Lost in Ireland: Just Wing it or Print out detailed DRIVING directions?
Jun 24th, 2006, 01:12 PM
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Lost in Ireland: Just Wing it or Print out detailed DRIVING directions?
Please tell me how you planned the driving routes for your trip to Ireland. We are leaving soon in July for our first trip.
I want to know the most enjoyable, least frustrating way of getting delightfully lost in misty Ireland.
I have 3 tourist maps and the OSI Complete Road Atlas of Ireland (which includes place names in Gaelic.)
Does anyone recommend an additional map? (I collect travel stuff as souveneirs, can never have enough!)
Does anyone print out detailed directions from AA Roadwatch before they leave?
But what if you aren't sure of the route you want to take and not sure of the stops you will make along the way...
Our itinerary:
Fly into Shannon. Rent car.
1 night: Bunratty
3 nights: Dingle
3 nights: Ballyvaughan
3 nights: Westport, County Mayo
2 nights: Bushmills area, Northern Ireland
2 nights: Hillsborough (south of Belfast, Northern Ireland)
1 night: Malahide
Fly home from Dublin
What to see enroute from Bunratty to Dingle?
What to see enroute from Dingle to Ballyvaughan? Coastal route? Inland route?
What to see enroute from Ballyvaughan to Westport?
What to see enroute from Westport to Bushmills?
Telling me to stop planning is like telling the wind to stop blowing, by the way. That's what we do. That's what we are!
And yes, we are looking forward to spontaneous moments.
Thank you for any advice about driving, routes, how to plan the routes, or stops enroute!
I want to know the most enjoyable, least frustrating way of getting delightfully lost in misty Ireland.
I have 3 tourist maps and the OSI Complete Road Atlas of Ireland (which includes place names in Gaelic.)
Does anyone recommend an additional map? (I collect travel stuff as souveneirs, can never have enough!)
Does anyone print out detailed directions from AA Roadwatch before they leave?
But what if you aren't sure of the route you want to take and not sure of the stops you will make along the way...
Our itinerary:
Fly into Shannon. Rent car.
1 night: Bunratty
3 nights: Dingle
3 nights: Ballyvaughan
3 nights: Westport, County Mayo
2 nights: Bushmills area, Northern Ireland
2 nights: Hillsborough (south of Belfast, Northern Ireland)
1 night: Malahide
Fly home from Dublin
What to see enroute from Bunratty to Dingle?
What to see enroute from Dingle to Ballyvaughan? Coastal route? Inland route?
What to see enroute from Ballyvaughan to Westport?
What to see enroute from Westport to Bushmills?
Telling me to stop planning is like telling the wind to stop blowing, by the way. That's what we do. That's what we are!
And yes, we are looking forward to spontaneous moments.Thank you for any advice about driving, routes, how to plan the routes, or stops enroute!
Jun 24th, 2006, 01:36 PM
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We wing it. The Ordnance Survey is very good for the most part. I can't recall finding better.
I can not recall anything that I've been terribly interesting between Bunratty and Dingle until you arrive on the peninsula itself. Some people like Adare though. Once on the peninsula, the Connor pass of course. My favorite sites on Dingle are west of Dingle town.
In that you are based in Ballyvaughan for several days, I'd recommend the coastal route from Dingle. Taking the ferry, you could pass through Kilkee and Lahinch, on towards the Cliffs of Moher. Since you do have a base in the area, this would allow you to day trip back out to the Burren, see the Dolmen, etc.
Enroute to Westport, Connemara is a deviation, and admittedly a region more than a site, but hugely interesting to me. One could navigate a coastal route through Clifden, but I actually like the Lough Inagh route inland as well, making a northly turn at Maam Cross. It's not a long drive, but beautiful and isolated. There's also Cong and the whole area around Lough Corrib. A wealth of choices in that area.
Enjoy your trip!
I can not recall anything that I've been terribly interesting between Bunratty and Dingle until you arrive on the peninsula itself. Some people like Adare though. Once on the peninsula, the Connor pass of course. My favorite sites on Dingle are west of Dingle town.
In that you are based in Ballyvaughan for several days, I'd recommend the coastal route from Dingle. Taking the ferry, you could pass through Kilkee and Lahinch, on towards the Cliffs of Moher. Since you do have a base in the area, this would allow you to day trip back out to the Burren, see the Dolmen, etc.
Enroute to Westport, Connemara is a deviation, and admittedly a region more than a site, but hugely interesting to me. One could navigate a coastal route through Clifden, but I actually like the Lough Inagh route inland as well, making a northly turn at Maam Cross. It's not a long drive, but beautiful and isolated. There's also Cong and the whole area around Lough Corrib. A wealth of choices in that area.
