Spring Break Trip to Ireland

[gregsky]

Me and a couple of buddies are going to Ireland for spring break this year, I would like to try and take only myself and an assault pack to last 6 days. Im figuring most of the available packing space will be taken up with clothes/hygene items and Im trying to figure out exactly what else I should bring. In this case less is better, but I dont want to leave something behind that I will wish I had during the trip.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Every other time Ive traveled Ive taken at least a duffel bag for clothes and a backpack for everything else.

[deeker]

How are you traveling - bus, car, hiking???
Where are you sleeping - do you need bedding or a sleeping bag?
Do you know whether you'll need warm weather gear, or something to keep you dry? (In Ireland, really??)

Once you know you need to take with you, make a pile and see whether it will fit in your pack. You will likely survive the trip limiting yourself to a small pack, but will you be as comfortable doing it that way instead of allowing yourself a bit more space?

[houdini28]

http://www.onebag.com/ should provide quite a bit of information about traveling with just your pack.

[Pwallwin]

Where abouts in Ireland are you going Greg?

[wcy]

http://www.onebag.com/ should provide quite a bit of information about traveling with just your pack.

Houdini,
That is a great website, thanks for posting it.
It will be helpful with all my family's travels.
It also led me to the Red Oxx site.
Good stuff!

[gregsky]

We wont be hiking, the plan is to travel by bus. We will be sleeping in hotels, so we wont exactly be roughing it. I was going to bring a softshell jacket and a hoodie to keep me warm, I was looking at the average weather there and this should be plenty unless there is unseasonably cold weather. I am going to lay out all that I was planning on taking, and I am still not ruling out bringing a duffle bag if I really cant seem to fit everything.

We are flying into Dublin nad staying there for a few days, then heading west and possibly splitting up to go to different places. Im not exactly sure where we are going, im leaving that up to my buddies to figure out.

That webiste is really cool houdini, thanks for the link.

[Pwallwin]

Yeah, weather should be ok Greg, but check for snow.

I would definately advise you to bring a wolly hat and gloves just incase you weren't going to. And you'll need a big net to catch any leprechauns. :luck:

[bruner]

http://www.onebag.com/ should provide quite a bit of information about traveling with just your pack.


Just added that to my favorites. That site looks like it's definitely worth a closer look.

Thanks!

Dan

:)

[Stutoffee]

And you'll need a big net to catch any leprechauns. :luck:


Oh Really! (To paraphrase Homer Simpson) "Leprechauns aren't real! They're make-believe, like fairies, elves & ESKIMOS!" ;D

[KeyGrip]

Warm gloves and a hat are good ideas. Dublin can get expensive quickly, so try not to stay too long. The guided bus tours are fun and informative, and if you get a guy named Michael as your tour guide, he'll sing and tell stories from his childhood. Trinity college and the Guiness brewery are good stops in Dublin. After that, check out O'Neill's pub for dinner and free music.

Other cities to hit:
Kilkenny. Great old town. Castle, good food, and a place called "Frank Wall's Man Shop." Always worth a look.
Killarney. Next to a large lake and park with several good bike rental services in town.
Doolin. If you can, definitely go to Doolin. Best city in Ireland. It's main drag has thirteen storefronts and I was given directions using "the field with the donkey" as a landmark. While you're there, go to the cliffs of Moher and the Doolin caves. For dinner, McGann's has the best fish & chips and good music to boot. Be sure to get a table before the place becomes standing room only.

Of note:
Not much to do in Cork
You have a good plan, the busses are the best transportation.
Don't shy away from hostels, they can be awesome.
Don't use the currency exchange places at the airport in Dublin, the service fees are very high.

I'll add more if I think of it. Have fun!

[Pwallwin]

Oh Really! (To paraphrase Homer Simpson) "Leprechauns aren't real! They're make-believe, like fairies, elves & ESKIMOS!" ;D


:lolhammer:

[Exmasonite]

+1 on Doolin and Cliffs of Moher. killarney is incredible, too. there's a great place to go horseback riding there.

also, galway is very nice as cities go. we also headed up northwest of galway into connemara and did some hiking.

[gregsky]

We are staying at Dublin and then busing to Galway, hostels every night except the last which will be in a hotel. Less than 2 weeks away, I cant wait!

[KeyGrip]

If the hostels have kitchens, and you budget is tight, try cooking your own dinner. Nine euros could be used to buy an entree at a restaurant, or two days worth of food for two people at a Dunnes'.

[ChargeTTi]

I live in Northern Ireland but have been down south quite a lot.

Its generally a pretty laid back place and the same applies to the law. THERE ARE LAWS but feel free to carry knives (as long as they are concealed) and if stopped , which you won't be, the police (or GARDA in Ireland) will be reasonable and let you pass. They are sensible so as long as you're acting responsibly you'll be fine.

I don't know if that was even a concern you wanted addressed but anyway.

Enjoy yourself (if you haven't already got back by the time you read this!) and :luck: