Ireland help - Please
 

Hi All,

I am surprising my wife with a trip to Ireland for her 40th bday and our 8th anniversary. I need some advice!

Can someone give me a starting point for an itinerary based on what I would like to do? I want to take her to some charming Irish places, and see the great scenery you see in pictures and books. We are foodies, and would like to hit some great restaurants as well as see the local pub life and experience some great live Irish music. I would like to stay at some charming and romantic places, as well as perhaps stay in a castle at some point.

I booked the airline tickets, and arrive in Dublin on August 27 at 9:30AM and leave Sept 4 at 11AM. I can already tell I made a major mistake coming and going from Dublin. I should have arrived in Dublin and left through Shannon .... oh well....live and learn. I didn't want to wait too long b/c one day the tickets were 2500 (for 2), and the next day they were 850 (I should have done a little more research before booking).

Any help would be appreciated. This is a great community, and I have gotten great help and given help over the years.

Thanks in advance!

Update:
Okay, so I haven't gotten any replies yet, but I have been working on figuring something out using other threads.

Here is what I am thinking so far

Fri - Depart USA for DUB
Sat - Arrive DUB 9AM .. Check into Westin Dublin (points), and Explore Dublin
Sun - Leave Dublin around noon for whatever place we stay in Mon and Tues.

Mon -

Tues -

Wed - (Special BDay and Anniversary Day ... want it to be special).

Thurs -

Fri - Leave wherever we are Wed and Thurs and drive back to Dublin around noon maybe doing a little sightseeing along the way ... Arrive Dublin around 5:30 and stay at Clontarf castle.
Sat - 11AM departure to USA through DUB.

There are basically 3 major "chunks" of time
1) Sat and part of Sun -
2) Sun Mon Tues
3) Wed thurs

or

1) Sat and part of Sun - Dublin
2) Sun Mon
3) Tues Wed Thurs

I'm not sure which of the above makes the most sense based on travel (and doing something/staying somewhere special on Wed).

I am leaning towards chunks 2 and 3 being Dingle, and something else close to the cliffs of Moher.

Another thing. Everybody LOVES Dingle so much ... Why?

I really liked Northern IReland. If it were me, I would rent a car at the Dublin Airport, drive to Newgrange and visit it. Drive to Giant's Causeway, Bushmill distillery tour, go see the rope bridge (although it is a very strenuous walk back up the hill) drive through the Antrim Mountains.

http://www.travelsinireland.com/ireland/newgrang.htm

Then drive to the west coast of Ireland to Cliffs of Moher etc and work my way back to Dublin.

With only 7 days, I would skip southern Ireland - the Ring of Kerry. If you decide to stay in Ireland, I would skip the Ring of Kerry and go to Dingle Penninsula instead. You won't be able to see everything in 7 days so pick out what you want most to see. When planning your route,remember driving is slower in Ireland.

7 days really wouldn't have been enough to do the full ring any justice any way so don't kick yourself too hard for booking in and out of Dublin. when I went a few years back, I did the ring and it was wonderful, but certainly there are areas not too far away from Dublin that are wonderful and Dingle is one of them. I didn't get to go to Northern Ireland, but perhaps you can follow bratsandbeer advice and do a short jaunt up that way and save the Shannon-Dublin ring for your next trip. I really want to get back there myself.

<< Another thing. Everybody LOVES Dingle so much ... Why?>>

Admittedly, I was there in the early 1990s...but at that time, Dingle was a charming, small town with an authentically Irish feel. It was quiet and restful. The peninsula itself is very pretty and a little wild. We weren't there long enough to explore it, though, so I can't offer any specific insights.

It's been so long that I don't even remember the exact location -- but when we were there, the tiny town of Doolin was known as the best place to go for traditional Irish music in the pubs. Of course, that may have changed by now. I'm a traditional Irish music buff, and I found far less trad music in Ireland than I had imagined. But I loved Doolin.

I'm off to the gym but will try to post with a bit of information this afternoon. You mentioned a special place to celebrate your anniverary. Did you have a budget in mind? There are several wonderful castle hotels as well as some less expensive but probably more charming places to stay too.

