amamax2

Hello,

So I've taken all the wonderful advice from here, consulted with my DH and teen boys, plugged in towns to the mileage estimators, and my head is absolutely spinning!

Please tell me what you think and help poke holes and fill in holes as necessary. As this will be our third week "on the road," we'd like to have a relaxing, unhurried time in Ireland, without too much moving around. We'd also like to be able to soak up some of the local atmosphere (as much as one can in just a few days).

We are traveling mid-April, arriving in Ireland on a Friday after being in London & France before this, so no jet-lag to worry about.

Day 1: fly Paris to Cork, arr 4 p.m.
p/u rental car
Blarney Castle
spend night somewhere around here.

Day 2: Drive to Kenmare
aa route planner with adding on time looks like 2 hours if we go directly to Kenmare - does this seem right? We could go straight there and maybe do Beara Peninsula or take a longer route along the coast?
spend night in Kenmare

Day 3 - 7 - this is where I need advice - see below

Day 8 – need to be at Shannon Airport for 5:20 p.m. flight to London
Should we be at airport 2, or 3, hours ahead of time?

We would like to do:

Beara Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula
Gap of Dunloe
Blasket Island
Killarney National Parks: Mukross Farms, Abbey, Torc Waterfall
Kissane Sheep Farm
Pubs/Music

If we have time:

Falconry School at either Aillwee Caves or Balleyseede Castle
Cliffs of Moher boat trip

So: would it be best to do 3 nights Kenmare, 3 nights Dingle? Or some combination of that? Or, take one or two nights away from Kenmare/Dingle and stay in Doolin or Ennis so we are closer to the airport but also to fit in Falconry school at Aillwee cave and/or Cliffs of Moher?

Am I being too ambitious already?

Thanks, as always!

jaja

Feel free to check out my trip report at http://www.travelpod.com/members/jjarnold . The one you want is Lucky Horseshoe. Pick us up on Day 3 when we begin exploring Bantry environs. This will give you some ideas, perhaps. We didn't visit Dingle or Blasket Island, or do the Falconry School (check out Granny and the Gossoons for that) but you have more time than we had so you should be able to get most if not all that you want.

Sassafrass

Sorry, not the answer to you real needs, but a couple of notes in case you are in Cork sometime: If you should decide to stay in Cork, or go there for dinner the night of your arrival, I love. . .
Isaac's Restaurant at 48 MacCurtain St. It had some of the best food I've had anywhere, and not too pricey. Not too many places are actually memorable to me, but that one is. I will definitely go there anytime I am ever near Cork again. You might need a reservation, depending on the time and day.

Also, stayed at the Metrople Hotel across the street. It is a big old hotel with high ceilings, etc. Looks as if it was once quite a grand place. Furnishings are not grand, but OK. Love the location though, and we got a room for only about 60-70E. So, not in love with it, but a very good deal for the money, and would stay there again.

Be warned - Fish & chips were absolutely awful everywhere there.

trintraveler

Hi amamax2,
@ Day 2 - I would drive from Blarney to Killarney, then down through Killarney Nat'l. Park (see some sights there), then down to Kenmare for 2 nights.
@ Day 3 - Devote to the Beara peninsula.
@ Day 4 - Leave Kenmare, drive up through the Gap of Dunloe to the Dingle peninsula, stay in or near Dingle town for 2 nights.
@ Day 5 - Explore Dingle peninsula.
@ Day 6 - Leave Dingle, drive up to Co. Clare, stop by the Cliffs of Moher on your way to Doolin or Ennis for the night.
@ Day 7 - Falconry school or boat trip or explore Clare.
@ Day 8 - For a flight to London, you can be at the airport 2 hrs ahead of flight (it's 3 hrs for flights to US).

Tony2phones

That as usual is some good advice although I would put Killarney logistically between Kenmare and Dingle (which to my taste only needs 1 night)

amamax2

Thanks trintraveler!

We had to shorten the trip slightly, but have ended up with almost exactly your suggestion up to day 6, when we leave Dingle and fly back to London.

Good to know we got it right!

trintraveler

Hope you have a great trip! You'll have to visit Co. Clare next time