abram

We're planning an August trip to Ireland and need to decide exactly how long a trip to take. We're semi-retired so don't have to do a whirlwind 14 day itinerary. I'm starting with Rick Steves' 22 day itinerary because it was the only longer one I could find.

We'd like to do it in a slightly more leisurely fashion and maybe take in some additional sights he didn't include. We'll start with 4 days in Dublin, then rent a car to drive around Ireland and Northern Ireland. We're thinking of something between 31 and 34 days. Your thoughts? Thanks.

bilboburgler

I think that should be fine, it gives you a chance to relax and join in the fun and games in an odd pub or two. Dublin for 4 days is about right, you can also use the Dart railway system to visit some little towns nearby before you get the car.

What I would do is have a good look at the websites for August so that you are in the "happening" town for that night and probably book rooms now. Why not table out your plan in more detail and paste it up here.

adrienne

I think that sounds like a great amount of time. It's refreshing to see a post that doesn't have my head spinning with 8 countries in 10 days! You'll have time to soak up the culture and really explore.

When my brother and his family went to Ireland (on a much shorter trip) the best times they had were when they meandered through the countryside, stopping when they found something interesting.

abram

I'm in the very early stages of planning--I'm sure I'll post more questions as I read more!

I think that I'm going to buy the plane tickets so that is off my mind--that's why I was asking about the length of the trip, whether it should be 31 days or 34.

I've selected an apartment in Dublin, the Millenium Tower. The pics look nice, most of the reviews are good, the location seems relatively convenient, and it's moderately priced.

We're going to head South from Dublin, so next I'll start reading about the sights along the way so I can start making some decisions about where our next stop will be and how long we'll stay there.

My goal is to stay at least two nights (three would be better) in every place we stay.

starrs

We had our flights into Shannon and our flight out of Gatwick and nothing planned in between. We stayed in Ireland for a week before moving on to England/Scotland and it was hard for me to leave. I would say that a month is a gracious plenty. We picked up B&B and Farm&B in the tourist bureau at the airport, they made the first night's reservation at a Farm & B for the first night and we were off. This was pre-internet days. The island is small so I'm not sure how many times you'd want to move. Here's an interesting overlay -
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ir...m/rel_size.htm
It's about the size of Indiana and smaller than many states. Be sure to go out to the Aran Islands. It will be a wonderful trip! I'm jealous

abram

I admire people who can wing it--but it makes me anxious just thinking about it. I'll have to make reservations in advance--but that's fine with me.

One goal is to minimize moving from hotel to hotel and still minimize backtracking often as we drive. A challenge, but doable, I hope!

We've never been able to take this long a trip, so I am (what my children used to describe as) scared-excited. I love the idea of not having to move quickly from one sight to another to fit everything in, but worry about how to fill too much down time, as we're not really "just wander around" travelers.

We love Irish music, and figure we will have the time to get a later start some mornings because we've stayed out late the night before.

starrs

Oh, I'm not suggesting winging it. It turned out to be a great adventure and all went well - but there was one not-so-great choice. I like landing in one area and staying there for a while. Maybe move 4 times and spend a week at each?

"but worry about how to fill too much down time". I'm wondering about that. That's a lot of time in a small space. Depending on your interests, you will probably have a lot of down time. I love hanging in my little corner of my mountain world (you know of it) and I can easily have a slow week there with just one or two "adventures" each day. If you enjoy that, I think a week in four different areas of Ireland would work perfectly. If you want to do more, you may find a month is too much time. If so, moving on to England/Scotland may work for you - even if you come back to take your original outbound flight.

Itallian_Chauffer

You don't mention interests, budget or traveling style. All those things might give us a better idea as to what to recommend.

I spent the month of October, 2012, MOSTLY in just the Republic of Ireland and think that the MORE time, the better

If you think that might be too much, remember that adding in a side-trip or two is relatively easy and inexpensive, due to the abundance of options available FROM Ireland.

If you are looking for ideas:

My Trip Report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-oct-2012.cfm

Likewise, we spent two weeks, in April of 2012, concentrating on Cork/Kerry, along with a few days in Wicklow and Wexford. In June of 2011, we also spent a goodly amount of time in the South East. In June of 2010, we split our time between SW Ireland and the Cotswold's. In 2009 and 2007, we concentrated on the NW and Northern Ireland. Those Trip Reports can be found by 'Clicking' on my (misspelled) Screen Name. Included are links to photos, from most of those trips, as well.

You might also look for Trip Reports by others -- those by Songdoc come to mind.

Let us know how we can help!

Bob

abram

Our interests include history, scenic drives & hikes, what makes a particular place different from the one down the road, Irish music (with words sung in English), local highlights. Shopping--not so much.

We know this trip will be expensive, but we focus on value, rather than just cost. We like neighborhood ethnic restaurants better than fancy places, prefer staying in apartments to 5 star hotels.

Entrances into museums, mansions, gardens, historical sights, ruins, etc--we never skimp on those.

