Irene

We're planning 6 days in Ireland in early August, not a lot of time. We fly in to Dublin and out of Shannon. I'm wondering if it would be feasible to spend the last night in Dingle, and drive to Shannon Apt to catch a 1PM flight out the next day or do I need to stay closer to Shannon? <BR> <BR>Our preliminary itinerary is as follows. First day in Dublin - park the rental car and use Dublin Bus Tours to get around. Visit Guinness Brewery and Trinity College etc. Stay at Kilkea Castle in Castledermot that night. Is anyone familiar with it? Supposed to be about 45 minutes out of Dublin. <BR> <BR>We haven't gotten the list of B&B's we can select from Aer Lingus yet but will probably try to reserve those up in advance since it's busy season. Will probably go from Castleford to Kilkenny - Cashel - Waterford - Cork & Cobh - Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Dingle. Any comments on the itinerary or good pubs, "must do's" along the way, etc. would be appreciated. <BR> <BR>

Cathy

Irene, <BR>Just one comment at the start - the time you are travelling to Ireland is peak season and therefore most of the popular sites and places will be busy so it is a good idea as you mentioned to pre-book the B&Bs. Your plan involved a lot of driving and cramming everything in I would reduce it a bit and enjoy your visit and take things in with plenty of time. There will be heavy traffic around the Ring of Kerry and Dingle areas etc. I would cut it out and spend some time nearer Shannon ie Doolin etc and a leisurey day in the Burren area or at ther Bunratty Folk Park. These will also be popular with visitors but are nearer Shannon and don't involve the intriciate driving that you need to get around the Ring. alternatively cut out Waterford go out to Cork and spend extra time to go onto Kerry. <BR> <BR>I, and I am Irish and drive throughout the country, would not spend the last night in Dingle and then head for Shannon - just too much could go wrong and you would have to make a very early start as well. Remember driving times and distances in Ireland are deceptive - twisty roads and holiday traffic (Irish as well as visitors). <BR> <BR>In Dublin I would take the Trinty College walking tours or the Dublin Bus tours (one of the many but the best of the bus tours). Will you be spending the first day in Dublin with jet lag and site seeing at the same time ? Castledermot is between 45 minutes and hour out of Dublin - allow for traffic. What day of the week will you be travelling down ? <BR> <BR>In Kilkenny see the Castle, the caves outside the town, Jerpoint Abbey (also outside the town), Cashel - the Rock of course, in Waterford the Crystal Factory and some of the seaside villages, Cork - Midelton Whiskey Centere, the Cobh heritage centre. Try and visit Ballymaloe House - wonderful restaurant and place to stay (a bit expensive but worth it). Kerry - Muckross etc <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Cathy

Forgot to add Adare is a wonderful place top spend some time prior to departure and it is relatively near Shannon, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Kathleen

As an alternative to the Ring of Kerry, consider the Beara Peninsula. Kenmare or Glengarriff make a good base. Go to the tip of the Beara, and ride the cable car to Dursey Island (the hours are limited, 9.30a-11a & 2.30p-5p). Beara is wonderful, lovely, wild, rocky mountains. <BR>And I wouldn't recommend trying to get from Dingle to Shannon. The day before you leave, head to Co. Clare, take the Tarbert ferry, tour the Burren, then stay in Bunratty, or maybe Ennis. You could possibly visit the Bunratty Folk Park the morning you leave, but if you're returning to the States, you need to check in by 11.00am. <BR>Anyway, have fun, wish I were going!!! *sigh* guess I'll just have to hold out 'till October.

Irene

Cathy & Kathleen, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your responses! You confirmed some of my suspicions. I think I may have my travel agent check on accomodations at Adare Manor for the final night since that seems to come so highly recommended. We arrive on a Thursday - and yes, we'll be fighting some jet lag but hopefully "mind over matter" and all that! We're actually driving from Florida to Wisconsin (about 1600 miles) the previous week and spending a few restful days visiting family before we start this trip, so we should be up for it. I'll work on trimming down the itinerary. Any suggestions on where to park and pick up Dublin Bus Tours? I'm really looking forward to visiting your beautiful country Cathy! Thanks again!

Cathy

Irene, <BR>Re parking in Dublin - where are you staying ? Ask if you can park there or better still don't pick up the car until you are ready to leave the city. Getting out of the airport take the green double decker bus from the airport if you are looking for a cheap option, (exact change needed so buy a newspaper at a shop in the airport or better still one of the daily passes at the tourist counter - saves time and money) otherwise if your hotel is one of the ones serviced by the Airtours bus take the airtours coach service. Post if you have more questions, <BR> <BR>Cathy