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Ireland Itinerary Advice / Feedback
Hello all! First of all, thank you to everyone for the history of information each of you have provided here. It's been invaluable in our trip planning.
I am traveling to Ireland in the first week of April. Not ideal, as it is spring break for Ireland schools that week, but we'll make the best of it! We will be coming from the US. We = myself, wife, 16 year old son, 13 year old daughter, and 11 year old daughter. This is a makeup trip from our Ireland plans back in 2019 - we were supposed to come over the week after everything shut down in Ireland (and the world.) Fortunately, we get a redo this year! So, I was hoping for some feedback on an itinerary. My biggest struggle is that we want to see the most and have ample time for exploration and relaxation - 2 desires that are in conflict! We enjoy cities, we enjoy outdoors/hiking, we enjoy history, we enjoy live music/pubs, etc. Of note, getting my wife and kids motivated early in the morning is not always easy and the jetlag won't work in my favor. In a nutshell - I am hoping to see and do as much as possible but not at the sacrifice of leisure, exploring, wandering, and side-roads. Here's the very rough sketch of our plan. I would love your critique, recommendations, ideas, off the beaten path observations, or questions on why I selected stuff. Thanks in advance! Travel: - Day 1 (Wednesday): overnight flight from Chicago to Dublin (flight already booked) Dublin- Day 2 (Thursday): land in Dublin at 10:30AM. See how we feel and explore some of Dublin. Try to stay awake and go to bed early. Staying in StayCity Hotel right across the street from Christ Church Cathedral (very few options for a family of 5 in Dublin these dates.) - Day 3 (Friday): explore Dublin Glendalough- Day 4 (Saturday): Maybe see a little bit more of Dublin in the AM. Grab a rental car from airport. Drive to Glendalough and spend a few hours there and then go stay at the Lus Mór B&B just outside of Glendalough. 1.5 hours of drive time plus time for sightseeing. Kilmare- Day 5 (Sunday): Drive from Glendalough to Kilmare. Stop at the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey along the way. Or, maybe stop in Kilkenny (I found Kilkenny tempting, but not sure if it's worth sacrificing somewhere else to stay there a night?) Estimated 3.5 hours of drive time plus some small spare time for sightseeing. Staying at the Vestry in Templenoe, a few minutes outside of Kilmare (18th century renovated church - kids and wife were pretty excited about this place.) Dingle- Day 6 (Monday): Explore Kilmare. Explore Killarney. Or see where the day takes us. Maybe try out falconry? - Day 7 (Tuesday): Maybe drive Ring of Kerry? - Day 8 (Wednesday): Drive Kilmare to Dingle via Connor pass. Roughly 3 hours of drive time with ample time for sightseeing. Explore Dingle. Cliffs of Moher- Day 9 (Thursday): Drive Sleah Head Drive and explore. - Day 10 (Friday): Drive Dingle to Cliffs and explore cliffs (yes, we'll probably get there at the busiest time.) Stay in Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore (haven't decided yet.) Roughly 4 hours of driving time. Galway- Day 11 (Saturday): Drive from Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore to Galway. Explore along the way. Explore some of Galway when we arrive. Roughly 2 hours of drive time. Dublin- Day 12 (Sunday): Explore Galway or hike Diamond Hill or sheep dog demonstration. - Day 13: Drive from Galway to Dublin and explore along the way. Return rental car, and stay somewhere near the airport. Roughly 3 hours of drive time. Just typing this up has me excited. It also has me wishing I could add another week to explore Kilkenny, Clifden, Sligo, Skerries, Belfast, etc.- Day 14: Fly from Dublin; flight leaves at 11:30AM. Thanks again in advance for all of your help and advice! |
A quick correction in my original post. I accidently typed "Kilmare" instead of "Kenmare":
Hello all! First of all, thank you to everyone for the history of information each of you have provided here. It's been invaluable in our trip planning. I am traveling to Ireland in the first week of April. Not ideal, as it is Easter Break for Ireland schools that week, but we'll make the best of it! We will be coming from the US. We = myself, wife, 16 year old son, 13 year old daughter, and 11 year old daughter. This is a makeup trip from our Ireland plans back in 2019 - we were supposed to come over the week after everything shut down in Ireland (and the world.) Fortunately, we get a redo this year! So, I was hoping for some feedback on an itinerary. My biggest struggle is that we want to see the most and have ample time for exploration and relaxation - 2 desires that are in conflict! We enjoy cities, we enjoy outdoors/hiking, we enjoy history, we enjoy live music/pubs, etc. Of note, getting my wife and kids motivated early in the morning is not always easy and the jetlag won't work in my favor. In a nutshell - I am hoping to see and do as much as possible but not at the sacrifice of leisure, exploring, wandering, and side-roads. Here's the very rough sketch of our plan. I would love your critique, recommendations, ideas, off the beaten path observations, or questions on why I selected stuff. Thanks in advance! Travel: - Day 1 (Wednesday): overnight flight from Chicago to Dublin (flight already booked) Dublin- Day 2 (Thursday): land in Dublin at 10:30AM. See how we feel and explore some of Dublin. Try to stay awake and go to bed early. Staying in StayCity Hotel right across the street from Christ Church Cathedral (very few options for a family of 5 in Dublin these dates.) - Day 3 (Friday): explore Dublin Glendalough- Day 4 (Saturday): Maybe see a little bit more of Dublin in the AM. Grab a rental car from airport. Drive to Glendalough and spend a few hours there and then go stay at the Lus Mór B&B just outside of Glendalough. 1.5 hours of drive time plus time for sightseeing. Kilmare- Day 5 (Sunday): Drive from Glendalough to Kenmare. Stop at the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey along the way. Or, maybe stop in Kilkenny (I found Kilkenny tempting, but not sure if it's worth sacrificing somewhere else to stay there a night?) Estimated 3.5 hours of drive time plus some small spare time for sightseeing. Staying at the Vestry in Templenoe, a few minutes outside of Kilmare (18th century renovated church - kids and wife were pretty excited about this place.) Dingle- Day 6 (Monday): Explore Kilmare. Explore Killarney. Or see where the day takes us. Maybe try out falconry? - Day 7 (Tuesday): Maybe drive Ring of Kerry? - Day 8 (Wednesday): Drive Kilmare to Dingle via Connor pass. Roughly 3 hours of drive time with ample time for sightseeing. Explore Dingle. Cliffs of Moher- Day 9 (Thursday): Drive Sleah Head Drive and explore. - Day 10 (Friday): Drive Dingle to Cliffs and explore cliffs (yes, we'll probably get there at the busiest time.) Stay in Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore (haven't decided yet.) Roughly 4 hours of driving time. Galway- Day 11 (Saturday): Drive from Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore to Galway. Explore along the way. Explore some of Galway when we arrive. Roughly 2 hours of drive time. Dublin- Day 12 (Sunday): Explore Galway or hike Diamond Hill or sheep dog demonstration. - Day 13: Drive from Galway to Dublin and explore along the way. Return rental car, and stay somewhere near the airport. Roughly 3 hours of drive time. Just typing this up has me excited. It also has me wishing I could add another week to explore Kilkenny, Clifden, Sligo, Skerries, Belfast, etc.- Day 14: Fly from Dublin; flight leaves at 11:30AM. Thanks again in advance for all of your help and advice! |
Just very quick -- the itinerary looks fine and it appears you have mostly factored in realistic drive times. Day 4 will take more than 1.5 hours car time -- maybe closer to 2+ hours. and day 10 probably 4.5-5 hours drive time depending on where you end up staying. Especially if the weather goes pear shaped.
(note -- there is still at least one 'Kilmare' reference but not a biggie) |
Thanks JanisJ!
