Ireland- in & out of SNN travels- Please let me know what you think..
May 12th, 2006, 12:41 PM
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Ireland- in & out of SNN travels- Please let me know what you think..
Hello to you all, Thanks to those who have replyed to my earlier posts. I have now narrowed down our travels somewhat and would like to know if these locations will fit into our trip dates.
We (myself, DH and 2 children- ages 9 and 12) will arrive Shannon on May 27th AM from the US and depart Shannon on May 31st early morning. This will give us 4 full days and we are going to rent a car during our stay.
We would like to see the following:
Dingle Penninsula
Ring of Kerry
Cliffs of Moher
We would love to visit a castle, do any of you have a recommendation of a beautiful castle that we would find during our travels?
How far should we expect to drive each day? Is it realistic to drive from SNN to the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Pinnensula on our 1st day? We usually get a good amount of sleep on an all night flight and should be rested but then again driving on the left side of the road will take greater concentration.
We understand that we may not get to see all of our wish list and welcome any recommendations you may have.
We (myself, DH and 2 children- ages 9 and 12) will arrive Shannon on May 27th AM from the US and depart Shannon on May 31st early morning. This will give us 4 full days and we are going to rent a car during our stay.
We would like to see the following:
Dingle Penninsula
Ring of Kerry
Cliffs of Moher
We would love to visit a castle, do any of you have a recommendation of a beautiful castle that we would find during our travels?
How far should we expect to drive each day? Is it realistic to drive from SNN to the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Pinnensula on our 1st day? We usually get a good amount of sleep on an all night flight and should be rested but then again driving on the left side of the road will take greater concentration.
We understand that we may not get to see all of our wish list and welcome any recommendations you may have.
May 12th, 2006, 02:23 PM
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Bunratty Castle and the adjoining Folk Park are between Shannon and Limerick. Here is how the Lonely Planet Ireland guidebook describes them:
"The castle at Bunratty which overlooks the Shannon Estuary, is in excellent condition and well worth a look, but it's a prime tourist attraction and is beseiged by coach tours from April to September. With a folk park attached and Durty Nelly's 'auld Oirish' pub nearby, the area is as close as you'll get to a medieval Irish Disneyland. But it's fun; more so if you go early in the day. The folk park adjoins the castle. It is a reconstructed traditional Irish village with cottages, a forge and working blacksmith, weavers and buttermakers. There's a complete village street with post office, pub, and small cafe. Peat fires glow romantically in the hearths and there's a persuasive feel to it all."
Expect to average no more than 35 mph on main roads and less on secondary roads. Get a detailed map like the Michelin Ireland map available from amazon.com.
Here is a possible itinerary:
27 May - Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Drive to Kenmare via Killarney and spend the night. The route between Killarney and Kenmare along the edge of the national park is very pretty. (This is a lot of time on the road after an overnight flight, but it will shorten your next day's drive a bit.)
28 May - Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise and then drive on to Dingle. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Conor Pass. (You may not get another chance.) Stay in Dingle.
29 May - Tour Slea Head and as much of the rest of the Dingle Peninsula as time allows. Take a few walks. Stay in Dingle.
30 May - Drive north, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coast road to the Cliffs of Moher. If time allows, drive through the Burren. Drive to Ennis and spend the night.
31 May - Drive to Shannon and fly home.
Note: Even though it's only 17 km from Ennis to Shannon, allow up to an hour for driving to be safe. If your flight leaves really early, stay at an airport hotel.
"The castle at Bunratty which overlooks the Shannon Estuary, is in excellent condition and well worth a look, but it's a prime tourist attraction and is beseiged by coach tours from April to September. With a folk park attached and Durty Nelly's 'auld Oirish' pub nearby, the area is as close as you'll get to a medieval Irish Disneyland. But it's fun; more so if you go early in the day. The folk park adjoins the castle. It is a reconstructed traditional Irish village with cottages, a forge and working blacksmith, weavers and buttermakers. There's a complete village street with post office, pub, and small cafe. Peat fires glow romantically in the hearths and there's a persuasive feel to it all."
Expect to average no more than 35 mph on main roads and less on secondary roads. Get a detailed map like the Michelin Ireland map available from amazon.com.
Here is a possible itinerary:
27 May - Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Drive to Kenmare via Killarney and spend the night. The route between Killarney and Kenmare along the edge of the national park is very pretty. (This is a lot of time on the road after an overnight flight, but it will shorten your next day's drive a bit.)
28 May - Drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise and then drive on to Dingle. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Conor Pass. (You may not get another chance.) Stay in Dingle.
29 May - Tour Slea Head and as much of the rest of the Dingle Peninsula as time allows. Take a few walks. Stay in Dingle.
30 May - Drive north, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coast road to the Cliffs of Moher. If time allows, drive through the Burren. Drive to Ennis and spend the night.
31 May - Drive to Shannon and fly home.
Note: Even though it's only 17 km from Ennis to Shannon, allow up to an hour for driving to be safe. If your flight leaves really early, stay at an airport hotel.
