub in the heart of the Latin Quarter, this great little tattoo shop always takes walk-ins. (Cash only though.)

As Galway is always a stop on my Ireland group trips, this has turned into a fun tradition! People on my trips often opt for a small travel tattoo here on a day out exploring.

Best Shopping in Galway

Claddagh Rings

If you haven’t already heard about Irish Claddagh rings, I’m surprised. They have been popular all around the world for the last 200 years or so.

The two hands on the Claddagh ring represent friendship. The heart signifies love, and the crown is a symbol of loyalty. Together, these virtues form the perfect relationship: one based on friendship, love, and loyalty. You can see the design below.

A Claddagh ring can be worn by anyone – single, engaged, or married people. However, your relationship status will dictate how you wear the ring.

 1. Single: Wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing outward from your body

 2. In a Relationship: Wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing inwards

3. Engagement: Wear the ring on the lift hand on the third finger with the heart pointing outwards

4. Wedding ring: Wear the ring on the lift hand on the third finger with the heart pointing inwards

It may sound silly but this is widely accepted around the world. In multiple countries, I have had strangers comment on my ring and acknowledge my relationship status! I’m dating someone so I wear mine with the heart facing inwards. For anyone single wearing a Claddagh, you have the heart facing out so it’s open and ready to receive.

You can read more about Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Rings here.

There is also a small Claddagh rings exhibit inside the historic shop, Thomas Dillon’s.

Aran Wool Sweaters

Galway is a great place to shop for those traditional Irish wool Aran sweaters.

They are incredibly high quality, warm and make for the perfect souvenir or gift. If you have Irish heritage, you can even find the certain stitch associated with your family name or clan.

I recommend checking out these two shops:

1. Aran Islands Knitwear: Galway Woollen Market
2. Weavers of Ireland Galway

Things to Do Nearby

Galway is perfectly situated near a ton of amazing sites! It’s truly one of my favorite regions of Ireland.

In just a short drive you can easily be to castles, the countryside and beautiful scenic roads.

Dunguarie, Castle

Located just 35 minutes away from Galway, this beautiful castle is right en route to the Cliffs of Moher.

If you’re visiting from April to October, you can even book to attend a medieval style banquet inside the castle.

Otherwise, you can tour inside the castle during the day. Just check the opening hours & days ahead of time! Even if you visit when the castle itself is closed, you can get great pictures from the outside and still walk around the castle grounds.

Cliffs of Moher

Roughly 2 hours from Galway, this iconic destination cannot be missed on a trip to Ireland! Stop in Doolin for lunch and enjoy the scenic (although scary!) drive on the tiny countryside Irish roads.

Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey is an absolutely gorgeous destination and not to be missed on any Ireland road trip!

It’s near enough to Galway to visit the day before you arrive. It will take you roughly 90 minutes to get there (perhaps longer depending on traffic. rain, etc.) but it’s worth the visit!

More on Ireland:

• 10 TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN IRELAND
• 20 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR TRIP TO DUBLIN
• IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: 2022
• ULTIMATE IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS – MAY 2023

Shop my Amazon travel favorites!

The post Galway, Ireland – A Complete Guide For Your Visit appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Ireland Castles To Spend The Night In

Ireland: 3 Amazing Castles
To Spend The Night In

If you’re heading to Ireland, then add spending the night in a castle to your itinerary!

Ireland is home to over 3,000 castles and many have been converted into hotels over time.

Here are 3 amazing castles I personally recommend at different price points.

You can watch the recap from my Tiktok here:

1. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

This beautiful hotel is the most reasonably priced of the three! Located in Clifden there is so much to see nearby so it’s a perfect place to stay!

Nearby sights:

• Kylemore Abbey
• Drive the scenic Sky Road
• Walk into the town of Clifden
• Explore the nearby Clifden Castle

What I loved about this unique stay was the unlimited champagne hour that led into the brief history talk about the castle before dinner. Dinner itself was a delightful experience! If you’re staying at the hotel, be sure to book the full dinner experience as well.

