Itinerary west ireland: help needed
Apr 9th, 2014, 01:38 AM
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Itinerary west ireland: help needed
Hello!
My husband and I Will be spending 11 days in ireland , flying in Shannon and leaving from Dublin.
I thought of the following itinerary but i Would need help or advise from all of you who have done this kind of trip!
1st day: Landing in Shannon at noon ( coming from France so no jet lag) I thought of driving directly to kenmare via the national Road so that we can then move upwards along the wild atlantic way up to westport where we could then leave the rental car and take à train to Dublin. What do you think? Would that make sense?
2nd day: visit ring of Kerry + Is it worth it to take a boat to visit skelling or/ and valencia Island?
3rd day: kenmare to dingle
4th day: dingle to ennis?
5 th day: ennis to round stone or cliften?
6th day: visit inishmoore? Which Island is best? Staying the night on the Island or returning to roundstone or cliften or other? If Staying on the Island, can we leave our rental car over night at the port? Safe?
7th day& 8th: visit connemara & surroundings?
9th day: visit westport and taking à train to Dublin
10th day: visit Dublin
11th day: leave Dublin in the afternoon
So that Would make
2 nights kenmare , we thought of sea shore B&b
1 night dingle ( pax b& b)
1 night ennis (?)
1 night on the aran Islands or in cliften or roundstone?
2 nights in connemara? Where should we stay?
1 night westport (?)
2 nights dublin (?)
I Would really appréciate your help and advise to make this trip the easiest and most memorable!
Thank you!
My husband and I Will be spending 11 days in ireland , flying in Shannon and leaving from Dublin.
I thought of the following itinerary but i Would need help or advise from all of you who have done this kind of trip!
1st day: Landing in Shannon at noon ( coming from France so no jet lag) I thought of driving directly to kenmare via the national Road so that we can then move upwards along the wild atlantic way up to westport where we could then leave the rental car and take à train to Dublin. What do you think? Would that make sense?
2nd day: visit ring of Kerry + Is it worth it to take a boat to visit skelling or/ and valencia Island?
3rd day: kenmare to dingle
4th day: dingle to ennis?
5 th day: ennis to round stone or cliften?
6th day: visit inishmoore? Which Island is best? Staying the night on the Island or returning to roundstone or cliften or other? If Staying on the Island, can we leave our rental car over night at the port? Safe?
7th day& 8th: visit connemara & surroundings?
9th day: visit westport and taking à train to Dublin
10th day: visit Dublin
11th day: leave Dublin in the afternoon
So that Would make
2 nights kenmare , we thought of sea shore B&b
1 night dingle ( pax b& b)
1 night ennis (?)
1 night on the aran Islands or in cliften or roundstone?
2 nights in connemara? Where should we stay?
1 night westport (?)
2 nights dublin (?)
I Would really appréciate your help and advise to make this trip the easiest and most memorable!
Thank you!
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:33 AM
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Looks pretty busy to me and moving every night might be tiring. I'd suggest keeping a bit of flexibility in the itinerary in case you love somewhere and want to stay another night or so. What are the "must" see or do's for you both and plan for those - discover other stuff in between. enjoy.
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:47 AM
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I agree that packing and unpacking every night gets old in a hurry.
IIRC, doing the RoK in a clockwise direction, we drove to Valencia Island and took the ferry to get off. If you want to visit Michael Skellig (we didn't because DH is afraid of heights), have a back-up plan, as the boat ride gets cancelled in bad weather.
I'd skip the Aran Islands; that was one thing that we wish we had skipped in our 5 week trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland. From Galway, it was 3 hours to get there and back, just not worth it to us.
IIRC, doing the RoK in a clockwise direction, we drove to Valencia Island and took the ferry to get off. If you want to visit Michael Skellig (we didn't because DH is afraid of heights), have a back-up plan, as the boat ride gets cancelled in bad weather.
I'd skip the Aran Islands; that was one thing that we wish we had skipped in our 5 week trip around Ireland and Northern Ireland. From Galway, it was 3 hours to get there and back, just not worth it to us.
Apr 9th, 2014, 04:43 AM
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Thank you both for your comments! 3 years ago, We visited northern ireland in 10 days also ( causeway route) and we fell in love with the sceneries, landscapes and feeling like time had stopped. We heard that the ROK and the dingle peninsula are must sees. But we Would like to visit the connemara as well, so many french songs speak of the BEAUTY of the connemara 
but you are right we should do at least 2 nights each time. We wanted to book the B&b before our trip because we are afraid of no vacancies when we get there. We'll be there mid may. Thank you!
but you are right we should do at least 2 nights each time. We wanted to book the B&b before our trip because we are afraid of no vacancies when we get there. We'll be there mid may. Thank you!
