Help with First Trip to Ireland
 

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon in Ireland for the end of September/beginning of October 2006. Neither of us have been to Ireland before and we would like to spend two weeks driving throughout the country. A few must hit spots include Lahinch, as we are planning on spending a few days there with friends and I would like to spend some time in Dublin and also in Westport. But, I would like suggestions as to where else to go and some must hit locations. I would like to see as much of Ireland as possible, but not be too rushed. Please help us outline our itinerary! Thank you!

Sdb - Congrats on the wedding! I would skip Dublin altogether - I just got back from a 5 day trip there. Check out my trip report. I was very disappointed :-( But make sure to drink lots of Guinness while you are there!

"But make sure to drink lots of Guinness while you are there!"

But not when you are driving. The roads are a nightmare as it is.

sdb421: One of the first things I tell folks on their first trip to Ireland is to fly into Shannon and if going to Dublin as you mentioned..fly out of Dublin.

Why into Shannon? Its more rural, much easier to drive out of than Dublin and its in the country area-so you get that real "Irish countryside" that most people think of when they think of Ireland.

That's a starter anyway.
Shadow

Two weeks in Ireland! That's awesome. We've been twice (the first time we actually stayed a night in Lahinch).

I suggest flying into and out of Shannon (if you decide to skip Dublin; otherwise into Shannon and out of Dublin, as Shadow wisely suggested).

Here's what I would do with two weeks if I were in your shoes.

Tour the south/southwest first. From Shannon make the easy drive to either Kinsale or Kenmare. Spend time exloring Counties Cork (especially the Beara Peninsula) and Kerry (Killarney National Park). Then drive to Dingle, then Lahinch in County Clare (as you mentioned), seeing the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Then venture north into the Connemara region; you could probably use beautiful Westport as your base for exploring that whole area--alternatively, you could stay in Connemara at Clifden (we liked it very much), Roundstone, or for a splurge Ballynahinch Castle, for a night or two.

Sign me, envious :-)

For another view: I spent 10 days in Ireland in Nov. 1995, including Galway, Connemarra, and Dublin. I liked the countryside, but I felt that I'd have come away with the wrong picture of both Ireland today and in the past without spending time in Dublin. My first surprise is what a handsome, 18th century city it is. For some reason, I'd expected it to be kend of dour and medieval. The second is how modern and dynamic the Dubliners seem to be. The people are friendly, outgoing, and even seemed to have sort of a Mediterranean flair. So I'd encourage you to stick with your plan to spend time there.

Have alook at www.goireland.ie
www.bigsavings.ie
www.emeraldtiger.com
That should do you for a start. I am sure you will get a lot of help from the others here.
Good luck.

And also, Pat Prestons web site is a god resource plus she can suggust a itinerary or critique one already given....www.irelandexpert.com

Shadow