And there is a bus ferrying folk to and from the rope bridge if you don't mind sparing a euro or two. We walked down and bused back.

Check this out: http://www.irelandyes.com/specials.html . I haven't stayed at Loch Lein but the gossoons and I stayed at Smarmore Castle Hotel last year so I can recommend it.

jaja -- We did walk down and take the bus back up at the Giants Causeway. At the rope bridge there was only a narrow sidewalk to walk back and forth on. I did not see a bus or I would have taken it and paid any amount for the ride. :) It was a steep climb back up. Perhaps they added a bus now as we were there about 4 years ago.

I'm not sure why my last post didn't go out. I really want concentrate on the West. One of the things I want to experience is the beautiful scenery of the Western Coast.

BratsandBeer - I would love to see all of Ireland including the North, but would like to focus on the West on our first trip.

jaja - It looks like Loch Lein is a nice hotel! I'm just wondering if its too out of the way. I think the ideal thing might be to stay somewhere in Dingle, and then close to Moher for the other 2 day location.

historytraveler - We don't really have a budget when it comes to accommodations. Under 300Euro per night would be great. I don't mind a splurge for the big day. Although, most everything I am seeing is under 200 Euro (most even less).

I am thinking of driving from Dublin to Dingle, and also hitting Cashel. Is it worth it?

redneck,

I had another itinerary in mind but with only five nights and your wanting to head directly west, I'll suggest something else. Your idea of staying in Cashel enroute (to/from) Dublin is fine. I suggest you go to www.aaroadwatch.ie and click on their route planner for the best routes and for travel times. Remember that you will need to add some time to those suggested as they don't allow for any unexpected traffic delays, comfort stops etc.

Here are a few ideas for places to stay near The Ring of Kerry and Dingle.

Kenmare:
Riverdales House Hotel www.kenmare.com/riversdale
The Park Hotel www.parkkenmare.com
Sheen Falls Lodge www.sheenfallslodge.ie
Rosegarden Guesthouse www.euroka.com/rosegarden

Sneem:
Parknasilla www.gshotels.com

Killorglin:
Carrig House www.carrighouse.co

Dingle:
Emlaugh House www.elaughhouse.com
Gorman's Clifftop House & Restaurant www.gormans-clifftophouse.com

I hope this provodes a start at least.

Cashel: Cashel Palace Hotel www.cashel-palace.ie
Baileys of Cashel www.baileys-ireland.com

We went to Ireland for the first time last month and I can tell you that Dingle is now my favorite place in the world. And I travel a lot.

It is really beautiful, small enough that you can feel at home after only a few days staying there, and interesting enough that you can spend many days exploring and never get bored. The people in Dingle were especially interesting and open, as well.

We spent four nights there and I can now say that I would have been happy spending all eight of our nights in Ireland in Dingle.

We stayed at Greenmount House, which was wonderful. Nicest B&B I've ever visited. If you're in Dingle during your anniversary, and if you like seafood, go to Out of the Blue for your special dinner. It's delicious. It's a seafood only restaurant, so you must like seafood to enjoy it, of course. They booked quickly when we were there, so make a reservation.

Enjoy your trip! Happy early anniversary!

redneck

history traveler has good suggestions for accommodations. The Parknasilla hotel under gshotels USED to be Great Southern. I haven't visited since new owners but location is stunning... perfect for any anniversary.

After looking at this, I think what I might want to do is the following.
DUB - Westin [1night]
DUB to Cashel (stay at Cashel Palace Hotel) [one night]
Cashel to Dingle - Stay at Emlagh House [3 nights]
Dingle to Doolin - Stay at Atlantic House [1 night] ... Not sure if this is close enough to the pub scene. Any other recommendations for Doolin? I liked the fact you can see the Cliffs of Moher from the B&B.
Doolin - DUB - Clontarf Castle [1 night] Then depart to USA

I am still sort of apprehensive of burning a night in Cashel. Should I instead spend another night in Doolin or Dingle?

bookmarking

Here is how its shaping up. Still looking for a fabulous place to stay in Doolin. Here is how its shaping up

ITEINERARY
================================================== ============================
Fri - Depart USA for DUB

Sat - Arrive DUB 9AM .. Check into Westin Dublin (points), and Explore Dublin

Sun - Leave Dublin around 10:30AM for Cashel Stay in Cashel Palace.

