Melissa5

We will have time for a 1- or 2-night stop at either Cashel or Galway to break up the drive between Southwest Ireland and Trim (Boyne Valley, near Dublin).

Which one do you suggest, Galway or Cashel, and why?

If I pick 2 nights in Galway, we will try to catch a step-dancing show at the Siamsa theatre, and may have time for a day-trip to Connemara. Also want to visit Kenny's Bookshop.

If I pick 1- or 2-nights in Cashel we will see the Rock of Cashel.

Also, I have another choice to make. If we spend only 1 night at the Galway/Cashel stop-over, then we can have 2 nights in Dublin at the end of our trip. But if spend 2 nights at the Galway/Cashel stopover, then we only get 1 night in Dublin at the end of our trip.

What is your vote and why? It is a matter of deciding whether we will enjoy Galway, Cashel, or Dublin more... Which one did YOU enjoy more?

If we have 2 nights in Dublin, we would choose between these sites: Killmainham Gaol; National Museum; Book of Kells; Grafton St.; Dublin Writer's Museum. If we only have 1 night in Dublin, we will not see a whole lot of Dublin!

Thanks very much for any suggestions. I would love to hear what YOU enjoyed more.

12perfectdays

TTT

clarice

It would be a longer drive for you but GALWAY is a wonderful, young, vibrant city with great eating, shopping and beach walks. I would def recommend it, would be a shame to be so close and not go.

keltravel

I love Galway but if you've never been to Cashel, head there! The Rock of Cashel is an amazing historic site. You can do that during the day then that night, you can catch a show called Bru Buru - traditional Irish music and dance. Excellent show! Real Irish, not hokey leprechaun stuff. The theatre is at the base of the Rock of Cashel.

I would give yourself 2 nights in Dublin. You can take a double-decker bus tour to get an idea of what you'd like to go back to. Definitely, go to Kilmainham Jail. Try to get an Irish CD with the song 'Grace' on it to listen to first. It will have great meaning when you see the chapel that Joseph Plunkett married Grace (Gifford, I think) in before being put to death after the Easter rising. Very moving.
The Book of Kells is also very interesting.
Do not leave Ireland without going to Newgrange!! It's in Navan, Co. Meath. Not far from Dublin. It's absolutely amazing!! Trim is very interesting too, but nothing compares to Newgrange for me.
Have a cup of white coffee for me at Bewley's on Grafton St. and have a Guinness & black currant for me in any small pub along the way!
Was visiting family at Christmas and I'm going back in Sept. I miss Ireland!

Melissa5

KELTRAVEL, the Rock of Cashel and the Bru Boru show sound wonderful! I'm glad to hear the music is real traditional Irish music and dance and not hokey tourist stuff. That's exactly what I'm hoping to find. Thanks, I'm excited!

CLARICE, it's so hard to choose among so many great destinations. Galway sounds good too. I am planning to have 3 nights in Lisdoonvarna before we head down to Southwest Ireland...so maybe I should try to see Galway as a daytrip from Lisdoonvarna, and pick Cashel as our stopover between southwest Ireland and Trim.

Thanks for the comments!

waffle18

M,

Found this web site and it made me think of you and your husband. Hope it's helpful!

http://kerry.travelinireland.com/cou...129-35-76.html

Cheers,

Wendy