I need a lot of help

Hi Elodie

Well, I have made some progress but need additional help. I already booked lodging Dublin for my first night, and 2 nights following in Belfast. I was planning to go to Galway 3/17 but it looks impossible to find something reasonable. Unfortunately I'm not driving on this trip which makes it tougher.  I have no clue what other adjacent or nearby towns that would be worth to stay a couple of nights or 3 before getting to Dublin.

Maybe I should forget about Galway but if I choose Cork, I'm sure it would be worse than Galway.  Any ideas? Thanks

From Galway city center to surrounding areas
 Salthill       6 minutes
Athenry    22 minutes
Spiddal    25 minutes
Tuam       33 minutes   You might consider , I've stayed in most of these 
 and took local bus to Galway City center
Also thought you might look at these in case of Itinerary changes .

DUBLIN - GALWAY  BUS 2 HRS 30 MIN
 TRAIN  2 HRS 18 MIN 

GALWAY - ENNIS CLARE    3 HRS BUS
1 HR 10 MINS TRAIN

 ENNIS - CORK  3 HRS BUS 
2 HRS 30 MINS TRAIN

 CORK - DUBLIN  3 HRS BUS
2 HRS 30 MIN TRAIN 
Elizabeth 

Elizabeth

Thanks for the information about the travel distance nearby towns from Galway. But when I see these places on Google map they look very isolated to get to from Galway.

I'm almost ready to surrender and checking Sleepzone or Kinlay Hostels. I don't like they only have co-ed dorms, yikes. The location are good and so are their prices but can't tell which one. If Galway has been this tough to find a place to stay, I think Cork would be worse. I need to either cancel or change the dates I have in Cork. But I need to concentrate on Galway for now,

I can't believe that it's so popular to travel even before Spring season.

Someone suggested to go from Belfast to Sligo, albeit gorgeous but not easy to get to. I need to stay focus 

The map might be deceiving as to distance, They really are pretty close to Galway City center especially Salthill . When I stayed in Salthill    I took a local bus daily to city center and back . I  just checked quickly for  B&B's in Salthill and I found  a vacancy on 3/17 @ Glenariff B&B 4 Rockhill Avenue, Salthill,Galway,  for 50 euros so you may consider .
Elizabeth

Hi Larry & Elizabeth, 
Elizabeth is giving you terrific info and correct timings.  Towns near by to Galway...do try Oranmore - just outside the city and has several hotels and is connected by train to the city as is the town of  Athenry which has a hotel called Raheen Woods, Loughrea is another town a little further out and will have a bus service, here the hotel the Loughrea Spa email my friend James he has a group of hotels in which I'm sure he will find you a room or two for a few nights: jjgriffin@sohotels.ie ......these are all the small towns I mentioned in my first response and will have parades and I'd be very surprised if they don't have availability.  

Have you tried hostels in Galway - there they have 2 world class hostels...SleepZone and Kinlay's.  But will probably be full for St Patricks night.  Galway is one of the best cities to go to celebrate St Patrick because of its creative population...this parade is terrific.  
The Galway Tour Company runs an excellent series of day tours from Galway email  another good friend: Yvonne info@galwaytourcompany.com 
The Co Clare town of Ennis has a good train service and an excellent bus route the Bus Eireann 350 that takes you along the Clare Cliff Burren coast line.  I'm not sure if this is running in March.  
Good luck.  Bill 

Hi Larry,

Saint Patrick day might be the reason why it is hard to find a place to stay.
Buses / Train services may be limited as well so have a look at the journey planner.

As Elizabeth and Bill mentioned, though some part of the island may look isolated, there are regular bus services.
Again, checking the planner may reassure you and allow you to look for accommodation outside of the city.

There are many other options besides Galway but knowing the time you have spent on your itinerary, let's make sure we go through all the option before looking to change it.

Well, you read my thoughts. I have spend literally the entire day until I went to bed exhausted.
So far, I have booked reservations for my one night stay in Dublin upon arrival on 3/14. I also have 2 nights in Belfast. The most time I spent was searching for lodging in Galway, including surrounding areas. I always include hostels but the reviews I read on both Sleepzone and Kinlay were the rooms were too hot and crowded. 
  I booked 3/17 - 3/19. I didn't want to spend more than 2 nights in Galway. Now I need some suggestions where to go after I leave Galway on 3/19. Keep in mind that I need to be in Dublin at the latest during the afternoon of 3/21. I prefer to spend one night in Dublin before my flight on 3/22, just to be safe. Unless, I find a great deal, interesting town that I could stay until 3/22, but that would be a bit risky
I need some suggestions where I could travel between 3/19 - 3/21. However, Elizabeth brought up the Holiday issue about transportation being limited. I read on one forum that the buying the ticket at the station and online is not that much different when buying on the same day.  So far I haven't bought any tickets yet.    1- Buy the train or bus tickets until I get to Ireland 2) Buy R/T going to Belfast, when the return will include connecting Heuston to Connolly then to Galway 3) What about the bus/train from Galway to ?? safe to buy it at the station in Galway
I was thinking not making any reservation for my last day in Dublin since the schedule is a bit fluid at the moment

Hi again Larry, from my experience buying train tickets online is the best value.  Buses/coach companies not so much incentive (as in price reduction) to buy online so you pay for the flexibility to make your choice later.  My earlier post covers all you need to know to travel in Co Clare, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Ennis.  Note using public transport on St Patricks day and the next day Sunday there will be reduced services BUT there are lots of day tour companies operating on both days from Galway city that can take you to Connemara in Co Galway or to Co Clare.  These are the two closest touring locations from Galway city.  I've given you those links too.  
Happy travelling.  Bill 

Larry you have made progress. 
 Irish rail website has loads of information. You can buy a four day trekker ticket in Ireland only for 110 euro. Gives unlimited travel in Republic of Ireland not Belfast.
St Patricks Weekend services timetable also online.
 For Monday 19th its very much normal timetable.
Buying  tickets when you get here may be a small bit more expensive but it does allow  more flexibility.

You have lots of options for two nights after Galway. 
You could still do Cork but  get there by bus from Galway.
You could go back to Dublin earlier and explore Wicklow and Glendalough  from there. 
You could access Newgrange in Meath a Neolithic site older than the pyramids.
Loads of day trips from  Dublin. 
Not sure if you still want to go to Cliffs in Clare but  they are magnificent. You could still do it from Galway by staying extra day.
Mary

Some ideas for your remaining days 3/19- 3/22 
FROM GALWAY TO CLARE (ENNIS) Cliffs of Moher ) on  3/19 ...10:05 Departs Eyre Square, Galway Bus Station 10:10 Arrives Ennis Bus Station 11:20 
Total journey time 1 hr, 15 minutes

FROM ENNIS (CLARE) TO CORK   (3/20 - 3/21)   Irish Rail (change at Limerick Junction) 10:00 Departs Ennis  11:23 Arrives Limerick Junction 15 meters between stops 11:33 Departs Limerick Junction  12:30 Arrives Cork Kent StationTotal journey time 2 hrs, 30 minutes 

3/22 CORK TO DUBLIN  Train at 11:25 Dep CORK  Arrive Heuston Sta Dublin 14:00  2HRS 35 MIN