Mon - Leave Cashel after breakfast head to Dingle ... check in at Emlagh House

Tues - Dingle

Wed - Dingle .... (Special BDay and Anniversary Day ... want it to be special).

Thurs - Leave Dingle around 10:00 ... head to Doolin. Check in at <TBD>

Fri - Leave Doolin by 11AM and explore just a little bit more ... Arrive Dublin around 4:30 and stay at Clontarf castle.

Sat - Depart Clontarf Castle by 8AM for an 11AM departure to USA through DUB.

Have a wonderful trip! Be sure to enjoy some Murphy's ice cream in Dingle. We ate it every single day, it was so good.

The Westin Dublin is very nice. I was bummed that we didn't stay there when we went in June. My best friend works for Westin so I always check out their hotels and man oh man, did we regret passing up her hot rates to stay in a B&B instead!

We skipped Cashel on our trip, so I'm interested to hear what you think of it.

I'll have to look for a file (hard copies- not on my computer) of places in Doolin -- but others may have good suggestions.

But just one little comment - do leave Clontarf Castle before 8AM. You are about 30 minutes from the airport w/o morning traffic and then you have to deal w/ returning the car. That isn't always as straight forward as we'd like.

Haven17 Thanks for the info. on the ice cream. We'll have one for you!

JanisJ , Thanks for the info. on the car. As much as I hate to say it, you're right. That will be a rough day. Hopefully we can get some bfast at Contarf before we depart!

HistoryTraveler - Thanks for the accomodations recommendations. I am using 2 of yours.

I made the last 2 reservations. This is the final itinerary.

Fri - Depart USA for DUB

Sat - Arrive DUB 9AM .. Check into Westin Dublin (points), and Explore Dublin

Sun - Leave Dublin around 10:30AM for Cashel Stay in Cashel Palace.

Mon - Leave Cashel after breakfast head to Dingle ... check in at Emlagh House

Tues - Dingle

Wed - Dingle .... (Special BDay and Anniversary Day ... want it to be special).

Thurs - Leave Dingle around 10:00 ... head to Doolin. Check in at Daly House

Fri - Leave Doolin by 11AM and explore just a little bit more ... Arrive Dublin around 4:30 and stay at Clontarf castle.

Sat - Depart Clontarf Castle by 8AM for an 11AM departure to USA through DUB.

All reservations are confirmed. Now I just need to rent a car (with super CDW)...any ideas??

Then, on to figuring out what to do and see! What does everyone recommend for Dublin for a day? What are the must see / must eats? Also, is there light rail or something to get us to the Westin, or do we just get a cab? I am going to wait until Sun. to get the car.

you leave soon! I have not rented a car yet either, but we are going to pick up in Killarney and it looks like the only place right there is Budget. AutoEurope's rates are much lower but the CDW/Super CDW stuff is not clear to me if I book thru either place. I need to make some calls on that this week!

I am surprising my husband with a birthday trip as well, but he's turning 38 so only gets Dublin on this trip ;)

We obviously have more than a day, but after quite a bit of research I'm looking forward to the following in Dublin:

1916 rebellion walking tour
Guiness Storehouse (husband is a HUGE guinness fan)
Kilmainham Gaol museum

We're also booked on the Fabulous Food Trails walking tour but it departs at 10 am so a little tight considering you land at 9 am.

Alternatively, there's s Dublin historical walking tour that departs at 1 pm I believe. After checking in, you could grab lunch, do the tour, then check out Trinity College or Dublin Castle.

Finally, I've read wonderful things about the Art Tea at the Merrion Hotel. If it was my birthday, I'd go in a heartbeat (husband is not much of an afternoon tea kind of guy).

