CathyLee2016

Going to Ireland April 9-30 2016 Plan on flying into Shannon Airport and staying 1 night at The Bunratty Castle Hotel. Spending the next two days in Doolin - Cruise the Cliffs of Moher. Heading to Clifden and staying two nights - to celebrate my birthday on the 14th. From there we are heading to Sligo to stay at the Ardtarmon B&B. Heading to Northern Ireland to see Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway and cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. (Can't forget Bushmills) April 17th we'll be driving The Antrim Coastal Road to Larne and head to the Tandragee Castle (Former site of the O'hanlon Castle - my ancestors) Then on to Carlingford (a Medieval city) to stay a couple of nights. We will visit New Grange while there. We are purposely staying away from Belfast and Dublin as we don't want to drive in the busy cities. Any suggestions as to how we could visit and not drive? Our next stop will be Kinnitty Castle - supposedly haunted! At this point we have about 9 days left. Suggestions anyone as to what we should see? Would like to take a river cruise in Kinsale and maybe travel to Mizen Head and of course drive The Ring of Kerry and Dingle before our return flight in Shannon.

Tony2phones

3 weeks gives time to go round the coastline, not sure the need to stay in Bunratty if you are coming in in the morning? Doolin is on the nice visit wouldn't stay list prefer Kinvara myself but would use Ennis as a 2 night base for the whole of Clare.
These maps might be of use, http://goo.gl/UtW24m http://goo.gl/UL09QA http://goo.gl/xrDQtD

Not sure about a "River Cruise" in Kinsale? but along with Mizen the Sheeps head and Beara are the non tourist peninsulas for the south west. with Killarney or Kenmare being good touring bases, not a fan of Dingle myself but tourists like the place, Then last night in Shannon or maybe use the Bunratty Castle or Bunratty Manor hotel for that last night.

flpab

You can visit Belfast and Dublin easy enough. Park your rental and take the bus or train into the city.

CathyLee2016

Tony, our reason for staying at Bunratty the day we arrive is because getting our flight, car, and accommodations (Bunratty) all together save us a substantial amount of money. I will look at Kinvara - to see what the town is like. Thank you for your input!

Tony2phones

Is this a pre package? flight, car and wash my mouth out "vouchers" ?

Check what the car hire includes and any "extras" like insurance you might get hit with at the rental collection.

Avoid being limited to 200 accommodations out of the 1000's by buying into the voucher scaeme.

CathyLee2016

Tony - no....no vouchers - doing this on our own! We have no problem getting the collision on the car. There isn't a credit card available that will cover driving in Ireland. Sad bud true.

Tony2phones

There is actually, if you know who/where to ask (try asking on http://ireland.activeboard.com/ Itallian Chauffeur will look after the CC question)

jaja

Yep, my Citi World Elite MasterCard now covers Ireland. Yay!