May 12th, 2006, 07:02 PM
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Thanks TimS for the great itinerary. Is the Bunratty castle the only castle on our route? It does sound a lot like Disney but I'm sure it is beautiful.
How long would you say the drive will take us from Shannon to Kenmare? Just trying to estimate if we will be up to the drive after arriving from the US.
Thanks again for the great itinerary, I am going to print it off for our trip. I am also going to buy the Michelin map.
How long would you say the drive will take us from Shannon to Kenmare? Just trying to estimate if we will be up to the drive after arriving from the US.
Thanks again for the great itinerary, I am going to print it off for our trip. I am also going to buy the Michelin map.
May 12th, 2006, 09:34 PM
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If you want a really genuine castle then I would recommend Cahir Castle which is 40 miles from Limerick and 55 from Shannon.The main building was completed in 1599 but some parts of the buildings are much older.Put "Cahir Castle" in Google for further information
May 13th, 2006, 04:28 AM
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Minard Castle is seven miles east of Dingle, but you can't go inside because it isn't safe. Dunguaire Castle is just north of Kinvarra, but I don't know if you'll have time to see it after driving from Dingle to the Cliffs of Moher. It closes for touring at 17:30 (followed by the first of two servings of a medieval banquet).
www.viamichelin.com and www.aaroadwatch.ie give a driving time of 2hr40min from Shannon to Kenmare. However, both seriously underestimate driving times in Ireland. Increase their estimates by at least 50%.
Visit www.shannonferries.com for ferry timetables and prices.
www.viamichelin.com and www.aaroadwatch.ie give a driving time of 2hr40min from Shannon to Kenmare. However, both seriously underestimate driving times in Ireland. Increase their estimates by at least 50%.
Visit www.shannonferries.com for ferry timetables and prices.
May 13th, 2006, 04:53 AM
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If you are worried about jet-lag, you can reverse Tim's itinerary and spend the first day closer to Shannon and take in Bunratty and the Cliffs, but you would be better served time-wise with his suggestion.
Ross Castle, in Killarney has only just recently been totally restored and is well worth a look, especially with its idyllic, lake-side setting.
With young ones along, Killarney, for all its 'tourisy' bad raps, is probably a more interesting destination, rather than Kenmare. Rather than the long ROK drive, (again, considering your time comstraints) you might be better served doing the Gap of Dunloe trip, also run out of Killarney.
Bob
Ross Castle, in Killarney has only just recently been totally restored and is well worth a look, especially with its idyllic, lake-side setting.
With young ones along, Killarney, for all its 'tourisy' bad raps, is probably a more interesting destination, rather than Kenmare. Rather than the long ROK drive, (again, considering your time comstraints) you might be better served doing the Gap of Dunloe trip, also run out of Killarney.
Bob
May 13th, 2006, 05:54 PM
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Thanks for the great suggestions. We are getting excited about our trip.
How does the "Shanon Ferry" work? I looked at their website but not sure that I understand where we would board the ferry and where it would drop us at.
We will definantly stop by Ross Castle. It sounds great!
We are now leaning towards spending our 1st night close by SNN instead of driving south to Kenmare or the Killarney area (a little concerned about the actual time to drive there and driving on the left side of the road).
How does this itineary sound?
* May 27 arrive SNN 10 AM drive to Cliffs of Moher area spend the night( approx. how far is this drive??)
* May 28 drive to Killarney- drive ROK overnight in Killarney or Kenmare
* May 29 Dingle Penninsula- overnight Dingle
* May 30 Bunratty- Bunratty castle- overnight
* May 31 Fly out of SNN 9:20 am
How does the "Shanon Ferry" work? I looked at their website but not sure that I understand where we would board the ferry and where it would drop us at.
We will definantly stop by Ross Castle. It sounds great!
We are now leaning towards spending our 1st night close by SNN instead of driving south to Kenmare or the Killarney area (a little concerned about the actual time to drive there and driving on the left side of the road).
How does this itineary sound?
* May 27 arrive SNN 10 AM drive to Cliffs of Moher area spend the night( approx. how far is this drive??)
* May 28 drive to Killarney- drive ROK overnight in Killarney or Kenmare
* May 29 Dingle Penninsula- overnight Dingle
* May 30 Bunratty- Bunratty castle- overnight
* May 31 Fly out of SNN 9:20 am
May 13th, 2006, 09:32 PM
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You board the ferry at either Killimer (north side) or Tarbert (south side). Here is the URL for a blown-up map of the area: http://tinyurl.com/ks93u.
It's 57 km from Shannon to the Cliffs of Moher and the drive will take about an hour.
It's 57 km from Shannon to the Cliffs of Moher and the drive will take about an hour.
May 15th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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That's a whirlwind trip. If it were me, I think I would stay near Tarbert (maybe even Glin Castle) on the 29th. Then I woud stop at Dromoland Castle (County Clare - not too far from Killimer) for lunch on the 30th, and continue up the coast to Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher.
