Ireland visit plan-1st draft
 

Am planning our visit for Sep.30-Oct11.Will use self-drive along with B & B. Plan to select a few B&Bs & drive to variuos attractions rather then move every night.<BR><BR>3 nights Dublin- city walk about <BR> - Dublin environs sights<BR> - bog rail tour<BR>2 hights Galway- city walk about<BR> - Galway environs sights<BR>2 nts Killarney- Dingle Penn<BR> - Ring of Kerry<BR> - Killarney Manor banquet<BR>2 nts Cork area- city walk about <BR> - Cork environs sights<BR>1 nt Killkenny - city tour<BR>1 nt Dublin ready to fly home<BR><BR>Am inviting comments on draft with your "must see" suggestions <BR>

Hello<BR><BR>Cork-must see Fota Island- by train from Cork-5 minutes. 4 euros (same as dollars now) in- wildlife park and georgian house. book dinnerin Ballymaloe -Shanagarry Village 23 miles from Cork. 55 dollars set 5 course menu. best food in Ireland.

Powerscourt - the house and the waterfall.

Too much time in Dublin for my tastes. It seems though you are more interested in the city life, so maybe that is what you want. I would take at 1 day out of Dublin and add it to the Killarney/Dingle area. <BR><BR>The countryside in Ireland is so spectacular you may want to spend more time there. Also, If you are taking tours outside of the city od Dublin, you might as well stay outside the city. It is much less expensive and easier to find rooms. You might want to book your Dublin rooms pretty soon. They fill up fast, esp. on the weekends.<BR><BR>Bill

Skip Dublin. I agree with the above poster and spend the extra days in Dingle or Killarney -- I would even spend a day or two in Kinsale. We loved that little town & surrounding area. Cork was another big city that smelled of industrial waste. Maybe it was the Murphy's Brewery we were smelling? Just kidding.

Your basic itinerary is fine. But, unless you really want to spend time in Dublin I would skip it as well. A very nice city - but Ireland has sooooo much more to offer. If you add the Dublin days to other areas you will see a lot more and not be rushed. Besides, Dublin will be, BY FAR, the most expensive part of your trip.<BR><BR>Also, the area around Cork is wonderful - but Cork City itself does not have much to offer. I have stayed there and enjoyed it, but Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry and other places W of Cork are much better.

I don`t think the Killarney Banquet is in operation this year.Alternatives include dinner in Hotel Europe overlooking Killarney`s biggest lake or top class French cuisine in Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare.

I would actually pare back one night in Dublin, and scratch both Killarney and Dingle, and do Clare/Cliffs of Moher/Connemara/Aran Islands. But I think it's all a matter of preference. If you're set on doing Killarney/Dingle, I'd do Dingle only and not both. I spent 5 days using Galway as a base in late Sept. a couple years back, and spent one day seeing the Burren/Cliffs, one on the Aran Islands (Inishmor), one seeing Galway City and one touring Connemara (Kylemore Abbey). I enjoyed that experience much more than Killarney and Dingle. But I would not drop Dublin entirely, particularly if you enjoy cities. I find it enchanting.

Dublin's a great city. I'd keep that part exactly the same.<BR><BR>I really don't like the town of Killarney. It's tacky and touristy, the food's awful and expensive, and it's chock full of tourists. Stay in some other village or town.

I would if you could fly home out of Shannon you will spend less time driving and when you are in killkenny you will be a lot closer to Shannon than Dublinm maybe stay outside of Shannon in Ennis or Limerick .

I would suggest spending more time in the West, on the coast, instead of spending so much of your time just in the cities. Beautiful scenery!

If you want to do Dublin go to "Cafe en Seine" in Dawson Street for coffee, or lunch - it's a nice place. Agree with the poster re Killarney- I don't like it either - much too touristy. Co Cork is nice - I love Kinsale and Glandore is a gorgeous little spot on a sunny day. Clonakilty, Skibereen and further down Schull, Bantry and Crookhaven are nice. I've heard good things about Westport (Clare) but haven't been there myself or to the other areas mentioned.

I agree that I wouldn't stay in Killarney, though the area outside of town is spectacular. There are some nice places to stay around Killarney with beautiful views and if you know where to go I am told, there are some nice little shops in Killarney. It's just that the main drag is "Tourist Central". I don't think I would give up Dingle especially at that time of year. The tourism problem should be at a minimum. Given the choice I would do Dingle over the Ring of Kerry.<BR><BR>Nichola - Did you go to O'Sullivan's Pub in Crookhaven? It's my favorite pub in Ireland. I've been there twice and both resulted in GREAT stories. <BR><BR>Hey Dave! Is any of this input helping?<BR><BR>Bill

If you like shopping and cities then keep the cities in there. We skipped Dublin (because we had just done 5 days in London). We headed for the countryside and loved it! So unlike anything we had ever seen before! Our last two nights were in Galway and we were disappointed. Just shopping...little history. But I admit we were tired and it may have colored our impression! We did Cashel, Kinsale and Dingle primarily. I wish we had cut the two nights in Galway and spent them in Dingle or Killarney. Have fun!

Bill and all of you who have been kind enough to respond, many thanks. We have already begun to alter our plans and are now working on draft #2. Any comments on a B&B north of Dublin called Muckross House?

I haven't heard of the Muckross House. We stayed at The Reefs in Skerries and it is great. They let you check in early and take a nap.<BR>Bill

As a result of your input, for which I thank you, we are now considering <BR>2 nts Dublin (north county)<BR>2 nts Galway (on edge of town)<BR>3 nts Killarney(on edge of town)<BR>3 nts Kilkenny <BR>1 nt Dublin prior to flight next AM<BR><BR>In the cases of Galway, Killarney & Kilkenny the purpose is to use the B&B as a base & fan out from there each day.<BR><BR>Your comments would be most helpful.

Bill- Skerries is a bit too far out for our purposes. Any other suggestions? <BR><BR>Amy- Thanks for the web site. Cann't seem to access it. Maybe the address isn't quite right. Have a look would you?<BR><BR>To all- I'm new at this type of planning. Apologies for not responding more regularly. That being said, won't be able to reply again til Monday- machine down.<BR> <BR>

Have to say, Kilarney- Is sooooooo touristy. Try travelling on a little. Recommend Port McGee, there is basically only one hotel, which does fantastic food,and lovely rooms at B&B prices.<BR>Then ypu could (weather permitting take the boat out to the SKellings)<BR>You may find driving the Skelling Ring a nice break from the coach loaded ring of Kelly. <BR>Dublin is great, but you could probably see what you want in 2 days.<BR>Cork, lovely people. Nice time, but probably not much to fill 2 days. <BR>WOuld agree with others, that Kinsale is definatly worth a visit and stop over. Although expensive, it has fab food, views and enough to do.<BR>Have a great time and DONT forget your water proof.<BR>It rained for all but 4 HOURS when we had a week in JUNE<BR>Lizz

Lizz. what do you mean by the Skelling Ring, and the Ring of Kelly? Would you be referring to the Ring of Kerry where you can boat out to the ancient monastic Micheal Skellig? Just hoping to clear it up...Helen