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Help requested: itinerary for "Dublin Environs"

Help requested: itinerary for "Dublin Environs"

Old Mar 7th, 2008, 07:15 AM
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Help requested: itinerary for "Dublin Environs"

Hello - we are blessed to be planning a trip to Ireland in September with good friends.
Our friends can only manage one week, so we've locked in the Shannon side with them(3 nights at Gregan's Castle, then 2 at Heaton's in Dingle, then over to Kinsale for - sadly - only one night.) The 2 husbands are golfers, so 4 days are built around specific courses.

Since my husband and I CAN manage 2 weeks, we're headed over the week before (Saturday, 9/6/08, arrive Sunday morning), and flying into Dublin. I've looked through about everything I can find here in the wonderful forum, and built my files, but here's the big question:
We're staying at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin (thank you, Marriott points!). I think I want: 2 days (Sunday & Monday)in Dublin and also (Tuesday) to get up to the Newgrange area with Drougheda, Hill of Tara, maybe Trim - so a long day. Then (Wednesday) a day down around Glendalough.
My first thought was to get our car on day 3 and leave Dublin, wander up around Newgrange, then find a spot to stay along way to Glendalough area, then night 4 would be around Glendalough.

Finally I had the lightbulb moment: they both seem day-trip-able from Dublin, so I've extended Shelbourne Hotel to 4 nights. Does anyone think that's a really bad idea? If so, how would you do it?
Is the traffic in and out of Dublin going to mess us up as we "reverse commute" from & back to Dublin these 2 days?
Ultimately, we need to be near Shannon airport Friday night to pick up the friends as they arrive early Saturday. So,day 5 (Thursday), I'm thinking head to Kilkenny - wander the town, hit a pub & some music hopefully that night.
Friday night I've booked one of the hotels in Bunratty area, so that part's set up. As we pick them up, we'll head to Gregan's Castle in Ballyvaughan.
So: I'd love some help please, ideas in general but these in particular:
Given Dublin traffic, do I need to rethink being able to get to Newgrange area and to Glendalough for good touring? Should we leave the (free) Shelborne and find spots near our sightseeing?
Is Kilkenny the right spot to spend that one night in the center of Ireland? I've read great things about the town's architecture, etc, due to its age. is there a better choice though?
Where to stay in Kilkenny? Very central is what I'm looking for, with comfortable beds and an easy walk to restaurant, touring, and pubs. (I have searched the Forum and have some ideas - some are already booked, so Hiburnian hotel seems to be best choice for really accessible - any negatives on that hotel?)
Any favorite spots to eat around Glendalough? Newgrange area?
Well - all help appreciated! Thanks!
Jo Ann
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Old Mar 7th, 2008, 09:53 AM
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Old Mar 7th, 2008, 02:37 PM
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I have not done the drive in and out of Dublin on a reverse commute, but might suggest heading up to Newgrange, Trim, etc. and then head south toward Glendalough by taking the Ring road around Dublin and staying in one of the south shore suburbs. The next day head off to Glendalough and then to Kilkenny. I think Kilkenny is a great place to stay. So it might be Sun, Mon., Tues in Dublin, Wed go north to Newgrange, etc. and head south toward Glendalough. Thur glendalough and on to Kilkenny and Friday to shannon. Does this make sense to other Irish experts?
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Old Mar 8th, 2008, 04:17 AM
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Aha! Thanks, Irishface,for the input - are you suggesting that I want to be closer to Glendalough the next morning, rather than starting again from central Dublin? I've read suggestions that it's good to get to Glendalough early in the morning, before tour buses start arriving? (my husband and I are capable of pretty early departures, but still we'd have some distance to cover to get to the area.)
by "south shore suburbs" - I've got my map out; would you mean the Bray area,for instance? or is there another area that's pretty, charming, etc, that offsets leaving a free hotel room in Dublin?

I'm glad to hear you think Kilkenny is the right stopover going over to Shannon! I've been to the SW of Ireland in 1990, but the rest of the country is brand new to me!

Any other posters have ideas for me? Thanks!
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Old Mar 8th, 2008, 06:22 AM
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Bray would make a good stopover or just south of Bray is Greystones. An early start from either of those towns would get you to Glendalough in plenty of time to beat the tour busses.

Alternatively you could make a stop at Powerscourt Gardens on the way. Or if you were a fan of Ballykissangel, go right to Glendalough and then to Avoca, where Ballyk was filmed and on to Kelkenny.

Kilkenny has lots to keep you busy if you decide to go to Glend. early and then right on to Kilkenny.

When my sister and I were there a couple years ago, we had a wonderful early bird special (5-6:30, I think) at Ketylers Inn. there regular meals have always been enjoyable as well. We ate early that particular trip as we had had a very light lunch and were starving.
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Old Mar 8th, 2008, 06:28 AM
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If you get to Greystones, Slievemore House is a B&B right on the harbor. Nice views from there. The HUngry Monk up on the Main street, easy walk from Slievemore House, serves wonderful dinners. Poppies, which closes early, has great food for simple suppers. All homemade and served up by friendly people. (Lasagna, shepherds pie, salads, delicious desserts.) Harborside just a few steps from slievemore House also has good food.

Glandore B&B is on the other side of town and is welcoming and friendly, but an easy walk to the restaurants, beach and harbor. I will look up the info on these two places and repost later today or tomorrow.
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