The Perfect Solo Trip to Ireland
As a solo traveler, I do consider safe locations when I travel. Add in my dietary restrictions as a gluten-free girlie, and Dublin came up on my list recently. Even if you aren’t gluten-free or a solo traveler, Ireland is a top destination for many reasons. Keep reading for must-sees, like the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, the Jameson Distillery, and exploring Dublin.
Day 1: Dublin to Galway
I had 6 days to explore Ireland without a car (I hate driving!), so I decided to split my time evenly between Galway and Dublin. I flew in and out of Dublin though, so the best option to Galway was the Citylink bus. Here is the info:
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: 24 euro
Instructions: Follow the signs at the airport to the bus.
After arriving in Galway, I walked 5 minutes to my hotel, The Western Hotel.
I was too tired to do much this day, but the hotel had a great restaurant, and I had Irish beef stew with possibly the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had.
Day 2: Exploring Galway
I was rested and ready to explore on day 2, so I started in one of my favorite places on any trip, a local independent bookstore. Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop had multiple rooms, new and used books, and a dedicated section of Irish authors to browse. The other must-visit shop was the Aran Sweater Market, which had so many amazing wool pieces that it was hard to choose what to buy. They even had all the clan symbols, which were so cool to look through.
After shopping, I wandered to some of the photo spots Galway is known for, including the Spanish Arch, which unfortunately, was under construction, and the Long Walk. These colorful houses were a welcome burst of brightness in a dreary day.
My last stops of the day were The Front Door Pub for gluten-free fish and chips and then the Galway Cathedral for the gorgeous stained glass windows.
Day 3: The Cliffs of Moher
On my last day in Galway, I booked a full-day bus tour via Viator to the Cliffs of Moher, and it was possibly the best tour I’ve ever booked. There were multiple stops throughout the day, and the tour guide was fantastic. While it was a long day, he did a good job of providing information and giving us quiet time.
The 2 hours allotted for the cliffs themselves was sufficient, and we even stopped at the Mini-Cliffs instead of the final designated tour stop because the weather was so nice. When I say it was nice though, I mean it was sunny. (*Tip: The Cliffs of Moher are very cold and windy, even if it’s sunny. Come prepared with layers!) A tour like this was perfect for my solo trip to Ireland, because I was able to see the cliffs without a car, and without feeling weird being on my own.
Day 4: Galway to Dublin
At the halfway point of my solo trip to Ireland, I headed back to Dublin, this time via train. The return trip wasn’t as straightforward, but this was the route and information:
Galway Ceannt station > Dublin Heuston station > yellow bus line C1, C2, C3, or C4 close to my hotel (Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: 17 euro
Instructions: put your destination into Google maps and follow the instructions. The bus takes Apple Pay or any other tap payments, but I recommend getting the Leap visitor card. You’ll get unlimited rides for a set amount of time on buses, trams, DART and commuter rail within Dublin.
Marsh’s Library and EPIC Museum
After dropping my bags at my hotel, I headed to Marsh’s Library (hi, I’m a nerd). The first public library in Ireland, Marsh’s Library has had some famous authors as patrons, including Bram Stoker and James Joyce. It also has book cages where readers were locked in so they wouldn’t steal the books!
If you love visiting libraries while you travel, check out my Amsterdam post!
EPIC The Irish Immigration Museum was a good way to end my first day in Dublin. About 70 million people worldwide claim Irish heritage, while Ireland’s population is under 6 million. So it was fascinating to learn the role migration plays in the development of Irish communities. Plus I love an interactive museum, and this one let you get stamps in your “passport” at each exhibit.
Day 5: Howth
My solo trip to Ireland became a girls’ trip on day 5, as some friends came into town. We decided to check out Howth, a small town about 40 minutes from Dublin. We specifically wanted to see Howth Market and the Cliff Walk. The market had numerous vendors, including food, jewelry, pottery, etc.
Howth Cliff Walk
The Cliff Walk was an unexpected delight, as the weather wasn’t great, and the walk was a bit farther than we expected. But the views were totally worth it! All of Ireland felt this way, but the colors were so rich and almost too vibrant to believe. I highly recommend adding Howth to your solo trip to Ireland, or any trip there.
Day 6: Exploring Dublin
Jameson Distillery
My last day in Ireland was a busy one. We started with a Jameson Distillery tour (I’m not a beer drinker, so we went this route instead of Guinness). The tour was definitely worth it, since we learned a lot about the history of Jameson, plus got a tasting and a full drink with our ticket.
Lunch and Trinity College
After that many drinks, we needed lunch ASAP, and had the best meal of my solo trip to Ireland at Gallagher’s Boxy House. This restaurant was almost entirely naturally gluten-free, and amazing! My regular gluten-eating friends loved it too.
If you’re a nerd like me, you have to visit Trinity College’s Book of Kells Experience to see the Old Library. While most of the books in the Old Library have been removed for conservation, the room itself was still worth a visit, in addition to learning about the history of the books.
I hope my 6-day itinerary for a solo trip to Ireland was helpful in your own trip planning. Whether you like outdoor activities, libraries, whiskey, or good food, Ireland has it all!
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