Ireland: Which 4 Counties Would You Spend A Week In, And Why?
Jul 18th, 2006, 01:41 PM
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Ireland: Which 4 Counties Would You Spend A Week In, And Why?
My wife & I have been twice to Ireland and cannot get enough of it. We will go back as often as we can. We are trying to work it out so we can spend a month there next year (not sure if Spring, Summer or Fall yet).
We like to settle in to a place, rather than drive to a different town each day. So . . . we are thinking about spending 1 week in each of 4 counties. We will consider repeating places we have already been, so I am not going to mention our prior vacation spots. I will say, we are more small town folks than big city folks though.
If you were in our shoes, what 4 counties would you pick and why?
We like to settle in to a place, rather than drive to a different town each day. So . . . we are thinking about spending 1 week in each of 4 counties. We will consider repeating places we have already been, so I am not going to mention our prior vacation spots. I will say, we are more small town folks than big city folks though.
If you were in our shoes, what 4 counties would you pick and why?
Jul 18th, 2006, 02:25 PM
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We spend about a month at a time in Ireland. We self cater with a week long stop at our cottage. Our favorite counties are, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, and Leitrim-Sligo. We have done the "must sees" many years ago. All our favorites have good day trip possibilities, some isolation, good friendly towns, beaches, good markets, good to great restaurants, and parts well away from the tourist hordes. We go in April and May, the months with the most sunshine. The Irish people are our special need. Most of our days are spent exploring archaeological sites, so we seldom see any tourists. All counties in Ireland have what we are looking, but those are our favorites for many reasons.
Jul 18th, 2006, 04:34 PM
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I have been to Ireland more times than I can count on both hands and feet! I have been to every county multiple times. I would choose Kerry, Clare, Antrim & Down. (I would actually choose lots more for different reasons.) I am spending a week in Antrim this fall at self-catering. Check back with me to see what I think. I would choose May!
Jul 18th, 2006, 08:38 PM
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Hi. I'm new to this forum, but I hope I can help you. I prefer scenery and townspeople to cities, so I like the west and southwest coasts of Ireland. For sheer breathtaking beauty, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and the Aran Islands are safe bets. Connemara is not as spectacular but very beautiful; many spots reminded me of some US Parks out west. I would pick Kerry, Clare, Galway, and Mayo. If you love wild beauty and have time to run up to Donegal, you won't be sorry. I envy you the 4 weeks. By the way, the climate in Ireland, as it is here, is changing somewhat. Between some friends and me, we have several years traveling to Ireland, and April/May and Sept/Oct have turned out to be just as mild and beautiful as June.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Tough choices. Donegal came to mind first. Try the Donegal Thatched cottages. In the middle of nowhere and the location is beautiful. West Cork or southern Kerry. I might choose somewhere near Westport so you could comfortably enjoy both Galway and Mayo comfortably. Finally Antrim.
This list makes me wish I had gotten Clare in (perhaps a stop on the way from Kerry to Westport) and I have nothing in the SE. Hard choices.
Bill
This list makes me wish I had gotten Clare in (perhaps a stop on the way from Kerry to Westport) and I have nothing in the SE. Hard choices.
Bill
Jul 19th, 2006, 09:17 AM
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Mayo, Waterford, Wicklow, Kerry (in that order).
Mayo because it is just lovely, scenery-wise and people-wise; Waterford because our favourite town in Ireland, Ardmore, is located there; Wicklow, because we love the things you can see and do there; ditto Kerry.
Mayo because it is just lovely, scenery-wise and people-wise; Waterford because our favourite town in Ireland, Ardmore, is located there; Wicklow, because we love the things you can see and do there; ditto Kerry.
Jul 19th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Thanks very much for the responses.
I am very interested in Counties Antrim and Down, which several of you mentioned.
Care to elaborate on what made them special for you?
Also, I'll confess our previous visits now: Counties Kerry, Clare, Galway, Donegal. Those are the places we stayed, although we drove through parts of a few others (Sligo, Tipperary). Probably the two places so far we saw just a little of that made us want to spend a LOT of time there were: (1) the Beara Peninsula (Glengariff and just a bit further south, then back to Kenmare via the Healy Pass) and (2) Westport in County Mayo.
Finally, for no good reason, we were toying around with doing a sort of 4 points of the compass month: 1 week in the North, East, South, and West.
I am very interested in Counties Antrim and Down, which several of you mentioned.
Care to elaborate on what made them special for you?