Travel style: I like to be very organized, on-the-go more than wandering aimlessly, but don't want to feel rushed to finish one sight because I have to get to the next.

TPAYT

We really loved Ireland. We toured the West in Sept.'10 for 10 days and returned im May'11 for another 10 days in the middle. We found it to be less expensive than our other European adventures and the biggest surprise was the food--outstanding!

The driving took longer than you would expect, so plan for that. We usually do apts. in Europe but in Ireland we did the B&B's. They were all great with very hospitable owners. Having a month would be a delight so you could enjoy the experience and not rush so much.

Here are my trip reports---lengthy and full of food comments. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Our personal favorite places were Westport area and the Dingle Peninsula.


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-surprises.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-adventure.cfm

Here's a fast, musical slideslow of our first trip.
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripw...00a3-15f8-d09e

The countryside of Ireland is gorgeous so get your camera ready!

cb

Hi abram! We are considering a similar trip, and I would love to hear what you've decided and where your planning on staying, etc. I was also looking at airfares and found AerLingus to have the best prices. Coincidentally, the flight I'm considering out of Houston has a layover at ORD. Our tentative dates, as of today!, are Aug. 20th to Sept. 9th. I haven't made any firm plans though.

Good luck with your research! It's a bit daunting, no??

abram

I think that we've decided to leave July 29 (arriving July 30) and return home Sept 2. I hope to book the air tickets this week.

The more I read, the more overwhelmed I become, but I know, from planning other trips, that it will begin to make sense.

We will want to limit to a few each the number of castles, ring forts, ruined abbeys, round towers and high crosses that we see--otherwise, they'll all start to look alike and we won't appreciate any of them.

bankbabe

I am in the same boat as you all. We are planning to go to Scotland /Ireland in July. I don't have much time to plan but will firm up our plane tix in the next week or so. DH is working with American Express to put together something for us. DH wants to play the old course in St. Andrews. is it too much to expect to do that + Ireland in less than 14 days?

bankbabe

Errrrr I mean, Is it too much......?

cb

I think (hope!!!) you are right. The more I look at it the more it starts to make a little more sense. Just the decisions of where to go, where to stay, how long to be there.... At least now I am beginning to narrow things down. A little.

We are going on a 3 week trip to China/Thailand in mid April. My husband wants to know why I'm not spending more time on that... However, it's a completely booked group trip (which we really haven't done before...) but I must say, I'm pretty happy not to have to make any of those plans! We'll see how content I am about it afterwards, but for now, I like it quite a bit

If I am ever able to come up with something definitive, I'll be happy to share!

marirose

Wise re limiting number af ancient things.. I live in Kerry and do the same. exploring more each time I am out. Please do not omit Killarney National Park; it has everything, and so much space to walk and enjoy. It starts just opposite the Cathedral too. http://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/

abram

Thanks, marirose--that's definitely on my list.

Rastaguytoday

abram, I'm doing a shorter variation of what you're proposing.

I'm flying into Dublin, taking the bus from the airport to Belfast for a few days.

Then I'm going to rent a car from Dan Dooley, returning it to Dublin to end that part of the trip. Saves a few days of car rental.

I'll start my Northern Ireland tour from Belfast, going anti-clockwise around the "island".

rosebuds

I love reading all the posts re: Ireland. My husband and I .along with our two college aged children ,are headed there in a month. We have a week excluding our flights. We are landing in Shannon, headed to Galway, Limerick, Killarny, then to Waterford and ending in Dublin. We'll stay two nights at one place and then two nights in Dublin. We've rented a car and have our housing reservations set. I hope we're not in the car too much, but will love the countryside. We visited Iceland a few years ago and just love seeing different countries. Again, I love getting travel tips on this site. Mary

abram

I did a first draft itinerary and came up with 32 days, so I need to go back and lengthen time in a few placs so the trip is 34 days.

We're starting with 4 days in Dublin, staying at the Millennium Walk Apartments. Then, we'll pick up a car go to the James Joyce Museum, Powerscourt Gardens, and Russborough House, spending the night in Kildare. The next day, Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens, Glendalough, National 1798 Museum, two nights in Wexford.

New Ross, two nights in Waterford. Jerpoint Abbey, a night in Kilkenny.

Rock of Cashel, Swiss Cottage, Lismore Castl, three nights in Cork, including a day trip to Kinsale.

That's as far as I've gotten with my revised itinerary, but I plan to include Bantry house, Ilnacullin, two nights in Kenmare, the Ring of Kerry, Michael Skelling, Killarney National Park/Muckross House, Dingle Peninsula (3 nights in Dingle), Ennis, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Galway (3 nights), Inishmore, Connemara National Park, Cong, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Museum of Country Life, Strokestoen House, Sligo, Belleek Pottery, Ulster American Folk Park, Donegal, Glenveagh Castle, New Mills Corn & Flax Mills, Dunfanaghy Workhouse, Derry, Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Glens of Antrim, Belfast, Boyne Valley.

My challenge is to figure out how to minimize one night stays without backtracking in the car too much.