travel belfast to galway

• train tickets

Belfast to Galway by train

Travel from Belfast (United Kingdom) to Galway (Ireland) by train (252km): schedule and information to the train connection. Compare fares and buy your ticket.

To travel by train and ferry from Belfast in the United Kingdom to Galway in Ireland, please read the following information.

There are three different travel routes. Have a look on them and decide which one fits best for you.

1 Belfast (United Kingdom) - Galway (Ireland)

2 belfast (united kingdom) - holyhead (united kingdom) - dublin (ireland) - galway (ireland), 3 belfast (united kingdom) - liverpool (united kingdom) - dublin (ireland) - galway (ireland).

The following links could be interesting for you.

train connections : popular connections travelled by other users

1a Travelling from Belfast (United Kingdom) to Galway (Ireland)

Travel from Great Britain to Ireland by train and ferry. There are "SailRail" tickets available which include the transportation by train and ferry in one ticket. From any rail station in Great Britain to any rail station in Ireland. The ticket fare for "SailRail" tickets on the route from London to Dublin is 44,50 GBP. The total journey time is about eight to ten hours. From London to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Killarney or Tralee the ticket fare is 68 GBP. From London to Belfast the "SailRail" ticket fare is 61 GBP. If it is not possible to buy a "SailRail" ticket for your planed travel route, first buy a train ticket from your departure railway station in Great Britain to the port (see ferry routes bellow). Then a ticket for the ferry crossing to Ireland. And finally a train ticket to travel in Ireland. There are the following main ferry routes available which you can use: 1) Holyhead to Dublin: it is the common travel route from London to Ireland. Ferry tickets from 32 GBP. 2) Fishguard to Rosslare. Ferry tickets from 32 GBP. 3) Liverpool to Dublin and Belfast. Ferry tickets from 32 GBP. 4) Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne. Ferry tickets from 21 GBP. Find the exact train and ferry schedules and buy your tickets via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from Belfast to Galway?

Cheap train tickets! Buy your train ticket online on Omio. The easy to use booking system with very good prices and e-tickets.

Excellent customer service! Buy your ferry ticket online from DirectFerries. They offer an excellent service and a wide selection of ferry routes worldwide.

Buy here your "SailRail" ticket to travel by train and ferry between Great Britain and Ireland.

Online shop for train tickets of Irish Rail.

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Holyhead - Dublin / Liverpool - Belfast / Fishguard - Rosslare

train company: P&O P&O Ferries / STENA Stena Line / IRFE Irish Ferries

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Galway - Belfast / London - Dublin / Glasgow - Dublin / Liverpool - Dublin / London - Cork / Edinburgh - Dublin

The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.

2a Travelling from Belfast (United Kingdom) to Holyhead (United Kingdom)

To travel the United Kingdom by train, buy your train ticket online via one of the following booking links. There you find exact schedules and ticket prices for all operators in England, Scotland and Wales. Book early to get advance and off-peak fares. If you travel several legs, we recommend to have a look at a rail pass such as Britrail, Interrail and Eurail.

Where to buy a ticket from Belfast to Holyhead?

Online shop of Caledonian Sleeper. Tickets to their night trains.

15% discount If you are travelling more than one route in the UK, the BritrailPass is a very good value option. Find prices and information on the official Britrail Rail Pass here.

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. Caledonian Sleeper London - Glasgow / RIV London - Penzance / CAL London - Aberdeen / CAL London - Edinburgh / CAL London - Fort William / CAL London - Inverness

bus: Bus connections that might be helpful. London - Paris / London - Amsterdam

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Harwich - Hoek van Holland / Holyhead - Dublin / Dover - Calais / Liverpool - Belfast

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Holyhead - Belfast / London - Birmingham / London - Cambridge / London - Edinburgh / London - Glasgow / London - Leeds / London - Liverpool / London - Manchester / London - Newcastle upon Tyne / London - Nottingham / Birmingham - Manchester

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn

2b Travelling from Holyhead (United Kingdom) to Dublin (Ireland)

Travel from Holyhead to Dublin by direct ferry. The journey time is 3:15 hours. The ferry fares start from 32 GBP. From the railway station of Holyhead it is just a short walk of 5 minutes to the ferry terminal. The check in is 40 minutes before the ferry departure. At Dublin port leave the ferry terminal and use the bus of "Morton" to get to the city center and the railway stations. The bus leaves when the foot passengers left the ferry. - to the railway station "Dublin Connolly" (trains to Belfast, Wexford, Wicklow): 3,50 EUR, 15 minutes. - to the railway station "Dublin Heuston" (trains to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Tralee): 4,50 EUR, 40 minutes. If you travel by train to Holyhead or want to continue your journey by train from Dublin to another destination in Ireland, the "SailRail" tickets (combination of train and ferry) might be a good choice. For example London to Dublin including the train and ferry for just 44,50 GBP. Find the exact ferry schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from Holyhead to Dublin?

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Holyhead - Dublin / Liverpool - Belfast / Rosslare - Fishguard / Cairnryan - Belfast

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Dublin - Holyhead

2c Travelling from Dublin (Ireland) to Galway (Ireland)

To travel in Ireland by train, buy your ticket online via the given booking links to get cheap advance fares. Apart from these online fares there is also a number of reductions available to buy locally from train stations. If no train connection is available, make use of one of the frequent bus connections.

Where to buy a ticket from Dublin to Galway?

Compare cheap rental cars. Sometimes necessary when the rail tracks end. To continue your individual journey.

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) / Intercity (IC) / Enterprise (ENT)

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Dublin - Holyhead / Cherbourg - Rosslare

train company: CIÉ Córas Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail / NIR Northern Ireland Railways / STENA Stena Line / IRFE Irish Ferries

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Galway - Dublin / Dublin - Cork / Dublin - Kilkenny / Dublin - Limerick / Dublin - Rosslare / Cork - Galway / Cork - Kilkenny / Cork - Rosslare / Kilkenny - Galway / Galway - Limerick

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn / Irish Rail

By Train through the Highlands in Scotland

Undiscovered scotland, from inverness to thurso and wick, by caledonian sleeper from london to inverness, travel by high-speed train or slower and cheaper by bus., across the north sea with europe's longest ferry., 3a travelling from belfast (united kingdom) to liverpool (united kingdom), where to buy a ticket from belfast to liverpool.

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Liverpool - Belfast / London - Birmingham / London - Cambridge / London - Edinburgh / London - Glasgow / London - Leeds / London - Liverpool / London - Manchester / London - Newcastle upon Tyne / London - Nottingham / Birmingham - Manchester

3b Travelling from Liverpool (United Kingdom) to Dublin (Ireland)

Travel from Liverpool to Dublin by direct ferry. The journey time is eight hours. The ferry fares start from 28 EUR. Stenaline offers 2 and 4-bed cabins to sleep and as well a restaurant on board for which you can book meals in advance. To get to the Stenaline ferry terminal, use the train connection from "Liverpool Central Railway Station" to "Birkenhead Hamilton Square Railway". From there it is a walk of 10 minutes. At Dublin port leave the ferry terminal and use the bus of "Morton" to get to the city center and the railway stations. The bus leaves when the foot passengers left the ferry. - to the railway station "Dublin Connolly" (trains to Belfast, Wexford, Wicklow): 3,50 EUR, 15 minutes. - to the railway station "Dublin Heuston" (trains to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Tralee): 4,50 EUR, 40 minutes. If you travel by train in Great Britain or want to continue your journey by train from Dublin to another destination in Ireland, the "SailRail" tickets (combination of train and ferry) might be a good choice. You have to use the ferry connection via Holyhead, for example from Liverpool or Manchester via Holyhead to Dublin for just 41 GBP. These "SailRail" tickets are also available on the websites of the ferry companies. Find the exact ferry schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from Liverpool to Dublin?

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Dublin - Liverpool

3c Travelling from Dublin (Ireland) to Galway (Ireland)

Need a cheap place to sleep we recommend booking.com, find a cheap flight compare prices on kiwi.com.

Do you have questions about the connection between Belfast and Galway? Does something not work as it should? Just ask in our forum and get competent answers from our rail travel experts.

Eurail: if you want to travel this route by Eurail instead of train tickets, have a look here for reservation fees and further information.

Train Routes

• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

about railcc : We are real travellers and offer honest and well-grounded tips and tricks for your train journey.

Train tickets

• search train route
• night train
• train company

Rail passes

• Britrail Pass
• German Rail Pass
• Swiss Travel Pass
• Renfe Spain Pass
• Balkan Flexi Pass

Travel guide

• travel tours
• train types
• train travel in ...
• ferry connections
• bus tickets
• Interrail Global Pass
• Interrail One Country Pass
• first time Interrail
• how to Interrail
• Interrail train reservations
• Interrail night trains
• Interrail ferries
• Interrail buses
• Interrail country overview
• Interrail offers and discounts
• Eurail Global Pass
• Eurail Select Pass
• Eurail ONE Country Pass
• how to Eurail
• first time Eurail
• Eurail train reservations
• Eurail night trains
• Eurail ferries
• Eurail buses
• Eurail in ...
• Eurail offers and discounts
• about railcc

We speak more than 30 languages

rail.cc is partner and friend of

£534 Find cheap flights from Belfast City Airport to Galway

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from belfast city to galway departing on 19/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights from belfast city airport to galway.

Save 28% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Free to use There are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from Belfast City Airport to Galway

When to book flights from belfast city to galway, faqs for booking flights from belfast to galway, which airports will i be using when flying from belfast city airport to galway.

