I just got back from Ireland. We drove from Dublin to Kilkenny in 1 day,<BR>driving through Wicklow and stopping at Glendalough and Avoca. We were ready to stop by the time we got to Waterford, but we trudged on. Mt. Juliet estate in Thomastown is an amazing place to stay near Kilkenny. <BR> If you are going to see the Rock of Cashel, I would recommend Cahir castle which is really closeby. That was one of my favorite places.<BR> <BR><BR>

John has a great trip suggestion! But don't skip the crystal factory, it is amazing. You can do that in an hour or two max though. As for Jameson's just go to the gift shop. Cork wasn't worth the headache of trying to looking through, so we just saw Blarney Castle. Would definately agree that Dromoland is the best hotel in Ireland. It's gorgeous with excellent service. I would stay at Cashel Palace hotel in Room 25 or 26 where you can see the Rock of Cashel at night. Kilkenny was worth only about half a days time.

Hi, I received a suggested itinerary from a friend and was wondering what the Fodorites think about it.<BR>Day 1 - Arrive 5p.m. and stay at Clarendon B&amp;B in Templeogue.<BR>Day 2 - Do Dublin city tour and 2nd night at Clarendon B&amp;B.<BR>Day 3 - Leave Dublin and drive down to Cashel. See Kilkenny Castle and have lunch and continue on to visit the Rock of Cashel. Stay at Indaville B&amp;B in Cashel.<BR>Day 4 - Drive down to Waterford. Do the Waterford Crystal factory and Reginalds Tower. Glenorney by the Sea B&amp;B in Tramore.<BR>Day 5 - Drive through Dungarvan &amp; Youghal. Stop at Middleton and visit the distillery. After visiting Middleton a choice of a) take the ferry from Cobh to Ringaskiddy and continue to Kinsale or b) take the main road Cork City and then drive to Kinsale. Hill Top B&amp;B in Kinsale.<BR>Day 6 - Drive from Kinsale through Skibbereen, Bantry and Kenmare to Killarney. Manor House B&amp;B in Killarney<BR>Day 7 - Ring of Kerry and visit Muckross House and Gardens, Manor House again this night.<BR>Day 8 - Drive from Killarney via Tralee to Tarbert. Ferry from Tarbert to Killimer and continue to Doolin. Seascape B&amp;B in Doolin<BR>Day 9 - Visit the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Drive through Ennis to Dromoland Castle. Stay at Dromoland Castle that night.<BR>Day 10 - Depart 7:20 a.m. out of Shannon.<BR><BR>I explained that I would rather do Dromoland on Day 8 and she said the alternative would be to drive through Adare and Bunratty and stay in Dromoland Castle on Day 8. Then Day 9 drive from Dromoland to Galway. Visit Galway and then come back down at stay between Ennis and Bunratty in a B&amp;B which would allow me to be closer to the airport for the flight the following day. What do you think of this itinerary? Also, has anybody stayed at any of these B&amp;Bs? I think I am leaning more towards Bill's itineary but I thought I would run this up the flag pole. Many thanks again. Hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

day 5 dont bother with middlton turn off just before and visit bally cotton then on to cobh<BR>takethe ferry at cobh especially if it is near rush hour the city is difficult to navigate the signs arent that clear and you wont miss much by going by ferry.<BR>if you have time in kinsale take a trip over the bridge to garrettstown(a lovely beach but no town) and the old head of kinsale good for golf but at 250euros a round a little expensive. on to ballinspittle to see the virgin mary statue that is supposed to move nice seat to sit at and hope

Carole, the last itinerary wasn't bad, though I can't believe anyone would go to Ireland and not see the Blarney Stone. Stay at Dromoland your last night. It will make the next morning so much easier. We told them what time we were leaving and they had our car already to the front and had called the airline to find out when we were leaving. And it only took up 20 min to get to the airport. If you do Dromoland on Day 8 then try to go to Galway you will make for one long day and not get to see much. Keep your trip just on day for go ahead on to Middleton and Cork, you will have plenty of time. Reginald's tower is closed a lot in the winter and wasn't worth going IMO. I would do Day 5 then to Blarney (takes a couple hours, and if you want to get soviouners then you have to go to Blarney Woolen Mills) then on to Kinsale.

There's so much info here that it's making my head spin. But I'll still butt in with my two cents, somewhat briefly.<BR><BR>Kilkenny's a great little town. I've been there a couple of times for a couple of days at a stretch. There are a ton of pubs to explore and it's a perfect town to wander around for several hours. If you do go to Kilkenny, stay in the town and abandon your car.<BR><BR>Glendalough and environs is definitely worth a stop. Try Fox's Pub for lunch in the Wicklow Mountains. A little touristy, but not overwhelmingly so. And the food's great.<BR><BR>I've been to Ireland 18 times now, and lived there for awhile, and have never been to the Blarney Stone and never plan to go.<BR><BR>One last thing--there's a Great Southern Hotel right at the airport, which would be convenient for your early morning flight. It's maybe 200 yards at the most from the entrance to the airport. It's usually pretty reasonable except on Saturday nights when they jack up the price (2 or 3 times the rate the rest of the week) to gouge tourists flying out on Sunday morning.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.

