Help with itinerary for trip to Ireland in August
May 28th, 2006, 09:31 AM
#1
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Help with itinerary for trip to Ireland in August
Myself and the most wonderful man in the world would like to plan a romantic, scenic and interactive trip to Ireland the first part of August. We would like to be away 10 days including travel all together. (fly into Shannon) Have been reading ideas here and it seems like we should drive and plan our own itinerary. Could you recommend an 8 day itinerary including B&B's or romantic hotels, scenic places to be sure and see and restaurants,pubs and night life that we should not miss in each town? We love to meet new people, laugh and have fun and so appreciate the beauty of Ireland. This will be our first trip. Relaxed and easy, we want to enjoy each other and everything that we see along the drive. You are so wonderful to help us. Looking forward to your thoughts and ideas. Can skip "touristy" sights uless you truly recommend them. Joni
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May 28th, 2006, 11:50 AM
#3
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Haven't made the flight reservations yet, just thought Shannon would be a good place to begin - so we are completely open. Don't want to backtrack necessarily and yes, the nights are part of our trip also 
Does it show we are first timers? We would love your help. Thanks!
Does it show we are first timers? We would love your help. Thanks!
May 28th, 2006, 12:02 PM
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Do the Aran Islands. Strongly recommend flying from Galway instead of taking the boat. have gone both ways. More time and more relaxed with the plane- worth the expense. Make reservation early. Newgrange was awesome. Wasn't impressed with the Ring of Kerry. Loved Dingle and the people. Murphy's for dinner and music. I have done B&B's both trips, one in April and another in May so I don't know how crazy Aug could be. I am totally comfortable with the stick shift but ended up with brain pain and foot aches trying to shift incorrectly- consider an automatic. Many tours allow you to upgrade to a couple of romantic hotels. If you go to Dublin, do a walking tour of the city- we had a great time learning about the city and seeing the sites. Have a blast. Book your first and last B&B's ahead of time from home (tight near airports), and get a cell phone to make calls on the road to make reservations without having to stop and find a pay phone.
May 28th, 2006, 01:26 PM
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COME NORTH - Take M1 Motorway from Dublin to Newry (1hr). Follow Signs to HILLTOWN (15mins)After Sign'Welcome to kingdom of Mourne' drive slowly round 'seven bends'- suddenly in front of you - The Mourne Mountains- according to recent London newspaper'the most unspoilt and beautiful area in the entire british isles.Follow signs to 'Spelga' (15 mins).Stop- anywhere - you will appreciate not only the beauty and romance of ireland but this whole earth. Do not worry about safety or security, there are no checkpoints or border patrols (all part of EU). You will not know that you have even crossed a land border.Stop in Hilltown for some lunch, there are many pubs and an hotel, US citizens will be made very welcome, may local people work and live in US.
May 28th, 2006, 01:42 PM
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Well! So you and most wonderful man are planning a romantic and
"interactive" trip? Who has time for history and scenery (joking comment from one married 52 years). You did repeat the word romantic along with laughing and having fun.
Seriously, in ten days you will be tempted to wear out doing too much.
Dublin and surrounding area is one thing while the West country is another.
Many will arrive Dublin and depart Shannon and see some of both, but it does mean some driving. This doesn't count journeying to Belfast or even perhaps Co. Sligo.
Personally, I think some touristy sights are special, such as Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, the Burren, Dingle, Book of Kells, while others like Blarney Stone, maybe Waterford aren't. The pubs all over are great for relaxation and the wonderful music whilst nursing your Guinness.
Good luck...half the fun is planning!
ozarksbill
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"interactive" trip? Who has time for history and scenery (joking comment from one married 52 years). You did repeat the word romantic along with laughing and having fun.
Seriously, in ten days you will be tempted to wear out doing too much.
Dublin and surrounding area is one thing while the West country is another.
Many will arrive Dublin and depart Shannon and see some of both, but it does mean some driving. This doesn't count journeying to Belfast or even perhaps Co. Sligo.
