7 nights in Ireland-In/Out Shannon-Itinerary advice for newbie travelers?
Oct 18th, 2011, 11:00 PM
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7 nights in Ireland-In/Out Shannon-Itinerary advice for newbie travelers?
Hello everybody! First of all, let me say I am completely new to the Fodor website (I've used the books before, though) so I apologize if I break any etiquette I am not aware of! I browsed the forum and did not see a question quite like mine, so hopefully I am not repeating something that's already been asked.
My husband and I are going to Ireland at the end of the month (very spur of the moment), and we are clueless!! I would really appreciate any advice people can give us on how to break down our trip.
We get into Shannon Saturday (10/29) and leave from Shannon on Sunday morning (11/6). We are renting a car, so we'll have transportation.
The only thing we really know we want to see is Dublin. We are completely unfamiliar with the rest of Ireland. I realize now we should have booked our flight into Dublin (or booked out of Dublin) but, like I said, we are total noob travelers. Oh well, we'll know for next time!
Does anybody have any suggestions for us? I was thinking we could meander our way to Dublin (maybe get there around Tuesday?), hitting some sights on the way, then weave our way back on Thursday or Friday, hitting a few more sights. Does this seem doable?
Also, should I book B&B's before I get there, or is it ok to wing it and book B&B's the same day?
I'm sorry if this post is overly long! I'm just excited but also overwhelmed. Thanks so much for all your help!! It is very appreciated
My husband and I are going to Ireland at the end of the month (very spur of the moment), and we are clueless!! I would really appreciate any advice people can give us on how to break down our trip.
We get into Shannon Saturday (10/29) and leave from Shannon on Sunday morning (11/6). We are renting a car, so we'll have transportation.
The only thing we really know we want to see is Dublin. We are completely unfamiliar with the rest of Ireland. I realize now we should have booked our flight into Dublin (or booked out of Dublin) but, like I said, we are total noob travelers. Oh well, we'll know for next time!
Does anybody have any suggestions for us? I was thinking we could meander our way to Dublin (maybe get there around Tuesday?), hitting some sights on the way, then weave our way back on Thursday or Friday, hitting a few more sights. Does this seem doable?
Also, should I book B&B's before I get there, or is it ok to wing it and book B&B's the same day?
I'm sorry if this post is overly long! I'm just excited but also overwhelmed. Thanks so much for all your help!! It is very appreciated
Oct 19th, 2011, 02:35 AM
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No problems. Book accommodation for your 1st and last night. decide the couple of nights you want in Dublin maybe 2nd & 3rd? you will want a Hotel in or just out of Dublin with a car park. You don't need a car in Dublin but I am unsure if a couple of 3day hires works out more expensive than a full term car hire? The Clocks also change on the night you arrive so you will lose an hour of the Sunday and have to be up an hour earlier for breakfast.
Apart from Dublin you must have some other must see places in mind to help give some idea of possible routes?
Apart from Dublin you must have some other must see places in mind to help give some idea of possible routes?
Oct 19th, 2011, 02:48 AM
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Well, we flew in/out of Shannon back in August for a similar time. Perhaps this can give you some additional ideas (we did not schlep back to Dublin though):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ids-photos.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ids-photos.cfm
Oct 19th, 2011, 11:18 AM
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Thank you both for your replies!! Tony2phones it's reassuring to hear you say Dublin is doable. I've been having people tell me it's not worth it, which was kind of bumming us out. I hadn't even thought about breaking up a car rental, I'm going to look into that. I know we also want to see the Cliff of Moher, and maybe the Guinness factory, and see a castle, and we want to hear Irish music and go to the pubs. But honestly, we are so clueless at this point (I ordered a couple travel books online and they arrive here tomorrow, so we'll be less clueless soon
And @indy_dad - thanks so much for providing the link to your blog post!! It was so thorough and really helped give me a better-formed idea of some of the things we could do. Your photographs were great and got me so excited to get over there to Ireland and start seeing some of those things myself!
And @indy_dad - thanks so much for providing the link to your blog post!! It was so thorough and really helped give me a better-formed idea of some of the things we could do. Your photographs were great and got me so excited to get over there to Ireland and start seeing some of those things myself!
