travelbug2000

My partner and I are planning a 10-day visit to Ireland in September and we are considering booking a car and accommodations with Exploring Ireland. (We've priced car and accommodations separately and have found that a little more expensive.)

My question is regarding their proposed self-drive itinerary. They have suggested stays in:

Dublin, 2 nights
Blarney, 2 nights
Killarney, 2 nights
Galway, 2 nights
Trim, 1 night

While I like the idea of not changing B&Bs every day, I am wondering if there will be enough for us to do in each of the locations to warrant two-night stays. We'd like to visit as many of the country's "main attractions" as possible without running ourselves ragged. Will we be able to keep busy in each of these destinations or will we be ready to move on and be stuck with another night's stay or be forced to backtrack too much?

We're in our 40's and don't mind walking a lot. Typically we'll leave a hotel at 9:00 a.m. and not return (other than to change for dinner) until 11:00 or 12:00. We like museums, breweries, distilleries, leisure bike rides and walks, light shopping, PUBS, etc.

Also, does anyone have any experience with this company?

Thanks in advance!

Prelude

We checked out Exploring Ireland also but decided upon the advice of friends to go it on our own. We'll be there late Sept. and into Oct. so only made a reservation for the arrival day plus three nites in Dublin before departure. That gives us the flexibility to move as much or as little as the mood moves us for the intervening 8 days. Our friends said that they only called two B&B's before finding a room one time.

aussie_10

We toured Ireland last September. Had a great time. We also only booked our first 2 nights in Doolin and our last 2 in Dublin. Liked to feel that we were doing a bit of free wheeling. We are not a fan of 1 night stays. Our stays were as follows
2 nights Doolin after 3 planes and 30 hours of travel we did not want to be looking for accommodation. Flew into Shannon visited Bunratty Castle on the way to Doolin. Plenty to do there e.g. cliffs of Mohr (did a nice ferry trip). the Burren etc.
2 nights Dingle beautiful drive up over Connor Pass and the Slea Head drive
2 nights Kenmare via Killarney, Ring of Kerry etc
1 night Waterford, got a very cheap deal at a great hotel at the last minute, lots to see on the way there
2 nights Kilkenny visiting Rock of Cashel etc on the way. Loved the Pubs in Kilkenny
2 nights Dublin. Lots to do there
Driving was very easy but often 1 lane roads so travel is at a slower pace. But so many places to stop and see along the way.
Irish pubs are the best so much atmosphere and the Irish like to enjoy themselves into the wee hours

LauraDerry

Hi I came across your question while trying to plan my trip to montenegro next week, so if anyone has any tips on that please let me know! Just wanted to say that it sounds a bit like your travel company has gone with the traditional very safe typical options. I live in Derry/Donegal which is without doubt the least developed and beautiful part of Ireland. If you are after secluded wild and stunning beaches and mountains then you really should try to fit in a few night in Donegal also. Avoid towns such as Letterkenny, Sligo, and stay in smaller places such as Rathmullen, Dunfanaghy, Glencolmcille, Dungloe. I am a hillwalker and can recommend the Derryveagh mountains, Slieve League, and many of the coastal walks around Horn head and Culdaff in Inishowen. The Giants causeway and Bushmills distillery are within easy reach of Donegal ( about 1.5 hours from Letterkenny). Go to Kerry, Dublin and Galway also they are equally great in their own way. Good luck and enjoy!

irishrose2013

This is plenty of time for most of those destinations, however maybe longer in Dublin might be best. Blarney is near Cork a pleasant city to visit, visit nearby Cobh where you can visit the last port of call of Titanic. Killarney is a great base to set of and visit the ring of Kerry, Tralee and Dingle Bay. Galway ( my favourite city) is great base to visit the Connamara Mountains, Cliffs of Moher, maybe a visit to Bunratty Castle (Limerick) on the way from Killarney to Galway, Galway is best for nightlife, pubs, music festivals, boat festivals etc. So you wont be bored from the itinerary. However like the person said above I am from the North too and not being biased but we do have some of the best underated parts of Ireland, Giants Causeway, Bushmills distillery, world class golf courses, cities like Derry and Belfast could be tied in and make it a tour of Ireland and a trip to remember!

Tony2phones

Basically ok.. My comment would be to have one night Blarney and the saved night to break the Killarney to Galway dash. gives a day getting to somewhere like Ennis and a Day for the Burren and Cliffs or other parts of Clare before Galway. The mid Galway day could involve some of the Connamara on the N59 (see link in http://goo.gl/maps/L5ihu)

travelbug2000

Thank you all for your responses. This is very helpful.

Tony2phones

The Shannon Ferry actually costs time, especially with the crossing only once an hour in winter schedule. I would only recommend the ferry to people wanting to see south west Clare. There has been a tunnel under the Shannon for a few years now so you don't face Limerick city bottleneck but link directly to the N/M18.

jaja

Tony is right; if you drive up to the ferry just as it leaves the dock you are in for quite a wait....and little to do at the ferryport in the meantime. If your timing is better than ours was you will be fine.

travelbug2000

Thank you. We took your advice Tony2phones and are now spending one night in Blarney, two in Killarney and one in Adare or Ennis before arriving in Galway.

We've also changed our last night to Dublin from Trim since we have a morning flight. Hoping to run up to Belfast on our last full day for a visit to the Titanic museum. Has anyone visited?

Tony2phones

Aim for a Dublin Airport Hotel (with a shuttle) There are a couple of Bus's direct to Belfast from DUB airport. Unsure about pre booking for the Titanic Expo, not as busy as it was but well worth a look. Not 100% sure it's not adding too much to what you already have??

travelbug2000

Thanks for all the info and ideas. I know we probably won't get to everything on our list and that's okay -- we'll prioritize. Can't wait to get there!!