With the prices of fuel skyrocketing and the general state of, well, the world, a road trip is looking like an increasingly poor choice for my next Irish adventure.
The mere thought of paying an arm and a leg for petrol on top of accommodation and everything else that a staycation entails has my bank account trembling.
But how realistic is it to attempt to explore Ireland without a car? Our little island isn't exactly known for its public transport. I think we’ve all been lied to by "real-time" departures and ghosted by enough buses to be sceptical.
However, there are ways to explore Ireland that will save your bank balance without compromising your sanity.
It’s not just about the finances: leaving the car at home in favour of other modes of transport can have the added bonus of being better for the environment as well. So, if you’re thinking of trying some slower, greener travel this summer, here are a few ideas for you.
Take a city break by train
Most major cities in Ireland have rail links, so if you’re thinking about a short city break then Dublin, Cork, Belfast or Galway are all good choices. Relaxation starts the minute you step foot on the train: no need to worry about traffic or directions, simply sit back and enjoy the journey.
All of Ireland’s major cities are compact and walkable, making them perfect for exploring on foot. Trying to find parking in a new city is particularly migraine-inducing for me, so taking the train completely removes that anxiety.
I’ve already enjoyed a city break up to Belfast this year to explore the latest expansion to the Titanic Museum. A couple of years ago I hopped on the train down to Cork for a solo staycation. I wandered around the English Market, checked out the street art and climbed Shandon Tower for the most incredible view. It was simple, budget-friendly and absolutely zero stress.
Get on your bike
I’m not the strongest cyclist. In fact, I narrowly avoided going head-first into the canal when I attempted to cycle part of the Barrow Blueway in Kildare last year. However, for those of you who enjoy cycling, it is a wonderful way to see parts of Ireland that cannot be accessed by car.
Bike rental is affordable (roughly €20-€30 per day) and there are plenty of Greenways and Blueways across Ireland for you to choose from. The Great Western Greenway from Westport in Mayo to Achill island is on my list for this year; though I think I’ll walk it rather than cycle, given my general lack of balance!
One of my favourite things about cycling (or attempting to) the Barrow Blueway was how tranquil it was and how friendly and encouraging passersby were. In my experience, slower travel certainly seems to bring more opportunity to connect with the locals and the destination. You can read more about Ireland’s Greenways and Blueways here.
Hit the water
A Shannon river cruise is something I’ve been dying to try and is completely possible to do without a car. Most river cruises start at Carrick on Shannon, which is accessible by train and bus. Anyone I know who does one of these boat trips raves about it and it becomes an annual trip year after year.
Never stepped foot on a boat before? Don’t worry, boat rental companies like Emerald Star show you the ropes and take you for a test drive before letting you loose on the waterways. This is truly slow travel as you’d be lucky if the boat goes over 10km/hr. It’s all about taking your time, meandering down the river, docking up in picturesque little towns and meeting people along the way.
Honestly, it sounds like the perfect Irish summer adventure to me.
Take a tour
Maybe it’s strange, but I’m a big advocate for day tours. There’s something lovely about being on a bus with a group of people who are all excited to see somewhere new together. They’re also a very affordable and efficient way to explore the key highlights of Ireland that can’t be reached by traditional public transport.
Wild Rover does a day tour from Dublin to Belfast for €60 that includes a walking tour of Belfast, entrance to Dunluce castle and a visit to The Giant’s Causeway. I think that’s great value.
I’ve done day trips with several Irish tour companies to places like The Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough and the stunning Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. I will never hesitate to recommend these kinds of trips to anyone wanting to see the main sights of Ireland. Plus, it’s very nice being able to nap on the way back to Dublin instead of having to do the driving!
Hop on a local bus
I explored Laois and Tipperary last year using the Local Link bus and it was very surprising, particularly because the bus actually showed up on time, which rarely happens in Dublin.
I based myself in Portlaoise and used the Local Link options to explore further afield like the Littleton Labyrinth Trail and the Lar na Pairce Museum in Thurles. The bus was modern, accessible and I was able to use my leap card, which was very handy.
I also think taking the local Wexford bus 390 from Wexford town out to Kilmore Quay is a beautiful way to spend a weekend this summer. From Kilmore Quay you can hop on the Saltee Ferry to the Saltee Islands to see the puffins and other seabirds. This is one of my favourite adventures to be had in Ireland and it is perfectly possible to do it without the car.
I know that people will have some very strong options about the public transport options available in Ireland. Trust me, I know it’s not ideal. That being said, I hope I’ve given you some ideas for exploring Ireland in a slower, greener and more affordable way this summer.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
