Traveling Ireland in October this year (2011)
 

I have heard there is a pass you can buy that will combine rail & bus travel. We are planning on Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Galway, Shannon and possibly others which are uncertain right now.

I had been working with a travel agency and we were about to book a car but it seemed really high so we thought we would check into rail & bus. Does anyone know how to do this, and also just a ballpart figure of the cost. Our travel agent said car would be cheaper, but I find that hard to believe...please reply if you can help

Car rental is considered expensive here, although October is off-peak.

There are a few options avaialble to you, including a 4-day train ticket (Republic of Ireland only) for €100, See the "Four Day Rail Trekker" here: http://www.irishrail.ie/your_ticket/ticket_types.asp However, if you can book in advance (maximum 28 days), you can get intercity fares for as little as €10.

There is the Irish Explorer Bus and Rail ticket, which allows 8 days of travel out of 15 consecutive days: http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=173

Adult € 245
Child € 122

There are also lots of options for guided tours.

Let us know if you have any more queries.