Fossbomb, our trips are both close! I am getting so excited. My wife still doesn't know where we're going! I hope I can keep it from her for another 2 weeks! The Super CDW stuff is not at all clear to me either. I spoke to Auto Europe, and what I gather is that you rent the car from them with their top insurance, and then get the Super CDW from another outfit. This basically gives you a 0 deductible should something happen.... which from what I gather is a good possibility. I saw a thread where someone had to fork over 1800+ for a scratch down the car. Please post if you find anything else out. I have a feeling I need to completely secure the car reservation by the end of the weekend.

alg, sounds like some good ideas. Rick Steves said the National Museum was also pretty fantastic. When are you going?

FYI - the brunch in the Westin on Sundays is meant to be one of the best in Dublin. It's pretty pricey (though i think the price includes a glass of champagne) but might be worth checking out if you plan on staying in the hotel Sunday morning.

we leave Wednesday! My husband tried to guess and decided that we're going to Chicago.

Have a wonderful time!

I booked yesterday thru AutoEurope and insurance4carhire.com
I am just crossing my fingers now that there isn't some fine print that I am missing. Not much more I can do at this point. That's great that your wife has no idea, enjoy your trip!

Littlejane, thanks for the tip on the brunch!

alg, have a great time, an send us a trip report when you get back!!

Fossbomb, it looks like the insurance4carhire.com insurance is a yearly membership sort of thing??

redneck -- Do you have a World Points Master Card? That is the one credit card that will cover collision in Ireland. (At least that was true a year ago). There is no extra cost for this insurance and there is no deductible. The only things you must do are (1) use the card to book the car, (2) use the card at the rental counter at pickup for any extras involved, (3) decline the CDW on the rental contract when you pick up the car. If there is damage to the car, you must pay up front then submit a claim to Master Card with documentation of damage costs. Your credit card company will then credit your account with that amount.
If you have this kind of card, I advise you check with them to make sure this policy is still in effect. Have a wonderful trip!

CORRECTION: It's World Master Card, not World Points. Sorry.

crckwc1 - Unfortunately, I don't have a world master card.

Fossbomb - what kind of car did you get from AutoEurope. I booked today, and got a Hyundai I30 compact with a free one class upgrade. I'm not inclined to take the upgrade though. From what I have heard you want the smallest car you think you can live with.

What a total waste of an afternoon. I've been reading all of this stuff about car insurance and the like!!

we booked a Nissan Micra, it is an automatic, it will be fine for us I think. Yes, the insurance4carhire.com is a 12 month coverage, not too badly priced. We may go somewhere over the winter too so it would cover that as well. My husbands World MC did not cover us in Ireland, we called and triple checked.

We're leaving for our trip a week from yesterday, and now I am having really bad anxiety that I haven't covered all of the trip reports, guidebooks, and forums. For some reason I feel like I'm going to squander our trip. Dingle is the biggest longest stay of the trip, and I feel like I don't really have a plan for Dingle (other than maybe a trip to the Skellig hotel spa on our bday / Anniversary day).

Am I crazy for kind of just letting things fall into place in Dingle?

Dublin (only from noon to noon) - Guinness Storehouse (got to bring some stuff back for folks), Pub crawl, and either the Gaol or the National Museum....bad ideas?

Cashel - The Rock

Doolin - Its all about the music and the cliffs as far as I'm
concerned. No?

Letting things fall into place is half the fun. :) Planning is great, and important, but it's also important to be flexible and prepared to completely ignore some of the plans that you made to persue the things that you discover while you are there.

In Dublin, Kilmainham Gaol and the Museum are both worthy of a visit. I haven't been to the Storehouse, but many people seem to enjoy it. There's Dublin Castle, too. And the Book of Kells. Go with what you think might work best for you. Bail on anything that isn't quite meeting your expectations or interests.

In Cashel, the Rock is pretty much the thing, but Hore Abbey is a short walk away. Cahir Castle is a short drive away from there, too.

For me, Doolin is about the cliffs, sure, but also about some Irish Stew at Gus O'Connors pub.

Have a great trip!

I also would not worry.

You have a very reasonable itinerary that allows for flexibility. Also allow for local advice, i.e. your hosts in Dingle who might point you to a festival or sight that no one here knows of.

You can add items on your way from Dublin to Cashel, and Cashel to Dingle, depending on your daily "mood" (or level of exhaustion).

