Message: My husband and I leave tomorrow evening for 10 days in Ireland, and I was wondering if anyone could offer suggestions to flush out our general itinerary.
Monday - arrive in Shannon, and drive to the Cliffs of Moher, then on to Galway City where we are booked for two nights at the Galway Bay Hotel. Someone suggested we stop off in the town of Doolin for lunch before leaving Clare.
Wednesday morning - drive from Galway to Dingle. We've been told to take a Ferry from Ennis on the River Shannon down to the Dingle/ Kerry area. Stay overnight in Dingle.
Thursday, St. Patrick's Day - see the Ring of Kerry. We've been advised to try to do this by bus, as it will be much more enjoyable than trying to drive it ourselves. Then maybe on to Killarney National park, or do this the next morning?
Stay overnight somewhere in the Kerry/ Killarney area. Anyone know of any special St Paddy's Day activities?
Friday and Saturday - stay two nights in Baltimore, County Cork at Casey's, a hotel owned by my father's cousin. This is the area I've visited before, and look forward to showing my husband Mizen Head, Loch Eine (sp?) lake, and maybe Lis Aard nature preserve, as well as Skibberean, where my dad was raised.
Sunday & Monday - ? leave Baltimore, see the Waterford factory, and other towns/ sights along the South East coast.
Tuesday - arrive in Dublin. Get rid of the rental car. Before flying home on Thursday morning, see the city, the Book of Kells, etc. Dad thought that a rate of 120E per night was quite good for the Gresham Hotel downtown, but does anyone have a suggestion for a good, very central hotel in the city, a little less expensive?
Also, B&B or hotel suggestions in Dingle, Kerry/ Killarney, and those two nights we'll be travelling up the East coast would be greatly appreciated.
My husband and I are in our early-mid thirties, and we like to WALK on our vacations. We just love to see the landscapes and cool architecture, hear some music, do a bit of shopping in cute towns, etc. I'd like to see at least one castle, and was also wondering if driving through the Wicklow mountains is enjoyable at this time of year. The forecast is showers or steady rain most days.
Thanks for any advice you can give!

You will be too early for lunch in Doolin. If you arrive in the early morning, drive to the Cliffs, then along the coast thru the Burren and on to Galway.

On your way to Dingle, drive down the coast thru Lahinch, Kilkee, and take the ferry from Killimer to Tarbert.

I would explore the Dingle Peninsula before I would drive the Ring of Kerry.

Have a great trip. You'll love Mizen Head. The Waterford factory was a very interesting tour.

I am not a huge fdan of the Gresham. I think you could do better closer to the centre of things. Try Jurys Christchurch and another person just listed a good review of the Mercer Jotel Near St Stephens Green.

It never rains steadily for days on end like in the U.S. so if you have a shower in the morning it usually clears up and you get some rainfree time during the day. Rarely does it pour down for more than a day.

Have a nice trip!

S

Along the south coast, east of Cork, is a town called Ardmore. There is a great walk there, I think takes about an hour, called 'The Cliff Walk'. You can get a map fr. the tourist booth by the beach (which is quite beautiful, as well).

If the booth isn't open, ask anyone and they'll be able to give you directions. The ocean is right at your feet and you can see a crane that broke free from a barge during a storm and landed at the bottom of the cliffs. Also one of the few remaining round towers in Ireland.

Before you go have a pint at Paddy Mac's. Nice place and friendly people. There is a B&B in town called Colbert's if you want a place to stay (024 94197).

Youghal is also a neat place to visit. Great shopping and Aherne's is there, great pub and seafood. The movie Moby Dick was filmed here.

Also, south of Cork is a town called Carrigaline where the Carrigaline Pottery is located. Great stuff and they can ship stuff home for you.

After Waterford, on the way to Dublin, can stop at Avoca. Area where Ballykissangel is filmed, very green and lush. We stayed at the Glendale B&B in Avoca. Best breakfasts we've ever had at a B&B. (e-mail: [email protected], phone Margaret at 0402-35780). Great meals at Woodenbridge Hotel (overlooks the golf course) just up the road. Also, make sure to stop at Fitzgerald's for a pint.

Further north can stop at Glendalough. I think you could easily hike and walk all day. There are ruins to see, two lakes and walks in the hills. Also another round tower.

You'll love Ireland. Have fun.

I have several recommendations.

Firstly, try staying at the Mercer Hotel in Dublin. It's ideally situated (less than a two minute walk from Grafton Street--lots of shopping to be done there--and St.Stephen's Green). We got a rate of around 130 euros in October. It was well worth every penny!

If you want to do some walking/hiking, I highly recommend stopping at Glendalough in the Wicklow mountain region. It is simply gorgeous and there are lots of hikes you can do around the lakes and valleys. Glendalough is very "mystical" and has a certain magic about it. It was one of our favorite spots in Ireland.

I would recommend driving the ROK instead of taking a bus. For one thing, buses are not allowed on the Skellig Ring, at the tip of the ROK, which in my opinion is the most beautiful part of the drive. The roads are too narrow and steep for buses, but its fine for cars. Just drive slowly and watch what's coming the other way.

Instead of staying in Killarney, stay in Kenmare. It's a small town, filled with charm. Killarney is big and touristy. Also, Kenmare is a great base for driving the Ring of Kerry.

Good luck and have a wonderful time!!

Why not come North, take freeway M1 north to Dundalk, then N1 to border to Newry (there is no stops, customs etc. on road- u just keep driving (open border, inter EU). See 'Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to sea'.Check out Hilltown - drive thru to Kilkeel and then Rostrevor(home village of present President of Ireland). Go via the Spelga Pass, ask anyone in Hilltown,then back to Newry via Warrenpoint. An easy day trip from from Dublin.

Just wanted to say thanks to those of you who offered advice, much of which we followed. The Greenmount B&B in Dingle was wonderful, and Killarney National Park was great...we walked out to the Torc waterfall as well. We had a lot of rain, and feel that we took on too much driving for the 10 day trip, but all in all, it was great. Thanks again.

Dear Deb, Hope you will write more of a detailed report when you get the time. I'll be staying at Greenmount House in about ten days from now. I'm really getting excited about the trip. Thank you for reporting back and write more. Sincerely, Joan

Details, details!! We want details!!

Seriously, hope you had a great trip!!

Its very hard to explain to folks going to Ireland that you can't plan too much in one day (esp. in Winter) because the driving takes so long. They have to experience it for themselves.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!
Shadow

Deb www.odriscolls.me.uk Its a web site maintained by Dave Driscoll of the UK. Has a world of inof on the O'Driscoll clan and the history of the Baltimore area in general. Lot so pictures. Hope you enjoy it.