ireland -- final trip itinerary -- I think!
 

Ok. After much thought this is where we are so far:

May 16 Dingle Castlewood
May 17 6pm - May 21 am -- walking tour based in Killarney
May 21-22 -- Ballyvaughan -- Drumcreehy -- no response yet to email
May 23-24 Clifden -- the Quay House
May 25 -- Achill Island -- Bervie?? or Newport the Newport House Hotel
May 26-27 St John's Point -- Castle Murray
May 28-29 Antrim Coast -- Whitepark House
May 30-31 Meath -- Trim Castle Hotel

June 1 -- return home!

So does this work and are the places we have picked to stay good ones -- we do not have reservations at most of them yet -- just Castlewood and Quay House -- so we can still adjust this.

Now on to car rental! So difficult to decipher them as not all put all charges in the reservations!

Thanks to all for your feedback.

I stopped by Whitepark House a few years ago and they did not have any en suite rooms. If having your own bathroom is important you may want to inquire about it. It was a really funky place. Crockatinny or Craig Park would be my choices.

I love the Bervie. It is right on the beach. You can't get better views than there and you can listen to the ocean all night. Just writing this makes me want to return and have tea in front of a peat fire in the drawing room.

Castle Murray is nice but a bit isolated. If you are eating dinner there each night, fine. Otherwise stay closer to a town.

Thanks Irish Eyes -- I did not realize that Whitepark House was not ensuite -- they are redoing the whole house right now and hope to have it done by the beginning of April -- so it will probably be ensuite this year but maybe we should consider crockatinny.

I debated the Bervie because it is further away making for a longer drive the next day but am leaning towards it because of all the great reviews.

Castle Murray also has rave reviews -- I considered Bruckless House but there are no photos of the place -- still may consider that one -- is it better situated?

I just googled Bruckless House and found several pictures...sounds nice, it too is outside of Killybegs, no dinner options, so would have to go into town...Castle Murray House is a bit further out.

We spent one evening at Castle Murray House and it was by far our favorite B&B...at least one meal there is a must (matter of fact, you may want to consider going there for dinner even if you choose another place to stay nearby).

It is about an equal distance from Donegal town and Killybegs (guess about 20 min.) so you would have some dinner options...I know that at home 20min. is not considered too far for a meal, actually quite average.

The great thing about Castle Murray House is that they do have a quaint bar and the most wonderful views to enjoy an evening pint, coffee, or your choice...very cozy too.

What we loved was being so close to the water with lovely strolling opportunities.

this is a beautiful area, I am sure you will enjoy whatever you choose...your trip sound wonderful

Both the Bervie and The Quay House in Clifden were are favorites places on our recent trip to Ireland. Both are excellent.

The Bervie is worth going out of your way for. If you stay there you will know what I mean. They also do dinners there. Achill Cliff House (within walking distance) has an excellent early bird.

As for Whitepark House, you know how construction goes. They give you an April deadline and if you are lucky it is actually finished by December. Try Crockatinny and get a room with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

If you want something closer to Killybegs Ocean View B&B is very nice and Kitty Kelly's Restaurant is just down the hill (short walk). I have to admit that Castle Murray is in a lovely setting at the end of a peninsula overlooking the ocean. It is very rural.