Early April Trip/First timers
 

We are flying into Dublin, Ireland 4/3/09 for 5 days in Ireland. I am thinking a day or 2 in Dublin and then head out staying in the south east, but have no firm plans. Will we be too early to see flowers or should the tulips etc. be in bloom? My DH is into nature photography, but I have a bad knee and can not do a lot of hiking so would like some suggestions for scenic drives and places to visit. Thanks for your help!

Irish experts?

sandy~ You might want to put "Ireland" in the title of your post, so people browsing the general Europe forum will notice.

NH, you will see flowers! Also many new young lambs. One never can predict the weather in Ireland, but statistically, April has a bit less rain than other months.

Ireland will be beautiful with many opportunites for great pics. Enjoy!

You dont have much time. If you are going to spend two days in Dublin do not get your car at the airport as a car in Dublin City will be useless to you. Pick up the car on the morning you want to head out. Greystones is a nice village on the coast south of Dublin. From there you can take a day drive up into the Wicklow Mts for the nature photography. Killkenny is also within reasonalble driving distance. Unless you have a real interest in the sights of Dublin you would have been better off flying into Shannon. In my opinion the West and Southwest coast offer more opportunities for folks on a short visit. Have fun

Thanks for the advice and info!

With only 5 days, I would skip Dublin and fly in and out of Shannon, especially since your hubby is into nature photography.

For spectacular scenery, I'd stick with the west and southwest. Don't run yourself ragged by trying to get to the west from Dublin...start there and save time.

You'll love it, it's a beautiful country.

If you change plans and fly into Shannon, no doubt you'll want to drive down to the Dingle peninsula. If you do - stop by Couminole Cottage, the little stone cottage with the blue door that's right on the Slea Head Drive. It looks out over the Blaskets with one of the most beautiful views in Ireland. There's even a beehive hut just across the road. We've rented the cottage from 3/29-4/6. We'll most likely be sitting outside enjoying either tea or a Guiness. Stop by and join us!