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You are here: Home / Solo Travel Destinations / Europe / Ireland / Dublin, Cork & Galway: Exploring Ireland Solo

Dublin, Cork & Galway: Exploring Ireland Solo

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January 14, 2019 by Tracey Nesbitt

Dublin is so festive during the Christmas season.

Have you ever traveled to a new destination and found yourself feeling completely at home there, even though you had never before set foot in the country?

I have now.

And that country was Ireland.

I have wanted to make this trip for as long as I can remember. Somehow, it took me five decades to get around to exploring Ireland. But now, with a considerable amount of solo travel experience under my belt, I can definitively say that I have never felt so welcome in any destination I have visited.

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It was a bit of a whirlwind trip–two nights in each of Dublin, Cork, and Galway–but it was enough to give me a bit of a taste of the country, and a great desire to return for more.

Here, in photos, is an overview of my solo trip to Ireland.

Table of Contents

  • Exploring Dublin
  • Exploring Cork
  • Exploring Galway

Exploring Dublin

Dublin was my first stop on this trip. When I arrived at Buswells Hotel, I felt like I had stepped onto the set of a Christmas movie. The lobby was so serene and festive, it seemed a shame to just keep passing through. So one night, in lieu of dinner out, I ordered a pot of tea and sat by the fire in the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

photo, image, hotel lobby, buswells hotel, exploring ireland
The welcoming and festive lobby at Buswells Hotel. I could have sat here for days with a pot of tea and a good book.

Just a couple of blocks from my hotel, I discovered St. Stephen's Green. What a pleasant surprise! You would hardly know that just outside the iron gates is a busy road with lots of traffic and pedestrians. And inside them lies 22 acres of serene parkland with walkways, benches to sit and relax, a lake with ducks and swans, and a waterfall.

photo, image, st, stephen's green, exploring ireland
By some stroke of luck, at the moment that I passed through the gates to St. Stephen's Green, the sun came out!

It's important to take a break when you're exploring Ireland. Where better than at an historic pub? The Swan is a great place to refuel–people have been doing so for over 120 years.

photo, image, swan bar, exploring ireland
The Swan, a lovely Victorian pub operating since 1897.

It's kind of pointless to buy flowers when you're traveling, if you're not staying in one place for long. But I guarantee you that if I was sticking around, a bouquet from the garden would have left this shop with me.

photo, image, flower shop, exploring ireland
Just breathing in the scented air in this gorgeous flower shop was a treat.

Exploring Cork

My next stop was Cork, less than three hours by train from Dublin. I arrived too early to check into my room at the Metropole Hotel, so the concierge ordered me a pot of tea while I sat and planned my day, then offered suggestions for the best route and timing for the places I wanted to visit. Such a nice touch!

photo, image, tea pot, exploring ireland
At home, I am much more of a coffee drinker, but in Ireland, I really enjoyed the tea.

The Crawford Art Gallery is a must-see if you visit Cork. I spent a long time admiring the pieces in the Earth, Wind & Fire: Made in Cork Contemporary exhibit.

I was fascinated by Nuala O'Donovan's porcelain sculptures. They are based on patterns found in nature. This sculpture is made up of thousands of separate pieces.

Everyone has heard of Blarney Castle, or at least the Blarney Stone, but what you may not know is that it is set amongst 60 acres of parkland. It is so green! There are numerous gardens, paths, wildlife, a cafe–you could easily spend a long afternoon here just enjoying the grounds.

photo, image, blarney castle, exploring ireland
A view looking out from Blarney Castle.

I did a tour of the Franciscan Well Brewery and tasted some of their products in the brewpub afterwards. I'm not a big beer drinker, but I really liked the ones that I tasted. I stumbled upon a whiskey tasting later in the evening, which was held upstairs from the pub in a candlelit cocktail bar.

photo, image, franciscan well brewery, exploring ireland
The rustic beauty of the Monk bar, located upstairs from the Franciscan Well Brewery.

Not being a history buff, I was not expecting to enjoy the Titanic Experience in Cobh as much as I did. They walk you through the story of the 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic at its last stop before heading out to cross the Atlantic. It was very moving.

photo, image, Titanic cabin, exploring Ireland
A replica of a spacious single cabin on the Titanic. Slightly different from your average single cabin today.

Exploring Galway

My final destination while exploring Ireland was Galway. I really enjoyed this city as well as the day trip that I took out through the countryside to Kylemore Abbey.

photo, image, galway, exploring ireland
A colorful and festive street scene in Galway.

In Galway, I stayed at the Forster Court Hotel. It could not be better situated for exploring the city, or getting in and out of it, as it is a stone's throw from the bus station and a few minutes walk from the Galway Market.

photo, image, hotel room, forster court hotel, exploring ireland
My room at the Forster Court Hotel. A++ from this traveler for the many conveniently located electrical outlets!

I arrived too late to be able to see inside, but this is a museum that represents a traditional Claddagh cottage, thatched roof and all!

photo, image, claddagh cottage, exploring ireland

While exploring Galway, I noticed a sign for a Christmas concert at St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church. Later that evening, I took my chances and was lucky enough to get a last-minute ticket to this sold-out event featuring Cois Cladaigh, a choir that focuses on the music of Renaissance and Irish composers.

photo, image, st nicholas collegiate church, exploring ireland
Christmas Concert at St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church.

Finally, this is a view of Galway Bay, which, prior to this day, I had only known from the song of the same name.

photo, image, galway bay, exploring ireland
Galway Bay

And speaking of Galway Bay, I was lucky enough to be serenaded by Brian Nolan, tour guide extraordinaire of Galway Walking Tours, right on the beach. What a way to end a tour!

Thank you to Tourism Ireland for sponsoring this trip. As always, Solo Traveler maintains full editorial control over all content on this site.

Working up to taking your first solo trip? Ireland would be a great destination! Here are some tips to help you move through worry and get on your way: Getting Past the Fear: Taking Your First Solo Trip. Need some advice for packing light? We've got you covered with Bare Minimum Packing: Here’s Your Packing List. And if working out all the details has you stuck, here are the keys to planning your perfect solo trip: How to Travel Alone: Solo Travel Planning.

Last updated: 16th December, 2022

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