Options which you could add, but should not feel to must add:

Dublin-Cashel: stopover in Kilkenny for little exploring a beautiful town and for lunch. Visit the Rock in the pm hours.

Cashel-Dingle: stop at Cahir, visit Castle. Take a scenic and "quaint" walk along River Suir to Swiss Cottage (1/2hr each way). Google opening hours first for Swiss Cottage and inquire locally. Swiss Cottage shut down for lunch break longer than posted on the web when I was there.

I'm glad y'all feel that way. I was a little nervous about leaving what I want to be a perfect vacation to chance.

I am definitely going to give a trip report...hopefully with photos. I might even update a little while I'm gone.

I can only reiterate what jefe and Cowboy have already stated. Ireland is a magical place. Enjoy and be open to all of its possibilities.

Redneck - I don't think you have a thing to worry about! Your wife is going to be blown away at the trip you've planned. I told my husband he was welcome to plan one of these surprises for me someday ;-)

Check out this Travel Journal - Their Photography and recommendations look great - http://www.nbhtravel.info/ireland.html

Safe Travels,
Bonnie

We stayed at a great B & B in Doolin called the Sea View House. It's been awhile since we were there - 2005 - but they still get great reviews. You're right in that Doolin is all about the cliffs and the music. The music was the best we'd ever heard.

http://www.seaviewhouse.eu/

Have a great trip - you'll LOVE Ireland!!

PamT

I stayed at the Cashel Palace Hotel twice in the 90's. It's a beautiful building, and some of the upper floor rooms facing the rear ( facing away from the street ) have views of the Rock of Cashel. If you're not expecting "Four Seasons" posh, you'll be happy with your decision to stay there. It's full of charm.

The Rock of Cashel is well worth going out of the way for. The ruins are magnificent, the view from atop the Rock is beautiful, and to see the Rock lit up at night is unforgettable. Don't miss it lit up!

There is a cultural center at the foot of the Rock. Sometimes, during the summer, there is entertainment there in the evening ( check with your hotel ). Otherwise, enjoy a beverage in the basement bar at the Cashel Palace Hotel, where Guinness beer was introduced to the world ( so they say ).

If you have any interest in visiting a working sheep farm, there's one that wouldn't be to far out of the way on your drive from Cashel to Dingle. You'd have to travel to Dingle via Killarney. From Killarney, it's about 15 miles south, driving through Killarney National Park, so you'd have an opportunity to stop at scenic sights like the Ladies' View along the way. After you stop at the sheep farm, you backtrack to Killarney, and continue west to Dingle.

The sheep farm owner, John Kissane, represents the 5th generation of his family on that farm. He and his wife Anne welcomed the sixth generation ( Sean ) just last year. John and Anne have sheep dog and sheep-shearing demonstrations, and you are able to bottle feed the orphan lambs. The farm is very clean and the Kissanes are very nice...great fun if you're an animal lover. Here's a link to their website:
http://www.adopt-a-sheep.ie/ .

Also, if you don't have it already, here's the link to the Shannon Ferry timetable for your drive from Dingle to Doolin:
http://www.shannonferries.com/timetable/ . Unfortunately, the summer schedule ends on August 27th, so, after that date, the ferry will operate once per hour, on the half hour, out of Tarbert. The ferry's pretty neat, easy to do, and saves you from driving the long route to Doolin via Limerick.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Two wonderful castle hotels that also have wonderful food are Ashford Castle (also with wonderful scenary in the West of Ireland in Cong, County Mayo) and Castle Leslie in Monaghan. The meals in both are great. Guilbaud's in Dublin, if you can get in, is great. The Shelbourne Hotel on St Stephen's Green has both great rooms and a great restaurant. When you book a "castle" hotel make sure the castle is still in existence and not just a ruin located on the grounds of the hotel. Other than that have fun and remember that you will be in another country, not the US. The good news is that they generally like Americans (since so many Irish immigrated here in the 1800's).
CJK

So we're here, and so far everything has been amazing! We have already been to Dublin, Cashel, and today arrived in Dingle. WOW....

I will be posting a full trip report upon my return.

I wanted to at least post the trip report from an accommodations viewpoint. I plan to type up the whole thing eventually.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-sept-2010.cfm