soliza

A very warm hello. Will be travelling in August 2013. My original thought was arrive in Shannon, depart from Dublin (or visa versa), rent a car and visit: Dublin, Cork, Killarney and Galway. Then I saw the distances and realized I would be driving 3 - 4 hours daily : (. I then shopped around for escorted motor coaches which brought up the price as well as staying at hotels that I perhaps would have found a little further away from city centers, which I am quite sure my daughters would enjoy. I wish so much that I had more than 8 days to visit this amazing country that all three of us want to visit so bad. One of my concerns driving on our own was nightly accommodations without advanced reservations.
I guess my biggest question is: Do I bite the bullet and drive, or would a motorcoach tour be better even though a little more restrictive as to where we would stop, but would allow me to relax and not get lost : )....I know I can stay in Ireland a lifetime to visit all of its beauty, but am I biting too much wanting to see the above? Thanks for your guidance and advice.

Parmenter

Good insight you have there about attempting too much in too little time, often kind of a curse on a first trip to Ireland. Map distances can be very deceptive and a great highway system they do not have.
Drive, its half the fun. Tours can be confining, frustrating and can keep you from conversing with the locals. Consider flying in & out of Shannon which offers easier less painful access, if you can give up Dublin. From SNN you can go north or south depending on weather and preference. Cork is so-so but the Dingle is lovely.
To the north consider staying overnight on the Aran Islands

nytraveler

I would definitely drive and stay in hotels (booked in advance) where there is some activity in the evenings for your daughters.

You just need to be careful not to bit off too much - since driving is slow once off the few major highways (not only lots to see but LOTS of sheep to avoid).

soliza

Thank you so very much for your input. Just when I had it figured out, I guess I will seriously reconsider driving. Parmenter, I would still love to go to Dublin just so my girls could see Temple Bar area. Again, many thanks to you both.

soliza

OK, despite believing driving over motorcoach is the best way to go, I chickened out.....with a compromise. : )

We will be flying back home out of Shannon. I am planning to stay two days after tour ends in Limerick.

Question: Do I stay in Limerick for the extra two day or travel to Galway. I am sure my girls would love to stay an an active lively area. Suggestions?

longhorn55

Go to Galway.

rosebuds

We are headed out of Boston on Wed. to Shannon. I've heard great things about Galway, we're headed there our first night. We are so excited and ready to go.

christina_creuzzer2

Hello, my sister and i decided on getting a car in 2008, and we didn't regret it. She acclimated very easy to the different situation (I don't have a licence). The car made our 11 day trip really easy and nice. I would prefer to stay at b&bs, you will meet nice people easily. I never stayed at a hotel but what I heard, they are not worth the price..
Anyway, we had 11 days, which means 9 days (arrival and departuredays). We went to Cashel, Killarney, Dingle, Doolin, Tralee (just for the night,don't knwo why we didn't make it to Gallway), then back towards Dublin with a detour at Hill of Tara. It was really amazing!

So, if you have a car you can be spontanous, can switch or add or change plans. It's not that stressfull if you are on the road. My sister is the 'stressed one' and she made it, she did really great actually! Try it.

If you have the possibility to arrive and depart at Shannon, do so!

I hope you and your daughters are going to have a wonderfull trip!

christina_creuzzer2

I would also prefer Galway over Limerick!

soliza

A great big thank you to all. I have read that it would be best to book hotels or B&B's well in advance. Your feedback is very much appreciated.