Getting around Ireland...

[Dan@Atlanta]

I'm visiting Ireland for a week in march over St. Patrick's Day. I'll be flying in a couple of days before st. patricks and staying in Dublin until after the 17th. I'd like to spend the next 4 days after that visiting the west coast of ireland, galway, doolin, etc. My question is, is the public transportation in Ireland good enough that I should be able to get where I want to go on public transit, see what I want to see and still be back in Dublin in time for my return flight? I hear lots of people brag about how good Eurail is, but I don't know anythiing about the Irish system.

[ivybell]

You can only use the eurail pass in some parts of Ireland, so check the website. Otherwise, as I'm planning a trip there, what I've seen is that buses are the best as trains don't reach the smaller places.
_________________
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost

[Dan@Atlanta]

The rail system for Ireland is Iarnrod Eireann... if you go to the bus eireann website, you can purchase a pass that allows you unlimited travel on the buses and trains for a certain number of days. I'm thinking that will be the way to go, i'm just wanting to hear from anyone whose been to Ireland and had first hand experience with getting around the country. I don't want to buy a pass if it would be better to just rent a car.

[ivybell]

Cars can let you go to more places, but combine the cost of fuel and rental and it's expensive, plus you need to be at least 21.
_________________
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost