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Did you know Dublin is not only one of Ireland’s most expensive cities, but also one of Europe’s?
That’s right.
Traveling through this historic city can cost more than a leprechaun’s horde of gold, but that’s one of multiple reasons why travelers have discovered another vibrant city along the coast with timeless pubs, astounding castles, and neighboring storybook towns.
Last year, we reported summertime was the season luring in travelers, but Spring 2025 is even more enticing with fun festivals filling up the calendar from March to May.
Better yet, Americans can fly nonstop into Shannon, where reaching Galway is less than an hour away.
Why You Should Bypass Dublin
Don’t get me wrong, Dublin is an awesome city.
The problem with visiting this year is there are simply much more feasible options for your wallet.
Dublin-based Ryanair is arguably Europe’s most popular budget airline, and even their flights to/from Dublin have been found to be sky-high.
This is largely in part due to a passenger cap placed at Dublin’s main airport, causing typical supply and demand predictability to be a little wonky.
In fact, travelers are already sticking it to Dublin as tourism numbers are ‘flat’, according to a new report.
The reduction of available seats his driven airfare through the roof in some cases albeit I have seen some Aer Lingus deals hard to pass up if you just have to visit Dublin any time soon.
That being said, travelers (including Americans as I mentioned) can fly nonstop to Shannon, a much smaller airport but just as convenient when venturing into this less-touristy side of Ireland.
United launched a new flight from Newark and New York last year and is being reinstated this spring along with a brand-new Delta route launching May 2025.
Discover More Of Ireland: Start With Galway
Galway may not be a household name, but it has all the Irish charm of Dublin plus phenomenal coastlines.
Keep in mind Ireland does take a bit to warm up from winter, but you will see plenty of sunny days come spring.
That being said, packing a light coat is recommended for the chilly coastal breeze and nippy nights around town.
Galway is set on the opposite coast of Dublin and beaches are quite frankly so much prettier on this side, and hugging the scenic River Corrib, it’s no wonder why so many visitors claim to love Galway’s nature.
In fact, Galway is home to numerous Blue Flag-certified beaches, making them some of the most pristine beaches to visit in the world.
There are also multiple jaw-dropping islands, including local legend Inis Mor, just off the coast and easy to reach by ferry.
But Galway isn’t solely a beach getaway; it’s a thrill to wander this lesser-known city’s vibrant streets and pop in lively bars showcasing local musicians or quieter dim-lit pubs in a more traditional sense.
Whatever you do, don’t skip grabbing a pint at Galway’s oldest pub, Tigh Neachtain’s, standing the test of time since 1894.
Lastly, Galway is an excellent gateway to a laundry list of Ireland’s famed castles, such as Merlin Castle, Ballindooley Castle, and Claregalway Castle.
Galway’s Spring Festivals, Including A Legendary St. Patty’s Celebration
A springtime getaway to Ireland with dabbling in St. Patrick’s Day festivities should be a crime!
Besides Dublin’s price conundrum, Galway’s fun-filled festivals this spring undoubtedly make it Ireland’s most enticing city to visit this spring.
What seems like a never-ending party season, tourists will have no trouble biding time with so many events to choose from, but there are 3 to circle on your calendar:
- Seachtain na Gaeilge (world’s largest Irish language festival) – March 1 – 17
- St. Patrick’s Day Festival – March 15 -17
- Galway Food Festival – May 1-31
As for St. Patty’s, the main parade is the stuff of legends, passing the nearly multiple-centuries-old Hardiman Hotel on Eyre Square, which boasts its own pub with live concerts every weekend.
After the shenanigans die down and you need to relax, check out the idyllic storybook towns of Cong and Clonbur nearby.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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