Itinerary set (sort of) for 7 nights in Ireland
 

Hi. I posted several weeks ago and got great advice. I'm traveling in late July with my husband, my 19- and 23-year-old daughters, and my mother-in-law (79 but good to go). We land in Dublin in the morning, get a car and our first two nights are in Waterford. Then two nights in Killearny, two nights in Galway, one night in Dublin, and off to London. We're pretty laid-back travelers, want to see cool stuff during the day, find a pub in the evening and get up and go the next day.

We arrive at about 9 a.m, so I figure we'll head straight to Waterford. I see there's a national park sort of on the way, and normally I would be interested in checking it out. But I think that, as I'm getting used to driving (plus after flying all night) it would be better to go straight to Waterford, check into the hotel and catch my breath. Which leads to question No. 1: What is Waterford like? I have a feeling it's a nice town, but other than the crystal (which has little interest, except to my mother-in-law) I don't know anything about it.

Next day, I plan to spend the day in Kilkenny. That's the only must-do on my mother-in-law's list, and it sounds like a cool place. Then we'll head back to our hotel (and a pub) in Waterford.

Up and out to Killearny the next morning. Again, I'd like to get the driving out of the way, but if there's anything I shouldn't miss on the way, please let me know. Once we're settled in there, I thought we'd explore the nearby park.

The next day will be a full day, and I'd like to see the Ring of Kerry. Which leads to question No. 2: Is it going to be a tourist disaster, or is that chatter overblown? Somebody suggested a similar, less congested drive, which I might prefer if the Ring of Kerry will be crazy.

Then, the next day, we're off to Galway. Again, I'd like to get there, check in and then explore nearby that day. Now, question No. 3: What do you suggest we do for that part-day in Galway? I plan to go to the Cliffs of Moher the next day.

After that, it's off to Dublin. I see that we'll pass the River Shannon, and I'd like to pull off the road on the way if there's a scenic stop on the river - any ideas on that? (One of my daughters is named Shannon.) One regret is that we'll only have the rest of that day and night in Dublin, but that's the way it worked out.

Sorry to go on for so long. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.

Just a quick comment >>What is Waterford like? I have a feeling it's a nice town, but other than the crystal (which has little interest, except to my mother-in-law) I don't know anything about it.<<

You will find the crystal for sale all over the country -- Me personally, on such a short trip I'd skip Waterford entirely.

I thought you had 8 days before London, never mind, But I still recommend flying into Dublin and from Shannon or Cork to London.

I don't recommend heading to Waterford straight of a red eye. If you heed the advice for SNN/ORK to London then start with 2 days for Dublin if you are in and out of Dublin then reverse the tour and head straight to Galway, its all motorway so less stressful than N & R roads as an introduction to driving. Or just head to Kilkenny direct for Night One.

Ring of Kerry is an easy drive set out from Killarney at 9.30 am and take in the Skellig ring to Valentia Island round by Skellig Chocolates to Waterville and returning to the ring. As tour bus's don't do this section of Iveragh they will have passed you by the time you get back to the main road.

Split the drive between Killarney and Galway in Adare or my choice Ennis which means you have a full day to take your time for the Burren and Cliffs (maybe visit the Perfumery?) But this might depend on your departure to London Airport?

If you don't go to Waterford then call into Celtic Crystal in Moycullen just west of Galway http://www.celticcrystalireland.com/visitor-centre

Unfortunately, I can't change where or when I stay or fly. It's a fly/drive package deal. From what I can see, I think I'd much rather stay in Kilkenny than Waterford, but we'll make the best of it.

I'm most interested in whether we should pull off anywhere for a quick stop between these cities. Also, it looks like the M9 is the most direct route from Dublin to Waterford, but my daughter (and navigator) suggested the M11/N11 as it goes along the coast. Any thoughts on this?

Tony, your advice about the Skellig ring and Valentia Island, plus the suggestion of Ennis or Adare, is just what I was looking for -- thank you.

Along the M6 from Galway to Dublin, it looks like there is a park along the River Shannon. (It's a green area on Google maps, but no park name is given.) Any ideas on a scenic place to pull off in that area?

Between Galway and Dublin if you drop down to Clonmacnoise you kill 2 birds with 1 stone, the Shannon and a historical site, http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/mid.../clonmacnoise/

Just get to Waterford. safe. only you know how jet lag and general tiredness body clock malfunction will effect you but for me getting to location one is more important than what you see on the way. And trust me the M11 isn't any more exciting than the M9.

So you have:
Land Dublin go to Waterford for 2 nights?
Waterford to Killarney for 2 nights?
Killarney to Galway for 2 nights?
Galway to Dublin for 1 night before an Edinburgh flight?

For my own curiosity who is this package with?

And for your benefit double check what the Drive package includes? car size/group, insurance, fuel policy.

More good advice, Tony. Thanks again!

You have the itinerary right, except we go to London at the end, not Edinburgh.

The car is supposed to seat 6 and come with all insurance. Haven't asked about fuel.

We went through Gate 1 travel. The dates they had for packages didn't quite work, so they customized this one. It's about $2000 each for all flights, hotels in Ireland and the car. Includes trip insurance and a few breakfasts along the way. If that's not a good deal, I'd rather not know!

Sorry working on another similar itinerary, meant London.

Fuel policy is whether you get a refund on the fuel payment if you return the car full.

Gate 1 aren't bad. The deal is always good if you are happy with it.

Good to know -- thanks again, Tony!

Waterford Crystal is interesting but have not been since they stopped making so much of the crystal, think they mostly do trophies now. Still good to support the local craftsmen, it is an art. I was trying to think what else you go do.

http://hookheritage.ie/ about an hour drive south and if a nice day would be a great ride along the coast. We went to Kilmore quay many years ago and it was very pretty.
I know someone that loves Gate 1 so don't worry, just enjoy.

In the Waterford area is New Ross, where you can tour a famine ship the "Dunbrody."

Most of Waterford Crystal is now made in Poland or some such; they do have demonstrations at the Waterford factory but nothing like it once was. There are other crystal factories....Galway (though they don't do tours any more), Kinsale, Celtic Crystal in Moycullen. But you are locked in to Waterford.

As Tony says, between Galway and Dublin you may want to call in at Clonmacnoise where you can stroll down to a dock and actually dip your fingers in the River Shannon. Sort of Irish Hillbilly Handfishing. Ignore the cattle.

I have much preferred the Beara Peninsula to the ROK.

>>> The car is supposed to seat 6 and come with all insurance.
I presume the transmission type, the insurance excess exposure, and the trunk capacity to conceal your luggage while parked are acceptable to you.