mom2three

Well, now that I'm officially leaving for Ireland in 9 weeks I'm trying to finalize my plans. WE've never been to Ireland before so any help is appreciated. I had posted a few months ago with some general questions and got a lot of good advice so I'm hoping for the same now that I have some specifics.

My DH and I and our 3 kids (9,6 and almost 5) are there for ten days and are flying from Newark, NJ to SHannon on March 14th. We arrive at 5:25 am and have a rental for a Opel Zafire which seems to be a small minivan. We would like to explore a little before we head up to our rental apartment in Foxford since we can't check in until 4 pm and figure we'll want to stretch our legs a bit. I was thinking of Bunratty Castle as this seems pretty close but it doesn't open early. I would love any ideas of places to stop and visit that are basically on the way to Foxford.

As for our itinerary it will need to be flexible as I'll be meeting my Great-Aunt for the first time and tons of cousins. They've already made plans to meet at the Mayfly Hotel for St.Pat's which should be lovely.

I'm planning to come up with a list of things I must see while I'm there and fit them in accordingly. I'm thinking it would be best to limit our travels to the West and not even try to fit in Dublin but my DH feels like we should get to Dublin while we're there just in case we never get back.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions - I'm so excited about the trip and not being able to plan precisely is killing me so I'm doing the best I can.

jaja

Between Shannon and Foxford:
Thoor Ballylee
Coole Park
Knock

NEDSIRELAND

The Cafeteria at Shannon airport opens at 7:00 AM. I always like to get some real food (i.e., not airline food) and breathe some air that hasn't been recirculated a bunch of times before I begin my visit. If you're not ready for a 'full Irish' breakfast when you arrive, you might want to wait until you get to Gort, for example.

It's going to take a few hours to go from Shannon to Foxford whatever route you take.

I agree with jaja: Knock Shrine should be open by the time you get there.

You can often get around that 4 PM Check-in. Wait until a decent hour, then call the people you dealt with for the rental. You may be able to check in immediately on arrival.

chip

on our early arrival in shannon, we were headed north and took advantage of the early hour to have the burren to ourselves. we headed to the poulnabrone dolmen...nice to get out and walk around the burren and explore a bit without all the tour busses...just some sheep.

if you won't see later in your trip...you could sidetrack to see cliffs of moher.

we continued on up to ballyvaughan. we stopped and walked around dunguaire castle and took some pictures. there are nice views of galway bay along this route.

we did stop at thoor ballylee...it was fun to go up to the top of one of the turrets for the view...the movie was boring...at least at that hour without much sleep...not must see unless an irish literature buff.

we stopped at cong(this may be a little off direct route for you)...enjoyed the abbey and especially the walk on the path behind the abbey(I think by the the time we left here, my niece and nephew had used up all of their camera film)...you can follow it all the way to ashford castle. there is a nice coffee shop, that had great sandwiches and desserts, next to the abbey.

we also stopped at knock (on our way back south)...very interesting...spiritually...for me...not sure about kid enjoyment (if you are Catholic or interested in Marian apparitions...go)

I imagine that if you go thru burren and stop at dunguaire...by that time your kids will be nodding off.

looks like half your trip will be in foxford with family...if you are flying out of shannon...I would not go to dublin. I would spend time in west...with family ties...you will be back. I am sure you will get to see sites around mayo during the first part of your trip.

I would do bunratty castle/folk park and the banquet on your last night.

I would suggest time in kerry...dingle(slea head, funghi boat ride, horseback riding, pub music, shopping) and killarney (national park, ross castle, muckross house, gap of dunloe) or kenmare (killarney sites plus garnish island, beara peninsula/healy pass).

if you venture around westport then on to connnemara...we all really enjoyed scenic drive to Croagh Patrick...through the doo lough valley past aashley falls around the fjord...through bog lands to Kylemore abbey on to clifden and the sky road...also enjoyed coral beaches just outside of clifden on way to roundstone.

