Initial Ireland Itinerary Question
Dec 17th, 2015, 09:48 AM
#1
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Initial Ireland Itinerary Question
Hello,
We are in the early stages of putting together a 14-16 day (12 -14 days on the ground) trip to Ireland for either May or September of 2016. My initial thought is to start and end in Dublin and stay south of a line from Dublin to Galway in the interest of time. We'll rent a car but are avid cyclists and will want to take a day or two in a couple of spots and cycle rather than drive.
Here's the first cut list of places to see and things to do. What I'm looking for is input from those who've toured Ireland on how long to stay in each place, is a hub/spoke plan better and are there sites I'm missing. We're both early 60's, well travelled and intrepid when it comes to exploring. We've been to Europe multiple times but this will be our first visit to the UK/Ireland. Budget will be around 180-200e/night for hotels outside of Dublin where we'll use hotel points.
The 'list": (in no particular order) Dublin, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Gaol, Pub Music Crawl, Galway, Cliffs of Mohr, Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Kilkenny, Killarny, Muckross House, Aran Islands, Rock of Cashel, Blarney and perhaps Waterford
Many thanks!
We are in the early stages of putting together a 14-16 day (12 -14 days on the ground) trip to Ireland for either May or September of 2016. My initial thought is to start and end in Dublin and stay south of a line from Dublin to Galway in the interest of time. We'll rent a car but are avid cyclists and will want to take a day or two in a couple of spots and cycle rather than drive.
Here's the first cut list of places to see and things to do. What I'm looking for is input from those who've toured Ireland on how long to stay in each place, is a hub/spoke plan better and are there sites I'm missing. We're both early 60's, well travelled and intrepid when it comes to exploring. We've been to Europe multiple times but this will be our first visit to the UK/Ireland. Budget will be around 180-200e/night for hotels outside of Dublin where we'll use hotel points.
The 'list": (in no particular order) Dublin, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Gaol, Pub Music Crawl, Galway, Cliffs of Mohr, Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Kilkenny, Killarny, Muckross House, Aran Islands, Rock of Cashel, Blarney and perhaps Waterford
Many thanks!
Dec 17th, 2015, 02:41 PM
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If you are a cyclist, I'd totally revise your trip. The West Coast is where you want to be. For us, the purpose of a bike is to see everything, then just stop, drink and hear trad in Ireland.
Fly into Shannon and go South then East OR just start North, working your way up through Lahinch, Ballyvaughan, Clifton, Leeane.
If you want Dublin (and we did find great trad in Dublin), stop somewhere along the way and get a bus to it(the system in Ireland is great).
Fly into Shannon and go South then East OR just start North, working your way up through Lahinch, Ballyvaughan, Clifton, Leeane.
If you want Dublin (and we did find great trad in Dublin), stop somewhere along the way and get a bus to it(the system in Ireland is great).
Dec 18th, 2015, 09:45 AM
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thanks for the input. As for the cycling, my thought is that we'd hire cycles in whatever town we're in for a day trip and return them a few hours later. The vast majority of our transport will be via car.
Dec 19th, 2015, 04:54 AM
#6
After 2 trips to Ireland (1 May & 1 Sept) here are my thoughts, we didn't hit all the areas you've mentioned. Our favorite places were the Dingle Penninsula and Westport.
Go in Sept....we've found in all of Europe & UK the flowers are all still blooming, in May they are just starting.
Stay in Kenmare instead of Killarney...way too crowded, traffic congested with tour buses. Muckross House is near.
Dingle Penn. instead of ROK. We only did a small part of ROK and got out of there.
Way too many buses and horrendous traffic on ROK. IMO, the Dingle Penn. would be great for bikes.
The smaller towns were far more interesting than the larger.
Your budget is good. B&B's are far more fun than hotels.
Driving always takes longer than you plan, keep that in mind when figuring out your itinerary.
Our biggest surprise was the food. We expected to eat fish 'n chips for the whole time and found the restaurants and B&B's to serve outstanding steaks, fish...actually some of the best food we've had in all of our international trips.
I would also suggest 2-3 night stays as the 1 nighters are alot of finding the place, checking in & out, finding your way around, etc.
Start reading Fodorites trip reports for excellent suggestions of B&B's, sites, etc.
My trip report "Land of Pleasant Surprises" only hits the West coast but has some details that might be of help. Click on my name & scroll down to trip reports.
Go in Sept....we've found in all of Europe & UK the flowers are all still blooming, in May they are just starting.
Stay in Kenmare instead of Killarney...way too crowded, traffic congested with tour buses. Muckross House is near.
Dingle Penn. instead of ROK. We only did a small part of ROK and got out of there.
Way too many buses and horrendous traffic on ROK. IMO, the Dingle Penn. would be great for bikes.
The smaller towns were far more interesting than the larger.
Your budget is good. B&B's are far more fun than hotels.
Driving always takes longer than you plan, keep that in mind when figuring out your itinerary.
Our biggest surprise was the food. We expected to eat fish 'n chips for the whole time and found the restaurants and B&B's to serve outstanding steaks, fish...actually some of the best food we've had in all of our international trips.
I would also suggest 2-3 night stays as the 1 nighters are alot of finding the place, checking in & out, finding your way around, etc.
Start reading Fodorites trip reports for excellent suggestions of B&B's, sites, etc.
My trip report "Land of Pleasant Surprises" only hits the West coast but has some details that might be of help. Click on my name & scroll down to trip reports.
Dec 19th, 2015, 09:58 AM
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Gap of Dunloe might be a good cycling option from Killarney. Part of the Iveragh peninsula (Ring of Kerry) which is best explored off the main tour bus route.
By Aran Isles I will assume Inis Mor which could be another good cycle day.
The itinerary and how long for each location is basically your choice. I prefer logistical lines rather than hub and spoke. Many other contributors will say to pick out set places and flit about from single bases. With 14 - 16 days for 1/2 the island you can do a bit of both, you could even have a fixed base for a full week (Generally Saturday to Saturday) and a week moving.
Basic touring itineraries could include, Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Killarney and Galway. Tourist havens on that route would be Kinsale, Dingle and Doolin. Personally they are on my nice to visit but wouldn't stay list.
Basic fixed Bases, Dublin, Killarney and Galway.
If I were to tour one week and fixed base one week the Fixed base would be either Killarney or Galway.
Another consideration might be if you wanted to catch a festival, something like the Fledh Nua in Ennis late May or Arts Week in Clifden in late September, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is in Ennis in August.
Typical B&B's will cost you €70 or €80 per night as a couple some might be more expensive than that depending on Trip Advisor ratings or location, neither criteria's which makes the accommodation any better.
By Aran Isles I will assume Inis Mor which could be another good cycle day.
The itinerary and how long for each location is basically your choice. I prefer logistical lines rather than hub and spoke. Many other contributors will say to pick out set places and flit about from single bases. With 14 - 16 days for 1/2 the island you can do a bit of both, you could even have a fixed base for a full week (Generally Saturday to Saturday) and a week moving.
Basic touring itineraries could include, Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Killarney and Galway. Tourist havens on that route would be Kinsale, Dingle and Doolin. Personally they are on my nice to visit but wouldn't stay list.
Basic fixed Bases, Dublin, Killarney and Galway.
If I were to tour one week and fixed base one week the Fixed base would be either Killarney or Galway.
Another consideration might be if you wanted to catch a festival, something like the Fledh Nua in Ennis late May or Arts Week in Clifden in late September, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is in Ennis in August.
Typical B&B's will cost you €70 or €80 per night as a couple some might be more expensive than that depending on Trip Advisor ratings or location, neither criteria's which makes the accommodation any better.
