5 Days in Ireland--North or West?
Jul 24th, 2013, 12:48 PM
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5 Days in Ireland--North or West?
We are finishing up 3 weeks in Europe w/ our 3 kids (5, 7, 10). Love hiking but not crazy about hiking in rain. We will be driving and have had numerous suggestions: Donegal / Giant's Causeway / Carrick-a-Rede and on the other side, Galway / Cliffs of Moher. We will be flying into and out of Dublin. I don't think we can do both coasts, and have read numerous trip reports extolling the Slieve League in Donegal. Any comments on where we should go?
Jul 24th, 2013, 02:54 PM
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Why flying into Dublin from Europe? there are other airports including Belfast x2 if you aim to concentrate on the north and get the bus down to a Dublin airport Hotel after dropping the UK car back in UK. There is of course a lot more to NI than the Giants Causeway and including Donegal would more than fill 5 days. Shannon Airport would be an option for the west and Cork for the south west.. you could then do an arc from either to Dublin.
Jul 25th, 2013, 02:54 PM
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Thanks, Tony2phones, for your reply. Unfortunately, DH has business in Dublin so had to fly in and out of there. (The 5 days also includes our time in Dublin, so we'll likely only have 3 days out of Dublin...) I'm assuming Giants Causeway and Donegal would pretty much max us out...or would you recommend a different itinerary? Thanks!
Jul 25th, 2013, 11:20 PM
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No harm having the 3 days up north if that's your wish but sort of depends where in the 5 days you have 2 accounted for. The choice is yours and with only 3 free days probably best to rely on Public transport rather than hiring a car.
There are a number of tours from Dublin These include the North. But if you want to see northern Ireland spend time in Belfast and tour from there.
The other alternatives might be to get an express bus to Galway and tour from there, Cliffs of Moher, Aran isles, Connemara options. Or train to Killarney for a couple of days, National Park, Muckross, Ring of Kerry.
lots of options for you to play with.
There are a number of tours from Dublin These include the North. But if you want to see northern Ireland spend time in Belfast and tour from there.
The other alternatives might be to get an express bus to Galway and tour from there, Cliffs of Moher, Aran isles, Connemara options. Or train to Killarney for a couple of days, National Park, Muckross, Ring of Kerry.
lots of options for you to play with.
Jul 26th, 2013, 09:39 AM
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If you are in Dublin, why not spend some time in Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford area. Glendalough is the most beautiful place in Wicklow. Avoca in Wicklow, Powerscourt Demesne and Waterfall and gardens. Wexford town is nice. Dunmore East is the most lovely little fishing village in Waterford, lovely thatched cottages, restaurants and pubs, a golf club, i could go on.
Jul 26th, 2013, 03:06 PM
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Hi Tony2phones--would love your opinion on the following itinerary...fly in to Dublin Saturday noon, drive up through Belfast and stay in GC. Sunday GC, Carrick-a-Rede, overnight in donagal, spend Sunday in NI--Slieve League, Donagal overnight. monday drive to Galway and Cliffs of Moher, overnight in Galway, Tuesday afternoon drive back to Dublin...Wed in Dublin. We figure with the kids plus moving around best to hire a car...
Scrambling for accommodations...you think we could just drive and find a place? (We're not too picky, just need a bed to lay on) Having trouble finding something online...where are the best places to stay (city-wise). Should we stay in Donagal Monday night, or do you think we can drive to Galway and stay there instead? There are other touristy areas around, right? How much time do you anticipate we'd stay at the tourist attractions--i.e GC? (wondering if it's something more to look at, a nice walk, or a rigorous hike?)
HOw is it driving at night? We've spent two weeks driving around Scotland...
Sorry for all these last-minute questions--thanks in advance for your help and patience!
Scrambling for accommodations...you think we could just drive and find a place? (We're not too picky, just need a bed to lay on) Having trouble finding something online...where are the best places to stay (city-wise). Should we stay in Donagal Monday night, or do you think we can drive to Galway and stay there instead? There are other touristy areas around, right? How much time do you anticipate we'd stay at the tourist attractions--i.e GC? (wondering if it's something more to look at, a nice walk, or a rigorous hike?)
HOw is it driving at night? We've spent two weeks driving around Scotland...
Sorry for all these last-minute questions--thanks in advance for your help and patience!
Jul 26th, 2013, 03:11 PM
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susanoc--thanks, just saw your message. Oy, I need more time to plan our itinerary!! I've read many reviews lauding Glendalough...we are all over the place, though...think we need more time in Ireland, too!!
Jul 27th, 2013, 12:48 AM
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This is a map I have been working on based on a request last month. http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv It is 7 to 10 days and there is no way all on there can be done in that time..Kinbane you would have to be a mountain goat so scrub that with youngsters. Possibly also scrub Bushmills Whiskey. but all else to chose from. Galway might be too far perhaps cross back from or above the Ballina point. With the youngsters I would be inclined to have bookings depends on the dates?
Jul 28th, 2013, 02:48 PM
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Thx Tony2phones--today we started from Cushendall and did Carrick-a-Rede, GC, and Dunaluce Castle before driving to Donegal. (Will write a trip report eventually!) We are spending the night here in Donegal and have decided to skip Cliffs of moher and opt for slieve league instead. Then we are going to head to Dublin earlier (DH needs to be there by Tues night) so we can do Wicklow/Glendalough tomorrow afternoon instead. Thanks for the suggestions!
Jul 28th, 2013, 04:24 PM
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You defiantly made the better choice. Suggestions for heading back to Dublin would be via Enniskillen, beautiful loughs there with the well known Lough Erne resort, castles and estates like Castle Leslie in Monaghan. Maybe check out Newgrange tombs just off the M1 between Drogheda and Dublin On another note y'all have been lucky with the weather!
Jul 28th, 2013, 06:21 PM
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You are right - you need more time! I vote for the SW. All of Ireland is wonderful but I don't think you can beat the scenery and the craic of the peninsulas (Beara, Dingle, Iveragh). I love it so much I went back every year, 4 years in a row and have now decided to retire and and move there and that is just what I am doing in a few weeks. Whatever you decide, know that you will have to return and see more - and wherever you go, I think you will love it! Ireland is the greatest!