Apr 9th, 2014, 06:17 AM
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Personlly, I would skip Ennis and staying on Aran Islands. Stay in Kenmare x 2, Dingle x2 , Leenane x2 (Mayo Galway border in Connemara stunning scenery Ireland's only fjord) and Westport x2, Dublin x2.
Have you heard of Wild Atlantic Way? Look it up
Have you heard of Wild Atlantic Way? Look it up
Apr 9th, 2014, 07:47 AM
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Thank you homestaycom. Where would you recommend to stay at Leenane (B&B) because I am not finding much...
Yes, the Wild Atlantic Way (very long) but I have not found a detailed report on it but I will search more on it.
Thank you!
Yes, the Wild Atlantic Way (very long) but I have not found a detailed report on it but I will search more on it.
Thank you!
Apr 9th, 2014, 09:24 AM
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I'm planning as well - I ran across this website on the Wild Atlantic Way:
http://www.ireland.com/en-us/wild-at...clare-to-kerry
http://www.ireland.com/en-us/wild-at...clare-to-kerry
Apr 9th, 2014, 09:27 AM
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http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Maps?...RVdU9UTXdNRE09
look at this map and do the mileage. I would base myself in Westport or Cliften for trips to Inishmore and Connemara. Give yourself two nights at the least in each place so you aren't in the car all day. I want to spend the night on one of the Aran Islands but I have done this area several times before and I want more than a day trip next time. If this is your first time then just do one of the day trips.
look at this map and do the mileage. I would base myself in Westport or Cliften for trips to Inishmore and Connemara. Give yourself two nights at the least in each place so you aren't in the car all day. I want to spend the night on one of the Aran Islands but I have done this area several times before and I want more than a day trip next time. If this is your first time then just do one of the day trips.
Apr 9th, 2014, 10:33 AM
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And you plan to drop your rental car where?? Not Westport!
Personally I would use Clifden for The Connemara http://goo.gl/maps/uqIi8
Kenmare and Ennis also get my vote.. Would I stay overnight on Inis Mor.. I would want to know the weather first so maybe leave this open either Inis Mor or Spiddal?
Drive back to Dublin and drop the car there.
Personally I would use Clifden for The Connemara http://goo.gl/maps/uqIi8
Kenmare and Ennis also get my vote.. Would I stay overnight on Inis Mor.. I would want to know the weather first so maybe leave this open either Inis Mor or Spiddal?
Drive back to Dublin and drop the car there.
Apr 9th, 2014, 11:27 AM
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Labatlovr& flpab: thank you for the websites! Great!
Tony2phones: yes we thought of dropping the car in westport and catch a train to Dublin to avoid driving in Dublin and to give my husband a break . So you don't recommend?
What do you think of my itinerary? I now think of doing 2 nights in kenmare, 2 in dingle, then i am not sure after because some don't recommend ennis,& the aran Islands even though i read everywhere that they are great locations.
Another question is take the ferry from kilbert or take the normal route via Shannon?
Thank you again for your time and advise!!
Tony2phones: yes we thought of dropping the car in westport and catch a train to Dublin to avoid driving in Dublin and to give my husband a break . So you don't recommend?
What do you think of my itinerary? I now think of doing 2 nights in kenmare, 2 in dingle, then i am not sure after because some don't recommend ennis,& the aran Islands even though i read everywhere that they are great locations.
Another question is take the ferry from kilbert or take the normal route via Shannon?
Thank you again for your time and advise!!
Apr 9th, 2014, 12:11 PM
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There is no car hire depot in Westport the nearest would be Knock airport or make your way up to Sligo and train from there, all the main players in car hire have Sligo Bases..
I recommend Ennis as a locals town with some tourists. unlike Dingle which is a Tourist town with a few locals. some people claim they want to see the real Ireland and mix with the locals then stay in Dingle Doolin and Kinsale its their holiday who am I to say different.
I am not a big fan of Inis Mor preferring Inis Oirr (handy from Doolin) but it depends what you want for an evening.
The Shannon Tunnel or the Shannon Ferry depends if you have time and inclination to explore south west Clare and the Loop Head Peninsula http://goo.gl/maps/xMOHV
The Skelligs boats are weather dependant and set out 10am returning at 4pm.. long day without a toilet break possibly stay closer to Portmagee the night before? take one of your Dingle nights to do that.
I recommend Ennis as a locals town with some tourists. unlike Dingle which is a Tourist town with a few locals. some people claim they want to see the real Ireland and mix with the locals then stay in Dingle Doolin and Kinsale its their holiday who am I to say different.