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Originally Posted by Itisme
(Post 17424707)
A quick correction in my original post. I accidently typed "Kilmare" instead of "Kenmare":
Hello all! First of all, thank you to everyone for the history of information each of you have provided here. It's been invaluable in our trip planning. I am traveling to Ireland in the first week of April. Not ideal, as it is Easter Break for Ireland schools that week, but we'll make the best of it! We will be coming from the US. We = myself, wife, 16 year old son, 13 year old daughter, and 11 year old daughter. This is a makeup trip from our Ireland plans back in 2019 - we were supposed to come over the week after everything shut down in Ireland (and the world.) Fortunately, we get a redo this year! So, I was hoping for some feedback on an itinerary. My biggest struggle is that we want to see the most and have ample time for exploration and relaxation - 2 desires that are in conflict! We enjoy cities, we enjoy outdoors/hiking, we enjoy history, we enjoy live music/pubs, etc. Of note, getting my wife and kids motivated early in the morning is not always easy and the jetlag won't work in my favor. In a nutshell - I am hoping to see and do as much as possible but not at the sacrifice of leisure, exploring, wandering, and side-roads. Here's the very rough sketch of our plan. I would love your critique, recommendations, ideas, off the beaten path observations, or questions on why I selected stuff. Thanks in advance! Travel: - Day 1 (Wednesday): overnight flight from Chicago to Dublin (flight already booked) Dublin- Day 2 (Thursday): land in Dublin at 10:30AM. See how we feel and explore some of Dublin. Try to stay awake and go to bed early. Staying in StayCity Hotel right across the street from Christ Church Cathedral (very few options for a family of 5 in Dublin these dates.) - Day 3 (Friday): explore Dublin Glendalough- Day 4 (Saturday): Maybe see a little bit more of Dublin in the AM. Grab a rental car from airport. Drive to Glendalough and spend a few hours there and then go stay at the Lus Mór B&B just outside of Glendalough. 1.5 hours of drive time plus time for sightseeing. Kilmare- Day 5 (Sunday): Drive from Glendalough to Kenmare. Stop at the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey along the way. Or, maybe stop in Kilkenny (I found Kilkenny tempting, but not sure if it's worth sacrificing somewhere else to stay there a night?) Estimated 3.5 hours of drive time plus some small spare time for sightseeing. Staying at the Vestry in Templenoe, a few minutes outside of Kilmare (18th century renovated church - kids and wife were pretty excited about this place.) Dingle- Day 6 (Monday): Explore Kilmare. Explore Killarney. Or see where the day takes us. Maybe try out falconry? - Day 7 (Tuesday): Maybe drive Ring of Kerry? - Day 8 (Wednesday): Drive Kilmare to Dingle via Connor pass. Roughly 3 hours of drive time with ample time for sightseeing. Explore Dingle. Cliffs of Moher- Day 9 (Thursday): Drive Sleah Head Drive and explore. - Day 10 (Friday): Drive Dingle to Cliffs and explore cliffs (yes, we'll probably get there at the busiest time.) Stay in Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore (haven't decided yet.) Roughly 4 hours of driving time. Galway- Day 11 (Saturday): Drive from Doolin, Ballyvaugh, or Fanore to Galway. Explore along the way. Explore some of Galway when we arrive. Roughly 2 hours of drive time. Dublin- Day 12 (Sunday): Explore Galway or hike Diamond Hill or sheep dog demonstration. - Day 13: Drive from Galway to Dublin and explore along the way. Return rental car, and stay somewhere near the airport. Roughly 3 hours of drive time. Just typing this up has me excited. It also has me wishing I could add another week to explore Kilkenny, Clifden, Sligo, Skerries, Belfast, etc.- Day 14: Fly from Dublin; flight leaves at 11:30AM. Thanks again in advance for all of your help and advice! Dublin Day 4 - don't head to the airport to pick up a car. All the car rental agencies have a depot downtown. Kilkenny is a beautiful town, and very interesting if you are into medieval European history, but you'll be seeing a lot of castles and old towns on your itinerary. Day 10 is a long day. There's a ferry that can be used to take a few hours of driving off the road trip from North Kerry to Clare. I'd personally recommend staying in Doolin. Day 12 - Diamond Hill is a 2 hour drive from Galway City and would involve at least another 2 hour moderately difficult hike. if you don't have that much time then I'd suggest you visit Barna, Spiddeal and the south end of Connemara. Best thing about Ireland we didn't know in advance: the food is incredibly good. Of the best overall standard we had in our European Adventure. Yes, Ireland! Worst thing: the small roads are very small! |
Linkslover - thanks again for the advice. I ended up switching some of my itinerary around based on some of your thoughts. Thanks again!
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I'm GUESSSING that Easter Sunday falls on day 12 for you (April 9th) - rather than day 5. Just be careful and plan ahead for some closures that day and perhaps that weekend. It certainly is not as fully closed as it was in the past as many things are now opened on Easter...but just check. I would also carefully plan out restaurant reservations for the entire Easter period. Many Irish families get away for Holy Thursday thru the bank holiday on Easter Monday and restaurants are quite busy.
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