Hi, the wife and I are flying into Shannon and I'm wondering about the best plan for seeing Clare / Kerry sites?

We are staying in Bunratty for our first night (and most likely checking out the castle and village that first day), but have nothing planned for the next seven days. After that, it's up to NI, then down to Dublin.

So, knowing that we will be heading past the Cliffs going north from Dingle, would it be best to see them after doing Dingle?

Figuring drive times, and sightseeing times, would there be time to see the Cliffs after driving up from Dingle in the same day? Or should I consider a night somewhere near Ennis on the way up?

Our schedule is wide open, and we are just hoping to do some exploring, so where we stay isn't as important as the experience. I've heard nice things about Ennis, and wouldn't be opposed to a night there if it meant not having to rush past the Cliffs on our way north.

Opinions? Alternatives? Thanks in advance -- you folks have helped out a lot in preparing for this trip!

I think I'd head from Bunratty straight down to Dingle. Once you're heading back north again after Dingle, you could trim a bit of time off by using the ferry instead of going back around through Limerick and Bunratty.

I'm not sure when you're going, but if it's off season, you might want to play it by ear for the next night's accommodation. In Clare, the cliffs are quite a site, but most don't tend to stay for a great deal of time. And the Burren area *can* be an area where you hike, see the cave, the dolmen, etc - or it can just be a nice scenic drive on the way to Galway. Starting in Dingle though, I don't think I'd push the driving much further than Galway, personally.

If you do take the ferry, then Ennis would end up being a bit of a double-back if you're ultimately heading north. I'd say Doolin, Kinvarra or Galway would be best bets for a stop, depending on how far you get (or how much you might linger).

Don't miss the Connor Pass on the way back from Dingle, and Connemara once you get past Galway.

Ah, seems I edited the "When" part out of my post as I was cleaning it up a bit We're arriving on the 13th, and heading out the 26th of May.

I was thinking the same, that Dingle would be stop 2 (definitely 2 days there), and then take the ferry as we head north.

Doolin, Kinvarra or Galway are noted as possible destinations for afterward, then. The nice part of this section of the trip is that we do have the luxury of lingering if we desire.

Thanks for the tips!

It comes down to a matter of where best to spend the weekend. There's a May Traditional Irish music festival in Ennis: I was there last May and it was GREAT!

If it were me and I could find Hotel or B&B reservations, I'd stay in Ennis for the weekend, taking daytrips to the Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Doolin & the Burren - maybe even Galway. Then, if you are really set on going to Dingle, you could head for the Killimer-Tarbert ferry after a full Irish breakfast Mon (17 May).

That's just 1-person's opinion but I've been there, done that. May'03 I wound up staying at Abbey Tourist Hostal in Ennis.

hi jef go to Killarney hub of great tours to dingle ring of kerry or the lakes of Killarney and muckross and national park. Good restaurants music pubs etc.give me a call via my web site get you good deal www.glenahouse.com

Ah, I didn't know of the music festival, but I'd sure head to Ennis for that! Sounds like fun.

By the way, May is a great month for Ireland and you'll have some long days to work with as well. Enjoy your trip.

Dear NEDSIRELAND:
Just wondering if you have more info about the Traditional Irish music festival in May in Ennis?? We will be in Irealand in May. Sounds like something I might like to check out!

I did some checking, and found this - http://www.fleadhnua.com/

Looks like this year it is happening later in the month than last year, so I will be out of luck - I'll be in Dublin by then.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

The festival is on from the 24th-31st of May. It is very difficult to get a room in Ennis at that time, so you might want to start booking now, especially if you plan to be there on a weekend.

If I'm not mistaken Tim, you are using Fodors to do a bit of sly marketing. That's a no-no.

Bill

ladyjane44: Bill gave you the info you requested, although I thought it was a 9-day thing. Last May the finals were at the Queens Hotel but you might also find Trad Irish music at the Old Ground and the Temple Gate.

I even found some at the Brewery Pub at Abbey Street and The Square. But the best session I found was an impromptu one at Cruise's Pub the last day of the Festival. It was a 'pick up' session that went from 4 PM to 9 PM.

Ennis is pushing itself into becoming a Traditional Irish Music Capital. They also have a shorter (4-day) Trad Irish music festival in November that friends told me about when I was there recently (Feb 29, 2004).

Eircom made Ennis Ireland's Information Age town a few years ago ('02) when it installed a Free PC in every household in town.