First night in Ireland
Jan 24th, 2014, 10:03 AM
#1
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First night in Ireland
I am in the beginning stages of planning a first time trip to Ireland this coming May.
We are planning on flying into Shannon and renting a car. We will then have 7 days to explore before we meet friends in Portlaoise for two nights and then Dublin for three nights, flying home from Dublin.
I haven't quite figured out our driving itinerary, except we will plan on Kilkenny for the night before we meet our friends in Portlaoise.
Since we will be arriving in the morning after an over night flight, and then driving on the unfamiliar left side of the road, we are looking for a fairly close destination for our arrival day.
I would love some suggestions for a place to stay for that night, with intentions of visiting the CLiffs of Moher the next day. I am looking at Dromoland Castle Hotel as an option, Old Ground Hotel in Ennis as another. (very different price points).
If anyone has some other suggestions, I would love to hear them!
We are planning on flying into Shannon and renting a car. We will then have 7 days to explore before we meet friends in Portlaoise for two nights and then Dublin for three nights, flying home from Dublin.
I haven't quite figured out our driving itinerary, except we will plan on Kilkenny for the night before we meet our friends in Portlaoise.
Since we will be arriving in the morning after an over night flight, and then driving on the unfamiliar left side of the road, we are looking for a fairly close destination for our arrival day.
I would love some suggestions for a place to stay for that night, with intentions of visiting the CLiffs of Moher the next day. I am looking at Dromoland Castle Hotel as an option, Old Ground Hotel in Ennis as another. (very different price points).
If anyone has some other suggestions, I would love to hear them!
Jan 24th, 2014, 12:14 PM
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I did almost the exact trip back in 2010. You are very smart to take it easy on that first day, too. I was exhausted 
We stayed in Doolin that first night. Easy drive from Shannon, nice town with some good B&Bs, pubs, etc... and a short drive to the Cliffs of Moher. We were actually able to visit the Cliffs on day one, before returning to Doolin for a few pints and a nice meal at one of the local pubs. We stayed at the Doolin Activity Lodge and really enjoyed our short stay there.
good luck!
We stayed in Doolin that first night. Easy drive from Shannon, nice town with some good B&Bs, pubs, etc... and a short drive to the Cliffs of Moher. We were actually able to visit the Cliffs on day one, before returning to Doolin for a few pints and a nice meal at one of the local pubs. We stayed at the Doolin Activity Lodge and really enjoyed our short stay there.
good luck!
Jan 24th, 2014, 12:33 PM
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The Old Ground would be a good option,, Ennis is a town with tourists rather than a tourist town and is the best base for exploring the whole of County Clare. Clare offers a whole lot more than 1/4 mile of cliff.. You could drop your bags have a wander a bite to eat and if feeling up to it the Cliffs are 40 minutes drive away.
http://www.visitennis.com/
http://www.clareireland.net/
http://www.visitennis.com/
http://www.clareireland.net/
Jan 24th, 2014, 12:35 PM
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Forgot to link the Fledh Nua which takes place in May http://www.fleadhnua.com/
Jan 24th, 2014, 06:02 PM
#5
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Thank you for the great responses!
griz-fan-
Doolin looks like a great alternative. I will look further... Would you mind sharing with me your driving itinerary? I am looking at many different routes but would love to hear what you planned.
Tony2phones- Great link to the Fledh Nua. I am seriously considering staying in Ennis for our first night, being that it is the last night of the celebration and could be a great first night experience in Dublin.
And thank you for the two other links-great information.
griz-fan-
Doolin looks like a great alternative. I will look further... Would you mind sharing with me your driving itinerary? I am looking at many different routes but would love to hear what you planned.
Tony2phones- Great link to the Fledh Nua. I am seriously considering staying in Ennis for our first night, being that it is the last night of the celebration and could be a great first night experience in Dublin.
And thank you for the two other links-great information.
Jan 24th, 2014, 06:20 PM
#6
Old Ground Hotel is an easy drive from the airport and Ennis is a charming town. We stayed at a B&B near there and had dinner our first night at The Poets Corner in the OG Hotel. Excellent food, music, pub atmosphere---just what you are looking for in Ireland. Also some cute shops in town. IMO a good choice.
Jan 25th, 2014, 01:20 AM
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"a great first night experience in Dublin" maybe "a great first night experience in Ireland" you might find that Ireland and Dublin are two different animals
Around Portlaoise some points would be http://www.emocourt.net/ http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/conq...hily-co-laois/ (and other points on that web site) and http://www.donaghmoremuseum.com/ You are close enough to Kilkenny and or The National Stud / Japanese Gardens by Naas. just North is Tullamore and possibly Lockes Distillery Kilbeggan?
Around Portlaoise some points would be http://www.emocourt.net/ http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/conq...hily-co-laois/ (and other points on that web site) and http://www.donaghmoremuseum.com/ You are close enough to Kilkenny and or The National Stud / Japanese Gardens by Naas. just North is Tullamore and possibly Lockes Distillery Kilbeggan?
