First time to Ireland -- HELP!
 

I am planning a 7-day trip to Ireland this April with my parents (both aged 54) and my younger sister (age 21). We are flying into Shannon and will rent a car to get around. Based on other's feedback, the places that seem the most interesting to me are Dingel and the Cliffs of Mohor. My parents would also like to visit Cong since that's where "The Quiet Man" was filmed and Waterford (for crystal). We'd like to spend a lot of time on foot, touring both the citites/towns and the country side. We also want to experience authentic Irish cuisine and Pubs. My questions:

1) Where are the best places to hike (day hikes, no more than 3-4 hours).

2) Are Cong and Waterford worth seeing?

3) What other places should be on the "must see" list?

4) What would be a good driving route (based on the preliminary info I've provided)?

5) Should we stick with Southwest Ireland given our limited time?

Thanks in advance for the help.

I'll answer number 5 first -- yes, stay in one area. I made the mistake of understimating drive times the second time I was there (the first time I made no itinerary, just started driving wherever). It took us 3 hours each way to get from Kilkenny to Waterford -- and Kilkenny is a lot closer than the areas you are staying in. Do you really want to waste so much time driving? I don't think Waterford is worth it -- there are MANY more things to see in the west.

Rock of Cashel was something I enjoyed tremendously. It's a very impressive ruin castle turned church. It's much closer and open to the public.

Cobh is a nice little waterside town to visit if you like 'quaint' :D

We drove the RIng of Kerry (well, part of it) and that area will likely keep you fascinated by the sheer beauty.

April will show you the greener-than-green that Ireland can be due to the Spring growth. (we went April 19-26, 2002). There is a lovely yellow flower (someone said it was barberry?) that was EVERYWHERE and a deep, strong buttery yellow color. Gorgeous!

I'd find a centrally located base and drive each day out from there, if you decide to concentrate in the southwest.

Have lots of fun!

GreenDragon,

THREE hours from Kilkenny to Waterford? Were you walking? The longest it has ever taken me is 45 minutes!!

kjones427, Cong in April will be pretty quiet. It is a very small village set in scenic surroundings. Cong Abbey is worth a visit as are the gardens at Ashford Castle.

With the amount of time available you might want to skip Cong and Waterford. Waterford Crystal is for sale all over Ireland at standardized prices. If it is the crystal-making process that is of interest Galway Crystal would be much closer. Someone else on this forum said that Ireland is best seen with a microscope rather than a telescope and I heartily agree. Spending more time in fewer places will lead to a memorable trip and avoid the "green blur" syndrome. Have fun!

Dingle is so great. You will love it. The ride out there is absolutely beautiful, too. If you want a place to stay near the Cliffs of Moher, try nearby Doolin...a tiny, quaint town with two pubs that have traditional Irish music. Galway is just north of that and you can drive through the Burren to get there.

I wouldn't make a special trip to Waterford...Kilkenny is much cuter and quainter.

Given your time, I would stick with the southwest. There's so much to see. You could do a little loop of the south/southwest in 7 days.

You can wing it and have a wonderful time in Ireland! The people are amazing and the hospitality keeps getting better and better! You will love it there!

"THREE hours from Kilkenny to Waterford? Were you walking? The longest it has ever taken me is 45 minutes!!"

Sorry -- should have mentioned that my dad was driving, it was dark, and he got lost a couple of times. That was such a feature of our trip there that I drove whenever possible!!!! (I mapped out my route ahead of time and knew roughly where to turn before I passed it!) :D

However, any 'newbie' to an area can get in the same pickle...