After dinner, they had live music in the castle. Everyone gathered around the piano and kept ordering drinks as the musician took requests. It was a fantastic evening!

You can book the experience at Abbeyglen here.

“Abbeyglen Castle was built in 1832 by John d’Arcy of Clifden Castle. It was leased to the then parish priest as Glenowen House. In 1854, it was bought by the Irish Church Mission Society for use as a Protestant Orphanage. It was here the girls were trained for domestic service. The Connemara Orphan Nurseries operated until 1955 when it closed due to financial difficulties.

In its final years it became a mixed orphanage with, for example, seven boys and four girls in 1953. These were supported by donations from local patrons plus various investments.  After its closure, the building fell derelict and was home to cattle and sheep for some time.

The property was purchased by Mr. Padraig Joyce of Clifden and he and his wife operated the Glenowen House Hotel in the 1960’s. The Hughes family interest began in 1969 and, since then they have developed Abbeyglen Castle into one of Connemara’s premier hotels.”

2. Clontarf Castle

This historic castle is incredibly luxurious! While it is more expensive than Abbeyglen, the rooms are super upgraded and modern. The art in the castle is phenomenal. It’s a fantastic place to just wander and explore. I cannot recommend this place enough!

Dublin city center is 10-15 minutes away by Uber or taxi. Be sure to check out some of these nearby sights:

• Temple Bar
• The Guinness Factory Tour
• Little Museum of Dublin
• Celtic Nights Dance Show

You can book your room here.

3. Ashford Castle

This incredibly luxurious castle is beyond expensive but jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Full disclosure? I didn’t actually spend the night here but just toured the grounds and had a tea onsight. We made friends with a groundskeeper who let us explore longer than we should have been allowed, ha!

But this spectacular castle that was once owned by the Guinness family is absolutely dripping in luxury. Just 50 minutes from Galway, this might be a worthy honeymoon splurge!

You can check out their website here.

More on Ireland:

• ULTIMATE IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS – MAY 2023
• IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: 2022
• 10 TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN IRELAND
• 20 PHOTOS TO INSPIRE YOUR TRIP TO DUBLIN

The post Ireland: 3 Amazing Castles To Spend The Night In appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Ultimate Ireland
Group Trip Highlights: May 2023

After an amazing trip around Ireland in 2022, I was thrilled to have another incredible group join me for the revised and extended Ireland trip in 2023!

This Wanderlust Group Trip was a smash success and we can’t wait to bring it back in 2024.

Here’s everything we got up to as we roadtripped around the Emerald Isle.

For this trip, I was super fortunate to be joined by my childhood best friend and photographer, Emilee Elofson. Her photos are included below! You can check out her work here.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

• Check into the Grafton Hotel
• Welcome meeting & gifts!
• Walk thru Dublin
• Temple Bar
• Celtic Nights: Irish Dinner & Show

Everyone began arriving in Dublin and we checked into the stunning Grafton Hotel. We did a quick walk through Dublin and pre-show drinks in Temple Bar before seeing the Irish dance show, Celtic Nights.

Day 2: Full Dublin Tour

• Molly Malone Statue
• Book of Kells & Trinity College
• Little Museum of Dublin
• Jameson Distillery
• Guinness Storehouse Tour
• Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant

We started off our full day in Dublin with a visit to Trinity College and the Book of Kells.

Our group then continued on to the Little Museum of Dublin for a quick and witty speed through Dublin’s history. The friendly and quirky guides make this a fun stop!

Afterwards, we stopped at the nearby coffee shop for some cute Dublin coffee-art.

The beloved and well known pub, The Hairy Lemon was our lunch stop before continuing on to the Jameson Distillery Tour.

We did not one but TWO of Dublin’s iconic beverage tours. So afterwards, we continued on to the Guinness Factory tour.

