travelsee09

We wife and I are in our late twenties and generally pretty aggressive travelors in the sense that we enjoy seeing as much as reasonable possible. We decided for our first trip to Ireland that we would go a bit slower, but we still want to get the most out of all the locations we visit. We have to fly in and out of Dublin since we have already booked reward travel that we cannot change. Can you give us your opinion on whether we strike a reasonable balance based on our current plans outlined below? Any suggestions on ways to improve it?

Day 1: Arrive at Dublin airport. Explore. Hotel in Dublin.
Day 2: Day trip to Great Causeway / Londonderry via train to Belfast and tour bus. Hotel in Dublin.
Day 3: Explore Dublin. Hotel in Dublin.
Day 4: Pick up rental car in Dublin / drive through Wicklow region / Explore Kilkenny. B&B in Kilkenny.
Day 5: Drive to rock of cashel. Drive to Dingle town. B&B in Dingle.
Day 6: Explore the Ring of Kerry and Dingle. B&B in Dingle.
Day 7: Finish exploring Dingle, drive to Clare Co for three night stay at Dromoland Castle.
Day 8: Explore Burren / Cliffs of Moher. Overnight at Dromoland Castle.
Day 9: Enjoy Castle amenities/Relax. Overnight at Dromoland Castle.
Day 10: Attend Medieval banquent at Dunguaire castle. Drive to Galway. Overnight in Galway.
Day 11: Return rental car. Day trip to Aran Island. Overnight in Galway.
Day 12: Express train ride from Galway to Dublin. B&B in Dublin.
Day 13: Return flight from Dublin airport.

travelsee09

By the way, I failed to mention that we would be visiting during September....

Thank you,
Derek

jent103

Just a quick note on day 6: by "explore... Dingle," do you mean you plan to drive the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head loop on Dingle in the same day? That is a LOT of driving. I would choose one (Dingle for me, especially if you're already staying there).

travelsee09

Yes, we were considering driving both and stopping as we saw fit along the way. We figured this might be possible because we would be waking up locally and have the entire day. Are you saying that the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head loop on Dingle warrants at least one full day each?

jent103

Yes. When we drove the Slea Head loop, it took us from after breakfast at least through midafternoon. We stopped a few times (beehive huts, Ventry Beach, Slea Head itself, a few picture stops), and went to the Great Blasket Centre as well. I haven't driven the entire Ring of Kerry (just the section between Kenmare and Killarney), but everything I've read indicates that it's a full-day endeavor. Do remember that when you're driving, especially on these scenic routes, that you'll want to stop and take pictures and look around. You also won't be able to go very fast, which I think in Ireland is a good thing - forces you to slow down and look around!

Personally, with your schedule, I would drive the Slea Head loop and leave it at that. If you had an extra 2-3 nights (or wanted to cut something else out), I would stay in Kenmare and explore Killarney National Park. From Kenmare you could drive either the Ring of Kerry or the Beara Peninsula.

skibumette

I'd second jent103's comments. We stayed just outside of Killarney and did Dingle as a day trip: drove to Dingle town via Inch beach in the morning, wandered around town, had lunch, then drove Slea Head Drive (didn't have time to stop at Blasket Center) and then back to Killarney -- it was a very full day and (in retrospect) I felt like we rushed it.

Did ROK another day -- we stopped often for photos but didn't linger over the beautiful Kenmare-Killarney section since we'd already done it another day. It still took us almost a full day.

Otherwise I think your itinerary looks great!

rncheryl

Loved that you are including Dingle and Dromoland! While in Dingle, take the archeologist tour from the Rick Steve book. Fascinating. I had a wonderful sweater knitted for me in Dingle. And the pubs there are fantastic. Only one night in Dromoland, but a really nice meal. Have a great trip. Try to see the castle in Kilkenny

KathleenCL

I highly suggest going to Inis Mor, part of the Aran Islands, and taking the walk/hike up to the Dun Aengus Fort. You'll have the most amazing views. I also loved going to Dingle. They have folk music concerts weekly at St. James Church and it is magical. The Slea Head Drive and Blasket Islands Center is fascinating. The history of the people who lived on Blasket islands is remarkable. If going into Belfast, I'd suggest taking a Black Cab tour of the different Catholic/Protestant neighborhoods. It's a really incredible history lesson. Kinsale and Dingle are lovely for shopping and great restaurants. I highly suggest taking a look at the Rick Steves books as well. We did a 2 week tour with his company and it was perfect. The Apple Tree is a great little restaurant in Dingle. The same family that owns that place owns a great little chip shop in the harbor that's fantasic. We ate a Luigi Malone's and Eden in Dublin, both were very good. Not anything excessively expensive, but both nice. I'd go have a drink at the Clarence Hotel - really nice. The whole Temple Bar area in Dublin is fun, young, rowdy crowd. Go to the Stag's Head- oldest bar in Dublin. OK, enough! I obviously love Ireland!

travelsee09

Thank you all for your comments. We are going to focus on Dingle and try some of the things that you have suggested.

Viajero2

Switch Day 2 and 3.

Agree wholeheartedly with Kathleen; DO NOT leave Belfast without going by the Catholic/Protestant neighborhoods. History unfolds right in front of your eyes. You'll understand better what I am mean when you see it...

Day 5 Drive to Rock of Cashel (explore), Drive to Cahir Castle (explore), stay in Kenmare (Gateway to ROK).

Day 6 Explore ROK; Overnight Dingle.

Day 7 Explore Dingle, including Dingle Peninsula, Overnight Dingle

Two nights vs three at Dromoland. A much better balanced itinerary IMHO that would allow you to better explore at leisure the Southern Irish peninsulas so world renowned. Do not miss stoping at some of the Stone Age Forts. These are really very UNIQUE about Ireland sightseeing. Have fun!!

tayjamarie

No one else has commented on day 2 but that is what concerns me the most! Do you have a tour lined up that takes you to the Giants Causeway and Derry (the British call it Londonderry as a side note, the Irish - Derry) from Dublin? I suppose if you do it will be okay, but that is a very, very long day you have planned. I did a tour of Giants Causeway as well as the coast/rope bridge from Belfast that took the entire day (about 7 hours) which doesn't include the ~2.5 hour train ride to and from dublin, as well as the time to get to Derry, and time to explore Derry as well.

Viajero2

Tay-- I commented on Day 2 and agree it is to be concerned! The main reason I suggested he switched it is because it will be a long day and hence not a good idea the day after transatlantic flight.

steady

Great itinerary!

irishface

Looks doable with the possible exceptions of the small tweaks recommened above. I have looked at the Irish rail tour (I assume that is the one of which you speak) from Dublin to the Giant's Causeway and while it is a long day, someone else is doing the driving and the Causeway is a wonderful place to visit. You can always doze on the train on the way back. Go for it!

pastyp

I would agree with the Belfast day trip. I do a lot of business in Belfast and regulalry travel between Dublin and Belfast by train. It would be a long day for you.

The other important point about that day trip is, is it this September 2009? The direct rail route is closed between Dublin and Belfast at the moment, due to subsidence at a town along the way called Malahide. The rail link across the estuary subsided due to movement of the ocean floor.

There are bus transfers to Dundalk/Drogheda to pick up the Belfast train there and the same on the way back. This would add at least another hour to hour and half to the journey because of the bus having to negotiate the Dublin traffic.

pastyp

Sorry - needed to add the important bit of information that the rebuilding work is going to take 3 months to complete. It has started just recently meaning that it won't be complete until end of November at the earliest.