Oct 19th, 2011, 11:47 AM
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County Clare (the area just north of Shannon) is full of wonderful sights. Maybe head for Ennis for the first night. Ennis is small enough not to be intimidating, but with restaurants and pubs for the evening. One of my favorite sights is the Cragganouwen project, fairly near Shannon. It is a recreated farming village of very early times. The Brendan, the boat which was built in the mid 20th century to sail the Atlantic and prove that St. Brendan could have discovered America one thousand years before Columbus, is housed here. There is also a tower fort from 600 years ago. Lovely tea room for light lunch. Enough walking to halp overcome jet lag. On to Ennis via Quin with its ruined abbey (very scenic, expecially if you are into photography)
Sunday explore the Burren, Ailwee Cave, Poulnabron (sp?) dolman. Head toward Clonmacnois, abbey of st. Kieran with its round tower and Celtic crosses. Find a B&B for the night.
Monday wend your way to Dublin via Boyne Valley, Monasterboice and Mellifont Abbey, Trim.
Monday night,Tuesday and Wed Dublin.
Thursday head toward Dingle or Killarney. Maybe stop in Cashel. Spend Thursday and Friday nights in one of those places. Drive the Ring of Kerry or visit the national Park from Killarney. Or is you choose Dingle, explore the Slea Head drive and the rest of the Peninsula.
Saturday, head back towards Shannon.
TI (tourist information offices) can help find a room for the night in a local area or will call ahead to your planned stop for the night. They can usually find a place (B&B or hotel) within your price range and with the amenities you require. Remember that the nights will be closing in early on you at this time of year. weather can be glorious or iffy or downright nasty.
I have not gone into detai other than the first part as I will let you read about my suggestions in your guide books and find what matches your interests.
Have a wonderful time!
Sunday explore the Burren, Ailwee Cave, Poulnabron (sp?) dolman. Head toward Clonmacnois, abbey of st. Kieran with its round tower and Celtic crosses. Find a B&B for the night.
Monday wend your way to Dublin via Boyne Valley, Monasterboice and Mellifont Abbey, Trim.
Monday night,Tuesday and Wed Dublin.
Thursday head toward Dingle or Killarney. Maybe stop in Cashel. Spend Thursday and Friday nights in one of those places. Drive the Ring of Kerry or visit the national Park from Killarney. Or is you choose Dingle, explore the Slea Head drive and the rest of the Peninsula.
Saturday, head back towards Shannon.
TI (tourist information offices) can help find a room for the night in a local area or will call ahead to your planned stop for the night. They can usually find a place (B&B or hotel) within your price range and with the amenities you require. Remember that the nights will be closing in early on you at this time of year. weather can be glorious or iffy or downright nasty.
I have not gone into detai other than the first part as I will let you read about my suggestions in your guide books and find what matches your interests.
Have a wonderful time!
Oct 19th, 2011, 11:47 AM
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You will have 3 nights to get to Dublin and 3 nights back.
Try night 1 in Ennis, not far from Shannon and a great base for Clare as a whole. Music should be available in at least a couple of pubs, definitely Brogans and The front bar of Queens. Possibly stay at Grey Gables guest house.
Day 2 run out to Lahinch and up the coast to Doolin past the Cliffs before continuing to Galway for a couple of nights. Galway is a vibrant compact little city very busy with lots going on and a good base to take a drive out into the Connamara and possibly explore the bits of the Burren you missed on your drive through. Athenry is a nice little Heritage town just east of the city and worth a quick look at the castle and Heritage centre.
Day 4 set off across the M6 to Dublin, possibly a detour to Clonmacnoise by Athlone on the way over.
2 days and nights in Dublin before dropping to Kilkenny starting your way back night 6.
Cashel and Cahir could take up day 7 before Limerick and Bunratty Castle/Folk park and a final night in Bunratty or Shannon.
Think that's possible?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?f=d...532104&t=m&z=8
Try night 1 in Ennis, not far from Shannon and a great base for Clare as a whole. Music should be available in at least a couple of pubs, definitely Brogans and The front bar of Queens. Possibly stay at Grey Gables guest house.