A trip to Dublin isn’t complete without a Guinness at the Gravity Bar!

After that, we celebrated Emilee’s birthday with a group dinner at the Old Storehouse Restaurant.

That night, we went dancing to live music in Temple Bar!

Day 3: Belfast

• Black Taxi Tour
• Titanic Museum
• Belfast Pedal Pub

After two days in Dublin, we set off towards Belfast!

After a quick drive, we arrived in downtown Belfast to meet without local guides for the “Black Taxi Tour” which gives visitors an inside look at the troubles that tore this city apart in the recent past.

After signing the peace walls in Belfast, we continued on to have lunch at an amazing deli just off the main square.

Then we were on our way to the legendary Titanic Museum located in the very shipyard where the Titanic was built and launched.

Chilling exhibits include an authentic original life vest from a survivor and the actual violin that was being played as the ship began to go down.

That night, we did a hilarious pedal pub tour around the bars in Belfast with local guides, it was a blast!

Day 4: Giant’s Causeway

• Dark Hedges
• Picnic at Giant’s Causeway
• Dunluce Castle
• Derry Girls Mural

We started the next morning by visiting the site made famous by Game of Thrones, the Dark Hedges.

For lunch, we had a picnic at the stunning Giant’s Causeway. We sat in the grass watching wild dolphins leaping in the bay with one of the best views in Ireland!

After our picnic lunch, we stopped at Dunluce Castle. Yet another Game of Thrones filming location! You may recognize it as the Greyjoys’ castle.

We stopped by the Derry Girls mural on our way to our hotel in Letterkenny.

Day 5: Castle Overnight

• Glencar Waterfall
• Sligo Beach
• Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

After a beautiful scenic drive through the Irish countryside, we checked into the historic Abbeyglen Castle Hotel for our complimentary champagne hour.

Afterwards, we had a magnificent dinner at the castle.

Champagne hour at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

Following dinner, we stayed up late listening to a live piano player at the castle.

Day 6

• Photos around the castle
• Clifden Castle & Sky Road
• Kylemore Abbey
• Galway Pub Crawl

The next morning, we took pictures around the castle before heading out to Clifden Castle.

When our bus was too large to turn around on the tiny Irish country roads, we wound up take a detour through the incredibly scenic Sky Road!

After a stunning drive, we arrived at Kylemore Abbey for the afternoon. We wanted the gardens, shopped, attended history talks and more!

After Kylemore Abbey, we made our way to Galway, my favorite city in Ireland!

We checked into our hotel located right in Eyre Square before heading out for a pub crawl that evening.

Day 7

• Galway Free Day

The next day we had free to wander, shop for souvenirs like Claddagh Rings and Aran wool sweaters!

Some of the girls got tattoos while others did a walking tour of the town with a local guide.

In the evening, we all went for live music in the Latin Quarter.

Day 8

• Dunguaire Castle
• Lunch in Doolin
• Cliffs of Moher
• Bunratty Castle
• Live music in Adare
• Spend the night at Dunraven Arms Hotel

Our group left Galway behind and began heading towards the Cliffs of Moher. And stopped at the beautiful Dunguaire Castle along the way!

The Cliffs were clearly visible when we first arrived!

It was a bright and clear day. However the weather changed quickly and after 30 minutes at the Cliffs, great rain clouds and fog began rolling in.

That evening we continued on to the charming little village of Adare where we checked into the historic and beautiful Dunraven Arms Hotel.

That evening, our group had a private little concert in a pub arranged by our driver, Cash!

Day 9

• Horse Carriage Tour through Killarney National Park
• Kiss the Blarney Stone
• Drive back to Dublin & goodbye!

The next morning we had a delightful breakfast at the Dunraven Arms Hotel before continuing on to Killarney National Park.

We did a 1 hour carriage ride through the park before continuing on to the Blarney Castle and Gardens.

Timing our visit perfectly, we missed all the cruise passengers and had zero lines as we headed into the castle to kiss the stone and get the “gift of gab.”

