Thinking about a fall 2005 drive trip throughout Ireland (9 days).

We are considering staying in restored castles and country estate hotels. Itinerary not yet decided but thinking of starting in Dublin and driving the southern route up to Shannon.

Would like recs on sites to see and places to stay.

Thanks!!

K

I have always enjoyed it at Ballymaloe House, it is in a nice area and especially good if you are into good food.

http://www.ballymaloe.ie/index.php

www.dromoland.ie and www.ashford.ie are two splendid castles I have enjoyed.Dromoland is close to Shannon Airport and Ashford is in Connemara,not far from the north-west coast,Donegal,Sligo and Galway..

We loved Sheen Falls Lodge just outside Kenmare. Beautiful location on a waterfall. Spa,fly fishing and great food.

Delphi Mountain Resort & Spa in Connemara is gorgeous www.delphiescape.com

I would second the recommendation for Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare.

Inchydoney in Kinsale is one place I really want to go - my parents have been and thought it was fantastic. www.inchydoneyisland.com

In Dublin I would probably choose The Merrion Hotel - it's a gorgeous hotel and is in an excellent location.

We made the same trip this past March only in the opposite direction and had a wonderful stay at the Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny. Kilkenny is definitely worth a stop in my book!
http://www.hotel-ireland.com/mount-juliet/

No shortage of lovely places to stay in at
http://www.hiddenireland.com/

We spent a few nights at Martinstown House in Co Kildare and loved every minute!

Cheers,

Wendy

Near Shannon is Dromoland Castle. It has been rated consistently in the top 100 places world wide. We stayed there last March (low season rates) so I can readily recommend it. They have a website - just Goggle dromoland castle and yoy will get it.

Greg

Some other possibilities on Castle stays:

Waterford Castle: http://www.waterfordcastle.com/

Kilkea Castle:
http://www.kilkeacastle.ie/

Kinnitty Castle:
http://www.kinnittycastle.com/

Glin Castle:
http://www.glincastle.com/

Much less expensive and not really upscale but somewhat interesting is Carrigeen Castle:
http://www.tipp.ie/butlerca.htm

Bill

kleinjk, The following websites may get you started:

http://www.irelands-blue-book.ie/
http://www.irelandyes.com/castles.html
http://www.hidden-ireland.com/
http://www.cmvhotels.com/

Second the blue book link! Very special accomadations to be found in this gem of a book.

second on dromoland castle near shannon - stayed there again when we left in oct - kind of expensive - had wonderful dinner at Earl of Thomond - recommend you make reservations before leaving states if you dine there-= they have website just www.dromoland.com
kind of place where you can spoil yourself
lizard

Ditto on the Sheen Falls Lodge and the Ireland Blue Book recommendations. One of the loveliest places I've ever stayed was St. Cleran's. It's about 18 miles out of Galway. To day tour Connemara we circumvented Galway. It was originally the estate of John Huston -- where Angelica was raised. Huston lived in the main house w/mistress while wife lived in smaller house on the estate. Some years ago Merv Griffin bought the home and turned it into a hotel. It was expensive but the decor, grounds, service and food made it memorable.

We also loved Dromoland! First place we've stayed that provided free brandy sitting between your two wingback chairs AND when it was empty by asking, they provided more for free.

Not a castle, but an old 14th century Abbey converted first into an 18th century manor house, then into a 20th century resort... Knocktopher Abbey, just south of Kilkenny about 20 minutes. Wonderful manager, great place. Really neat underground-looking restaurant!!!

We stayed there as a time-share exchange through my dad's time-share club. There are separate 2bedroom 'apartments' that used to be coach and servant's quarters, and there are rooms in the main house itself.