When flying out of Belfast City Airport you’ll be using Belfast City. Galway does not have its own airport so you’ll be flying into nearby Shannon airport, which is 39.9 mi away.

How long does a flight from Belfast City Airport to Galway take?

There are no direct flights covering the 182 miles separating Belfast City Airport and Galway but indirect flights take around 4h 30m.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Belfast City Airport to Galway?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Belfast City Airport to Galway.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Belfast City Airport to Galway?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Galway from Belfast City Airport is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Belfast City Airport to Galway?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Galway with an airline and back to Belfast City Airport with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Belfast City Airport to Galway?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Galway from Belfast City Airport up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding cheap flights from Belfast City Airport to Galway

• There is no airport in Galway. Instead, you’ll be flying into Shannon Airport when flying between Belfast City Airport and Galway.

Top airline flying from Belfast City to Galway

It was fine, seats were entirely too small. I’m not a huge man, and my hips barely fit in the seat.

In London, everyone was very helpful to make sure all passengers find the next aircraft, as everybody missed their connection due to the late departure in Miami. My mom‘s airplane left two hours after her arrival to London however, for my nephew they only had room on the next flight seven hours later. In the last minute they contacted him and was able to put him on the same flight as my mom./ which we were very thankful for Therefore, all his luggage was on the other aircraft and have not reached Budapest yet.

The design of business class is absolutely horrible. The flight attendants have to cross in front of passengers to pass the food. Passengers have to crawl over other passengers to get to the bathroom or to get to their bag. It’s shocking!! The flight attendants however were superb!

Quick boarding process, slight delays on the tarmac prior to takeoff and a late arrival due to an emergency on the landing runway. Not the fault of the airline at all! Cabin crew was very friendly and the Captain kept the passengers well informed about what was going on

Seats did not recline. That is none of the seats on the plane are designed to recline. If you want food you need to purchase it. We flew round trip Warsaw to London- both flights were late.

The port to insert the headphones was loose and had to hold it the entire time

Every host and pilot were very professional. My next flight would be upgraded from economy to the next group.

During breakfast the fligh attendants missed one side of the plane for tea/coffee. I was on the other side and received tea. Unfortunately my husband and friends did not.

I asked for a window seat and when I got on the plane 24A did not have a window so was very not happy, but good and entertainment was good and the staff was very good, so the only complaint was the seating.

Flight canceled two hours beforehand, BA reticketed us so that we would have had to leave from Edinburgh instead of Glasgow, where we were already at the airport. We would have arrived in Boston too late to get home to Vermont. Instead with some pressure we were reticketed from Glasgow on Lufthansa, which avoided Heathrow, a great benefit after our horrible experience at Heathrow when we arrived in Britain three weeks earlier. (Kayak assebled an itierary that did not leave adeqate time for the connection at Heathrow, where thousands of people were trying tio get through inadequate and badly staffed security and staff did not know the slightest details about where and which lines we should get in.) The British Airways travel experience is not to be recommended these days.

Book cheap flights from Belfast to Galway

Cheapest flights to Galway from Belfast found in 2024

Recent return flight deals

Search by stops, search by airline, search by price, flights to galway, browse origins:.

• Flights  » 
• United Kingdom  » 
• Northern Ireland  » 
• Belfast  » 
• Belfast City Airport

Browse destinations:

• Worldwide  » 
• Ireland  » 

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Cheap flights from belfast (bfs) to galway (gwy).

Bundle Your Flight + Hotel & Save!

Add a place to stay

Direct flights only

Featured airlines

• trending down icon Be in the know Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
• bex rewards loyalty icon Book smarter Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
• one key icon Earn twice Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash Learn about One Key

Belfast to Galway Flights

Whether you’re looking for a grand adventure or just want to get away for a last-minute break, flights from Belfast to Galway offer the perfect respite. Not only does exploring Galway provide the chance to make some magical memories, dip into delectable dishes, and tour the local landmarks, but the cheap airfare means you won’t bust your budget. So no matter whether your ideal itinerary involves flying one way, non-stop, or round trip, you’re bound to find flights that match your schedule on Expedia, and at prices that won’t shock your wallet.

Bagging a cheap flight from Belfast to Galway may mean more dollars to spend on for one-of-a-kind souvenirs when you arrive, but it doesn’t mean you have to skimp on your travel experience, as Expedia offers a sizzling selection of cheap airlines that’ll put you in your happy place on their planes, whether that’s getting lost in a hair-raising airport thriller, dreaming on the passing landscape over a glass of bubbly, or jotting down your vacation bucket list at 38,000 feet. There’s also bound to be plenty of opportunities to snap a few photos of the high life that will make your friends green with envy. After all, enjoying the journey is part of the fun.

With so many affordable flights and so many wonderful adventures awaiting you, there’s no reason to put off booking a fantastic flight from to today. So don’t leave it to the last minute to make your dream trip a reality: pack your bags with your go-to travel accessories, put together your list of must-see attractions and can’t-miss activities, and get ready to broaden your horizons – with Expedia, the wonders of Galway are only a plane trip away. Book your travel arrangements with us today!

If you would like to book flights to Galway more flexibly many prefer to purchase one-way tickets with options to take different airlines. A one way ticket to Galway is now!

Frequently asked questions

• Trending Routes
• Trending Flights
• Top Flights Destinations

More Popular Airlines

Nearby airports.

• Flights From Other Airports
• Expedia's Latest Trends

Top Routes from Belfast

• Belfast to Tenerife (BFS - TFS)
• Belfast to Bristol (BFS - BRS)
• Belfast to Arrecife (BFS - ACE)
• Belfast to Dalaman (BFS - DLM)
• Belfast to Paris (BFS - CDG)
• Belfast to London (BFS - LTN)
• Belfast to Amsterdam (BFS - AMS)
• Belfast to Liverpool (BFS - LPL)
• Belfast to Málaga (BFS - AGP)
• Belfast to Edinburgh (BFS - EDI)
• Belfast to London (BFS - STN)
• Belfast to Barcelona (BFS - BCN)
• easyJet Belfast to London
• easyJet Belfast to Edinburgh

Top Flight Destinations

• Flights to Dublin
• Flights to Galway
• Flights to Cork
• Flights to Killarney
• Flights to Limerick
• Flights to Dingle
• Flights to Donegal
• Flights to Kilkenny
• Flights to Westport
• Flights to Sligo
• Flights to Waterford
• Flights to Kinsale
• Flights to Doolin
• Flights to Wexford
• Flights to Tralee
• Flights to Athlone
• Flights to Cong
• Flights to Ennis
• Flights to Kenmare
• Flights to Letterkenny
• George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
• City of Derry Airport (LDY)
• Campbeltown Airport (CAL)
• Islay Airport (ILY)
• Prestwick Airport (PIK)
• Glasgow Intl. Airport (GLA)
• Carlisle Airport (CAX)
• Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
• John Lennon Airport (LPL)
• Barra Airport (BRR)

21 Best Things To Do In Galway City And Beyond

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: April 10, 2024

If you’re in search of the best things to do in Galway City and beyond, this guide should come in handy.

Now, as we say in  every one of our ‘best of’ guides, what one person thinks is incredible another may think is terrible.

So, in this guide, we’ll bring you a mix of everything from hikes and walks to historical sites, top-notch tours and unique places to visit in Galway.

Table of Contents

The best things to do in Galway City and beyond

Click to enlarge

Galway is home to some of the most notable tourist attractions in Ireland , like Kylemore Abbey, Connemara and the Aran Islands.

However, it also boasts plenty of scenic corners that never make it onto shiny tourist handbooks, as you’ll discover below.

1. The Leenaun to Louisburgh Drive

Photos via Shutterstock

OK, so this drive starts in Galway but takes you into Mayo. It takes you from the gorgeous little village of Leenaun on the Killary Fjord to the often-overlooked town of Louisburgh in Mayo.

The route takes you through the magnificent Doolough Valley – a place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

Even during the busier months of the year, the Doolough Valley is  relatively  quiet and it’s a joy to drive/cycle through.

Looking for a Galway itinerary?  Hop into our Galway road trip guide, or just keep scrolling!

2. The Sky Road

One of the best things to do in Galway (in my opinion) is to grab a cup of coffee to go from one of the cafes in Clifden and drive or cycle along the Sky Road .

The Sky Road is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Connemara region. It’s a circular route around 11km long that takes you out west from the buzzy little town of Clifden in Galway .

The scenery you’ll be treated to as you spin along the Sky Road will etch itself upon your mind… as will the wind. It gets  fierce  blustery up here!

3. The Diamond Hill hike

The Diamond Hill hike is one of the more popular walks in Galway , mainly due to the views it treats you to on a fine day.

There are 2 walks here: The Lower Diamond Hill walk (3 km long and takes 1 to 1.5 hours) and the Upper Diamond Hill trail (7 km long and takes 2.5 to 3 hours to complete).

Those who reach the summit on a clear day can kick-back while soaking up outstanding views of Connemara National Park and beyond.

As this hike is one of the more popular things to do in Galway during the summer months, it can get  very  busy, so arrive early.

4. Kylemore Abbey

The fairytale-like Kylemore Abbey tends to top most guides on the best things to do in Galway for good reason.

Built in 1867, Kylemore Abbey boasts an almost endless number of tales of romance, tragedy, spirituality, and innovation.

The abbey is now home to the Benedictine nuns, who’ve been living there since 1920. You’ll get an eyeful of it from the car park when you arrive.

You can then take a tour of the abbey itself and the grounds. If you’re wondering what to do in Galway when it rains, the abbey tour is a handy go-to!

