Cashel/Cahir - is one day enough if renting a car from Limerick in the morning?
 

I'm living in Dublin for the summer and am in the process of booking reservations for a Cashel/Cahir trip. I plan to rent a car from Limerick and it will be myself, husband, 8-month old and my parents - a full car! A fixed detail (at least, that is where my thought process is on this) is that we will be returning from the Limerick train station back to Dublin on a Wednesday morning/early afternoon, since my sister will arrive (Shannon airport) and we will journey back to Dublin all together via train.

Questions:

1) If we took the morning train from Dublin to Limerick, arriving ~9:15AM, and spent one night in the Cahir or Cashel area, is that enough time to enjoy things and do the "must-sees"?

2) I read a lot more about Cashel than Cahir - is Cahir worth it? I hear the Swiss Cottage is closed for the season.

3) I'm leaning towards the Dualla House (a few miles outside of Cashel) as opposed to staying in town based on the great reviews. Is staying in Cashel at night an experience not to be missed? Everyone comments on the lighted castle/pubs, etc.

Thanks!

Cashel is an important site, and it would be a shame to spend an extended period in Ireland without seeing it. That said, unless you have a technical interest, it does not take that long to get the picture.

Cahir is something worth visiting while you are in the area. I don't mean to undersell it: it is worth your while, just not sufficiently important to be the main focus of a visit to the area.

As you won't be far away, you could also consider a visit to King John's Castle in Limerick. It's okay, rather than wonderful.

You heard right: Swiss Cottage is closed for the season. You could substitute a pub of that name on the north side of Dublin!

Are you not in Carlingford?

Thanks - check out my trip report on the Part 2 post re: Carlingford LOL. It still ended up being a great trip.

I'm trying to rearrange our schedule so that we can fit almost 2 full days in Cashel/Cahir, might as well try!

I found your report, and enjoyed it. You packed a lot in to an unplanned trip.

Your first mention of Smarmore should have alerted me, because I know where it is in relation to Carlingford. But it looks as if that actually added something to the adventure. You are adapting well to the Irish way.

While you are in the area, you might find Roscrea worth an hour or two:
http://www.roscreaheritage.com/whattosee.htm
http://www.shannonregiontourism.ie/i....asp?sID=16344

Cahir is only a short drive away from Cashel. If you have the time it is worthwhile. It has a lot of steps if you go up in the towers and into the castle. Your husband will have to be very careful on those small spiral steps if he is carrying your son. The steps are meant to stumble invaders and are different heights.

Dualla House is delightful. Your son will like seeing the sheep and the dogs rounding them up. It is a child friendly place.

RE: Cashel & Cahir, I'm confirming details on a new plan. We'll be at Joy's Rockside House one night, and then staying at a hotel in Limerick the next night (because of my sister's flight the next morning). So we'll have 2 full days to explore around now.

Speaking of: I'm trying to figure out where to be in Limerick that night. We'll need to be at the Shannon airport by 9AM and I'll need to return the rental car that morning, then take the train back to Dublin (we don't want to drive from Dublin FYI). From what I read getting to/from Shannon airport from Limerick shouldn't be that bad?... so now I'm debating a Limerick city hotel or a Shannon airport hotel, leaning towards city hotel. Any flaws in my plan please advise. (Or, I have thought about returning car that night, getting city hotel and having her take a bus to Shannon airport, and we take the train to Dublin).

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Yes, Smarmore actually did make the trip even better somehow! Funny how things work out. Thanks re: links, will check it out.

Not to worry - my husband is becoming an expert at those castle steps by now! I am constantly nagging him "watch your head" "don't trip" "hold on to the rope" LOL

I am unsure if you are departing on a weekday? If that is so Limerick may not be the best overnight for getting to the airport. Rush hour traffic is the pits and can take an hour to get through. Have you considered Bunratty? It is about 10 minutes to the airport and has plenty of B&Bs and a couple of hotels. That is where I stay when departing from Shannon.

Forgot to mention great castle at Bunratty with a nice folk park.

I was just researching Bunratty this morning but wasn't sure it was a good idea. You've convinced me and I'll proceed with finding accomodation there. Thanks!