Carole:<BR><BR>I think that is substantially better than your original, but (here's a surprise), I still like mine better. I agree with Ann on Kilkenny and you could just as easily stay there instead of Cashel or Cahir. I would at least make sure that you spend some time there. Also, agreeing with Ann, make sure you hit Glendalough, probably right after you leave Dublin.<BR><BR>On the notion of the ferry at Cobh, vs the main road, if you go to Cobh, take the ferry, otherwise, take the main roads. It is not nearly as difficult to get around the south side of Cork as it used to be. There is a &quot;beltway&quot; of sorts that moves pretty quickly unless you are unfortunate enough (as I was) to get caught in a bike race. Even then, it wasn't terrible.<BR><BR>I don't see any problem in missing the Blarney stone. It is to Ireland what the changing of the guard is to London. Something that everyone thinks they MUST see, so it draws huge crowds. The changing of the guard is a two hour exercise in watching two guys get off work, made all the more enjoyable by being crushed against a fence by people who are willing to crush others because they have apparently never seen two guys get off work. Blarney is set on lovely grounds and I can see going there and NOT kissing the Blarney stone. <BR><BR>Although it may make more sense logistically to stay at Dromoland on your last night, I understand and agree with your notion of not making it your last night. You'll probably have to leave at about 5:00 AM and that would lessen the experience of enjoying a very expensive hotel. <BR><BR>I was trying to say the 1st time that 40-50 miles may be a bit conservative, but not terribly. Sunrise on the day you arrive will be about 8:05 and sunset at about 5:10. By the time you leave you will have probably picked up about 40 minutes of daylight, but that is all just to warn you that you won't have much daylight for sightseeing time. But that just means more time in the pubs. During the late spring and summer, you can get some great sightseeing in before breakfast and after dinner. Not in February though.<BR><BR>OK, I'm done. <BR><BR>Bill

I differ a bit with Ann and Bill on Blarney Castle. It is a beautiful setting and interesting castle as long as you get there early or late in the day to miss the tour busses (o which the same could be said or the Cliff's o Moher). Most people just go to wait in line to kiss the stone, skip that unless you must. Just walk around the grounds and gardens, or just sit by the stream and watch the sun set or rise over the castle. <BR><BR>Also on teh day you do the ring o Kerry you probably won't have much time left or Muckross

Mikey:<BR><BR>Actually, you don't disagree with me at all. As I said &gt;&gt; Blarney is set on lovely grounds and I can see going there and NOT kissing the Blarney stone. &lt;&lt;. I just can't see standing in line, sadly sometimes a couple of hours, to do that. I think we are of the same opinion.<BR><BR>Bill

Bill, <BR>Your so right. I somehow missed your last sentence and just read the last paragraph. Opps!!<BR><BR>Take Care

OK guys I am back! Thanksgiving is over, company finally left (one disadvantage of living in central Florida). Now back to planning my vacation. My head is also spinning from all the suggestions. Thanks for them. Now I must sit down, take all the suggestions and see where I can work what in. If I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone my Mom will divorce me as a daughter. Something she always wanted to do. Everybody brought up wonderful points. I realize we will have cold, rainy weather and that the driving is a lot more involved and not as much ground will be covered as we hoped we would but we will do the best with what we have. I will let you know what we decide on. Again, thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Now to also get ready for Christmas and (you guessed it -) more company! I am counting the weeks till February when we leave.

Carole,<BR><BR>As regards Limerick City, don't be discouraged by the less-than-flattering remarks about the city. I was there last summer and experienced a lively and rejeuvenated place. It contains one of the Republic's best museums, the Hunt, located in the heart of the city. Close by is some fine shopping (including two pedestrian-only streets), along with one of the country's best castles, King John's. Moreover, if you've read Angela's Ashes, you might consider taking a tour of some of the places mentioned in that memorable book.<BR><BR>Here's a plan: Spend two nights at the lovely and relaxing Ballyteigue House (located a fairly short drive from Limerick City; http://homepage.eircom.ie//~ballyteigue)spend one full day in the city, and another in the countryside. Visit the underrated Lough Gur which is steeped in pre-Christian history. You might also consider visiting Adare, a town which is regarded as picture-postcard perfect by many, but for others it's too cute, too touristy, evoking a thatched-roof and hyper-tidy Ireland that never was.<BR><BR>Best of luck.