5. Beaches galore

There’s  endless  beaches in Galway , however, it’s  generally the various beaches in Connemara that tend to grab much of the attention.

I’m talking, of course, about Dog’s Bay , Gurteen Bay , Renvyle Beach , the Mannin Bay Blueway .

Although the ones above attract visitors by the bucket-load (terrible pun, I apologise…) there’s plenty of other great beaches worth a look, like:

• Silverstrand Beach Barna
• Trá an Dóilín
• Glassilaun Beach
• Lettergesh Beach
• Traught Beach
• Salthill Beach

6. The Aran Islands

Another of the best things to do in Galway is to explore the Aran Islands . There are three – Inis Oirr , Inis Mor and Inis Meain .

Inis Mor is attraction a lot of attention lately after it was used as a filming location for the Banshees of Inisherin .

Some of the most notable attractions on Inis Mor include Dun Aonghasa  and the Wormhole .

Inis Oirr is a joy to cycle around on a fine day with notable attractions including the lighthouse and the Plassey shipwreck.

Inis Meain is the middle island and it’s one of the quieter places to visit in Galway. You’ll find forts and glorious coastal scenery here.

7. Galway Cathedral

A visit to  Galway Cathedral is one of the more popular things to do in Galway City. Although it looks like it was built a couple of hundred years ago, it’s actually not that old.

Construction on the cathedral finished in the late 1950s, which makes it the youngest of Europe’s stone cathedrals.

Visitors to the Cathedral can expect Renaissance details combined with Romanesque and Gothic traditions, an impressive mix of art, along with gorgeous rose windows.

If you’re wondering what to do in Galway when it’s raining, a trip to see the cathedral’s impressive interior never fails to dissapoint.

8. Trad pubs in Galway City

Photos courtesy Failte Ireland

You’ll often see drink-related activities listed in many guides on what to do in Galway.

And for good reason. Galway is home to some of the best pubs in the land.

The cosy (but very busy) Tigh Neachtains is, in my opinion, the best of the many (and I mean many ) pubs in Galway City .

The Crane Bar is another great spot, especially if you’re looking to attend a trad music session.

Related reads: Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Galway or our guide to the best brunch in Galway !

9. Inishbofin Island

A visit to Inishbofin is one of the more off-the-beaten-path things to do in Galway. You’ll find the little island of Inishbofin just off the coast of Connemara, not far from the village of Cleggan (it’s a handy 30-minute ferry ride).

This gorgeous island boasts a rich history along with breath-taking Atlantic coast scenery. Look at the views in the photo above… a little slice of magic.

There’s also several brilliant looped walks on the island that’ll treat you to a clatter of scenery while also bringing you past award-winning beaches, ancient sites and plenty more.

Tip : Grab the ferry to Inishbofin from Cleggan Pier. If you’re feeling peckish, nip into Cleggan and try a bit of seafood. Oliver’s Seafood Bar, in particular, is brilliant!

10. Castles galore

If you’re wondering what to do in Galway that many people who visit the city tend to miss, carve out some time to drop by Menlo Castle .

You’ll find the 16th century Menlo Castle on the banks of the River Corrib, a handy 12-minute cycle or a 10-minute drive from Galway City.

Once home to the richest family in Galway in 1592 (the Blakes), Menlo is now a picturesque ruin that’s covered head to toe in ivy. Well worth dropping by.

If you fancy discovering other castles nearby, hop into our guide to the best castles near Galway that are worth a visit.

11. Derrigimlagh Bog

Photos by Gareth McCormack via Tourism Ireland

There are plenty of places to visit in Galway, particularly around Connemara, that visiting tourists tend to overlook. One of our favourites is the Derrigimlagh Bog walk (pictured above).

This trail follows a boardwalk that takes you through a blanket bog and that offers some mighty mountain views on a clear day.

One of the highlights is the Alcock and Brown landing site (on the left above). The pair crash landed into the bog in 1919, marking the finish of the world’s first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

12. Clifden 

If you’re wondering what to do in Galway over a summer weekend, base yourself in Clifden and explore all around you.

It’s arguably one of the most picturesque small towns in Ireland and you’ve Connemara and beyond to explore by day and a buzzy little village to retire to at night.

There’s plenty of lively pubs (like Lowry’s) and a there’s a load of great restaurants in Clifden to choose from. Here’s some guides to dive into:

• 7 gorgeous hotels in Clifden worth your €
• 11 b&bs in Clifden that have racked up rave reviews
• 17 of the finest Airbnbs in Clifden

13. The Salthill Prom

If you’re looking for things to do in Galway City that’ll take you away from the crowds, take a wander out to Salthill .

The 3km-long seaside promenade runs from the edge of the Galway City along Salthill and offers fine views out over Galway Bay.

There’s plenty of other things to do in Salthill to keep you busy and there’s also  plenty  of brilliant restaurants in Salthill to nip into.

The Blackrock Diving Tower is a now-iconic feature in Galway and can be found along the Salthill promenade.

The tower was erected in 1942 after the near-death of a diver (up until then there was a springboard in place).

14. The Aran Island cruise

There’s some very unique things to do near Galway City if you’re willing to brave the choppy Atlantic.

There’s a tour from Galway City (affiliate link) that takes you out on a cruise to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. It’s an 8.5-hour tour and it costs a very reasonable €55.

You’ll depart from the docks in Galway and then be treated to views of the breath-taking Clare coastline and a chunk of Connemara before setting off to Inis Mor Island (you’ll have 4.5 hours on the island).

You’ll then leave the island and get to see the Cliffs of Moher from right below! Grab a ticket her e (affiliate link).

15. Omey Island

Omey Island is one of the best-kept secrets in Galway. You’ll find it in Connemara, near Claddaghduff, and it can only be reached at low tide (check tide times in advance!).

You can reach the island by foot, bike or car and it’s the perfect place for those of you looking to things to do in Galway that’ll take you away from the crowds and that’ll immerse you in an area of immense natural beauty.

There’s a number of different walks that you can head off on around Omey but  please  make sure you understand the tides before visiting.

16. Killary Fjord

I’ve wanted to give this a crack for ages! The Killary Fjord is one of those places that looks like it’s been whipped straight from a painting.

It’s beautiful, unspoiled, and, when there aren’t 5 coaches pulled up in the village of Leenaun, peaceful.

There are several different companies offering boat tours of the harbour and those that climb aboard can soak up spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.

If you’re on the lookout for unique things to do around Galway, give one of the Killary boat tours a bash.

17. Aasleagh Falls

There are few sounds that rival the soft ‘plops’ that emit from a waterfall the size of Aasleagh Falls (it’s pretty small!).

You’ll find the waterfall a stone’s throw from Leenane village on the River Erriff, just before the river meets the Killary Harbour .

You can park the car at a lay-by close to the falls and there’s a pathway that allows visitors to make the short stroll to the waterfall. Stretch the legs and gulp down lungfuls of fresh air.

18. The ‘main’ Galway City attractions

Although many of the best things to do in Galway City can be visited on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour (affiliate link), the city is  very  walkable.

One of the more notable attractions is the Spanish Arch which is an extension of Galway’s medieval walls. These walls were designed to protect mooring ships at the nearby quay while they unloaded their goods.

The Arch is right next to Galway City Museum – another handy option for those of you wondering what to do in Galway when it’s raining!

This museum is the go-to spot for everything and anything relating to Galway’s rich history and heritage.

Other popular spots in the city include the colourful Long Walk and the home of  the Claddagh Ring – Thomas Dillons.

19. The Quiet Man Bridge

Our next stop, the Quiet Man Bridge, is one is for those of you that have watched the movie ‘The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

A good chunk of the movie was filmed in Cong in Mayo, but several scenes were shot around Connemara.

You’ll find the Quiet Man Bridge around 8 km past Oughterard, on the N59 heading west. Even if you haven’t seen the movie this is worth a quick stop off.

20. Glengowla Mines

Photos courtesy Keith Geoghegan via Failte Ireland

At a 35-minute drive from the city, the Glengowla Mines are one of the more unique things to do near Galway.

 You’ll find the Glengowla Mines deep beneath a mountain in Connemara. It’s here that you can embark on a journey of discovery that’ll uncover how lead and silver were mined here in the 1800s.

Visitors to the mines can:

• Explore the caverns of marble
• Gaze at the stunning crystals of quartz and fluorite
• Learn about the conditions the miners worked under before the mines shut in 1865

If you’re looking for places to visit in Galway with the kids, then the working farm here, where you can see Connemara Ponies, a sheepdog, lambs, and more, is the perfect spot to take them.

21. The Galway Christmas Market

If you’re wondering what to do in Galway in November and December, you can easily plan your trip around the Galway Christmas Markets.

Arguably one of the stand out Christmas Markets in Ireland, the Galway festivities has been kicking off earlier and earlier over the years.

It now begins in early November, bringing with it stalls, amusements and some very impressive lighting.

There’s plenty of things to do in Galway City around Christmas – see our Galway hotels or our Galway B&B guides for places to stay.

What to do in Galway: Where have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to visit in Galway from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about what to see in Galway

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What to do in Galway with kids?’ to ‘What’s on this weekend?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best things to do in Galway?

In my opinion, the best things to do in Galway City and beyond are the Diamond Hill hike, Kylemore Abbey, the drive from Leenane to Louisburgh and the Aran Islands.

What is Galway best known for?

It’s arguably best known for its breath-taking Connemara region and the city’s lively pub scene, however, many of the more popular places to visit in Galway, like the Spanish Arch, are widely known.