I am not a big fan of Inis Mor preferring Inis Oirr (handy from Doolin) but it depends what you want for an evening.
The Shannon Tunnel or the Shannon Ferry depends if you have time and inclination to explore south west Clare and the Loop Head Peninsula http://goo.gl/maps/xMOHV
The Skelligs boats are weather dependant and set out 10am returning at 4pm.. long day without a toilet break possibly stay closer to Portmagee the night before? take one of your Dingle nights to do that.
Apr 9th, 2014, 01:25 PM
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Thank you Tonry2phones! Oh yes, we'll definately explore south west clare and the loop head peninsula. We may do Dingle-Ennis , therefore I guess it will not make sense to take the Shannon Ferry. We will leave Ennis in the morning and drive along the coast up to Galway.
Apr 9th, 2014, 01:37 PM
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Tony...I've gotta have my usual laugh. The use of the word "touristy" is an absolute sham. Each and every person on his forum is a tourist above everythng else...so suck it up, Fodorites. Come off your collective high horses...you're all tourists and you visit places around the globe because they have something to offer tourists. You included. Once again, bah humbug!
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:02 PM
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We stayed in Carraroe; I can't remember the name of the B&B, but I could find it. It was near the ferries to the Aran islands, convenient for the Connemara, and a very nice little town, in a Gaeltacht. The B&B had wonderful breakfasts, and we were invited to join a dinner the proprietor had prepared for a biking group, which was maybe the best meal we had in Ireland.
We really liked Westport, although we stayed only one night there.
We drove around Ireland for two weeks, a good part of it visiting my family in the north. After leaving Carraroe, we dropped the car at Galway International Airport and then spent a night in Galway before taking a bus back to Dublin.
Our Lonely Planet Guide had an entirely wrong location for the airport; the place they indicated was a little private airfield with charter flights to the Aran islands. It's a good thing we were just dropping a rental car instead of taking a flight!
We really liked Westport, although we stayed only one night there.
We drove around Ireland for two weeks, a good part of it visiting my family in the north. After leaving Carraroe, we dropped the car at Galway International Airport and then spent a night in Galway before taking a bus back to Dublin.
Our Lonely Planet Guide had an entirely wrong location for the airport; the place they indicated was a little private airfield with charter flights to the Aran islands. It's a good thing we were just dropping a rental car instead of taking a flight!
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:04 PM
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If you are aiming for Loop Head then the Ferry is the best option between Dingle and Ennis. Booking on line saves a little on the Fare. http://www.shannonferries.com/
That said and as big a fan of Ennis as I am,, You could stay out on the coast rather than coming inland to go out again.. Kilrush/Kilkee/Quilty/Lahinch/Ennistymon are all options in South West Clare
What dates are you looking at being in Clare?
That said and as big a fan of Ennis as I am,, You could stay out on the coast rather than coming inland to go out again.. Kilrush/Kilkee/Quilty/Lahinch/Ennistymon are all options in South West Clare
What dates are you looking at being in Clare?
Apr 9th, 2014, 02:18 PM
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Tower: I understand tony2phones point. I live in a "touristy" city, it is less authentic...
bvlenci: thank you for the tip
Tony2phones: we should be in Clare between May 20th and 21st. I read that Ennis has a festival around that time.
We initialy thought of: landing in Shannon (tickets are booked already), drive down to Kenmare and start our trip from kenmare and going north from there up to Westport. Is that a good idea or should we start north of Shannon and move south from there? In any case, our last 2 days will be in Dublin.
bvlenci: thank you for the tip
Tony2phones: we should be in Clare between May 20th and 21st. I read that Ennis has a festival around that time.
We initialy thought of: landing in Shannon (tickets are booked already), drive down to Kenmare and start our trip from kenmare and going north from there up to Westport. Is that a good idea or should we start north of Shannon and move south from there? In any case, our last 2 days will be in Dublin.
Apr 9th, 2014, 03:08 PM
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Yes the Fledh Nua http://www.fleadhnua.com/ town will be a little busy accommodation wise but there will be a lot going on without being too crammed.. The Fledh is one of the high points on the Comhaltas calendar and with a bit of luck we will get down there this year..
There is also the Burren in Bloom events throughout May http://www.burreninbloom.com/
Not sure I have ever used the word Touristy but I do tend to guide a little more Off Piste than most.. I try and be more of a visitor than a tourist and many who ask questions about individual plans on the forums tend towards the same mind set?
Tourists can take tour bus trips, hit the gift shops and go home with the same photos of the same places taken on different cameras. If they are able to stay awake until the locals start going out they can still sit in their own little groups without being in danger of having to interact. Yes think I will stick to being a visitor.
