MostlySunny1

Going mid-June for a week long honeymoon. Fly into Shannon & out of Dublin. Want to stay in upscale accommodations that allow casual attire, and am thinking of hotels vs. B&B's as we tend to sleep in late & want autonomy.

We want to see Galway, Connemara, The Burren, and possibly Dingle. Is that too ambitious for one week? Any suggestions on accomomdations?

Also trying to decide on booking travel myself vs. going through an Agency such as 12travel.com. Any advice in this regard would also be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Budman

It is very ambitious for one week, especially for a honeymoon. You will be driving around, packing/unpacking every day staying in a different place.

We were thinking of something similar for our honeymoon, but decided against it.

You might want to consider concentrating on one area, staying in one or two places in the Southwestern portion of Ireland, and taking day trips. There's lots & plenty to see without having to bounce around from pillar to post. Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare, and Kinsale could take up a full week. Additionally, I wouldfly in/out of Shannon if you can.

BTW, we decided on a cruise and saved Ireland for another time.

MostlySunny1

Thanks Budman for the reply. I should stipulate that we want to stay at least 2 nights in each spot, making day trips around the areas. So maybe 3 nights in one spot, 3 in another, and 1 night in a castle somewhere would be my preference.

From researching it I'm torn between the Dingle area and the Connemara/Galway area. Both sound lovely but I think trying to go both directions might be too much. Need help deciding which of the to areas to choose if seeing both isn't reasonable.

MaryZ

Can you fly in and out of Shannon, or isn't that an option for you? All of the places you mention wanting to see are on the west coast, so traveling to Dublin just for your flight home wouldn't make sense.

MostlySunny1

The travel agent I contacted initially said the flight out of Shannon was booked, so we'd have to go Dublin on the exit trip. I'm not sure about that but would try for Shannon if I book it myself.

MaryZ

Well, you could go to Galway for your first 3 nights. It's a great town and a good base for both Connemara and the Burren. Then, you could stay at Dromoland Castle for a night. Then, you could head to Dingle for a couple of nights. This works out OK if you fly to and from Shannon. If you have to get back to Dublin for departure, you'll have a long drive.

I've always booked things myself and haven't used a travel agency, so I can't compare. I've found doing it myself to be a breeze.

MostlySunny1

Thanks, Mary. I just checked the AerLingus web site and it looks like we can do Shannon both legs of the trip. Now on to finding accommodations! Suggestions for the Galway/Connemara area would be most welcome.

MaryZ

I don't know how upscale you mean, but in and around Galway City, you could look at the Great Southern Hotel, Glenlo Abbey Hotel, and Ardilaun House.

Out in Connemara, there's Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden, Cashel House Hotel (in County Galway's Cashel...not County Tipperart'S Cashel), and Ballynahinch in Recess.

MostlySunny1

Thanks, I'll check those out! We might be willing to splurge one night on a castle but I'm not sure yet. I've heard the Killeen House in Galway is lovely, and doesn't mind people who sleep late & still want breakfast. That's us to a tee. Well, I can be up early but my future husband tends to sleep later.

MaryG

Last year we stayed in Athenry, a small town just west of Galway. We had a self catering apartment in a converted stable at Raheen House. It was wonderful. From there we toured Connemara ,Burren, Galway, Ennis and Bunratty Castle and Folk Museum, Clonmacnois and Cashel. It was very relaxing knowing we had a home to return to each night. We paid just 190 Euro in March for a week, but I think it is a little more now. You can find it at www.irelandwestholidayhomes.com It is property #IWS0154701. I highly reccomend it! The owner Kathleen Coffey is a doctor and lives in a large Manor house on the property.

Carmen

Hotel Dunloe Castle in/near Killarney was very nice and fairly well priced. We stayed at Dromoland Castle, also, but only for one night.