On your way to the Cliffs, stop at the ITB Shop in Lahinch. We got some outstanding bargains there.
I should suffix my comments with an opinion: I would never try to do that much in 4-days! Our last brief trip (Fri AM arr. Shannon; Tue 11:00 AM dep. Shannon) we went directly Shannon to Ennis - Carmel at Rose Cottage B&B had our room ready at 09:30 so we set our travel alarm for 1:00 PM and took a nap. We daytripped to Galway Sat., found an impromptu Trad Irish Music session at Cruise's in Ennis after Mass & dinner Sun.; daytripped to Lahinch & the Cliffs Monday; went to Shannon around 09:00 Tue.
On your way to the Cliffs, stop at the ITB Shop in Lahinch. We got some outstanding bargains there.
I should suffix my comments with an opinion: I would never try to do that much in 4-days! Our last brief trip (Fri AM arr. Shannon; Tue 11:00 AM dep. Shannon) we went directly Shannon to Ennis - Carmel at Rose Cottage B&B had our room ready at 09:30 so we set our travel alarm for 1:00 PM and took a nap. We daytripped to Galway Sat., found an impromptu Trad Irish Music session at Cruise's in Ennis after Mass & dinner Sun.; daytripped to Lahinch & the Cliffs Monday; went to Shannon around 09:00 Tue.
May 16th, 2006, 01:01 PM
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We are going to skip the Cliffs this trip. New plans are to focus on the southwest (ROK and Dingle Penn.).
Any suggestions for a place to spend our 1st night? We will be flying in from the US and don't want to push ourselves too far in having to drive all the way to ROK or Dingle Penn.
I have checked the Bunratty area at some of the B & B's and they are full for the 27th of May. So we will need to drive a little furthur away.
Any suggestions for a place to spend our 1st night? We will be flying in from the US and don't want to push ourselves too far in having to drive all the way to ROK or Dingle Penn.
I have checked the Bunratty area at some of the B & B's and they are full for the 27th of May. So we will need to drive a little furthur away.
May 16th, 2006, 02:08 PM
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I would drive to Killarney on the first day. It takes me 1 1/2 hours. It may take you 2. That is as far as you will want to go on your first day. If you get tired on the drive stop for a walk and coffee or a snack.
Do not attempt the Ring of Kerry till your second day when you are rested. The day trip takes all day.
Do not attempt the Ring of Kerry till your second day when you are rested. The day trip takes all day.
May 16th, 2006, 04:59 PM
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I think that The Old Weir Lodge is located in Killarney. We stayed there last summer for 4 nights and really enjoyed the location. Lots to do...be sure to take the cart/pony ride up the mountains and do the boat trip. We loved every minute! We flew into Shannon and drove the 1st day to Dingle with no problem. Hope this helps...
May 17th, 2006, 02:27 AM
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" ... Any suggestions for a place to spend our 1st night? We will be flying in from the US and don't want to push ourselves too far ..."
Going west (toward Tralee) on the N-21 you'll go thru Newcastlewest. Just south of there, on the Old Cork Road is Killeline Leisure Park: a 34-room Lodge, fully equipped Spa with 20m Indoor Swimming Pool, an 18-hole Golf Course and Mick McCoy's Sports Bar. The McCormick family owns the Lodge & Spa; John McCoy, former Dail member, owns the Golf Course & Sports Bar.
http://www.Killeline.com
Going west (toward Tralee) on the N-21 you'll go thru Newcastlewest. Just south of there, on the Old Cork Road is Killeline Leisure Park: a 34-room Lodge, fully equipped Spa with 20m Indoor Swimming Pool, an 18-hole Golf Course and Mick McCoy's Sports Bar. The McCormick family owns the Lodge & Spa; John McCoy, former Dail member, owns the Golf Course & Sports Bar.
http://www.Killeline.com
May 17th, 2006, 03:48 PM
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In Killarney I really liked Killarney Lodge and Earl's Court. Both within walking distance of town. It depends on what you are looking for as they are guest houses and cost more than B&Bs. (Breakfast at either place is sumptuous!) Some of the hotels have kid's programs, swiming pools, etc. if you are interested in that. If you need a B&B let me know and I will take a look at my list.
May 18th, 2006, 12:40 PM
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IrishEyes,
I would love to check out some of the lodging that offers activities for kids in Killarney. We are also interested in Kenmare and Dingle if you have any suggestions.
We plan to stay 2 nights in either Kenmare or Killarney while touring the ROK ( any suggestion as to which city would be best for a family??) and 1 night in Dingle so that we can tour the Dingle Penninsula and our last night will be spent closer to Shannon airport for our early flight out on the 31st of May.
I would love to check out some of the lodging that offers activities for kids in Killarney. We are also interested in Kenmare and Dingle if you have any suggestions.
We plan to stay 2 nights in either Kenmare or Killarney while touring the ROK ( any suggestion as to which city would be best for a family??) and 1 night in Dingle so that we can tour the Dingle Penninsula and our last night will be spent closer to Shannon airport for our early flight out on the 31st of May.
