Preethi1

hello! I am leaving for Ireland in a week and am staying for 8 nights. I purchased a package and am driving around but my hotels were pre selected for me
night one- meath county outside of dubline
nights 2-3- donegal
nights 4-5 galway
nights 6-7 killarney
night 8 - dublin

these are my thoughts as far as plans but am open to any suggestions!! Please tell me your thoughts

day one we land around 1030 am- were going to do a little of dublin but nothing too strenous as we'll be tired- maybe guiness and thats it or trinity college

day 2- do newgrange and trim castle and then drive to donegal
day 3- drive to glenvaugh castle (and anything else suggested on the way or instead of??)
day 4 drive to galway- do cliffs of moher- would we have time for anything else? maybe town of galway
day 5- burren? any other suggestions?
day 6- thoughts are to drive to cork and see blarney castle then go to muckross house- not sure wed have time to do dingle
day 7 ring of kerry
day 8 drive from killarney to dublin.

I havent really decided what to see in dublin- we are very limited in time there as we will be arriving from killarney and leaving the next morning and will be tired the 1st day.

I am open to any suggestions! only thing set in stone is our hotels.. .thank you !

Tony2phones

Who came up with this Itinerary?? You have no time to do much of anything except drive!

There are Travel Agents who are members of the Shamrock Club, They have at least been on a course to learn something about Ireland, http://www.shamrockclub.net/

Newgrange and or Trim on the way to Donegal Town just possible (are you staying in Donegal town?) The county is fairly large on Irish scale and I recommend the Slieve League the highest of our sea cliffs, if the weather is right see them by boat.

Donegal to Galway can be scenic or major road. There are a couple of points of interest but if you stop off in Sligo (Yeat's country) or nip to Belleek maybe a quick stop at Knock Shrine before you get stuck in traffic at Tuam.

Galway you could do the Connemara drive one day and the Burren and Cliffs or Aran's the next.

Don't go to Killarney via Cork no time and too far. Drive there down the M18 and Shannon tunnel, then via Dingle, its a longish day but it's possible.

If you leave Killarney early enough you could have an hour round Cork then up past Cashel to Dublin on the M8.

sorry

flpab

I tried answering this but got totally confused! You need to tell us where your hotels are located.

Preethi1

thank you for your suggestions

night one we are staying in meath county
night 2-3 we are staying in in donegal town (3miles outside)
nights 4-5 we are staying in galway city
nights 7-8 we are staying in Killarney (muckross park hotel)it looks to be in the park but not far from the town.

thank you!

Ozarksbill

Yeah, alot of traveling! Yes, Newgrange and Trim Castle and Glendalough if possible. Killarney fine and Dingle worthwhile and the Burren but they are quite a way over West. Cahsel impressive. Must take time out for pubs and music! Much in Dublin worthwhile.
Bill in Boston

Preethi1

yes... it is a lot of travel- but we got a really really good deal on a package and couldnt pass it up. i guess lots of time to bond in the car. lol

flpab

my concern was Meath, how far out of the city are you? I would not try driving into the city but would take the train. Park your car after picking it up at the airport. Dublin has so much to see. I love history so Glasnevin was so moving. The Brazenhead is a must see pub. Grafton St is nice for shopping, go into Marks and Spencer's basement for water and sandwiches if you are on a budget. Newgrange is a must see but know that if it is a busy day it can be a long wait. Only so many people can fit inside at one time and they don't rush you. You go to the center, buy your tickets and then they put you on a shuttle to take you there. Galway is a good base to see the cliffs and the burren. Stop at Doolin and have lunch.

Preethi1

thank you! i was thinking we would go to newgrange 1st thing the next morning. we are staying 8 miles from the airport and 11 miles from dublin city center. we will look into taking the train in.. thanks!

Tony2phones

Part of an answer which might be removed from another forum as was an earlier response. This response did include the statement that my response above might be a little Harsh.

My first step would be to double check the car hire details that you are not going to have to find anything extra at the collections desk. What the charges will be for fuel and if charges for a full tank are refundable if returned with a full tank.

Then as this is obviously a rip off from a coach tour itinerary then treat it as such. Use the bases to explore the surrounding areas. and just take the most direct route between them.

Meath, You have pretty well covered and will be a acclimatisation day in any case.

Donegal, As above Slieve League one day and If at all possible take in the North Antrim Coast before crossing the Foyle on the day between Meath and Donegal.

Galway, Head down the N17 through Sligo, the Museum of Country life at Castlebar might be worth a call or Knock shrine. Traffic will be bad at Tuam always is but they have a nice Cathedral. The usual things to do from Galway are the Connemara and Burren or the Aran Isles (weather dependant)

Killarney take bus tours of the ring or Dingle if you missed calling on the way down. O'Connors or Tattler Jacks would be my choice for pubs but if you want straight from the Pub Song CD entertainment try the Danny Mann.

Back to Dublin I would possibly go to Blarney then Cashel/Cahir off the M8.