Dublin - Shannon, 10 days -- please help
May 15th, 2006, 06:39 PM
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Dublin - Shannon, 10 days -- please help
My fiancee and I (both in late 20s) are flying into Dublin early on Aug. 25 and flying out of Shannon early on Sept. 4. After spending two nights in Dublin, we will pick up a rental car and drive for the rest of the trip. Here's the itinerary we've planned so far. Please comment. Are we cramming too much into the trip? If so, what would you cut or add?
Many thanks in advance.
Dublin - 2 nights
Kilkenny - 1 night
Kinsale - 1 night
Kenmare - 1 night
Dingle - 2 nights
Doolin - 1 night
Bunratty - 1 night (for a.m. flight out of Shannon)
Many thanks in advance.
Dublin - 2 nights
Kilkenny - 1 night
Kinsale - 1 night
Kenmare - 1 night
Dingle - 2 nights
Doolin - 1 night
Bunratty - 1 night (for a.m. flight out of Shannon)
May 16th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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If you arrive on Aug 25th and leave on Sept 4th, I count 10 nights in country. You have 9 nights planned so I assume you leave on Aug 25th and arrive on Saturday, Aug 26th.
Can't comment on Kilkenny but you are breezing right on through Kinsale and Kenmare. Between the two, there are some beautiful peninsulsas (Mizen and Beara) that are well worth the time. Dingle definitely deserves 2 nights. Are you going to Doolin for the Cliffs of Moher? Tell us what your interests are and we can be of more help.
I will tell you that you are moving quickly but it can be done if you are strongly motivated.
Can't comment on Kilkenny but you are breezing right on through Kinsale and Kenmare. Between the two, there are some beautiful peninsulsas (Mizen and Beara) that are well worth the time. Dingle definitely deserves 2 nights. Are you going to Doolin for the Cliffs of Moher? Tell us what your interests are and we can be of more help.
I will tell you that you are moving quickly but it can be done if you are strongly motivated.
May 16th, 2006, 04:53 PM
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Sorry, I should have clarified. Yes, we're arriving in Dublin on the morning of Aug. 26 and leaving the morning of Sept. 4. So we'll have a total of nine nights. Do you think we should skip Kilkenny altogether, or is our itinerary doable?
May 17th, 2006, 01:44 PM
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It's doable but it will be the "green blur". Try going to viamichelin.com and checking out the travel time (average 35 mph). Then figure in time packing each morning, time to eat and explore- see if all your stops are worth it. Personally, I left out Dublin and flew into Shannon to give myself more time in the West. That is what interested me the most. Your interests might be completely different.
May 17th, 2006, 04:12 PM
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Before I answer, let me ask if you already have tickets to Dublin. Also, are you strongly attached to the idea of Dublin? What types of activities interest you? Are you city people or prefer viewing scenery?
May 17th, 2006, 04:17 PM
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Yes, we already purchased our tickets. We considered just flying in and out of Shannon, but ultimately decided to at least spend a little time in Dublin since it's our first trip.
However, we're actually not that into big cities. I'm more interested in seeing the Irish countryside and coastline and perhaps seeing some castles, pretty coasts, archaeological sites, Irish food and culture. (Can I be generic enough?
Thanks again.
However, we're actually not that into big cities. I'm more interested in seeing the Irish countryside and coastline and perhaps seeing some castles, pretty coasts, archaeological sites, Irish food and culture. (Can I be generic enough?
Thanks again.
May 19th, 2006, 10:15 AM
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You know what, Kelly? I ran your route on viamichelin.com and it doesn't look bad at all. I also looked at other itineraries and trip reports here. There are several that did almost exactly what you have planned. Stick with your original plan.
I only have a few pieces of advice (which are free so don't hesitate to ignore them! LOL!). Pack very lightly so leaving your B&B every morning is not a major ordeal. Get out of the car whenever possible and enjoy the scenery. It is much nicer when you are not looking through a car window. Print off your driving directions for each day before you leave home. Let one person be the driver and the other the curser and screamer hanging onto the center console- wait, that was just me- I mean, the navigator.
Finally, enjoy yourself. Talk to people. Have pub grub so that you can socialize more. If you hear good music in a pub and they are selling the CD, buy it! It will become one of your most prized possessions.
In Kenmare, there is a place called The Seashore Farm Guesthouse. It is about twice the cost of a B&B and is not within walking distance to town. However, I would highly recommend it. The O'Sullivans are wonderful, kind people. The rooms are huge, each with a small balcony and sliding patio doors, overlooking the River Kenmare and the mountains of the Beara Peninsula. Very peaceful and not too far from town.
In Kinsale, you will probably need dinner reservations unless you eat early. Because the town is so culinary focused, the "good" restaurants tend to fill up quickly.
Definitely do the Slea Head drive (use Rick Steve's plan) when you get to Dingle. We stopped at the little store above Coumeenole Beach, just after you pass the white statue. (Can't remember the name!) We bought a blanket and a take-away lunch, ate on the beach. I never wanted to leave that beach.
I only have a few pieces of advice (which are free so don't hesitate to ignore them! LOL!). Pack very lightly so leaving your B&B every morning is not a major ordeal. Get out of the car whenever possible and enjoy the scenery. It is much nicer when you are not looking through a car window. Print off your driving directions for each day before you leave home. Let one person be the driver and the other the curser and screamer hanging onto the center console- wait, that was just me- I mean, the navigator.
Finally, enjoy yourself. Talk to people. Have pub grub so that you can socialize more. If you hear good music in a pub and they are selling the CD, buy it! It will become one of your most prized possessions.
In Kenmare, there is a place called The Seashore Farm Guesthouse. It is about twice the cost of a B&B and is not within walking distance to town. However, I would highly recommend it. The O'Sullivans are wonderful, kind people. The rooms are huge, each with a small balcony and sliding patio doors, overlooking the River Kenmare and the mountains of the Beara Peninsula. Very peaceful and not too far from town.
In Kinsale, you will probably need dinner reservations unless you eat early. Because the town is so culinary focused, the "good" restaurants tend to fill up quickly.
Definitely do the Slea Head drive (use Rick Steve's plan) when you get to Dingle. We stopped at the little store above Coumeenole Beach, just after you pass the white statue. (Can't remember the name!) We bought a blanket and a take-away lunch, ate on the beach. I never wanted to leave that beach.
