How to spend 24 hours in Ireland 🇮🇪

April 2023

Our visit to Ireland was one of the places we visited as part of our first Friends Trip. Our adventure started around 1200 (12:00 pm) when we drove our rental car from Wiesbaden, Germany to the Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA) where we had to return the car rental and check in for our flight. To our surprise, when we booked the flight we booked it to a smaller airport in Frankfurt, we booked it to fly out of Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN) an 1 hr. 20 mints. away. You can imagine our disbelief, we had no idea how we were going to make it there and we believe we would be losing the flight. Luckily we got a bus that was headed to the Hahn Airport and made it on time. We flew with Ryan Air airlines

Our flight got delayed , and we ended up arriving to Ireland at the Dublin Airport (DUB), around midnight. We had a reservation for a car rental prior to landing but the rental company we used was already closed. So we grabbed a taxi to the hotel. We traveled during the month of April and the weather was a little crazy. Raining one minute , windy or hot the next.

How did we move around in Ireland?

We used taxi to and from the airport to the hotel. However we had decided to rent a car to make the most out of our time in Ireland. Keep in mind as an American renting a car in Ireland you will need more than just your drivers license. They will ask to see your passport, and two different credit/debit cards. One other tip! They drive on the opposite side than americans. There steering wheel is on the right side, traffic lanes are also opposite. Here I had to learn how to drive again. Ha!!

Where did we stay?

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre.The view is directly over the river Liffey . Room was spacious. Our room had a view of the river.

View of our room at the Hilton Garden Inn

Itinerary

Day 1- After picking up the rental car. We decided to head to Northern Ireland. Where instead of Kilometer you drive in miles and it’s not Euro but pounds. Driving from Dublin to Northern Ireland was about 2-3 hours depending on traffic.

Our first stop was visiting the Dark Hedges. It was a astonishing view, a lot of greenery. The street is blocked off, and is only for people to walk and take pictures.

After taking our pictures and videos , Haha! We walked across the street to the Hedge Hotel Restaurant and Bar and we sat a little bit to drink a couple beers. After talking with the bartender for a few minutes, he told us the story of the doors of Thrones, and gave us a journey of doors passport. Wich is super cool if you are a Game of a Thrones fan.

After we finished the beer, we walked thru a little pathway they had to see the Dark Hedge Estate.

Our second stop was supposed to be The Dunluce castle, however we got there 30 minutes after closing. So we drove around the coast a little bit and found a spot to enjoy the view, and see the castle from afar.

Our last stop before heading back to Dublin was the Causeway coast where we sat near the sea to see the Giant’s Causeway.

The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) since 1986. The Giant Causeway is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Site in the island of Ireland.

Honestly, this was a very peaceful place to spend a few minutes to admire and connect with nature. I found a little spot near a pole sat down and just admired the beauty.

That concludes the day trip to Northern Ireland, and it was time to head back to Dublin to experience the nightlife. We ended up at the Temple bar Pub . We absolutely loved the vibes from the place. However is you are one to be bothered by the smell of cigarettes, or enjoying drinking in a peace and quiet spot this is not for you.