Arriving at Shannon Airport.
 

I'm planning a trip to Ireland from Chicago. I'm thinking, I'll be flying in to Shannon Airport. I want to visit the western coast of Ireland, but only have one week. I could use some advice as to how best to see, Galway, The Cliffs of Moher, County Mayo..etc. Am I biting off too much? Can I do this without running myself ragged? If I fly into Shannon Airport, should I look for lodging nearby...or rent a car and drive directly to Galway? Or is there somewhere between Shannon and Galway that is worthwhile to stay? Questions, questions, questions...I'd appreciate any advice I can get. Thank you!

Tat.. I flew from boston last year and drove right to Dingle,which is about 2.5 hours in the other direction from Shannon. I would think you could make it to galway after your flight. Also, I found ireland very easy to get around so you could do all things you mentioned with no problem. We just made sure we stayed close to Shannon on our last day.

One week should be fine but remember it takes longer to get from one place to another in Ireland than it does here. The roads are narrow. <BR><BR>I drove from Dublin to near Limerick in an afternoon, which is a long drive. Then we went to Galway, Connnemara, and Mayo for a few days, then back to Dublin. That was a bit much, but your trip sounds more reasonable. My favorite area is near Ashford Castle and County Mayo.

Well, it sort of depends on what the etc. is. It sounds like your plans are to go north (which I like). If you can, spend a couple nights in at least one area. <BR><BR>The drive to Galway is pretty quick by Irish standards. It should take less than 2 hours. If you arrive in Ireland, and the weather is good, go straight to the cliffs of Moher. Visibility can be bad.<BR><BR>I started this about 4 hours ago and then got detained. I'll send it now.<BR><BR>Bill

TAT, <BR>Let me disagree a bit with Bill. After an overnight 5 hour flight you will not be up to a drive to the Cliffs of Morh unless you stay there. The roads to the Cliffs of Morh are windy, and they drive on the other side of the road. My advice is to go to Galway and use it as a base since Galway is close to Shannon and is in the middle of the all the places you wish to visit. I think your itinerary is easily doable. <BR><BR>Let me suggest a website; http://www.ireland-withpatpreston.com. Pat has a book called Daytrips Ireland that has daytrip suggestion with driving directions. Highly recommended!<BR><BR>Good luck I am jealous,<BR>Greg

Greg:<BR><BR>Sorry, that's what happens when I walk away for a long time. I was not suggesting continuing on to Galway. That would be crazy. You are right. I was saying, If the weather is good, stay in the area and hit the Cliffs of Moher. I was only suggesting that the drive to Galway was doable on a first day. <BR><BR>Ooops, thanks for catching that.<BR><BR>Bill

The drive from Shannon to the Cliffs is about 1 1/2 hours. You could drive out there upon arrival, visit the Cliffs and stay overnight in or around Doolin. The next day, you could tour the Burren on your way up to Galway.

I've been twice to Ireland, and one trip I accomplished exactly what you are asking for. You can do this in a week, and here's how: Fly Chicago to Shannon, rent a car. Drive to ADARE and stay at ADARE MANOR. It is not a long drive, (you have a few roundabouts by Limerick), and you will have the luxury of winding down in a beautiful manor house setting such as this. Next morning, drive to Tarbert and take the car ferry across the Shannon to Killimer. Drive through Kilrush, Kilkee, up around the coast through Milltown Malbay, lahinch, and THEN you are at the Cliffs of Moher. From the Cliffs of Moher, drive to Doolin and there you spend the second night, at a little B&B. Next morning, drive to Lisdoonvara, Kilfenora, then through the Burren on the R480 and work your way up to Galway through Dungaire (cool castle). We did not stop in Galway but kept on going to Connemara and stayed in Clifden. Work your way the next day around to Kylemore Abbey . . . do not miss it. It is the castle all the Ireland advertisements use . . . only you can't stay there, it is a private school, but you tour a few rooms. On your way from Kylemore, drive to Cong, and stay either in a B&B or at Ashford Castle. We stayed at Ashford Castle, loved the grounds, loved the atmosphere, absolutely wonderful. John Wayne's movie, the Quiet Man, was filmed here. Check out the stone circles just north of there. Work your way back down to Headford, and stop at Ross Abbey, ruins, you can just climb around on them. Work your way back to Shannon, stay your last night at Newmarket on Fergus, at a castle there, name escapes me at the moment, I'll go look it up.<BR><BR>This gives you a GREAT look at many pieces of this West part of Ireland.

The castle at Newmarket on Fergus is Dromoland Castle. The coolest thing is that when we drove up, a doorman was waiting for us at the drive, opened my door, and said, "Welcome home." <BR><BR>We alternated Castle/B&B through the whole trip. So we paid $300 for one night, $36 for another, etc. Wanted some grand experiences, and the castles are awesome. Just take enough time to relax in the afternoon to walk the grounds as though you own them. See the little family pet cemetery at Adare. Look at what's written at the Adare Manor roofline . . . walk through the quaint little thatched cottage town connected to the Manor. Probably your can click on to some internet site for Adare and Dromoland and Ashford.<BR><BR>Don't stop at Bunratty Castle, it will be tempting just after you get off the airplane, but it is too much "folk park" after a long flight . . . <BR><BR>One other poster said to drive to Dingle from Shannon. You'll hate how you feel if you do that. Make it easy on yourself and go to the Manor and rest the remainder of the day, stroll through the town. Repeat after me, it is a vacation, it is not work.