Day 2 run out to Lahinch and up the coast to Doolin past the Cliffs before continuing to Galway for a couple of nights. Galway is a vibrant compact little city very busy with lots going on and a good base to take a drive out into the Connamara and possibly explore the bits of the Burren you missed on your drive through. Athenry is a nice little Heritage town just east of the city and worth a quick look at the castle and Heritage centre.
Day 4 set off across the M6 to Dublin, possibly a detour to Clonmacnoise by Athlone on the way over.
2 days and nights in Dublin before dropping to Kilkenny starting your way back night 6.
Cashel and Cahir could take up day 7 before Limerick and Bunratty Castle/Folk park and a final night in Bunratty or Shannon.
Think that's possible?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?f=d...532104&t=m&z=8
Oct 19th, 2011, 12:49 PM
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Oh, wow!!! You are all so wonderful, thank you so much!!
@irishface - I am SO appreciative that you took the time to break down a day-by-day itinerary for us. Thank you!! Are tourist information offices located in towns or cities? I have never heard of those before. The Cragganouwen project sounds really interesting. I feel so much more at ease now that I can visually see a day-by-day breakdown
@Tony2phones - Again, thank you for the fantastic day-by-day advice!! My jaw dropped when I clicked the link and saw the map and its loop outline. That is amazing!! I had no idea you could do something like that with google maps. It completely helped put things in perspective for me!! I am feeling so much more confident about this trip now (not to mention EXCITED!!).
Thank you all for the advice you've been giving us! You are really helping to set some newbie travelers minds at ease
@irishface - I am SO appreciative that you took the time to break down a day-by-day itinerary for us. Thank you!! Are tourist information offices located in towns or cities? I have never heard of those before. The Cragganouwen project sounds really interesting. I feel so much more at ease now that I can visually see a day-by-day breakdown
@Tony2phones - Again, thank you for the fantastic day-by-day advice!! My jaw dropped when I clicked the link and saw the map and its loop outline. That is amazing!! I had no idea you could do something like that with google maps. It completely helped put things in perspective for me!! I am feeling so much more confident about this trip now (not to mention EXCITED!!).
Thank you all for the advice you've been giving us! You are really helping to set some newbie travelers minds at ease
Oct 19th, 2011, 02:55 PM
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I would add that late and early in the "season" we have found many of the TIs closed. So even if you don't book ahead, I would research some B&B's in the areas where you will likely be staying. The Internet has really changed travel sine our first trip to Ireland in 95. I hope this will be the first of many Irish adventures for you!
Oct 19th, 2011, 03:14 PM
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Cragganouwen is great but cutbacks and restructuring at Shannon Heritage means only Bunratty remains open out of season. not sure what next year will bring?
irishface.. great minds and all that... Dingle would not be on my radar in November, fine for a sight see in summer but a bit out of the way for a tight schedule. lets face it Slea head and the Connor pass on a rainy/windy day??
Sevenseas. Possible drives from Galway.
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/vi...nemara/drives/
irishface.. great minds and all that... Dingle would not be on my radar in November, fine for a sight see in summer but a bit out of the way for a tight schedule. lets face it Slea head and the Connor pass on a rainy/windy day??
Sevenseas. Possible drives from Galway.
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/vi...nemara/drives/
Oct 19th, 2011, 05:22 PM
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Reading Irishface recommend the Burren gave me a flashback to the flat tire we suffered on that road. Beware the ragged edges, that's what did us in. It was just a small bump in the road (literally) to a wonderful trip.
I also quite liked Ennis, and stayed at the Temple Gate Hotel, which had a great location walkable to many shops and a lovely cafe with a busker who sang while I had my coffee, oh brother, it's time to go back!!!
I also quite liked Ennis, and stayed at the Temple Gate Hotel, which had a great location walkable to many shops and a lovely cafe with a busker who sang while I had my coffee, oh brother, it's time to go back!!!
Oct 20th, 2011, 02:10 AM
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Oct 20th, 2011, 11:17 AM
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Tony's itinerary is better than mine. I thought of Kilkenny, but then went for Kerry or Dingle. But his thoughts on the subject are quite valid. I have been to all of the places he recommends, and I am sure that you will enjoy them all.