Is Galway Ireland worth visiting?

Yes, yes and yes again. Galway is a glorious corner of Ireland and you can spend a weekend exploring the city, Connemara and some of the finest food in the land.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Friday 24th of February 2023

Thank you for your really helpful article!

Andrea Elizabeth Foster

Friday 3rd of January 2020

Fab website. Recently visited Galway and completely fell in love with the place! Cannot wait to visit again! Possibly my favourite place in the world!

My Ideal Ireland Itinerary 7 Days Road Trip (+ Map)

A re you itching to visit the Emerald Isle but only have a week to explore? It’s a relatively small country, so it’s doable. This Ireland itinerary for 7 days will show you how to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and lively Irish culture in a one-week Ireland road trip.

For most travelers, starting and ending your Irish road trip at Dublin Airport makes logical (and financial) sense. But for those who can start their trip in Dublin and end it at Shannon Airport, there are other destinations in this beautiful country you can squeeze into your 7-day Ireland itinerary.

My detailed guide below suggests two different routes for both options. Either way, you’ll have an epic and memorable time in Ireland! It’s one of my favorite countries! Keep in mind, this itinerary does not take into account travel time, most flights from the US will depart in the evening and arrive the next morning.

Ireland Itinerary 7 Days: Option 1 (Dublin to Dublin)

This 7-day Ireland itinerary is based on my actual road trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland with my teen daughter. We had a wonderful time, so I’m sharing many of our lessons and stops to help you make the most of your visit.

Day 1: Dublin to Belfast

Day 2: Belfast to Derry

Day 3: Derry to Westport (or Galway)

Day 4: Westport to Galway

Day 5: Galway to Dublin

Day 6: Dublin

Day 7: Leave Dublin

Alternative Route Thoughts:

If you’re willing to drive and tour at a faster pace, you could try to combine parts of the Northern Ireland itinerary in order to allow you to visit the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland if you’re set on flying in and out of Dublin.

The Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Drive is considered one of the highlights of the area and the star of the Wild Atlantic Way region. But it is on the opposite end of the island from Northern Ireland, so with only 7 days, adjustments are needed. My route includes some of the Wild Atlantic Way between Westport and Galway, and is more accessible. However, some feel strongly about visiting the Dingle Peninsula.

Look at my list of things to do and see and decide which are your priorities if the Dingle Peninsula (pretty drive that will take about 3 hours) is a priority, AND you have to fly in and out of Dublin. If you want to prioritize Northern Ireland and the southwest area of Republic of Ireland, you might look at a route like this: Dublin – Derry – Galway – Dingle/Killarney (2 nights) – Dublin (2 nights)

I wouldn’t choose this fast pace, but it is an option if you’re trying to make the most of a limited week. The better option in my opinion would be to try to add on a day or two. Ideally, you’d plan a 10 day Ireland itinerary if you want to see most of the highlights. Or just plan to come back again!

My recommendation if you only have 7 days and want to see most of the popular regions is to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon Airport, which I list that alternate itinerary farther down in my post.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Airport and Explore Belfast

Waste no time at Dublin Airport by renting a car and driving north to Northern Ireland. Many flights from North America are red eye so you can start your 7 day Ireland itinerary in the morning. Don’t worry, you’ll end your trip in Dublin.

Renting a Car in Ireland

Take note that, unless you specify, your rental car will have a manual transmission. Request an automatic if you don’t want to tackle switching gears and driving on the left side of the road! Trust me, this isn’t the time to learn to drive standard or to try and remember that time in your childhood when you borrowed your buddy’s stick shift car.

You will need to have full coverage auto insurance for accidents or damage. Many times I rely on my credit card for car rental insurance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve both have primary rental car coverage. But, confirm that Ireland and Northern Ireland aren’t excluded from your coverage.

Also, be prepared to show proof of the coverage at the rental counter. This can typically be printed from your benefits page but consider calling or chatting with customer care to ask for written proof of rental coverage. Otherwise, you’ll need to add collision coverage to your rental.

You can use Google Maps to navigate Ireland’s narrow roads, but it will often take you the fastest way which isn’t always the best way for tourists. We had a GPS device added to our rental and found it would sometimes route us differently than Google Maps.

Most of the time Google Maps was great but twice we should have listened to the GPS, one of which was driving back to Dublin from Cliffs of Moher when Google Maps took us back roads that were very tight and slow going and the GPS would have gotten us onto a highway much faster.

On your first day, head to Northern Ireland. The total drive time from Dublin to Belfast is just under two hours covering 162 km/100 miles, so you should have plenty of time to explore Killeavy before traveling to Belfast and staying there one night.

Note: The Republic of Ireland measures speed in kilometers/hr while Northern Ireland measures in miles/hr. Money is also different as Northern Ireland uses the British Pound Sterling (￡) and Ireland uses the Euro (€).

Malahide or Killeavy

You’ll hop in your car and start heading to Northern Ireland but I recommend at least one stop along the way to help get outdoors and help your body adjust to the time change. There are two stops I’d recommend as you make your way to Belfast, either Malahide or Killeavy. Both will help you get outdoors and have a castle.

Malahide is what I’d consider a Dublin suburb. It’s home to the popular Malahide Castle and Gardens, which is a more touristy operated castle with decor and extensive gardens. Malahide is also on the coast and there is a popular 4 km Malahide to Portmarnock Coastal Walk to get an outdoor fix on your first day. The town itself has a large number of cute restaurants and shops for a great afternoon break on your first day.

If you’re looking to get out of the city on your first day, plan for a stop in Killeavy instead. Located just over the Northern Irish border, Killeavy is a small town and a great place to stop for a break in an official area of natural beauty.

Check out Killeavy Castle Estate (there’s a hotel there now but you can still check out the castle grounds) or the Slieve Gullion Forest Park. This area of woodland has links to Celtic mythology! If you’re in Killeavy around lunchtime, stop at Johnny Murphy’s Bar and Restaurant for a bite to eat.

And if you’re not in a rush and have an extra night beyond this 7-day itinerary, consider booking a stay at the Killeavy Castle Estate. It’s absolutely beautiful and a great way to unwind after a busy travel day. We overnighted in Killeavy and even visited their spa to help us relax after traveling. The extra day helps you relax and start to acclimate to the time change.

If you’re not staying overnight in Killeavy and following my 7 day itinerary, hop back in your car and head to Belfast next.

Political Mural Black Cab Tour

When you arrive in Belfast, park your rental car and let a tour guide drive you around for a change! From the 1970s to the 1990s, Belfast was at the center of a pivotal moment in Irish history called ‘the Troubles’. 

A great way to learn more about it is to book a Black Cab Tour around all the neighborhoods and dozens of political murals that document the era. Driving is much faster than a walking tour which is ideal because there are lots of things to do in Belfast!

Shopping in Belfast

Need souvenirs or just have lots of room in your suitcase to fill? St. George’s Market is a 19th-century covered weekend market selling everything from street food to antiques. Born in Belfast is a great place to shop for local, artisanal gifts. Note that it’s only open on the weekend.

Note: Ireland’s currency is the Euro but Northern Ireland uses Great British Pounds. Bring a good travel credit card with no foreign exchange fees so you can pay in both currencies with no problems. We didn’t need cash at all during our trip as everywhere we visited accepted credit cards.

Ride Hydrobikes on the River Lagan

Dublin has the River Liffey, but Belfast has the River Lagan. Take a fun, self-guided tour down this river on hydro bikes and see landmarks like the Prince Albert Clock, the yellow Harland & Wolf cranes, and the Big Fish. Check out Lagan Adventures to learn more about booking this fun water activity!

This is a fun activity that is unique, but can be skipped if you’re running low on time or would rather have more time at the Titanic museum.

Titanic Belfast Experience

While riding the hydro bikes you’ll sail past the Titanic Quarter, home of Belfast’s docks and where the infamous ship was built in the early 1910s. Titanic Belfast is a state-of-the-art experience that opened in 2012, the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic on its first voyage.

You can learn more about the ship’s design, the people who built it, and everything else there is to know about the Titanic. You can even find violins and deckchairs found on the Titanic’s wreckage among the exhibits. It can be an emotional experience for some, but is a must-do for anyone who is fascinated by the Titanic story.

Evening in Belfast

Belfast has tons of fantastic restaurants in its Cathedral Quarter. Check out The Dirty Onion and Yardbird for a more relaxed meal or The Muddlers Club for fine dining. Don’t forget to check out the cool neon signs down Commercial Court which look best on a dark, rainy evening.

Overnight in Belfast

You’ll spend your first night in Belfast and I have two great hotel recommendations for you. Ten Square Hotel was where I stayed most recently and is in a central location with a view of the beautiful City Hall building.

And the Maldron Hotel Belfast City is also centrally located, upscale, and has amazing reviews. I also love that both these hotels have restaurants in case you’re too tired to go out after arriving and just want to grab dinner, or breakfast, at your hotel.

Day 2: Drive the Scenic Causeway Coast

On the first full day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you could drive straight to Derry from Belfast along the motorway (the name for highways in Ireland). But then you’d miss the scenic drive along the Causeway Coast. This drive was possibly our favorite part of the entire trip!

This coastline stretches across the top of Northern Ireland and features otherworldly landforms, medieval castles, rope bridges, and more. You can even see out to Scotland on this scenic route (on a clear day).

Driving from Belfast to Derry via the coast is approximately 114 miles in distance and will take three hours without stops. Set off early so you have as much time to make stops as possible, trust me, the views are amazing and you’ll want plenty of time to enjoy the trip.

Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

With a history dating back 250 years, fishermen used to cross this rope bridge (an older version of the one installed in 2008!) to catch salmon on a small island. Carrick-A-Rede is a 66 ft-long rope bridge suspended 100 ft above the Antrim coast and offers an exciting experience as well as incredible sea and coastal views. The water around the coast here is so blue, you’ll think you’re in the Caribbean.

The hike is about 1.8 miles and will take you about an hour to an hour and a half to explore. I would consider it a simple walk for people used to physical activity, but does require effort and stamina. I highly recommend pre-booking your visit as they do limit access and you don’t want to show up and have access sold out for that time frame.

If you’re craving a snack or drink, stop by Carrick-A-Rede Bar & Restaurant before or after your bridge walk. It’s located past the rope bridge if you’re driving from Belfast, so works well as a stop after your walk on your way to the next stop, Giant’s Causeway.

Giant’s Causeway

Your next stop is one of the best things to do on the entire island of Ireland, hands down. The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a four-mile-long stretch of coastline comprising thousands of basalt columns that interlock in an otherworldly form.

You can walk over these columns as much as you want for as long as you want, it’s completely free to visit! You just need to pay for the parking lot and visitor center.

I’ve walked town below on the rocks on a trip and most recently we did the cliff hike above the coastline and it offers a completely different view of the landscape. A great activity for active visitors, although there is a shuttle you can pay for to help drive you from the visitors center down to the main rock formations if you have mobility issues.

Afterwards, head into the nearby town of Bushmills for lunch where you can eat at Lorna’s Kitchen or Flash in the Pan fish and chip shop.

Dunluce Castle

Just a few minutes along the coast from the Giant’s Causeway is a beautiful ruined castle overlooking the coastline, Dunluce Castle. This 16th-century castle was once the main stronghold of Clan MacDonnell. Of all the castles to visit in Northern Ireland, this one is convenient and offers some amazing coastal lookout views!

Overnight in Derry

Derry (aka Londonderry) is Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, so you’ll have no trouble finding places to eat for dinner or things to do. If you arrive in Derry early, make sure you see the Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, Free Derry Corner, and The Derry Walls. These are 17th-century defensive walls that circle the city and offer the best views.

One of my daughter’s absolute favorite stops on our trip was our overnight in Derry. While many itineraries will have you skip this city so that you can immediately get to the west coast of Ireland, I’m chiming in to say it’s worth stopping here.

We arrived in Derry in the evening and walked the entire circle of the walls. The walls encircle the central part of the city and it’s about a mile walk. There are multiple access points on and off the walls, so it’s a convenient and fun way to get around the city.

For dinner, Castle Street Social is a cool, laidback bistro and The Bentley Bar is better for live Irish music and grills. We loved our upscale pub dinner at the Wig Champagne Bar in Bishops Gate Hotel . I’ve stayed at this hotel twice and have loved it every time. It is a luxury property, but the price is not as crazy as you might expect.

Day 3: Explore Derry and Drive to Westport (or Galway)

Derry is Northern Ireland’s second city, so spend enough time visiting the main sites. But don’t linger too long, because on the third day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, you’ll be driving back into the Republic of Ireland and along the west coast.

Driving from Derry to Westport in County Mayo will take approximately three hours to cover 149 miles/240 km. It will take a little longer to make a stop well worth visiting en route ! Spend one night in Westport or the surrounding area. If you don’t spend too long in Derry, you could overnight in Galway instead of Westport.

If you like visiting eclectic museums, you’ll spoiled for choice in Derry. Museum of Free Derry covers the region’s local civil rights history, The Siege Museum specifically covers a specific historical moment in 1689, and the Foyle Valley Railway Museum with lots of old-timey trains.

If you haven’t already, watch the hilarious Netflix sitcom Derry Girls which is set in this city. There’s a mural of the main characters on Orchard Street, as well as lots of other murals you’ll see as you walk around.

Make the first stop on this part of your road trip to the city of Sligo, a place known for its literary heritage (W.B. Yeats was born here). Make a stop for lunch at the traditional Walker 1781 pub which serves a mix of light, European fare.

Ashford Castle

Continue driving towards Westport but make a slight detour south to Ashford Castle. This 13th-century estate is now a hotel, but you’re free to wander its lavish interiors and well-manicured gardens.

If you have the bank balance, you could always stay overnight here instead of Westport. Keep in mind that this five-star hotel could set you back around $1,000 a night!

Overnight in Westport (or Galway)

Since Westport is a large town on Ireland’s west coast, you have plenty of dinner options. Cobbler’s Bar & Courtyard is a relaxed grill or check out Friends Bistro which is a good all-rounder for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For overnighting, consider staying at The Wyatt Hotel in the heart of town or the Westport Coast Hotel on the water.

If you have time, take a stroll along the Carrowbeg River. There are lots of cute medieval bridges like the Doris Brothers Bridge.

Alternative option: if you’re willing to leave Derry early and drive farther, you can try to combine parts of days 3 and 4 and overnight in Galway. This will allow you to use day 5 to drive the Dingle Peninsula and possibly see Cork on your way back to Dublin.

This will not be a relaxed road trip and will require early starts, but it will give you the chance to see one of the other most popular tourist regions of Ireland during your 7 days. If you choose to overnight in Galway, consider staying in the main central city area at the well-rated Park House Hotel or The Huntsman Inn .

We stayed at the g Hotel and Spa and found the location out of the way and not ideal for strolling the streets of Galway. But the property does have nice rooms and restaurants, plus a spa. It reminded me of a US casino hotel experience.

Day 4: Explore Connemara National Park and Galway

Ireland has six national parks, and you’ll be able to visit at least one by following this Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Visiting during the summer months is a great time to visit Ireland as you can take advantage of the long days and good weather (well, better weather) for outdoor activities.

Westport is only 78.5 km/49 miles north of Galway City (which will take just over one hour to drive without stopping) but there are some great things to do on your journey along the west coast.

Ireland’s entire stretch of coast along the Atlantic Ocean is called the Wild Atlantic Way. It stretches 2,600 km/1600 miles from Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. You won’t have time to drive the entire scenic route during your week in Ireland, but you will see some of it on Days 4 and 5. Stay in overnight in Galway.

Kylemore Abbey & Gardens

While there are tons of beautiful stately homes across the country, none are as special as Kylemore Abbey. This 19th-century mansion has been occupied by Benedictine nuns since the 1920s and they’re still there today. You can tour the house and walk around the gardens as well as visit the nearby Kylemore Church.

One of the best things about this abbey is its stunning location. It’s surrounded by woodland and sits on the banks of the Pollacapall Lough on the edge of Connemara National Park.

Connemara National Park

Speaking of the national park, it’s also worth a stop on your drive. Poke your head into the Visitor Center and if you have the time, tackle the nearby Lower Diamond Hill Trail. It’s only a 1.8-mile loop walk and you can continue onto the Upper Diamond Hill Trail if that trail is too easy. 

Just a stone’s throw further than Connemara National Park is Clifden, a cute, small town on the coast. Off The Square Restaurant is the perfect stone-walled café to stop for lunch, and there are some interesting memorials dotted around the hills outside the town.

Walk along the coast to the John D’Arcy Monument, dedicated to the founder of Clifden, or drive to the Alcock and Brown Memorial. These British pilots completed the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1919 which landed right outside of Clifden.

As the home of traditional Irish music and other Celtic legends, Galway is an essential stop on any Ireland itinerary for 7 days. Head to the colorful Latin Quarter where there are dozens of colorful pubs. Many licensed pubs allow accompanied children to enter until 9 pm, so check for notices around the door before entering.

Galway’s main street, Quay Street, stretches through the Latin Quarter and this is where you can find stores selling the famous Claddaugh jewelry. These Celtic pieces have a unique symbol with two hands to represent friendship, a heart to represent love and a crown for loyalty. They are the perfect souvenir!

Head under the Spanish Arch to the harbor and check out the Galway City Museum if you want to learn more about the city’s local and maritime history. Check out the Róisín Dubh for the best live music performances in the city. 

For dinner, The Dough Bros is budget and kid-friendly. Tigh Neachtain Pub & Restaurant has the best of both local Irish cuisine and traditional folk performances.

Day 5: Witness the Cliffs of Moher and Drive to Dublin

It’s time to get back to Dublin so you can explore Ireland’s capital city before hopping on your flight back home. Not before swinging by one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, of course.

Driving from Galway to Dublin via the famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and Limerick will take approximately five hours as you’ll need to cover 356 km/226 miles. Stay overnight in Dublin for the last two nights of your 7-day itinerary in Ireland.

Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk and Visitor Center

Drive from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center and learn more about the formation of these incredible sea cliffs. They climb 702 feet tall at their highest point and stretch 14km/nine miles along the coast.

Then, walk out to the coastal path and explore different vantage points. On a clear day, you should be able to see out to the Aran Islands. Many companies run day tours to the Aran Islands from Galway, but you might not have time on your 7-day Ireland itinerary.

Lunch in Limerick

Stop for lunch in Limerick, the fourth-largest city on the island. You have lots of options but Story Café is perfect if you want to eat something light while The Locke Bar Gastro Pub is perfect for a filling sit-down meal.

Hang around before continuing to Dublin as there are lots of things to do in Limerick. Visit the 19th-century Milk Market where you can pick up souvenirs or snacks for your ride. King John’s Castle is an imposing medieval fortress that sits right on the River Shannon that you can visit too. 