We said our goodbyes back in Dublin!

Some flew home that night while some checked into the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin.

To join a group trip, check out the “Travel With Me” section!
Past group trips include: dog sledding in Minnesota, Southwest USA, Sail Croatia, backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, Christmas in NYC, Iceland, Morocco, Turkey, Ireland, and more!

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Ireland Group Trip Highlights

The post Ultimate Ireland Group Trip Highlights – May 2023 appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Ireland Group Trip Highlights: 2022

What a whirlwind week around Ireland!

This Wanderlust Group Trip was a smash success and we can’t wait to bring it back in 2023 & 2024.

Here’s everything we got up to as we roadtripped around the Emerald Isle.

Watch the full Ireland group trip recap here:

Day 1: Dublin

After falling in love with Ireland during my travels last summer, I was excited for the group to begin arriving. Everyone checked into the Arlington Hotel and from there, we had a delicious welcome dinner at the Hairy Lemon.

After an incredibly filling lunch, we joined a walking tour to get the layout of Dublin. At the end of the tour, we grabbed a happy hour pint at the famous Temple Bar!

That night we went to see the Irish dance show, Celtic Nights before turning in for the night!

Day 2: Dublin

The next day, we kicked things off by visiting the Book of Kells and Trinity College before having some free time to explore Dublin!

We sampled Irish whiskey on an excellent tour at the Jameson Distillery.

And that evening, we spent golden hour at the Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin following our tour of the Guinness Storehouse. It was a fabulously fun day!

That evening we had a big group dinner in the heart of Dublin.

Day 3: Belfast

The next day, our local guide Cash picked us up on our tour bus and we were off to Belfast!

When we arrived, we did the black taxi tour which covers the city’s dark past with the recent violence between Catholics and Protestants. The tour was remarkable. It was touching, informative and really eye opening.

Huge shout out to the guys who drove us around and shared their personal stories of living through the violence!

After the taxi tour, we were off the Titanic museum. It’s located right on the site where the ship herself was built before the fateful voyage.

In the evening we had an excellent group dinner and visited some Irish pubs in the area!

Day 4: Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, Derry & Letterkenny

We kicked off the morning at Dark Hedges, a famous Game of Thrones filming location.

There isn’t a lot to see here other than the well-known line of trees down a haunting road. But it is stunning. And a beautiful place to take photos!

After our morning exploration of the Dark Hedges, we headed off to grab a picnic lunch before enjoying it at Giant’s Causeway. What amazing views!

Then we made a quick stop in Londonderry before heading to Letterkenny for the night.

You may recognize the characters in the mural from the hit Netflix show Derry Girls!

Day 5: Markree Castle, Beach Lunch & Galway

The next morning, we had a surprise visit to a stunning castle! All thanks to our local guide, Cash.

After our castle visit, it was lunch at a beautiful beach.

Once we were done at the beach, we were off to Galway! Easily one of my favorite cities in Ireland.

That night we had a private pub crawl scheduled that took us to all the best Irish pubs in Galway! It was way too much fun.

Day 6: Galway Free Day

Following our late night pub crawl, some slept in on our free days while others woke up to join a walking tour of the city.

We spent the day shopping, eating, listening to live music in the countless pubs and even getting tattoos!

Day 7: Cliffs of Moher, Doolin & Dingle Peninsula

It was an early departure today because it’s a full day with jam packed sights!

First we stopped at some scenic outlooks during our drive along the Irish coast.

Then we arrived in my favorite little cozy Irish town, Doolin!

This tiny little town is hardly more than one little main street with colorful thatched roof huts. But its the perfect place to stop for lunch and souvenirs before the Cliffs of Moher.

A major highlight of the trip was surprising everyone with a boat trip around the Cliffs of Moher! It was thrilling to see them from so close in the water with the wild sea spray and waves.

During our free time at Cliffs of Moher, our group had a proposal.. how romantic is that?! Congrats you two!!

