Hi! we are leaving for ireland next week and we still cannot decide what to do!

We are a couple with 1 child and will be there for 6 days. We are flying in and out of Dublin (I know NOW that we should have flown in or out of Shannon or Galway to do this trip better). We also have a car rental (wow - those are expensive!).

The top of list of places to go in Ireland is Galway, Kilkenny, Glendalough, rock of cashel. (This includes some surrounding villages and sights)

Our second list includes Cork, Belfast. I think this would be impossible to include. But, seeking advice.

Would it be possible to drive on Day 2 from Dublin (early morning) and stay in Galway for 1 night/2 days, head back on Day 3 evening and detour through Kilkenney/Gledalough for 2 day/1 overnight (Day 5) and then back to Dublin for our last day and night (Day 6)? Sounds like too much to me and my partner.

If you had to pick one, which one would you do? What would also be better time for a child? We're really having a tough time deciding. A part of us wants to chance the above agenda. The other thinks to pick one area or the other (south or west).

This is our first trip to Ireland - but I've been to the UK and mainland Europe many times and I want to make this a memorable first trip for my son and partner - both who have not been to europe before. Thanks

You really are at loose ends. Since you are traveling with a child (no mention of how old) scrap Galway. Stick to the east. Spend a couple of days in Dublin, a couple in Glendalough/Co. Wicklow and a couple in Kilkenny. They will be bases you can day trip from. Cashel is an easy day trip from Kilkenny.

Now your problem is solved. Next time you can fly into Shannon.

Thanks IrishEyes! (my son is 8)

Yes, at loose ends is about right. We didn't want to do too much, but also get a nice flavor of Ireland....Next time, we'll fly into Shannon and do the west! Thanks so much!

Oh. I forgot. I'm new so eventually, I'll get this right. Any recommendations in Kilkenny or Glendalough for accomodations?

Hi Machar:

Last time in Kilkenny we stayed at Laragh House http://www.laraghhouse.com/ and it was very comfortable.

Michele Erdvig suggests:
Riversdale House - http://www.glendalough.eu.com/
Trooperstown Wood Lodge - http://www.trooperstownwood.com/
Wicklow Way Lodge - http://www.wicklowwaylodge.com/

Michele's advice is is always good. You can't go wrong. She is at www.irelandyes.com.

A great tour of Kilkenny can be found at: http://www.knockahopple.com/downloadkilkenny.html This is a walking tour through a very interesting "city" and it provides some great historical data.

An interesting spot on the coast south of Kilkenny is the Hook Head lighthouse, one of the oldest, continuously operation lighthouses in the world. In between are Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown and Inistioge. Jerpoint is quite interesting. You could consider a night down in that area also. I stayed in Dunmore east which is a cute fishing village across the bay from Hook Head. I stayed at the Beach House, which is in a beautiful location overlooking (duh) the beach with the Hook lighthouse in the distance. http://www.dunmorebeachguesthouse.com/Default.shtml

Here is my report from my trip that started in that area last year.
http://www.obeirnetravels.com/Ireland_2006.htm

Bill

Thank you very, very much. All the information has been very helpful. Will post with how it goes!

machar, Have a good trip.

Hi all! We just returned from our trip! It is going to remain in our memories for a long time - and we will definately return! We took your advice and went to Kilkenny and took a couple of day trips to Gledalough, Waterford, and Inistioge! We also did stay a couple of days in Dublin. It was enough for the time we had.

The driving was a tad challenging and expensive, but it was well worth having the car. We took each day as a new adventure.

Dublin was fun overall as a city, but it was a little confusing to get around for the first day or so. We actually were contemplating taking the ferry to Wales, but thought we'll save that for the next time.

Kilkenny was a ton of fun and I would recommend anyone to go there! - we had a nice share of the tourist attractions (Kilkenny castle, Roethe house, etc.) and pubs like the Kyteler. We also viewed the UEFA quarterfinals while there so we got our soccer/football needs in as well. We couldn't get into Laragh House or Langton's for accomodation so we stayed in the city center at the Kilkenny Ormonde (slightly expensive, but we were central to the city center so easy on my son and us for not driving too much at night).

Glendalough and Powerscourt we did as a day trip. The driving was nerve racking, but was worth seeing the falls and the scenery. I would recommend taking a picnic basket along for that day.

Then we did Waterford. We tried to make it to Hook's head, but we ran out of daylight hours and thought we should head back via Inistioge. Waterford crystal tour is great for the kids and adults - it was very informative and you gain an appreciation for the artistry that goes into each waterford piece. Inistioge was such a beautiful place - speechless!

Only downside was that the shops closed at 5 or 6 pm and didn't leave much time for shopping. But, for us, the memories are worth more than any of the shopping we could have fit in. We can, if we want, do that the next time!

Thank you both for your helpful advice and for helping make this trip memorable.

Welcome home and glad you had such a good trip.

Joan