Evening in Dublin

Since you have a pretty long drive, you probably won’t reach Dublin until the evening. Walk to the historic Temple Bar neighborhood for dinner. It’s named after an actual 19th-century, bright red pub in the area that you can’t miss.

If you’re traveling with kids and you’ve struggled to find pubs that will admit those under 18 (the drinking age in Ireland) then head to Temple Bar before 9 pm to listen to music. If you’re not visiting with kids, walk a few minutes west along the River Liffey to Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub. 

Old Storehouse Bar or Cobblestone Pub are perfect places to enjoy dinner in Temple Bar. They both boast life music too.

Overnight in Dublin

You’ll have plenty of places to choose from if you want to stay in Dublin. My experiences have been with The Davenport and Trinity City Hotel , both are gorgeous upscale properties in convenient locations to walk to many of the popular sights. If you don’t want to deal with city driving and parking and can stay a bit outside of the city center; I’ve stayed at Clontarf Castle , which is a unique property and near a bus route with easy access into Dublin.

Day 6: Explore Dublin

Dublin is the perfect place to spend the last day of your trip. If it’s your first time in Ireland, you can’t miss it! But it’s a big city and there are many options for spending your final full day. Book two nights’ accommodation in the city.

One great option is to find a parking lot for your rental car and check out the top tourist attractions in Dublin’s city center. Or, if you’re not keen on visiting a city or checking out day tours, you can drive out to County Dublin’s picturesque coastal towns like Skerries, Malahide, and Howe. 

If you want to stay in the capital, this itinerary will show you the best way to enjoy the city. I have a two day Dublin itinerary that might be useful, but find some of the highlights below.

Trinity College Library & Book of Kells

Start in the southeast part of the city at Trinity College Dublin. This is the most prestigious university in Ireland, and where you’ll find Trinity College Library. It’s famous for its 16th-century Long Room which features two stories of stacked bookshelves (it looks like something out of Harry Potter !).

It’s also famous for the Book of Kells . This is one of the oldest books in the world which was handpainted in the 9th century. They just launched a brand new experience that has made seeing the book a little more exciting than the previous old plaque style exhibit.

Something important to note is that almost all of the books have been removed from the Long Room as part of a redevelopment project. However, the new tour experience uses projections to help you still appreciate the history of the space.

St. Stephen’s Green

Dublin has lots of adorable parks so you have to see at least one during your trip. Merrion Square is a great choice, but St. Stephen’s Green is more central. It’s small but has a small pond, statues dedicated to some of Ireland’s literary greats, and is surrounded by rows of Georgian townhouses with colored doors.

Grafton Street

Walk underneath the Fusiliers’ Arch in the northwest corner of St. Stephen’s Green and you’ll be standing at the top of Grafton Street. This is a pedestrianized shopping street that is always lined with musicians playing for money (aka buskers). If you’re not a fan of pubs then this is the best spot to listen to local music.

Grafton Street also has a number of great shops for souvenir shopping. A couple of my favorites are the Aran Sweater Market for authentic wool sweaters and clothing, Claddagh Jewellers for Irish jewelry, and Seasons of Ireland for cheesy tourist gifts.

Dublin Castle

Continue walking west to Dublin Castle. This is a well-preserved castle dating back to the 13th century with museums, libraries, and state apartments. There’s also a small garden that you can explore and an onsite café which is perfect for lunch. 

Christ Church Cathedral

Just across the road from Dublin Castle is Christ Church Cathedral. St. Patrick’s Cathedral (named after the country’s famous patron saint) is arguably a more important building as it’s Ireland’s national cathedral, but it’s a little further away.

Christ Church Cathedral started as a Viking church almost 1,000 years ago although the current building dates back to the 13th century. Inside, you’ll find a mummified rat and cat (they both got stuck in the organ) and a ‘homeless Jesus’ statue on the bench outside.

Guinness Storehouse

One of the most popular attractions in Ireland, you have to check out the Guinness Storehouse during your first visit. In 1749, Arthur Guinness signed a legendary 9,000-year lease on a disused brewery at St. James’s Gate. Today, the famous dark ale is brewed elsewhere but the original location is now a visitor center.

The Guinness Storehouse covers the brewing process, the history of the company, and fun advertising displays. It’s surprisingly family-friendly and everyone either gets a pint of Guinness or a soft drink in the Gravity Bar at the end of the tour. It offers 360-degree views across the whole city of Dublin!

You can make reservations for one of the restaurants at Guinness Storehouse, or head back towards your hotel and check out the Temple Bar area for food and drinks.

Temple Bar Neighborhood

Return to Temple Bar for your last night in Ireland. There are lots of restaurants serving a range of cuisines if you’ve had more than enough savory pies, potatoes, and root vegetables during your seven-day trip!

Day 7: Depart from Dublin Airport

It’s time to head back to Dublin Airport and finish up your seven days in Ireland. Depending on the time of your flight back, you may have a little time to see parts of Dublin you missed the day before.

Leave plenty of time to travel to Dublin Airport as you will have to return your rental car too.

Ireland Itinerary 7 Days: Option 2 (Dublin to Shannon)

Day 1: arrive in dublin and explore.

The first day of this alternative 7-day Ireland itinerary starts in Dublin. Instead of traveling to Northern Ireland immediately, explore Ireland’s capital city first. You’ll spend one night in Dublin. This part is almost identical to Day 6 of the first itinerary.

You can either travel into Dublin by bus or taxi and pick up a rental car in the city center the next day, or pick up a car at the airport and find a parking lot near your hotel. You won’t need a car to get around Dublin! It’s super walkable and traffic is a nightmare.

Note: It may be more expensive to pick up a rental car at Dublin Airport and drop it off at Shannon Airport. Since traveling around Ireland using public transport is difficult to impossible, factor this extra cost into your budget.

Day 2: Travel from Dublin to Belfast

The next stop on this alternative Ireland itinerary for 7 days is Belfast. It’s similar to day 1 of the first itinerary, except you might not have time to stop in Malahide or Killeavy. You may also have to visit a Dublin attraction or two in the morning before you set off, like Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.

Spend a couple of hours in Dublin wrapping up the top attractions before driving north and exploring the Northern Irish capital. Driving this 105-mile/166 km journey will take around one hour and 45 minutes. Spend one night in Belfast.

Day 3: Drive the Scenic Causeway Coast 

This day of this alternate itinerary is pretty much exactly the same as Day 2 on the first itinerary. Drive from Belfast to Derry via the coast which is approximately 114 miles in distance and will take three hours without stops. 

But you will absolutely want to stop as many times as possible on this stunning scenic drive! Check out all the best places to stop under Day 2 before staying overnight in Derry.

Day 4: Explore Derry and Drive to Galway

In this itinerary, you’re essentially combining Days 3 and 4 of the first itinerary and driving from Derry to Galway, returning to the Republic of Ireland. This will be your longest driving day at over three and a half hours, covering 172 miles/277 km. 

You will most likely have to compromise on road trip stops. This will probably include skipping Westport and Clifden. 

If you want to see Connemara National Park, you’ll have to head in a different direction to Ashford Castle. And if you want to see more of Galway, spend less time in Derry.

Day 5: View the Cliffs of Moher and Drive to Killarney

The biggest change from the first itinerary to this one is that you get to visit Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Many people who visit Ireland say that County Kerry is one of the best places in the country, so it’s well worth visiting!

Driving south from Galway to Killarney takes around two and a half hours, but you will want to extend that drive for another 90 minutes to make a special road trip stop. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway so you can check out the Cliffs of Moher. This will make your whole drive take around four hours, covering 263 km/163 miles.

If you have any time left at the end of the day, take that time to explore Killarney National Park. Spend the next two nights in Killarney, using it as your home base.

Killarney National Park

Although Connemara National Park is beautiful, everyone who visits Ireland gushes about Killarney. It boasts such natural diversity including huge lakes, rolling green hills, waterfalls, and historic sites.

If you have time, hire a kayak or canoe and sail on Lough Leane. You can visit the ruined structures of Ross Castle and Innisfallen Abbey.

Head to Muckross House, a 19th-century mansion in the park where Queen Victoria once stayed. Torc Waterfall is nearby which is an impressive site only a short walk into the woods from the parking lot.

Evening in Killarney

Killarney has lots of pub restaurants serving traditional Irish food and some even have live music playing every night. Murphys Bar & Restaurant and John M. Reidy are both great options.

Day 6: Drive the Scenic Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula

The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km/111-mile coastal loop drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. If you were to drive without stopping, it would take around three and a half hours. Along with the Dingle Peninsula drive, they are two of the most beautiful coastal drives in the country.

Unfortunately, you won’t have time to drive around both routes. But no matter which one you pick, you’re guaranteed to have the best time exploring the Kerry countryside and you can head back to Killarney for dinner.

Option 1: Ring of Kerry

Due to the narrow roads, drive in a counter-clockwise direction so you can lessen the chance of having to reverse for local traffic.

Some of the highlights of the Ring of Kerry drive are Rossbeigh Beach and Kells for views across the sea to the Dingle Peninsula. Cahergal Stone Fort in Cahersiveen dates back to the 7th century and there are lots of other cool ruined castles and forts in the area.

Stop in Portmagee for a fish and chips lunch from Fisherman’s Bar. It’s a cute little colorful port town with ferries to the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the Kerry coast.

Kenmare is another essential stop on the Ring of Kerry Route. You can check out Kenmare Stone Circle (over 4,000 years old!) and Ladies View at the end of Killarney National Park. It’s one of the best vantage points in the park.