If you look on a road map of Ireland, the towns with TIs are marked with a lower case italicized letter i in a light brown box. Most guide books will tell which ones are open all year.
Tony, I am so sorry that Cragganouwen is closed out of season and that more cutbacks may be in sight.
If you look on a road map of Ireland, the towns with TIs are marked with a lower case italicized letter i in a light brown box. Most guide books will tell which ones are open all year.
Tony, I am so sorry that Cragganouwen is closed out of season and that more cutbacks may be in sight.
Oct 20th, 2011, 11:24 AM
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I highly recommend Galway as a stop on this trip. Travelled to Ireland many times over the past 10 years and having been in both high season and off season ( which is when you are traveling)...it is a totally different experience. Galway is a university town and is a great place to spend a couple of nights..especially since many of the smaller towns become very quiet after September!
Oct 20th, 2011, 01:42 PM
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Oh my gosh, I can't believe how much input you all have been providing! Thank you so much everybody for your help. I'm really impressed with you fodorites!
@tony2phones - Yes, I posted this question to tripadvisor too (when googling about my question, a lot of forum posts kept showing tripadvisor and fodors as places with helpful users). Is it bad to do that? I honestly am unfamiliar with internet etiquette. If it's rude, I'll try and figure out how to take one of the posts down.
I appreciate the tips on driving - especially since last month my husband and I got a flat just from driving in the city over here, which has pretty smooth roads! We'll have to be extra careful.
I didn't realize TI's are marked on the maps! That's great. And good advice on the TI's being possibly closed during off-season - I wouldn't have thought of that. We will do some research on B&B's before we depart. In fact, we'll probably bring our laptop in case there's wifi in some places and do research there if we need to, too.
And @irishface - lol, I love that you decided Tony's itinerary was better than yours. I really like both the suggestions you guys provided. I think we're probably going to do a little mishmash of things so I really appreciated both of yours input
And @tony2phones - you have provided me with so much helpful advice, suggestions, and input! You seem like an Ireland pro and, on top of it you've been SO helpful! Thanks again!
I can't believe the response I've been getting to this post. I thought I would be lucky if one or two people suggested a couple of things to see. You have all helped TREMENDOUSLY, really!! After we get back from our trip I will be sure to report back in and let you all know how it went
@tony2phones - Yes, I posted this question to tripadvisor too (when googling about my question, a lot of forum posts kept showing tripadvisor and fodors as places with helpful users). Is it bad to do that? I honestly am unfamiliar with internet etiquette. If it's rude, I'll try and figure out how to take one of the posts down.
I appreciate the tips on driving - especially since last month my husband and I got a flat just from driving in the city over here, which has pretty smooth roads! We'll have to be extra careful.
I didn't realize TI's are marked on the maps! That's great. And good advice on the TI's being possibly closed during off-season - I wouldn't have thought of that. We will do some research on B&B's before we depart. In fact, we'll probably bring our laptop in case there's wifi in some places and do research there if we need to, too.
And @irishface - lol, I love that you decided Tony's itinerary was better than yours. I really like both the suggestions you guys provided. I think we're probably going to do a little mishmash of things so I really appreciated both of yours input
And @tony2phones - you have provided me with so much helpful advice, suggestions, and input! You seem like an Ireland pro and, on top of it you've been SO helpful! Thanks again!
I can't believe the response I've been getting to this post. I thought I would be lucky if one or two people suggested a couple of things to see. You have all helped TREMENDOUSLY, really!! After we get back from our trip I will be sure to report back in and let you all know how it went
Oct 20th, 2011, 01:59 PM
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No problems at all posting on as many forums as you like, I contribute on 5 different sites, which is one reason I sometimes get confused between posts. I get even more confused when the same questions are asked by different "names" but I just hope I remain consistent.
forums and travel guides are just around to assist. There are some excellent contributors on most forums I have come across just as there are some really good helpful guide books. The bottom line is, that it is going to be your holiday, take your time sort out what you can see in the time you have, from what you would really want to see and have a great time.
forums and travel guides are just around to assist. There are some excellent contributors on most forums I have come across just as there are some really good helpful guide books. The bottom line is, that it is going to be your holiday, take your time sort out what you can see in the time you have, from what you would really want to see and have a great time.