3rd option (w/dublin)-head north to giant's causeway,dunluce castle, carrick-a-rede rope bride(check to be sure open...may not open until later in the summer). then on to just north of dublin-newgrange/knowth, hill of tara, monastaboice, trim castle. (maybe stay just outside the city and train in...save yourself the headache of driving in dublin) then dublin...loop back.

mom2three

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm definetely going to visit Knock but it seems that will be a family excursion so I'll have to leave it for another day and I've finally realized that the kids are going to need to sleep when we get there since it will be the middle of the night as far as their bodies are concerned. My new plan is to grab breakfast at the airport (thanks NEDSIRELAND for suggesting that - it will make life simpler) and than head straight towards Foxford while DH and I have our second wind. I'm thinking of going to Ceide Fields and wandering Ballycastle and Ballina until we can check in (hopefully earlier than 4 pm) and than just crashing.

WE've decided to save Dublin for the next trip and spend the last few days in the SouthWest. I'm thinking Chip's advice will work - spend the last few days in Kerry and our last night at Bunratty Castle and FOlk Park - maybe doing the Medievel Dinner.

THanks again and feel free to share any other advice.

crazychick

Have you asked if they will you check in before 4pm , as a lot of palces are quite helpful on this when they realise you flight times.

Padraig

Ceide Fields and Ballina are beyond Foxford. It might not seem like far, but factor in jet-lag and slow-driving roads, and you might agree it is a bad idea.

I suggest that you take at least one break along the route. Galway seems the obvious place. Stretch your legs; get some fresh air; perhaps coffee for the driver.

Knock is not appealing unless you go there for devotional reasons.

rosetravels

Hi mom2three,
Depending on where you're flying from, you may get tired quickly that first day. Breakfast in the airport would help you adjust. Stopping at Galway would be good. But then I'd go on to Foxford and try for an early check-in so you can get off the road. Ceide et al are way too far past that (those maps are so deceptive!)

I agree with advice to not go to Dublin. You might take a closer look at County Mayo - we loved Westport, Connemara, Clare Island, Croagh Patrick. We also LOVE Donegal, even in the Spring.

SiobhanP

You can always drop your bags at the B&B or hotel and then head into the town. It takes a while to get out of the airport with baggage etc and getting the car so start driving and then stop for breakfast on the way in a cafe. Most coffee places should be open around 9 am. You can relax and stop along the way and stretch your legs and take it slow.

NEDSIRELAND

You're going to hear a lot of: "Are we there yet?"
Yes, Ceide Fields (north coast of County Mayo between Bangor, Barony of Erris and Belmullet) are a bit out of your way unless you come up thru Westport on the N59. Balliná is on the Moy River just about due north from Foxford.

I had the pleasure of meeting a 105-year old first cousin of my mother in Bangor Erris 3-years ago. The following year, I asked at the West End Pub if Delia was still alive. The Patrons were amused. They had thrown her a 106th birthday 'bash' at Kiltane's Pub and she didn't want it to end.

If your DH is interested, the Moy River is a Fisherman's Paradise. Foxford is quite a fishing Center. Balliná is where more Salmon are caught on hook & line than anywhere else in the world. But it's very expensive for a tourist.

Again, that 4:00 PM Check-in time is very seldom enforced. If your accomodation is ready, you should be allowed to check in. I don't think 15 Mar is peak Tourist Season or peak Trout fishing season for Foxford.

Ann41

The highlight of my 7-year-olds trip to Ireland to visit us was learning Irish drinking songs. We made a CD for her and played it in the car while we drove her and my aunt and uncle around seeing the sights.

fincon

"...if Delia was still alive. The Patrons were amused. They had thrown her a 106th birthday 'bash' at Kiltane's Pub and she didn't want it to end."

Nedsireland, I have to ask you if the lady in question was Delia Gallagher. If so, she passed away in Nov 2004, shortly before her 106th. Some confusion somewhere!

janisj

fincon: "<i>I have to ask you if the lady in question was Delia Gallagher. If so, she passed away in Nov 2004, shortly before her 106th. Some confusion somewhere!</i>"

NEDSIRELAND's post was nearly 4 years ago.

My guess is the pub patrons were talking about a wake sort of 106th b'day party . . .

fincon

Well he did say "she didn't want it to end"

I think he just got the ages mixed up, it was probly her 105th..