Gagmom

My husband and I are traveling to Ireland for 10 days mid Feb. Our son is spending his junior year at Trinity and this is the time frame we had to work with.. We are starting and ending our trip in Dublin so as to spend time with our son as well as tour Ireland ourselves.
We have six days and six nights to plan outside of our weekends in DUblin. We are picking up our rental car on a Sunday and will head west...Sligo for a night or two. Researching family history out west... we need HELP planning the next part of our trip. Connemara,
Cliffs of Moher, DIngle, Skip Ring of Kerry?, Wexford to WIcklow to DUblin? I know there is limited daylight this time of year too...

Would appreciate any suggestions!

Padraig

As your time is limited, and Sligo is already specified, I suggest that you forget the southern half of the country altogether. There is much to see around Sligo in addition to the family interest. Then you can venture into Donegal, and down to Connemara.

trintraveler

Hi, I agree - since you're going as far northwest as Sligo, I'd recommend just traveling from Sligo down to Co. Clare, then back to Dublin. Save SW Ireland for another trip
Maybe spend 2 nights in Sligo, follow the Mayo coast down through Westport, past Croagh Patrick down to Leenane, then spend 2 nights in Connemara or Galway. Then down to Co. Clare, see the Cliffs, spend 2 nights.

Tony2phones

You should do most of your research BEFORE you come. No point wasting a day doing things over here you could have done on the web from home.

Can I suggest you start by going across to Galway (Doolin if you really must see the cliffs) calling at Clonmacnoise on the way? Then head North along the coast with the aim of going back to Dublin from Donegal (see the Slieve League far better than Moher)

Gagmom

Thanks for the suggestions...still working on a plan! So much to do...so little time . Want to see Cashel too...hmm... Have most of the research on family done so there won't be much time spent on additional research. Most of the family and friends that traveled to Ireland did not go to Sligo but seems well worth it (even allowing for family research...).

Padraig

Your mention of Cashel is another complication added to what is already a challenging wish-list.

Apart from the family history interest, there are good reasons to spend some time around Sligo, and I think Tony's suggested itinerary looks worthwhile.

It looks to me as if you need to plan a future trip to Ireland to visit the south-west.

Gagmom

Well I am scrapping the idea of the ROK and/or Dingle for another time (like when we are finally done paying for college . Appreciate the ideas and help. Looks like two nights Sligo, two nights Galway, Clonmacnoise and Rock of Cashel. (stay in Kilarney perhaps) and since I am such a lighthouse fan, visit to Hook lighthouse... back to Dublin.

And as my daughter said to me last night, "Mom, It is Ireland! It is all good! Relax!"

Gagmom

Opps I meant stay in Kilkenney.....not Killarney...

Padraig

So you have been persuaded to take the south-west out of your programme because it might involve too much travelling. Good decision.

And then you add in the south-east!

GreenDragon

10 days - starting and stopping in Dublin - I would choose, max, TWO areas to base yourself in addition to Dublin. Sligo is one. What's the other? Galway isn't that far from Sligo, you can visit areas nearby from Sligo. Visit Achill Island, Clare Island. Clonmacnoise you can visit on the way out or the way back. If you choose a second area like Kilkenny, fine - but not as a third, you won't see much with the limited daylight. There are lighthouses in Sligo, Mayo, Galway - go see those

Padraig

I suspect that you are not particularly a lighthouse fan, GreenDragon. There isn't a good substitute for the Hook lighthouse. It's one of a kind. See http://hookheritage.ie/.

I am still of the opinion that Gagmom is trying for too much, especially for a February timeframe.

GreenDragon

Padraig - I like lighthouses because they make good photos, but not in a huge way, correct...

hoffy44

We made a similar trip a couple of years ago. You can't miss Galway. Stay a couple of nights to take in daytime fun and the pubs in the evening.

The best part of traveling in Ireland is that it's ALL beautiful and since its off season, the B&B's are reasonable! (You have college to pay for

Gagmom

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input! We returned a few days ago from our trip! LOVED Ireland! Want to go back soon! We spend the first weekend with our son in Dublin and recovered from our trip over. Picked up rental car and drove to Sligo where we spent two nights at Tree Tops B and B (wonderful). Loved exploring Sligo and traveled to Donegal and the coast.
Western Ireland is beautiful! Then drove via Westport to Barna (outside Galway). Excellent B and B in Barna (Abbeyville). Used that as a base for Cliffs of Mohr, Galway exploration and a trip to Inis Mor. Went to Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny (would have loved more time @ Kilkenny but we had a flat tire to fix).Then back to Dublin to return rental and spend time with son. Sunny day had us spending Sunday in Howth...lovely end to a great trip. We really liked spending more than one night at our B and B.s.and chose places within walking distance to food and fun..Next time we will pack lighter!

Tomsd

Great of you to post a trip report. Next time - suggest you get to green green SW Ireland - County Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula.