I am trying to plan a trip to Ireland for me & my hubby's anniversary in April. We only have 5 days (that includes time for flights from Saint Louis to Ireland and back)although I suppose we could fly a day early if we left after 5:00 p.m.

I think I'd like to rent a car, (but am nervous about that.) We don't have a lot of money so I'm interested in making it cheap, but also would like a little seclusion (read: private bathroom) since it is an anniversary trip, for at least one of the nights. I am possibly interested in staying in a nice castle/manor room on the night of our anniversary (our 3rd day of the trip) if funds allow.
The places I am interested in seeing this trip are (ranked in order of our desire to see them)

1. The Blarney Stone
(if we only get to do one thing, then this is it.)
2. Cliffs of Moher
3. Connemara
(I liked Ballynahnich castle, but didn't think I could work it out logistically)
4. Ring of Kerry

How likely is it that we could see all of these in the time we have? We don't want to be rushing everywhere. We've never been outside of the U.S., and don't know what to expect with jet lag, etc.

Can anyone offer some advice on routes to take, places to stay, or anything else that this virgin-tourist should know? I'm so excited but so nervous at the same time...
Also I am open to suggestions of other places to see if mine don't look palatable for this trip, as we plan on visiting Ireland again when we have saved up more money, (We both have Irish heratige, though we come from Northern Ireland, which I figured was impossible to include this trip--and I studied Irish Literature in College)

I tried to include as much info as I could (probably too much) but if i missed something that would help anyone help me just let me know. Thankyou SO MUCH!

Does your post mean you will be flying on Days 1 and 5? If so, that's really only 3 days for touring, so definitely rent a car. If I misunderstood and you have more time, then that's all the better.

If you do only have 3 days, Connemara is out if Blarney is in. And I'd say the Ring of Kerry is out as well.

There are plenty of ways to plan this, but since it's your anniversary, I'd say make it less about sites and driving...and more about doing things the two of you enjoy doing together (walking, nice dinners, historic tours, a Shannon River cruise, golfing, shopping...whatever the two of you enjoy).

Spending the entire time at a nice manor house, castle or nicer B&B near south Clare or County Limerick would be a great idea (or spending your first and last nights in Bunratty or Ennis and one night in a fancier place). A Clare/Limerick location would make it easy to do one day trip to the Cliffs of Moher including a southern route along the Clare coast to Loop Head (great coastal/cliff scenery) and another day trip to Blarney (maybe adding in something like Anne's Grove Gardens or something like that).

Dromoland Castle is near Shannon airport and would be a very nice place to spend your anniversary.

I agree completely...way too much area there. You will really need to rent a car with the amount of time you have or you will waste time with public transportation. I would stick with The Blarney Stone and Cliffs of Moher if those are the two most important things to you as really wouldnt have time for the other two. Leave some time for seeing Ireland and dont spend your anniversary behind a windshield. Have fun!

Don't rent a car if you can avoid it all. Ireland is a horrible place to drive, not just because it you drive on the left but because the roads are terrible.

If you are set on the Blarney stone, forget Cliffs of Moher, it is too far off the beaten path for a short trip. Connrmara is simply out of the question.

Stay in the South. Try Cork and around there.

First thing is that I would lie, cheat and steal to get that extra day in. I just did a bit of playing and found that you can get a 4:37 flight out of St Louis on a Friday (I have no idea what your actual travel dates are) that will get you to Shannon at 10:15 the next morning. Remember, for all practical purposes, all overseas flights will have you landing the next day. So there are two days of travel involved going out.

If you are suggesting that you get off work at 5:00 and can catch a plane after that, remember that you'll probably need at least 2 - 2.5 hours check in time before an international flight. You won't find a flight leaving St. Louis that late.

The other thing to keep in mind is that you will have to deal with some jet lag. There are no non stops into Shannon so you will have to change planes later in the evening and you will likely only get a couple of hours of sleep. As excited as you may be, you will probably also be pretty tired.

You don't have a choice really but to rent a car. Public transportation in Ireland isn't the best for getting around the country conveniently and certainly not quickly.

As far as castle stays, I'm not sure what your budget is, but if Ballynahinch worked price-wise, you might find a nice place to stay close to that range which would be more convenient. Ballynahinch looks like it starts at about E190 per night per room. That's about $230 per night at the current exchange. Dromoland starts at E305, Glin castle is about E280. Fancy hotels are not my field of expertise, so others may have some more info on that. There is the option of staying in a "castle" (actually and old jail) in the town of Cahir. Carrigeen castle rates are about the same as a B&B. It's a neat old building with a quirky owner.

OK, now I hate doing this because I know you really want to go there, but of all the things that I would put on a priority list of things to see in Ireland, especially on a very short trip, the Blarney Stone is the absolute last on the list. The blarney stone is merely a dirty part of a castle wall that to kiss, somebody grabs you around the waist to keep you from plummeting to your death (ok, there's a metal grate there so you wouldn't actually drop) and then you kiss the wall. Whether there is a mystical origin to the "rock" is a mate of some debate. There are stories that suggest that it's origin is biblical, but the truth is that is unlikely. There are also stories that drunks go up and urinate on it at night in an attempt to cause the next day's guests some horrid disease. That story is also likely urban legend. The Blarney Stone is fairly well renowned as Irelands biggest tourist trap and there are much more interesting castles to see such as Cahir or even Bunratty which is just a few miles from the Shannon airport.

The Irish coast is as beautiful as you will find anywhere and to spend time driving to Blarney to kiss that silly stone seems a terrible waist with so little time to spend. For a much more interesting set of stones, consider the Poulnabrone Dolmen that is no more than 30 minutes for the Cliffs of Moher and has been there for at least 300 years.

First thing to do is figure out exactly how many days you have and realize that your first day should not involve much driving. You could easily spend three days just exploring Co. Clare with perhaps a trip up into the Galway area.

Bill

Cogratulations and welcome For a special night out could I suggest the Medival banquet in Bunratty Castle and afterwards a nice quiet drink across the road in Durty Nellies pub.A stop for all the passing tourists. This is only a few miles from Shannon. There are very nice hotels in the immediate vicinity (www.bunratty-castle-hotel.com)and across from the castle is the Blarney Wollen Mills (www.Blarney.ie)As it is so near Shannon a taxi would be suitable for your first day.

I agree with wojazz3 -your time is far too short to waste it driving very far- County Clare / Shannon area would be a great place to be for you! it's beautiful, has many great choices for sightseeing, history, entertainment, beauty. Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Folk Village and Castle, Adare, Shannon River mouth around Killaloe, Lough Derg, Ennis,Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, the Burren - are just some of the places - read up on the area. If you have only two full days in addition to arrival day, perhaps you could stay in one place such as the Bunratty area and take day trips -maybe even find day tours (group or private) and not even need to rent a car.

For your anniversary, you'll find the Dromoland Castle is highly recommended and off season prices might still be in effect. Less pricey would be the Bunratty Castle Hotel - not a castle but a very nice hotel directly across from the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. We stayed there in July and really liked it a lot - one of our favorites - has much more "character" than we expected for a tourist area and an excellent location for the Bunratty Castle Banquet (nice, fun to do, excellent meal,in a genuine castle-but you sit in a group at long tables, not an intimate dinner) and Durty Nelly's afterwards.

But if you really have your hearts set on the Blarney Stone, just keep reading the books and websites and don't be discouraged by the posts to the contrary - it's YOUR trip! Do you have the Pat Preston book "Take a Break in Ireland" or written her website for her suggestions? - she's very good at helping break down the times and routes.

I admire your plans to seize the opportunity for a trip that you want, rather than be discouraged by the duration - but definitely try to get away early enough to add that extra day. Look at the possible flight times for departures and arrivals and allow for possible delays, etc - things often take longer than planned. Good luck! You'll be so glad you're doing this. (What anniversary is this? We spent our 25th at Ballynahinch - way back in '83 - and didn't get back to Ireland again until this summer!)

Two important things: distances in Ireland are farther than what you are used to in the US (i.e. give yourself a lot more time than you would in the US - if it is 100 miles, don't expect to get there in 2 hours) and don't forget how much farther north you will be.

You will leave home in April already used to wearing light coats and some sunshine - bring layers and something waterproof. and an extra pair of shoes in case the ones you are wearing get soaked.

Would it be worth it to you to fly to Shannon and stick fairly close to Galway (Connemara, Cliffs of Moher) since it sounds like you really just have 3 days (2 for travel)?

I can heartily second the idea that you use Shannon/Clare as home base and do day trips.

I stayed at the Headley Court B&B just off the Low road between Bunratty Castle & Durty Nelly's, and it was just wonderful. I'm sure that if you mentioned to Kathleen (the owner) that it was your anniversary she would have special little touches to welcome you.

If staying at Dromoland Castle is prohibitive, cost-wise, how about just having a special dinner there? It's no more than a 10-15 minute drive from Shannon, and well worth the trip. Their grounds alone are spectacular.

Enjoy your trip!

Wow! So much to think about! Um, the reason we wanted to see the Blarney Stone is purley supersticious. My husband will be beginning his career as a lawyer and I will be entering graduate school for writing, and we thought we both really, REALLY could use the gift of blarney . . . It's stupid, I know, but there it is. Hmm. From what I'm reading, I think maybe I'll do something cheaper and close to home for the anniversary and then save the money go to Ireland a few months later when we both have more time. Although I hear it's more expensive then. But then I won't have to worry about making it romantic too, and can concentrate on all the wonderful things to do and see instead. I'll save the romantic anniversary trip to Ireland for maybe, my 10th visit there, when I won't be thinking: Man, I'm here and there's so much I haven't seen yet! Sorry hubby, no time for a romantic dinner/evening/day, we gotta go, go, go!
Thankyou for all the responses. I'll definatley check out that book, and get info all the places suggested and hopefully be more focused/knowledgable next time I ask for advice. Oh, also, it will be our 6th anniversary.

En suite means the room has a private bath (in case you go the B&B route).

Your requirement that the Blarney Stone takes precedence locks you into an itinerary that may make it difficult to hit all your other priorities: you may have to decide between Connemara & the Ring of Kerry, for example.

Not a castle, but the Old Ground hotel in Ennis is pretty nice; or if you would prefer a converted Convent, the Temple Gate hotel (also in Ennis) is very nice. I stayed at the latter with a gent who's Aunt was a Nun there. The main Convent building across the Square now houses the Irish Tourist Bureau. Both are less than half what a Castle stay would cost you.

When we did a quick trip to Ireland in '04 we had a reservation at Rose Cottage in Ennis on our day of arrival (Fri.). Carmel checked us in at 9:30 AM and we took a nap. We went up to Galway Saturday, Lahinch & the Cliffs of Moher Monday, and flew back Tuesday.