Option 2: Dingle Peninsula

If you choose to drive around the Dingle Peninsula instead, drive clockwise to follow the most popular direction of traffic. Head first to Inch Beach, a 5 km-long sandy beach that juts out into the sea and is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Continue along the coast to Dingle Town, the start and finish of the 30-mile-long scenic Slea Head Drive around the tip of the peninsula. You can stop for lunch before or after completing this part of the drive where you can have your pick of fish and chip shops like The Fish Box. 

After Dingle, stop by the Beehive Huts which are the well-preserved former homes of early Christian monks. They’re over 1,400 years old! Stop at Dunmore Head for the best views of the Blasket Islands before continuing to the unique Dunquin Pier.

Back at Dingle, take the N86/N70 road back to Killarney which is much wider and more pleasant to drive on.

Day 7: Depart from Shannon Airport

On the last day of your Ireland itinerary for 7 days, drive back up north from Killarney to Shannon Airport. This will take just under two hours covering a distance of around 175 km/84 miles. 

If you have a late flight, you can check out parts of the Ring of Kerry or Killarney National Park that you might have missed over the previous two days. Leave in plenty of time in case you have any unforeseen delays! You’ll need to return your rental car as well as go through security. 

Use This Ireland Itinerary for 7 Days as Your Guide

No matter your flight plans, you can use one of my Ireland itinerary for 7 days to navigate your entire trip! Both include all the major cities like Dublin and Belfast and beautiful scenery like the Giant’s Causeway and Cliffs of Moher. You can’t go wrong!

Armagh vs Galway: Ticket information, TV and live stream details, throw-in time and all you need to know 

The Orchard County and the Tribesmen are vying for top spot in Group One and a place in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

• 09:47, 13 JUN 2024

Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more

We have more newsletters

Armagh renew rivalries with Galway this weekend with the top spot in Group One up for grabs at Markievicz Park.

Last season, the sides met at Carrick-on-Shannon with Kieran McGeeney’s side edging out the Tribesmen thanks to a late free from Rory Grugan with Shane Walsh missing the chance to salvage a last-gasp draw for Pádraic Joyce’s side.

Galway went on to lose to Mayo in the preliminary quarter-final while Armagh suffered a penalty shoot-out loss to Monaghan in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.

Read more: Casement Park “will be built” but not hosting Euro 2028 would be a missed opportunity says Antrim captain Peter Healy

Read more: Tyrone Club Championship draws 2024: Trillick to begin title defence against Eglish

The business end of the season is here and both teams will want the extra week off and to progress straight through to the last eight of the Championship.

Both teams are already assured of their place in the knockout stages with Derry and Westmeath going head-to-head on Saturday in Newry for third place in the group.

Here’s more information on Armagh vs Galway and how to get tickets for the game. . .

When and where is the game?

Armagh vs Galway is on Sunday, June 16 at Markievicz Park, Sligo.

What time is throw-in?

Sunday’s game starts at 1.45pm.

Where can I watch it?

Sunday’s game is being broadcast live on RTÉ2.

How can I get tickets?

Tickets for Sunday’s game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Betting odds

Galway 11/10

Sign up to our f ree sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

• Most Recent

DUBLIN TO BELFAST TRAIN

Dublin to belfast train: time, map & tickets cost.

Departure & Arrival Stations:

Connolly Station ↔​ Lanyon Place Station

Departing from

Connoly Station

1 Amiens St, North Dock, Dublin, Ireland

Arriving at

Lanyon Place Station

East Bridge St, Belfast BT1 3NR, United Kingdom

Dublin to Belfast Train Timetable

Book train tickets from dublin to belfast, faq: train to belfast from dublin, whant to see more of ireland.

Would you like to experience an Irelands train journey? Choose your perfect ticket from different routes today!

Belfast to Dublin Train

Dublin to belfast train, dublin to galway train, galway to dublin train, cork to dublin train, dublin to limerick train.

‘We like to fund people who roll their sleeves up’: BCF steps in to fill SME lending gap left by banks

Gareth graham, founder of belfast commercial funding, wants to make his firm the biggest non-bank lender to small businesses across the island.

BCF chief Gareth Graham: 'It’s a premium service, so you pay a little bit for it, but it’s a service that actually delivers.' Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Gareth Graham’s experience of the fallout from the last financial crisis sowed the seeds for the former property player’s new venture, Belfast Commercial Funding (BCF), which has stepped into a gap left by banks’ caution at lending to small businesses.

In 2012, the Dublin-based National Asset Management Agency (Nama) took control of debts that his property business, Oakland Holdings Ltd, owed Bank of Ireland . The State body sold these three years later to a US fund, Cerberus, in a controversial deal dubbed Project Eagle .

Oakland refinanced the debt the following year and then raised the cash needed to develop Merchant’s Square in Belfast, from the Northern Ireland Investment Fund. That building is now accountants’ PwC ’s largest UK base outside London and home to specialised staff focused on new technology.

It was during what Graham calls a “bruising experience” with Cerberus , and the effort involved in getting mezzanine finance for Merchant’s Square, that he realised the financial crisis had left a significant gap in the market. “We literally travelled the world to raise that funding,” he recalls.

EU’s knee-jerk return to national business subsidies could distort the single market in favour of larger states

What is Apple Intelligence, and how do I get it?

Labour legislation and collective bargaining: ‘For smaller, less well-resourced employers, it can all be very difficult to manage’

Gareth Graham's BCF has financed enterprises in all 32 counties, bringing it close to his ambition to make BCF the first all-Ireland commercial lender headquartered in Belfast in at least a century. Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

“Because of our history, we had climbed those mountains and been on those journeys, so lots of businesses that found themselves in a similar situation approached us and wanted advice,” he says.

Those organisations mostly wanted to find out how they could raise capital, get their businesses back and start reinvesting.

Oakland loaned cash to a builder, allowing the firm to clear debt to another fund and finish a housing project. From there BCF was born. At this stage it has loaned about €35 million to businesses around Ireland, tackling what Graham calls a structural failure in the finance market that has persisted since the crash 16 years ago.

“It’s incredible we’re still talking about it,” he says. “We find ourselves in a position where the banks can’t, or don’t, do lots of types of business that SMEs in particular require. And that has provided an opportunity across the island of Ireland for us.”

The problem manifests itself in different ways on either side of the Border. Northern Ireland, whose banks, Graham points out, are no longer locally owned, simply does not have a large pool of capital available to business. Although the Republic does have big alternative lenders, they mostly avoid smaller enterprises.

BCF loans up to £5 million (€5.9 million), focusing on businesses mostly needing less, anything from housebuilders to farmers looking to diversify. “We have supported car dealers, healthcare businesses, creches, literally any type of SME, hotels, pubs, clubs, hospitality venues. I can’t think of anything we’ve declined on the basis of not liking it as a business,” says Graham.

His company has financed enterprises in all 32 counties, bringing it close to his ambition to make BCF the first all-Ireland commercial lender headquartered in Belfast in at least a century. “That’s a very proud boast of ours. We have people on the road in Cork and Galway and Donegal, in every corner of this island we’re talking to people and we’re working with them.

At the moment we operate in the £250,000 to £5 million market. We want to be £50,000 to £100,000 up to £5 million

“There is demand for debt from businesses, they need to raise debt to grow. We learned the ability to do that was greatly constrained in the North, subsequently we discovered the same in the South. In almost every county in Ireland there are businesses that have problems, and we are attempting to meet some of the demand.”

All its growth materialised without the aid of marketing. Word simply spread through businesses themselves, lawyers and corporate financiers. Graham’s property background has been a big help, allowing BCF to be flexible about the type of security it takes on to allow a transaction to work.

A big difference between the group and others in the alternative lending business is that BCF uses its own capital, it is not simply a commission agent for someone else, more than likely based outside Ireland. It has two backers, German bank Varengold, which provides euro funding, and London-based Foresight, which provides sterling. Graham’s operation raises cash from these partners. That then goes on to its balance sheet as senior debt, which it combines with its own capital to make loans.

All decisions are made in-house. Anyone seeking finance will know within 48 hours if their project is something that BCF will consider. A credit committee meets “every other Tuesday” to consider applications. That body includes experts who weigh the various proposals. “Generally, you’ll know after that,” says Graham. “The people in here who write the business will be in touch with you to say: ‘yes, you’ve got approval, subject to due diligence’. Then it’s over to lawyers. It can be as fast as a couple of weeks, some of them do take longer.”

BCF founder Gareth Graham acknowledges that in some ways the banks’ post-crisis caution is warranted. Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Even if the answer is no, the applicant hears quickly. This stands in contrast to the banks, which Graham says take six months, and whose processes require small enterprises to put in what for them are huge resources to simply apply for credit. “And if the answer after six months is ‘no’, that’s very very hard for businesses to digest,” he says.

Graham acknowledges that in some ways the banks’ post-crisis caution is warranted. Their loose boom-era approach crashed the economies on both sides of the Border, requiring tougher regulation. “Some of the banks haven’t been bust once, they’ve been bust several times, and the State has to keep on stepping in, so it’s not a bad thing to have handcuffs on.

“And they’re also constrained by the fact that today, if you’ve got a large deposit base, you can put that with the central bank and you get a guaranteed return, it’s the easiest business in the world. You’ve got a zero-risk return, that is the most wonderful business you could possibly be involved in. And small businesses struggle to get funded.

“I appreciate that the banks will say that’s not true, but go into the market and ask the borrower,” he argues. “If they were lending then there wouldn’t be this opportunity for us or these other people that have entered the market.”