After Cliffs of Moher, we checked into this cute little lodge. We toasted and celebrated the newly engaged couple for the rest of the night!

Day 8: Killarney National Park & Blarney Stone

To begin the day, we stopped at the stunning Inch Beach before continuing on to Killarney National Park for a horse carriage ride through the countryside.

Afterwards, we were off to kiss the iconic Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle!

To kiss the Blarney stone, you must first pass through the beautiful Blarney Castle. When you reach the top, outer section of the castle, you will line up and one by one, the guards will help you lean far back and kiss the stone.

On the bus ride back to Dublin, we laughed and shared favorite moments from the trip before departing! It was a sad goodbye to everyone on the trip, including our local guide Cash.

Massive thank you to everyone who made this trip such a wonderful experience!! It wouldn’t have been the same without each and every one of you.

To join a group trip, check out the “Travel With Me” section!

Past group trips include: dog sledding in Minnesota, Southwest USA, Sail Croatia, backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, Christmas in NYC, Iceland, Morocco, Turkey, Ireland, and more!

Shop my Amazon storefront for all my travel essentials & favorite finds!

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20 Photos To Inspire Your Trip To Dublin

I fell head over heels in love with Ireland while traveling around the country in August of 2021. I hadn’t even left the country when I was already trying to make plans to come back!

We stayed in Dublin for several days before taking the bus to Galway where we rented a car and went on a road trip to Cliffs of Moher.

From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of perfect. I fell in love with little Irish towns like Doolin. And while many local Irish folks will claim they don’t like Dublin because it’s too dirty/too much of a city, I still LOVED it .

Here’s a few tips for your trip to Dublin:

• We stayed at the Arlington Hotel which is perfectly located within walking distance to most of the sights. It’s located right along the river and city center. And the hotel is home to the Irish dance show, Celtic Nights. However on my second trip to Dublin, we stayed at the Grafton Hotel. Slightly more expensive but SO nice!
• Grafton Street is a great place to begin your adventures. It’s full of shops and tons of live street musicians. (Anyone seen the movie or musical Once?!)
• Favorite pubs include: Brazen Head (oldest in Dublin) and the Hairy Lemon.
• Join a free walking tour to catch some of Dublin’s fascinating history.
• Don’t skip out on the Guinness Tour, the Gravity Bar at the storehouse has the best views of Dublin.
• It is easy to connect from Dublin to other cities like Galway via the City Link buses (They are affordable, clean, safe, comfortable…a great option!) And you can book tickets here. We paid $16 to get to Galway.

More on Ireland:

• 3 AMAZING IRELAND CASTLES TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN
• ULTIMATE IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS – MAY 2023
• IRELAND GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: 2022
• 10 TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN IRELAND

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The post 20 Photos To Inspire Your Trip To Dublin appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Tips For A Road Trip In Ireland

10 Tips For A Road Trip In Ireland

Ireland is quite possibly my favorite country in Europe. Home to over 30,000 castles and ruins, it’s rich history, charming accents and beautiful countryside make it easy to fall in love with but difficult to leave.

One of my favorite ways to see the country is to rent a car and explore Ireland’s beauty on your own time. However, driving in Ireland is more difficult than in other countries and you need to be well-prepared.

As an American citizen, I was able to rent a car in Ireland without an international driver’s license with no problems.

If you don’t have a license or would prefer not to drive yourself, I suggest checking out the Ireland trips on TourRadar.

But if you plan to drive yourself, here are 10 tips for road tripping Ireland!

1. Everything is opposite for most travelers

You will drive on the left and your steering wheel is on the right. Only a handful of countries drive on the left so for most tourists, this will be a new experience!

If you’ve never driven on the left, there might be a bit of an adjustment period.

Take a moment each day to orientate yourself again. When you hop in the car for the first time each day, old habits might kick in.

