My Weekend Adventures in Ireland!

During my semester studying in Dublin, I’ve been on several weekend trips to different parts of Ireland. I’ve found that spending a night or two in a different county has been a great way to see the sights without the tight schedule of a day trip. Nearly everywhere I’ve travelled has been by train, which makes weekend trips even easier. Here are some of my favorite adventures I took around Ireland this fall!

• Cork

Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and lies on the southern coast. I visited Cork with a friend from the program, and we enjoyed walking the city’s streets and trying some of its renowned cuisine! We stayed in an Airbnb in Cobh, a seaside town about half an hour by train from Cork City, which was an excellent (and less expensive) choice. The Titanic Museum, St. Colman's Cathedral, and the stray cats of Cobh were highlights of our trip!

• Galway

West of Dublin, on Ireland’s Atlantic coast, Galway is a quintessential small Irish city. Downtown is the Latin Quarter, a bustling shopping district lined with many stores, restaurants, and pubs. Galway is known for its traditional music, so keep an ear out when walking by the pubs. Located on a bay called the Claddagh, Galway is home to the Claddagh ring, originally worn as an engagement ring but now used to signify a connection to Ireland and one’s relationship status. I got mine from Thomas Dillon Claddagh Rings, one of the original makers of the jewelry.

The iconic Cliffs of Moher are around an hour by bus from Galway, making an accessible day trip. Under the right weather conditions, the cliffs are absolutely stunning; I was lucky to see them on a mostly clear day. The Cliffs of Moher are a tourist staple in Ireland, especially for fans of The Princess Bride and the Harry Potter movies. Expect crowds and spectacular views!

• Antrim Coast

I had the incredible experience of spending a weekend on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland with the rest of my program. We stayed in Ballycastle, in a hotel just across the road from a beautiful beach. I spent most of my time there soaking up the salty air and gorgeous views of distant cliffs from the beach. I also collected lots of stones and seaglass! Ballycastle is also close to Giant’s Causeway, an incredible natural phenomenon where volcanic rock creates a natural pier into the sea. It was easy to make the short journey by bus, and absolutely worth a visit. I spent at least an hour carefully climbing the slippery rocks, admiring the view, and taking lots of photos!

• Kerry

My final weekend trip was to County Kerry in Ireland’s southwest corner. I stayed in Killarney, a small city on the train line from Dublin. The town borders Killarney National Park, which contains gorgeous mountains, forests, and lakes. I took a bus tour of the popular Ring of Kerry, a circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula. I found a bus tour a great way to see a lot of an area in one day, and I also appreciated learning more about the area through our tour guide’s commentary!

I was so lucky to go on all of these incredible weekend trips and truly experience the most of Ireland. Every place I’ve visited has been incredibly unique, and I loved experiencing some of the natural beauty, history, and culture that Ireland has to offer.