Also, I'll confess our previous visits now: Counties Kerry, Clare, Galway, Donegal. Those are the places we stayed, although we drove through parts of a few others (Sligo, Tipperary). Probably the two places so far we saw just a little of that made us want to spend a LOT of time there were: (1) the Beara Peninsula (Glengariff and just a bit further south, then back to Kenmare via the Healy Pass) and (2) Westport in County Mayo.
Finally, for no good reason, we were toying around with doing a sort of 4 points of the compass month: 1 week in the North, East, South, and West.
Jul 19th, 2006, 12:03 PM
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Hi beach:
I don't know Co Down well enough to go into great detail. The Antril coast is beautiful and there are all sorts of nooks and cranies to visit around there. The Glens of Antrim are well worth the time. Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce castle, Bushmills distillery, the Torr Road, lots more.
I think somewhere in the Kenmare/Glengarriff area would be a great option for the SW. Kenmare certainly offers more dining options. With a week you would probably find a day to get out to the Skellig Rocks, something you should do if you are at all agile. The climb wasn't as tough as I had thought and this is a memorable visit. Though I heard nothing that suggested they would shut such a place down, the level of disrespect from the tourists (not Americans though) for the site was unbelievable. People climbing all over the walls, smoking and throwing down their butts. Eventually that will take it's toll on the place.
Bill
I don't know Co Down well enough to go into great detail. The Antril coast is beautiful and there are all sorts of nooks and cranies to visit around there. The Glens of Antrim are well worth the time. Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Dunluce castle, Bushmills distillery, the Torr Road, lots more.
I think somewhere in the Kenmare/Glengarriff area would be a great option for the SW. Kenmare certainly offers more dining options. With a week you would probably find a day to get out to the Skellig Rocks, something you should do if you are at all agile. The climb wasn't as tough as I had thought and this is a memorable visit. Though I heard nothing that suggested they would shut such a place down, the level of disrespect from the tourists (not Americans though) for the site was unbelievable. People climbing all over the walls, smoking and throwing down their butts. Eventually that will take it's toll on the place.
Bill
Jul 19th, 2006, 01:23 PM
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Bill,
thanks for the elaboration; the north sounds great.
Terrible to hear about the disrespect at the Skellig Rocks. I hate to say I am all too familiar with cigarette butts. Here at the beach in the summer, the sand is littered with them (pardon the weak pun). I just can't get my head around the mind of these people. You come to the beach because it is beautiful, unlike, say, AN ASHTRAY; yet you apparently think nothing of turning it into an ashtray. Why not just stay at home, place your ashtrays (or dinner plates, whatever it is you use) on the floor, and lie down among them--save a lot of travel expense that way, get the same experience!
thanks for the elaboration; the north sounds great.
Terrible to hear about the disrespect at the Skellig Rocks. I hate to say I am all too familiar with cigarette butts. Here at the beach in the summer, the sand is littered with them (pardon the weak pun). I just can't get my head around the mind of these people. You come to the beach because it is beautiful, unlike, say, AN ASHTRAY; yet you apparently think nothing of turning it into an ashtray. Why not just stay at home, place your ashtrays (or dinner plates, whatever it is you use) on the floor, and lie down among them--save a lot of travel expense that way, get the same experience!
Jul 19th, 2006, 02:04 PM
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It was infuriating to me too beach. Also, to a pretty good number of other tourists there. There were a couple of tour groups and folks tried to speak to the tour guides to have them translate that this behavior should not be happening. It fell on deaf ears. I try to realize how lucky I am to be in such a place. I hope I get to see it again but it's possible that my footsteps twice might be too much. I have, at least, seen it once. Very special.
Bill
Bill
Jul 21st, 2006, 03:33 PM
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beach dweller,
Antrim (especially the coast) is just spectacular. Bill mentioned some of the highlights. I would add that when you have the chance to take little roads that lead down to the coves and beaches, take them. There are hidden treasures found at the end of them all. Like the pot of gold at the end of all rainbows!
Down is more subtle. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and lonely hiking paths. There are the Mountains of Mourne, Tollymore Forest Park, gardens, castles, towers, eccentric historic houses, Mount Stewart (my must see), ruined abbeys, St. Patrick's grave and first church at Saul (if you believe the press), the Ards Peninsula, Belfast, the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum. Shall I go on?
http://www.armaghanddown.com/
I have stayed in a nice self-catering place there if you want a recommendation.
Antrim (especially the coast) is just spectacular. Bill mentioned some of the highlights. I would add that when you have the chance to take little roads that lead down to the coves and beaches, take them. There are hidden treasures found at the end of them all. Like the pot of gold at the end of all rainbows!
