Itinerary help - 1 week in Ireland in Aug./Sept.
 

Hello, I need some advice regarding my itinerary. My husband and I are flying into Dublin and out of Shannon in late August/early September. We've already booked our flight. Here's what I have so far:

Days 1 & 2: visit Dublin
Day 3: take the train from Dublin to Cork, pick up our car and drive to Kinsale (hopefully have lunch in Kinsale), drive along the coast to Mizen Head and then on to Kenmare, overnight in Kenmare
Day 4: drive the Ring of Kerry, overnight in Killarney, Killorgin or Castlemaine (??)
Day 5: drive around the Dingle Pen., overnight in Tralee
Day 6: drive from Tralee to the ferry at Killimer, take the ferry over, drive to Doonbeg, overnight in Doonbeg area
Day 7: play Doonbeg, overnight in Doonbeg area
Day 8: drive to the Cliffs of Moher and through the Burren, overnight in Ennis or Bunratty (??)
Day 9: drive to the Shannon airport for 11AM flight

I really want to see the SW portion of Ireland. Am I missing much by taking the train directly from Dublin to Cork? I would like to see Glendalough and Kilkenny, but that would mean I would miss the Cliffs of Moher and possibly the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Pen. or Mizen Head? I'm not interested in the Rock of Cashel. B&B suggestions would also be greatly appreciated (moderate prices). Please advise, thank you!!

amichie,

I can't speak for others, but I'll bet a lot of folks were just overwhelmed with your plans. But I'll take a stab at it.

First, when you say you really want to see the SW portion of Ireland, do you mean that's your top priority? If so, why are you spending, effectively, less than 1/3 of your trip there?

Second, and this point relates to your first, if your goal is to cover as much ground as possible, going as fast as is necessary, you have a pretty good plan. But if you would like to experience Ireland as well as see it from your moving car, I think you are going to have to scale back and not try to see so much--stay in fewer cities (at least 2 nights in each place).

As to specific B&B's, we enjoyed Shelburne Lodge in Kenmare (I have never seen a bad comment about The Lodge in Kenmare either); Greenmount House in Dingle (which reminds me, why stay in Tralee over Dingle?); and as to your last night before flying out of Shannon, if you have an 11:00 a.m. flight, it's a no-brainer: stay in Bunratty (very close to the airport), and we really liked Mary's hospitality at Bunratty Lodge.

ttt

beach dweller,

How about this...

Day 3: take the train...bypass Kinsale and head straight for Mizen Head, then drive on to Kenmare for the night
Day 4: head for Dingle, overnight there
Day 5: explore the Dingle Pen., overnight in Dingle
Day 6: drive from Dingle to the ferry at Killimer, take the ferry to Doonbeg (hubby wants to play Ballybunnion or Doonbeg), overnight in Doonbeg
Day 7: play Doonbeg...
Day 8: Cliffs of Moher, Burren, overnight in Bunratty

I've omitted Kinsale and the Ring of Kerry. I'm traveling with my in-laws and we all want to see Dublin. My husband is a golfer so he and his dad must play somewhere which takes a day. So that's why I was trying to squeeze in (too much obviously) of the SW. I don't know how to stay in each place for two nights (other than Dublin and Dingle). Is driving from Dingle to the ferry at Killimer and then on to Doonbeg doable in one day?

Thank you for any advice! It's hard to plan one week in Scotland and one week in Ireland for four people on your own!

amichie,

you're planning for 4 (including in-laws) for a week in Scotland AND a long week in Ireland??? I should have been more gentle in my response--forgive me if I was too direct.

I think your revised plan looks much better. The drive from Kenmare to Dingle will take no more than 2.5 to 3 hours, so you can explore Kenmare a little on Day 4 or you can stop at Killarney National Park and/or Muckross House on your way from Kenmare to Dingle.

Yes, the drive from Dingle to Doonbeg is very doable in one day (via the Tarbert ferry, as you noted)--in fact, we drove from Dingle to Lahinch (further than Doonbeg) in about 3 hours if I recall correctly (now that was in October, so very little traffic).

Staying in Doonbeg a second night, after golf on Day 7--I realize that's the only way to work it. And you could get an early start and take in the cliffs and lots of the Burren on your way (a clockwise loop) back to Bunratty, as you said.

From Cork to Kenmare via Mizen Head is going to be a pretty long (but very scenic) drive. Just make sure that your train gets you to Cork early enough to do that drive. We used this website to estimate driving times and get directions (http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...MaHomePage.htm). You're probably looking at 5 to 5.5 hours of driving from Cork to Mizen Head and then Mizen Head to Kenmare.

Have a great time!

amichie: I like your new itineray. I trained from Dublin down to Cork one year and loved the train ride. At that time they had a first class coach, which meant they took care of your luggage and had a nice place for refreshments. It was very scenic and relaxing. The rest of your trip looks great. Have a great trip. Joan

beach dweller,

Your response makes me feel much better! I'm glad this revised plan is doable!

for anyone,

Regarding the drive to Kenmare, I've read on this post about scenic routes along a "tunnel road" or "Healy Pass". Am I correct about that and can anyone give me any details?

Also, the drive from Kenmare to Dingle...is there a particularly scenic route we should take?

Lastly, regarding the prices for the train ride from Dublin to Cork. I went to the website for the rail service and read one ticket will cost roughly 52 pounds. Does that sound correct and are there any cheaper fares?

Thank you so much for everyone's help!

Anne