11 Days in Ireland w few hotel changes

Old Aug 22nd, 2017, 12:57 PM
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11 Days in Ireland w few hotel changes

In May 2018 my husband and I will be in Ireland for 11 days. We are traveling on our own and have secured a rental car. After reading countless post I still require the guidance of those most familiar with Ireland.

2 nights in Dublin
3 nights in Kilkenny
3 nights in Kenmare
2 nights at Ballynahinch Castle
1 night at Dublin: fly home next day

This is our first time in Ireland. We want to visit castles, cathedrals, cliffs, and enjoy a slow pace meeting and enjoying Ireland.
My questions 1) Do you think 3 nights in Kilkenny is too long
2) While in Kenmare are we within reasonable driving distance to Kisane Sheep Farm.
3) Where would you recommend seeing Cliffs of Mohr by ferry?
4) Should I cut Kenmare down to 2 nights and add one night at coastal area?
5) Could you offer an itinerary that would serve us better

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You,
jawl is offline  
Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 08:06 AM
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So, the first thing that jumps out at me is the need to return to Dublin. For your itinerary I would suggest booking an open jaw ticket. For example, arrive in Dublin and depart from Shannon (or vice versa).
I do think 3 nights in Kilkenny is too much. What did you hope to see there?
Kisane Sheep Farm - yes, Kenmare is approx. 20 minutes from the farm via N71.
There is a lot to do in the Kenmare / Killarney area so I would think you would leave that at 3 nights.
Perhaps reduce Kilkenny and add 2 nights in Bantry to explore the extreme SW of Ireland. We had a wonderful stay at Bantry House.
http://bantryhouse.com/

In Kenmare we really enjoyed Sea Shore Farm.
https://www.seashore-kenmare.com/#home

You could also add a night to Dublin. You may be jetlagged when you arrive so day 1 might be a blur. Do not pick up your rental car until you depart Dublin.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 11:44 AM
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Bette,

Thank you so much for reply. I was wondering if anyone was out there listening.

Our plane tickets are purchased we are in/ out of Dublin. We have two nights in town to adjust to time zone before heading out into country side.

We will take your advice on renting car as we leave Dublin. This will put us in Kilkenny around noon. We would like to visit the Jerpoint Abby, St Mary's Cathedral, St Candice Cathedral, Kilkenny Castle, The Black Abby and have time to enjoy at a slow pace.

Would you know how long the drive is from Cliffs of Mohr to Ballynahinch Castle?

Thank you
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 12:43 PM
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You can clear your Kilkenny list with a 2-night stay. There is a lot of other stuff near Kilkenny that you could visit, but you might have a good use for an extra night elsewhere.

Kilkenny to Kenamre is a moderately long journey by Irish standards, but you have the benefit of motorway for a good deal of the route. You might want to make the modest diversions to see the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle en route. The two might add 90 minutes or 2 hours to your total journey time.

Kenmare to Ballynahinch Castle is a very long trip. My personal choice would be to avoid a major stop on that journey - I prefer taking small breaks for refreshment and, hopefully, to view something of interest to me. Your style of travel might differ from mine.

You could take a night from Kilkenny and use it to break the Kenmare to Ballynahinch leg with a night convenient to the Cliffs of Moher.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 01:16 PM
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https://www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises....sailing-times/

The Doolin Pier, well worth it. I would give yourself at least four hours from the Cliffs to Ballynahinch.
You will need at least three hours to check in for your flight back home. Try not to book the flight home super early so you can drop off car and take the bus into the city for the last night. That or stay in Malahide the last night.

Clonmcnoise is a good stop on your way back to Dublin. I love Ireland in May. Tons of sunlight.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 01:20 PM
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http://www.pbs.org/program/irelands-wild-coast/

You can watch this on PBS right now. It was a wonderful show.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2017, 06:46 PM
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Thank you for information and links. I really appreciate any advice. We are so excited about trip.
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Old Aug 24th, 2017, 07:56 AM
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jawl,
We always use the AA route planner for our trips to Ireland. I believe it is tailored for locals more familiar with the roads so we always add an additional 25% to the time total.
The Cliffs of Moher to Ballynahich Castle comes out to 2 hr 38 m but I really think that is unrealistic for a tourist. You will stop for a break here and there and photos.

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/i...61%7C53.460188
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Old Aug 24th, 2017, 11:52 AM
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https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Doolin/Ba...Galway-Ireland

You pass the Quiet Man Bridge or at least what is left of it.

The Quiet Man Bridge is located 5 miles past Oughterard, on the N59 heading west, which was the setting for the 1950 film "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne. I went to Cong but everything was reproductions. A bit disappointed. The pub was still there but renovated.
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Old Aug 26th, 2017, 07:05 AM
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Definitely stop at the Rock of Cashel on your way to Kenmare ... it shouldn't be missed and is probably on the route that you would take from Kilkenny to Kenmare anyway. We drove Kilkenny to Killarney with a stop at the Rock and it was no problem on mostly major roads, like Padraig said. And make sure to take a (free) guided tour to get the most out of it.

I enjoyed the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny, but I would only go if you are willing to pay for the guided tour. The museum seems a bit underwhelming on your own as the exhibits are limited, but the guided tour gives you all of the good information.

Re: In and out of Dublin, we were able to get great airfare round trip to Dublin which was several hundred $ cheaper than an open jaw at the time, so we were locked in to making the full round trip around the country as well.
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Old Aug 30th, 2017, 08:55 AM
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I was away when this was posted. My only comment would be to fit a night into Kilkee or Lahinch between Kerry and Connemara to get to the early cliffs cruise.
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