Down is more subtle. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and lonely hiking paths. There are the Mountains of Mourne, Tollymore Forest Park, gardens, castles, towers, eccentric historic houses, Mount Stewart (my must see), ruined abbeys, St. Patrick's grave and first church at Saul (if you believe the press), the Ards Peninsula, Belfast, the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum. Shall I go on?
http://www.armaghanddown.com/
I have stayed in a nice self-catering place there if you want a recommendation.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 06:10 AM
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Irishiningo writes: "I would pick Kerry, Clare, Galway, and Mayo. If you love wild beauty and have time to run up to Donegal, you won't be sorry."
I concur; but you asked: 'why,' so for Mayo I have to say Carne Golf Links in Belmullet, Salmon fishing (and eating) from the Moy river in Ballina, Knock Shrine, Croagh Patrick and Cong (the 'Quiet Man' village), Westport and south thru Connemara to Galway. I don't know if the Aran Islands are in Galway or in Clare; but Doolin, Ennis, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Lahinch and Doonberg Golf links are definitely in County Clare. So is Killimer where you can take a ferry across to Tarbert in County Kerry where you might want to spend your week in Tralee or Dingle: NOT the second week of September when the Horse 'Meet' in Listowel fills up all the lodging for more than 50 mi.
As I recall, Ballybunion is also on the Dingle Peninsula, and you might want to do the Ring of Kerry.
I concur; but you asked: 'why,' so for Mayo I have to say Carne Golf Links in Belmullet, Salmon fishing (and eating) from the Moy river in Ballina, Knock Shrine, Croagh Patrick and Cong (the 'Quiet Man' village), Westport and south thru Connemara to Galway. I don't know if the Aran Islands are in Galway or in Clare; but Doolin, Ennis, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Lahinch and Doonberg Golf links are definitely in County Clare. So is Killimer where you can take a ferry across to Tarbert in County Kerry where you might want to spend your week in Tralee or Dingle: NOT the second week of September when the Horse 'Meet' in Listowel fills up all the lodging for more than 50 mi.
As I recall, Ballybunion is also on the Dingle Peninsula, and you might want to do the Ring of Kerry.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 12:50 PM
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Hi sullivan1212..Your post interested me because you mention exploring archeological sites when in Ireland. We have been a number of times, and always seem to be looking for different megalithics, such as stone circles, ringforts, dolmens, etc. Where have you explored? What off the main roads sites have you found? I would be very interested to hear, as we are going again next May for three weeks and would love to have some new places to find...Helen
Jul 22nd, 2006, 03:05 PM
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Laoghaire
Where I go comes from information I have researched from many sources. I would not tell the world where to go to find places that that may exist, because the herd has not found them. Since you have done the same thing I have, you probably travel with "Guide to National & Historic Monuments of Ireland" by Peter Harbison. His many books are always a help. I subsribe to "Archaeology Ireland", a great source for what is known, and the newest discoveries. We spend a lot of time around the wells that are Pre-Christian, and are still used for ancient rites. That is a whole new world for anybody that has the time, we love it. There are many books, but my favorite would be, "Crossing the Circle at the Holy Wells of Ireland", by Brenneman. This will open up a new view for you. Since much of Ireland's history is still underground, you have to learn to "read it". There are professional guides that can be very helpful getting you behind those rock walls, or "way back in". I have an extensive collection, but my travels in Ireland come from plenty of research.
Where I go comes from information I have researched from many sources. I would not tell the world where to go to find places that that may exist, because the herd has not found them. Since you have done the same thing I have, you probably travel with "Guide to National & Historic Monuments of Ireland" by Peter Harbison. His many books are always a help. I subsribe to "Archaeology Ireland", a great source for what is known, and the newest discoveries. We spend a lot of time around the wells that are Pre-Christian, and are still used for ancient rites. That is a whole new world for anybody that has the time, we love it. There are many books, but my favorite would be, "Crossing the Circle at the Holy Wells of Ireland", by Brenneman. This will open up a new view for you. Since much of Ireland's history is still underground, you have to learn to "read it". There are professional guides that can be very helpful getting you behind those rock walls, or "way back in". I have an extensive collection, but my travels in Ireland come from plenty of research.
Jul 23rd, 2006, 06:23 AM
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Thanks again everyone.
IrishEyes, I really appreciate the info on County Down. Sounds like our kind of place. And you are so right about those little single track roads leading down to wonderful beaches. Our favorite so far was either Dog Beach in Connemara or Fintra in County Donegal.
IrishEyes, I really appreciate the info on County Down. Sounds like our kind of place. And you are so right about those little single track roads leading down to wonderful beaches. Our favorite so far was either Dog Beach in Connemara or Fintra in County Donegal.