When it comes to roundabouts, you might get confused and miss your exit. Don’t panic, just slowly stay in the roundabout and go through it again to catch your exit. Go slow and keep your wits about you.

And make sure you put your co-pilot to work! You will be busy with your eyes on the road. So if you’re traveling with someone else, assign them the task of giving directions and watching the road signs.

2. Roads are insanely narrow often with zero shoulder

This was the most shocking part of our road trip!

We had heard the roads were narrow in Ireland but didn’t realize that also meant no shoulder on the road.

The stretch between Galway and Cliffs of Moher is lined with rock walls and thick bushes. So even on this popular, well-driven tourist route, you will feel like any incoming bus is about to run you off the road….except you’re already driving right up alongside a rockwall. (Check my TikTok video showing this!)

Some roads in the countryside will quite literally NOT fit two cars and one vehicle will have to slowly back up until there is spot on the road with enough room to pass. You’ll need to have your wits about you!

3. High speed limits on tight, winding roads make driving stressful at times

Not only are the roads narrow but the speed limits are quite high! It will feel at times like you’re whipping around tight corners and intersections.

There’s no need to fear driving in Ireland but it is good to be prepared and have realistic expectations! e

4. Get away from the cities & see the smaller villages like Doolin

Dublin and Galway are a blast but make sure you include some of the smaller villages in Ireland in your itinerary.

Places like Doolin or Howth are sure to steal your heart.

5. Leave flexibility in your schedule to stop at things along the way

While I think it’s good to arrive with a tentative schedule/itinerary, I think the real magic of road tripping in Ireland occurs when you find hidden gems along the way and decide to pull over and explore.

It might be a little fishing village, a lesser-known castle or a lush, green viewpoint speckled with sheep and cows.

I recommend you book refundable accommodation in case your plans change as you go. You may find you can’t cover as much ground in one day as you thought.

The day we went to Cliffs of Moher, we fell in love with the nearby village and castle. And we spent much longer exploring along the way than we intended, reaching the cliffs much later than originally expected.

6. Your rental car will likely be small (which is good for Ireland’s tiny roads) but be mindful if you’re a group/family traveling with luggage

Our car was tiny and we still didn’t feel like we fit on the roads!

We were thankful for such a small car but if you are a family of 5 or a group of friends with large suitcases, it would be a very tight fit.

7. Pay the additional fee and rent the automatic (ours was 10 euros more a day!)

Even if you’re comfortable driving a manual, there is a lot going on with driving on the left, no shoulder… you’ll need to be a really focused driver!

It is worth it to upgrade to an automatic, even though it will cost slightly more.

8. Ireland companies REQUIRE insurance and trust me, you wouldn’t want to go without it anyway!

The cost of insurance may be as much as your daily rate for car but it is required.

It’s also a good idea to get travel insurance, I recommend World Nomads.

9. Rental car companies may charge a hefty fee to drive through Northern Ireland because it is part of the United Kingdom.

If you plan to include Northern Ireland in your road trip, check with your rental car company in advance to see if they charge a fee to cross the border. Some companies charge as much as 150 euro, it just depends on their insurance.

You must disclose to them that you plan to drive there. Because if you have a break down in a different country you weren’t insured for, you may run into a whole slew of problems.

10. Book your rental car in advance for a better rate

For the best deal possible, book in advance!

Many rental car companies charge a different rate for walk-ins. And during peak season, cars may sell out.

We booked our rental car with the Budget in Eyre Square in Galway.

If a road trip in Ireland isn’t on your bucket list, it should be!

I’m already planning a return trip to this island of green that I’ve fallen in love with, what a magical place!

Check out my videos below on Cliffs of Moher and Dublin.

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Other road trips around the world:

• GREAT OCEAN ROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE 2 DAY ITINERARY
• SOUTH DAKOTA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY – 6 EPIC DAYS
• 3 DAY MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE ITINERARY WITH VOYAGER CAMPERVANS

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The post 10 Tips For A Road Trip In Ireland appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.