There is also the Burren in Bloom events throughout May http://www.burreninbloom.com/
Not sure I have ever used the word Touristy but I do tend to guide a little more Off Piste than most.. I try and be more of a visitor than a tourist and many who ask questions about individual plans on the forums tend towards the same mind set?
Tourists can take tour bus trips, hit the gift shops and go home with the same photos of the same places taken on different cameras. If they are able to stay awake until the locals start going out they can still sit in their own little groups without being in danger of having to interact. Yes think I will stick to being a visitor.
Apr 10th, 2014, 12:01 PM
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Aiillwee caves with the falconry walk are on the books for our kids on our trip. Will that allow them to see enough of the Burren or should that be a separate walk/ experience? Also is early/ mid June too late to see the Burren in bloom?
If you had to decide between Connemara or Achill Island which would it be? Unfortunately we only have one night in Clifden coming from Athlone. This is also for the kids. They wanted to do a river cruise. Now we are already booked into places and I'm second guessing some of our choices. I'm sure there's no wrong way to see Ireland, but we really wanted our kids first trip oversees to inspire a love of travel and other cultures. I'm not sure we are getting enough of that.
Coming from Limerick going to Kenmare. We figured a stop in Adare? What is here that is a can't miss. We will have two days in Bansha after 2 in Kenmare so we will see golden Vale, Cahir, etc. then. We had a suggestion of Dingle, but Tony seems unimpressed? Thank you, thank you for the suggestions.
If you had to decide between Connemara or Achill Island which would it be? Unfortunately we only have one night in Clifden coming from Athlone. This is also for the kids. They wanted to do a river cruise. Now we are already booked into places and I'm second guessing some of our choices. I'm sure there's no wrong way to see Ireland, but we really wanted our kids first trip oversees to inspire a love of travel and other cultures. I'm not sure we are getting enough of that.
Coming from Limerick going to Kenmare. We figured a stop in Adare? What is here that is a can't miss. We will have two days in Bansha after 2 in Kenmare so we will see golden Vale, Cahir, etc. then. We had a suggestion of Dingle, but Tony seems unimpressed? Thank you, thank you for the suggestions.
Apr 10th, 2014, 01:37 PM
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Ailwee and the Birds of Prey centre is fairly central to the Burren which will still be in bloom until late in the year its just the start of the rare flora in May that names the months activities.. The guided Cliffs walk from Doolin if you have a head for heights is also worth considering.
Achill is part of the Connemara or was before the focus moved South. Depends what you want to do. This is a massive area full of small worth a look places. From Athlone, Achill is a long way north and drive time v sights time, probably not worth it.
Viking Rivercruises also run some days to Clonmacnoise from Athlone.
Kenmare is a good base for Kerry and North Cork, Beara being the best of the south west peninsulas.
Dingle, gets all the publicity all the tourists and people all over the world who have never been to Ireland all want to see Dingle.. I am lucky enough to have seen Dingle in the 70's before Rick Steves, the Dolphin and as many quick build holiday home Bungalows as can be crammed into a tiny area. I have also seen a good bit of the other 99.4% of the island so no Dingle doesn't offer me anything I cant find better elsewhere.
Over planning is a regular event when it comes to Ireland.. 50+ years working, living, visiting and holidaying there are places I haven't seen and many I haven't seen enough of.. With only a few days just make the best of the time you have without knocking yourself out.. Most important make some time for interaction with a few locals..
Achill is part of the Connemara or was before the focus moved South. Depends what you want to do. This is a massive area full of small worth a look places. From Athlone, Achill is a long way north and drive time v sights time, probably not worth it.
Viking Rivercruises also run some days to Clonmacnoise from Athlone.
Kenmare is a good base for Kerry and North Cork, Beara being the best of the south west peninsulas.
Dingle, gets all the publicity all the tourists and people all over the world who have never been to Ireland all want to see Dingle.. I am lucky enough to have seen Dingle in the 70's before Rick Steves, the Dolphin and as many quick build holiday home Bungalows as can be crammed into a tiny area. I have also seen a good bit of the other 99.4% of the island so no Dingle doesn't offer me anything I cant find better elsewhere.
Over planning is a regular event when it comes to Ireland.. 50+ years working, living, visiting and holidaying there are places I haven't seen and many I haven't seen enough of.. With only a few days just make the best of the time you have without knocking yourself out.. Most important make some time for interaction with a few locals..
Apr 13th, 2014, 03:50 PM
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Tony2phones-As always, you are ever kind and helpful. I believe we will have to skip Achill this time and I have seen the Viking River cruises website. I had hopes to take the cruise to Clonmacnoise, but I don't believe it takes that route on the day we are there. I am trying to scale things back a little ,so that we do have time for actually enjoying our time.
