First Trip to Ireland

First Trip to Ireland

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Posted Fri 1 Aug 2025 9:38 PM
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My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland from New York in the fall of 2026. We’d like to spend two weeks and are clueless where to start and what to see. We’d rather go on our own versus with a tour group as we don’t want to be shuffled from one place to the next.
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Posted Sun 3 Aug 2025 5:26 PM
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Ireland
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Hi Ivelysse,

How exciting that you and your husband are planning your first trip to Ireland. Fall is a wonderful time to visit.

I would say that the best starting point when planning a trip to Ireland is the Ireland.com website, given it includes every type of information a would-be visitor could need. There, you'll find advice, inspiration, trip ideas, and information on places to stay, different regions and cities around Ireland, things to do, and much more.

The aforementioned Trips Ideas page, in particular, is very convenient if you're planning to go on your own, as it contains a great many self-drive trip ideas (including a very comprehensive 12-day tour around the entire island).

Should you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask—we're here to help!

Regards,
Eoin
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Posted Sat 9 Aug 2025 7:04 AM
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That sounds like an amazing trip! For two weeks in Ireland, you’ll have plenty of time to see both the must-see highlights and some off-the-beaten-path gems. Many travelers start in Dublin for a couple of days to enjoy its history, pubs, and museums, then rent a car to explore the countryside at your own pace. A popular loop includes Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Connemara. You could also add Northern Ireland for the Giant’s Causeway and Belfast. Since you’re going in the fall, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and gorgeous autumn colors. Just plan for some rainy days — Ireland’s charm comes with a bit of drizzle!
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Posted Wed 8 Oct 2025 11:07 AM
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Northern Ireland
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Hi Ivelysse,

Great to hear you're planning a two-week trip to Ireland in fall 2026 — and that you're thinking of going independently rather than joining a tour. That’s a fantastic choice, especially if you’re looking to set your own pace and really connect with the places you visit.

Since you're still figuring out where to begin, I wanted to suggest something a little different: spend some of your time exploring Northern Ireland. It’s often overlooked in first-time itineraries, but it's absolutely packed with beauty, history, culture, and charm — and very manageable by car or even partially by public transport.

An example itinerary might include:
The Causeway Coastal Route - Rent a car and drive the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route via Carrickfergus Castle, The Gobbins Cliff Walk; Cushendun, and Torr Head. Base yourself in Ballycastle, Bushmills, or Portrush. Must-see sights include: The Giant’s Causeway; Dunluce Castle; Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Dark Hedges (for Game of Thrones fans). You could also consider a stop at Rathlin Island — remote, wild, and full of seabirds in season.

Renting a car gives you the most freedom, especially for scenic drives like the Causeway Coastal Route and rural inland areas. Driving is on the left, but roads are generally good. If you’re not keen on driving, you could base yourself in 2–3 spots and use public transport — Belfast, Derry, and Coleraine are all connected by rail and bus.

Northern Ireland has a great mix of family-run B&Bs, boutique guesthouses, and budget hotels. Towns like Portrush and Bushmills are good bases with walkable centres. You can find further information about accommodation in the area here.

If you’re looking for: Epic coastal drives, History and castles, live music and warm pubs, friendly locals and fewer crowds…then Northern Ireland will tick all your boxes. If you’re open to this kind of route, I (and others here) would be happy to help fine-tune it.

Happy planning!

Alison

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