And there are others. Graham says that the mushrooming number of alternative lenders, which in the State the Central Bank of Ireland registers and regulates, offer his firm plenty of competition.

BCF charges higher interest than banks, but Graham says this is not surprising given its own structure and how it raises some of its finances. “It’s a premium service, so you pay a little bit for it, but it’s a service that actually delivers. We have to negotiate facilities, and we get the large commercial funders who charge us for those facilities, and we add a margin on and deploy those funds along with our own funds. So, we are more expensive than a bank. If I had a large deposit book then I’d be a lot cheaper, but then I’d be a bank.”

[  A chance interview at ESB led to an international career in energy  ]

Graham cut his business teeth early. His father was Sean Graham, one of the best-known names in Irish bookmaking, a business his brothers now run, which combines betting shops and racecourse pitches. Family holidays were spent at racecourses, Killarney, Galway and Tralee. “We never made Listowel because school was back.”

He learned mental arithmetic that was the envy of schoolmates at St Malachy’s in Belfast. “That was an incredible education for a young lad to have,” he says. Graham remembers standing in “bucketing rain” on two boxes in one of Tralee’s betting rings at eight or nine years of age, “tic-tacking” for his dad. “That was when I had my first bet. I was trading, he was laying something in the main ring at 7/2 and I was able to back it back at 9/2.

“Mental arithmetic and margin were the two things that I learned from the betting business. When you carry that sort of margin focus through to any business, you’ll be okay.”

Despite hours of listening to his father and brothers talking form and thoroughbred bloodlines, Graham pursued his own interests, through planning and in to property, where he made his own name. He is on the verge of leaving that industry to focus solely on BCF.

Oakland sold Merchants Square to a Middle Eastern investor for €102 million in 2021, a commercial real estate record for the North. It is close to putting its aparthotel on Belfast’s Queen Street on the market. “That will be us complete,” he says. “Building BCF across the island is what we’re focused on.”

To get bigger, BCF will go smaller. Graham believes that although there are plenty of players chasing business at the top of the market, few are looking at the other end, where there is a lot of demand.

“At the moment we operate in the £250,000 to £5 million market. We want to be £50,000 to £100,000 up to £5 million. There’s a chunk of business that we don’t cover at the minute that requires more automation and investment and technology. We want to target that. If we keep £5 million or so as our cap and we reduce the bottom, then that opens a huge number of opportunities.”

He does not mind if borrowers do not fit “into a box”. One of the projects he’s most enthusiastic about is the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, to which BCF loaned €4 million to allow director Michael T Dawson to finish out the centre, whose construction had been stalled by Covid.

The institute includes the Lark Concert Hall, accommodation, hospitality and 19 teaching studios, for which demand, including from Government departments, quickly materialised, Graham says. Dawson was 80 per cent home before the pandemic intervened. “Michael’s is a business we supported. He could not get what he needed from the banks. He opened in November 2023, a pantomime went ahead in December 2023 and he’s now advertising a pantomime for December 2024. We’re the reason he got the capital.”

Graham’s colleagues told him that it was a “little bit different” when the institute first sought funding, so he says he got his work boots on and went to see for himself. “We don’t just sit in an office looking at spreadsheets, we do want to get out, we meet all our borrowers, and we talk to them about their business plans,” he says. “We like to fund people that roll their sleeves up and get stuck into sorting things out.”

Name: Gareth Graham.

Job: Chief executive, Belfast Commercial Fund (BCF).

Family: Married to Claire with four children.

Interests: The GAA, he coaches St Brigid’s Gaelic Athletic Club under 16s and exercises by running to work.

Something we might expect: He is a big Antrim GAA fan.

Something that might surprise: Despite being a son of well-known bookmaker Sean Graham, he has no interest in horse racing.

• Sign up for Business push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
• Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
• Our Inside Business podcast is published weekly – Find the latest episode here

IN THIS SECTION

Greencore recalls sandwiches and wraps in uk amid e.coli outbreak, european shares slide, capping tumultuous week, google seeks permission for pub at bolands mill, high court says michael flatley’s claim against insurer should go to arbitration, ryanair says ‘tough’ choices required to turbocharge sustainable aviation fuel development, i’m leaving ireland. i don’t have the energy for life here, dublin taxi driver found guilty of raping two female passengers, suspended solicitor found guilty of professional misconduct over handling of land sale, european election results: all irish meps elected as final four seats decided in midlands-north-west, three women given suspended sentences in connection with murder of showjumper katie simpson, latest stories, ireland and pakistan depart t20 world cup as florida rain has final say.

A city where peace comes dropping slow – Frank McNally on a visit to The Hague

Rory McIlroy remains in contention for US Open title after mixed second round

Limerick, Dublin hospital patients to receive at-home treatment in ‘virtual wards’

The last dance? Croatia braced for end of the Luka Modric era

Meta pauses AI plans for Europe after Irish regulator request

Student dies while on Gaeltacht course in Co Galway

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

South Belfast claim Kennedy Cup with win over North East

Daniel Anderson celebrates his winning free-kick with South Belfast teammates during the Kennedy Cup final Screenshot via SFAI

South Belfast claimed their second ever Kennedy Cup title thanks to goals from Beto Unhabo and Daniel Anderson in a 2-1 win over North Eastern Regional League at the University of Limerick.

The U14 football competition saw 31 participating inter-league teams contest 91 matches over the five-day competition, played on a combination of grass and artificial surfaces. In its usual home of the Limerick campus, there was no shortage of drama during those contests, as the best talent from each league showed their quality.

The final was played in humid Friday afternoon conditions, the winning goal arrived from Anderson’s pinpoint free kick on the three-quarter mark. Before that, the sides had traded opening half goals. Unhabo was sharpest to a spilled shot before ramming home after just six minutes.

Sharpshooter Rocco Devlin almost added to his five tournament goals, but saw his close-range effort cannon back off the crossbar. This appeared to wake those in blue, with NECSL equalising with their first notable attack.

A through-ball found Teniola Odusanya Smith whose excellent touch set him up for a low, controlled finish. But they failed to really create many more openings with Odusanya Smith often cutting a lone figure in attack.

The winner arrived midway during a tense second half. Anderson curled his free-kick left-footed into the bottom corner from around 22 yards. His teammates followed this up with some resolute defending. Captain James Crown leading well while Sean Haughey looked assured under the many long deliveries late on.

NECSL’s Conor Hassett was shown a red card at the final whistle, for a frustrated looking challenge on a Belfast player.

South Belfast were appearing in their second final. Their first, defeating Cork in 2021, wasn’t played in the usual format, due to covid-19. This was their first win in the tournament in its traditional format.

Wins over Cavan/Monagan (2-1) and Midlands (3-0) as well as a draw with Limerick Desmond saw them win the group on goal difference from the Limerick side. They dug deep to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Waterford in the last eight, while they had too much when easing over Wexford on Thursday, 3-0, in the semi-final.

North Eastern Regional League qualified for their first Cup final thanks wins in Group 6 over Carlow and Distrtict League, 4-0, Donegal, 5-0 and Inishowen, 5-0. They edged beyond Cork on penalties after a stalemate and their defensive masterclass continued on Thursday, with a 1-0 win over Galway. Captain Dara Loughran’s early goal enough.

Belfast’s girls side were defeated in last week’s girls Gaynor Cup final, 1-0, by Sligo Leitrim.

While the Cup was the main silverware, there was also joy for Cork who won the all-Cork Plate final against West Cork. A goal in either half helped them edge a tight contest. Zinedine Louadah volleyed home superbly after just four minutes before Cillian McAuliffe sealed the silverware late on. This means that the Cork Schoolboys League finished 5th, after both had impressed when winning their respective group but lost out in the Cup quarter-finals.

The Bowl crown when to Limerick Desmond, who were defensively strong in a 2-0 success against South Tipperary. Having been undefeated all week, the west Limerick side saw two Leon O’Connor crosses converted by Jamie McAuliffe and Michael O’Kelly in the first half.

Dublin District Schoolboys League finished without silverware in 8th place after their penalty shootout loss over Waterford following a scoreless draw.

The League made headlines last month with the FAI intervening to allow Ireland’s largest schoolboy’s league participate, with unpaid affiliation fees with the SFAI among the issues between both bodies. The draw took place later than normal as a result.

Kerry got the better of North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League with a 2-1 win. In a feisty encounter, the winners had early goals from Lachlan Scannell and captain Daragh Keane. Oisin Hegarty pounced to halve the deficit and set up a nervy finish. Despite hitting the post NDSL couldn’t draw level. That meant Kerry secured 17th place.

Dundalk also won their final. A Cian Cunningham effort in the opening quarter meant they head home with the Kennedy Trophy. This was the battle for 25th spot – and those who’d placed third after the group phase.

The competition has in more recent years seen Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson and Sam Curtis among the standout names. While John O’Shea, Katie Taylor and Roy Keane are among the many athletes who’ve cut their teeth at this competition - one of Europe’s biggest underage festivals of football.

More in this section

Borussia Dortmund appoint Nuri Sahin as head coach to replace Edin Terzić

Sport Newsletter

Get the latest news from the world of sport along with the best opinion from our outstanding team of sport writers, direct to your inbox every Friday

Please click  here for our privacy statement.

FOLLOW IRISH EXAMINER

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

You have accepted push notifications for this content. If you would like to manage your push notification preferences, you can do so here .

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Friday, June 14, 2024 - 2:00 PM

Friday, June 14, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Family Notices

Select your favourite newsletters and get the best of Irish Examiner delivered to your inbox

© Examiner Echo Group Limited