Personally, I think some touristy sights are special, such as Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, the Burren, Dingle, Book of Kells, while others like Blarney Stone, maybe Waterford aren't. The pubs all over are great for relaxation and the wonderful music whilst nursing your Guinness.
Good luck...half the fun is planning!
ozarksbill
[email protected]
May 28th, 2006, 01:47 PM
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I suggest you go to the library or bookstore and select some books on Ireland. Preferably ones with pictures. After having a look at possibilities and with a map at hand select the area you find most interesting. Use one of the many map sites online to determine milage( in Ireland you'll usually only manage about 25-30 mph) and chose a route that covers most of what you want to see.
In Ireland there are really no wrong choices. I would get going on this as many of the best places will already be fully booked for August.
Try www.specialplacestostay.com for a good selection of B&B's, small hotels and guest houses.
In Ireland there are really no wrong choices. I would get going on this as many of the best places will already be fully booked for August.
Try www.specialplacestostay.com for a good selection of B&B's, small hotels and guest houses.
May 28th, 2006, 02:27 PM
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Joni,
You wrote:
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"Have been reading ideas here and it seems like we should drive and plan our own itinerary. Could you recommend an 8 day itinerary including B&B's or romantic hotels, scenic places to be sure and see and restaurants,pubs and night life that we should not miss in each town?"
--------------------------------------
To me that seems contradictory. Do YOU want to plan your own itinerary or have other people do it for you?
You will get plenty of recommendations here from people who have been to Ireland once or maybe a lot of times. They will tell you their favorites and what they liked. But that may not be what you like.
If you want to plan your own itinerary you need to do a lot of research. As historytraveler has suggested you need to read books, look at maps and generally see what you like to do. You need to be informed, ask the right questions, sift through the answers and then make your decisions. It can be time consuming to do you own itinerary but if you have the time it is fun.
Since it is almost June now and you are going in August (high season) you should be moving fast on your research. Generally, the very best and most romantic places will fill first. If you wait you get the leftovers. It is the "if you snooze, you lose" syndrome. Get planning right away so you can make the most of your trip.
You wrote:
-------------------------------------
"Have been reading ideas here and it seems like we should drive and plan our own itinerary. Could you recommend an 8 day itinerary including B&B's or romantic hotels, scenic places to be sure and see and restaurants,pubs and night life that we should not miss in each town?"
--------------------------------------
To me that seems contradictory. Do YOU want to plan your own itinerary or have other people do it for you?
You will get plenty of recommendations here from people who have been to Ireland once or maybe a lot of times. They will tell you their favorites and what they liked. But that may not be what you like.
If you want to plan your own itinerary you need to do a lot of research. As historytraveler has suggested you need to read books, look at maps and generally see what you like to do. You need to be informed, ask the right questions, sift through the answers and then make your decisions. It can be time consuming to do you own itinerary but if you have the time it is fun.
Since it is almost June now and you are going in August (high season) you should be moving fast on your research. Generally, the very best and most romantic places will fill first. If you wait you get the leftovers. It is the "if you snooze, you lose" syndrome. Get planning right away so you can make the most of your trip.
May 28th, 2006, 04:07 PM
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To me, a romantic, scenic, relaxed, and easy trip means two nights in the same bed whenever possible and time for walks whenever the spirit moves you. With that in mind, here's a possible itinerary. Fill in the details for each day as you wish.
Day 1 - Arrive at Shannon. Drive to Kenmare. Have a nice dinner to celebrate your first night in Ireland. Sleep in Kenmare.
Day 2 - Explore either the Ring of Kerry or the Beara Peninsula. (If you want to avoid the tour buses, pick the Beara.) Spend the night in Kenmare.
Day 3 - Drive to Dingle. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Conor Pass. You may not get another chance. Spend the evening in one or more of Dingle's pubs that have traditional music sessions and get in on some good craic (conversation). Sleep in Dingle.
Day 4 - Explore Slea Head and as much of the rest of the Dingle Peninsula as time permits, either by car or bike. More music and craic. Sleep in Dingle.
Day 5- Drive north, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coastal road to Galway. More music and craic in a pub. Sleep in Galway.
