Fishing Trips In West Ireland

Scenic Train Routes In Ireland

Ireland is renowned for its green and pleasant countryside, and what better way to see more of it than by train? A lot of money has been invested by the state-owned Irish Rail in recent years to upgrade both rolling stock and infrastructure, so train travel in Ireland is more convenient and comfortable than ever. While the country does not have a large route network, there are two or three journeys that will give a flavour of all the scenic variety that Ireland has to offer.

Dublin is the major hub for train travel in the Republic, with routes going north to Belfast, south to Wexford and Waterford, southwest to Cork and Kerry, west to Galway and northwest to Sligo. Because the country is relatively small, none of these journeys take more than four hours (Dublin-Killarney).

As a taster, why not take a DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train from the city centre south to Greystones, a trip of about one hour? The route quickly leaves the city and follows the coastline of Dublin Bay, passing the Ferryport and marina at Dun Laoghaire, onto the seaside village of Dalkey, the Victorian resort town of Bray, before hugging the cliff for the last few miles into Greystones. The sweeping Killiney Bay has been likened to the Bay of Naples, but that's for you to decide! The journey affords the visitor an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views across Dublin Bay to the fishing village of Howth on its north side.

This route is also the first part of the coastal route to Wexford (and the International Ferryport at Rosslare). Past Greystones, the line hugs the coast through historic Wicklow before moving into Wexford - popularly known as the sunny South East! Long sandy beaches are what this county is known for and there are many small coastal towns from which to explore them.

Heading in the opposite direction, the main line north to Belfast runs along the coast for about half of its two hour journey time. After crossing the border at Dundalk, you are taken through the gently rolling hills of the Mountains of Mourne, famed in song of course. Changing trains at Belfast will allow you to explore the North Antrim coast - home of the World Heritage site, the Giant's Causeway - and spectacular in its ruggedness.

For something a little more gentle, the three hour trip west from Dublin to Galway will take you across the country. You will see the Bog of Allen, one of the largest peat bogs still left in Europe. The River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles, is crossed at Athlone, nowadays a vibrant marina town and the jumping off point for cruising trips on the river. Galway is famous for its Bay, and is the gateway to the wild area known as Connemara, where for many people English is their second language. Boats leave here for the three Aran Islands, in many ways unchanged in lifestyle for a hundred years.

The longest train trip in Ireland is between Dublin and Killarney, at about four hours. Soon after leaving the city, you will cross the great expanse of open grassland known as The Curragh. This area is the heart of the Irish bloodstock industry and home of the Irish National Stud. If you like horses, this is the place to be. Having passed through the fertile county of Tipperary, with the legendary Golden Vale (famous for its dairy produce), you will soon be in the 'Rebel County' of Cork, before finally moving into 'The Kingdom' of Kerry. While Killarney is the tourist hub of the county, there are many towns and villages which provide a base for exploring what is one of the most dramatic landscapes on the island. Kerry boasts the highest mountain in Ireland - Carrantouhill at 3414 feet is no Everest, but it is a wonderful place for hillwalking. The towns of Dingle, Kenmare and Tralee have a distinctive flavour and much to offer visitors.

So if you are looking for a way of seeing as much of Ireland as you can during your visit, why not try a train journey, and as they say "Let the train take the strain".