touring nw to sw of ireland with family (parents, aunt/uncle, sister/brother-in-law/2 teens, and us...should be interesting! hired a driver, to satisfy family...here goes

would especially like comments on "not to be missed sights" vs what we selected and lodging choices

day 1 shannon to westport-olde railway hotel
(craggaunnowen project, thoor ballylee,cong)
day 2 connemara back to westport
(via famine trail/Louisburg, kylemore abbey, clifden)
day 3 to Dunkineely-Castle Murray House
(carrowmore megalithic cemetery, belleek pottery, tully castle)
day 4 to outside of Letterkenney-silver tassie hotel
(slieve league, glencolumbkille, glenveagh national park)
day 5 tour - stay silver tassie hotel
(derry murals/wall, giant's causeway , dunluce castle)
day 6 to Doolin -Seaview B&B(I know...long drive)
(thru burren, cliffs of moher)
day 7 to dingle-captain's house
(various afternoon activities...horseback riding, golf, shopping)
day 8 to kenmare-hawthorne house
(gap of dunloe tour, ross castle)
day 9 tour beara pen. -hawthorne house
(bantry house , garnish island, healy pass)
day 10 to bunratty-bunratty castle hotel
(thru adare, limerick-driver tour, bunratty banquet)
day 11-home

chip,

I think this looks really good. I see you have more hotel stays than I would normally suggest but I suppose that the number of people and the busy time of year dictate that. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the places you have picked to stay as I haven't been to any of them. I am thoroughly looking forward to hearing your trip report however!

Letterkenny is one of my favorite smallish towns. As is Westport. I love how you have picked some of the busy spots but also some of the less traveled places - at least for most folks going to Ireland in June.

I am very glad though that *I* do not have to do the driving for your trip. Your driver will have earned her keep for this trip - especially for days like #6! Whew!

Have a great time!

Wendy

It's a very, very, very full trip. It would be too ambitious for me, but I've never hired a driver and I'm sure that makes a difference. You'll be seeing some great parts of the country, so be flexible enough to occasionally give up one of your 'must sees' in case some can't take the non-stop pace.

The only accommodation I know is Captain's House in Dingle. It's really lovely and the in-town location is great.

Like Wendy, I'm glad you'll be getting up to Donegal.

thanks for the feedback...

we actually jumped around and did more when we it was just the two of us and we drove on our own...
just the way we have always traveled, up early, on the move, and out late...

love to see new things...that is why we tried to pick some favorites to share with family and some "new" sights for us

unfortunately traveling with a group has its downfall...

one of them is that there is not enough room for us in 3 of our original picks...

now looking at
Cullinans in Doolin
Doyles Townhouse in Dingle
Bunratty Woods or Bunratty Lodge in Bunratty

any comments on these?

Wendy...if it were the two of us...it would be all B&B's...and small, cheap ones at that. As you can see, we don't spend much time in our room!

I haven't stayed at either, but I'm familiar with Cullinan's and Doyle's. Great locations, both within easy walking distance of pubs and restaurants.

It sounds wonderful but a little too much,with no time for the unexpected -or just "browsing" in the charming villages, at a surprising scenic spot, or at a unique shop or craftsman. And rest stops and restaurants will take longer with ten!

I suppose it's doable if you have a driver, but even then, I'd consider cutting back. You may find you'll have plenty to enjoy without doing all those areas - maybe eliminate the most southern or northern segments? i.e., there's fine golf and beach or trail horseback riding in Mayo, you don't need to do it in Dingle., etc. I can't imagine trying to go all the way from Shannon to Westport and taking in Craggaunouen, Thor Ballylee, and Cong en route - especially on arrival day! Any area left undone will only serve to entice you back again.

Your choices are good. Teens should enjoy Westport, but you all may be too tired after the overnite flight to appreciate it. Good place for outdoor activities around Westport and Achill Island. (our teens hiked up Croagh Patrick and rode horses on beach and climbed on rocky places and beaches on Achill) Haven't stayed at the Olde Railway Hotel but ate at their equally olde restaurant in July - location is very convenient, historic lobby, charming breakfast room, full of atmosphere - no pool or exercise room, if I recall.

Too bad you can't get into Bunratty Castle Hotel - keep trying. (We also ran into places unable to accommodate our size family) It was a perfect location for the Castle Banquet, Folk Village, woolen mills shopping, very nice place!

Many of your places were also on our original wish list but it was just impossible to cover it all. ("Do it all" and "Enjoy " are not necessarily compatible, especially when travelling in a group.)

Good luck and have fun -planning as well as travelling!

Chip -
You're going to so many of my favorite places: Westport, carrowmore cemetery, slieve league, glencolmbcille, derry murals, giant's causeway. Wow!

My only caution is that the slieve league/glencolmbcille, glenveagh day may be a bit overbooked and you may have a hard time getting on the castle tour if you arrive late.

At the causeway the hike along the top of the cliffs from the giant's causeway is amazing, and easy. With a driver you can be picked up a few kilometers from the causeway without backtracking.

Sounds like such fun!