Day 6 - Either visit the Aran Islands or drive the Connemara loop. More music and craic. Sleep in Galway.
Day 7 - Get up early and drive to Dublin. Turn in your car at the airport and take a bus into the city. Explore as time allows. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.
Day 8 - More time in Dublin. If you haven't already done so, see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.
Day 9 - Fly home.
You'll need a detailed map for driving in Ireland, something like either the foldout Michelin Ireland map or the spiralbound Michelin Ireland atlas. Both are available at amazon.com. Buy one now to help with your planning.
Day 1 - Arrive at Shannon. Drive to Kenmare. Have a nice dinner to celebrate your first night in Ireland. Sleep in Kenmare.
Day 2 - Explore either the Ring of Kerry or the Beara Peninsula. (If you want to avoid the tour buses, pick the Beara.) Spend the night in Kenmare.
Day 3 - Drive to Dingle. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Conor Pass. You may not get another chance. Spend the evening in one or more of Dingle's pubs that have traditional music sessions and get in on some good craic (conversation). Sleep in Dingle.
Day 4 - Explore Slea Head and as much of the rest of the Dingle Peninsula as time permits, either by car or bike. More music and craic. Sleep in Dingle.
Day 5- Drive north, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coastal road to Galway. More music and craic in a pub. Sleep in Galway.
Day 6 - Either visit the Aran Islands or drive the Connemara loop. More music and craic. Sleep in Galway.
Day 7 - Get up early and drive to Dublin. Turn in your car at the airport and take a bus into the city. Explore as time allows. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.
Day 8 - More time in Dublin. If you haven't already done so, see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Go to the theatre, a concert, or a pub. Sleep in Dublin.
Day 9 - Fly home.
You'll need a detailed map for driving in Ireland, something like either the foldout Michelin Ireland map or the spiralbound Michelin Ireland atlas. Both are available at amazon.com. Buy one now to help with your planning.
May 28th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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Every comment made so far is so helpful. I know I am short on time, so each of you and your guidance are so valuable to me. I'm researching fast, fast, fast I promise! - the head start you are giving me is greatly appreciated! I'll be back, keep talking to me. Tim! Thank you
May 29th, 2006, 07:57 AM
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this would hit some of our favorites...
1 night-cashel(rock of cashel, bru boru centre/music show that night
2 nights-kinsale (on way stop and see cahir castle and swiss cottage from kinsale could see-blarney, midleton distillery, cobh, or charles fort)
2 nights -kenmare (beara pen.,ROK)
2 nights -dingle (killarney national park/muckross, ross castle on way to dingle, next day slea head loop)
1-doolin if flight next day not too early, or bunratty (cliffs of moher)
16 days and counting until I leave for Ireland!
1 night-cashel(rock of cashel, bru boru centre/music show that night
2 nights-kinsale (on way stop and see cahir castle and swiss cottage from kinsale could see-blarney, midleton distillery, cobh, or charles fort)
2 nights -kenmare (beara pen.,ROK)
2 nights -dingle (killarney national park/muckross, ross castle on way to dingle, next day slea head loop)
1-doolin if flight next day not too early, or bunratty (cliffs of moher)
16 days and counting until I leave for Ireland!
May 29th, 2006, 12:06 PM
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Bru Boru in Cashel is indeed worth the trip. One of the highlights of my time in Ireland.
However, here's another way to go: Do the Aran Islands, and then keep going north from there. August is still tourist season - if you go to the northwest you might find yourself with a little more breathing space, but also in some amazingly beautiful locations.
Good luck!
However, here's another way to go: Do the Aran Islands, and then keep going north from there. August is still tourist season - if you go to the northwest you might find yourself with a little more breathing space, but also in some amazingly beautiful locations.
Good luck!
May 29th, 2006, 01:47 PM
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I was in Ireland with my 18 year old granddaughter. We flew into Shannon and out of Dublin. Yes, we drove like fools but went everywhere that sounded good and had a great time. I highly recomment Blarney Castle. The pub right in town was tons of fun with lots of local people. The grounds of the castle are very mysterious and we could feel the presence of really old spirits. The same was true for us in the Barrens.
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