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 24th, 2006, 11:56 PM
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Clifton, it's kind of you to make suggestions of routes and stops for our trip.
Well, if there's "nothing terribly interesting" between BUNRATTY and DINGLE until we hit the Dingle Peninsula, I have an idea. We may just spend the morning in the Bunratty Folk Park, and then head for Dingle after lunch.
Since we have 3 nights in Dingle hopefully we can do the Connor Pass and see the sites west of Dingle on the peninsula, as you suggest.
I like your suggestion for the DINGLE to BALLYVAUGHAN route. Taking the Tarbert ferry and passing through Kilkee and Lehinch, we would be on the coast. Do you think we would have time for a detour down to Loop Head from Kilkee, and is that worthwhile? We could see the Cliffs of Moher also before driving on to find our b&b in Ballyvaughan.
It sounds like there are several lovely routes from BALLYVAUGHAN to WESTPORT. I see the coastal route on my Atlas from Ballyvaughan to Galway, then through Roundstone and Clifden...
I also see Cong and the area around Lough Corrib.
It is a bit more confusing to figure out what you mean by the Lough Inagh route inland...which road is that? I do see Lough Inagh on the atlas, east of the Twelve Pins, but I'm not sure which road is your "beautiful and isolated" Lough Inagh route.
All 3 of those Ballyvaughan to Westport routes sound intriguing!
Thanks very much for your suggestions, Clifton. \
/ Chatting with you has helped me get a better sense for the many treasures we will have to choose between. I'm also getting better at reading the OSI Atlas!
Well, if there's "nothing terribly interesting" between BUNRATTY and DINGLE until we hit the Dingle Peninsula, I have an idea. We may just spend the morning in the Bunratty Folk Park, and then head for Dingle after lunch.
Since we have 3 nights in Dingle hopefully we can do the Connor Pass and see the sites west of Dingle on the peninsula, as you suggest.
I like your suggestion for the DINGLE to BALLYVAUGHAN route. Taking the Tarbert ferry and passing through Kilkee and Lehinch, we would be on the coast. Do you think we would have time for a detour down to Loop Head from Kilkee, and is that worthwhile? We could see the Cliffs of Moher also before driving on to find our b&b in Ballyvaughan.
It sounds like there are several lovely routes from BALLYVAUGHAN to WESTPORT. I see the coastal route on my Atlas from Ballyvaughan to Galway, then through Roundstone and Clifden...
I also see Cong and the area around Lough Corrib.
It is a bit more confusing to figure out what you mean by the Lough Inagh route inland...which road is that? I do see Lough Inagh on the atlas, east of the Twelve Pins, but I'm not sure which road is your "beautiful and isolated" Lough Inagh route.
All 3 of those Ballyvaughan to Westport routes sound intriguing!
Thanks very much for your suggestions, Clifton. \
/ Chatting with you has helped me get a better sense for the many treasures we will have to choose between. I'm also getting better at reading the OSI Atlas!
Jun 25th, 2006, 01:32 AM
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Hi Melissa,
If my memory is correct it was about a year ago when you started planning this trip and it seemed so far away, now it is just around the corner! When you you leave? Hope you have all chores sorted out at home or are you a last minute person!
Westport to Bushmills is going to be a long day and I would take an AA print out - you might not use it but it is no fun being lost if you are tired.
There are two ways to go
1. Through Donegal town (most direct 187 miles on roadwatch)
After Sligo the road continues along the coast through Ballyshannon (nice town) to Donegal town (another nice town). Then inland through Ballybofey (nice town) crossing the border at Strabane (poorest town in Ireland). Onwards through Derry to Bushmills.
2. Via Omagh (longer 205 miles)
Westport to Ballyshannon the same as above but cross the border at Belleek (famous pottery factory) and onwards to Kesh travelling along the shores of Lough Erne (nice drive). From there to Omagh. On the main road from Omagh to Strabane is The Ulster American Folk Park which might be of interest to you if you have the time. From Strabane the same as above.
This is going to be a long day however your travelling after Bushmills are all short.
Have a lovely trip
Helen
If my memory is correct it was about a year ago when you started planning this trip and it seemed so far away, now it is just around the corner! When you you leave? Hope you have all chores sorted out at home or are you a last minute person!
Westport to Bushmills is going to be a long day and I would take an AA print out - you might not use it but it is no fun being lost if you are tired.
There are two ways to go
1. Through Donegal town (most direct 187 miles on roadwatch)
After Sligo the road continues along the coast through Ballyshannon (nice town) to Donegal town (another nice town). Then inland through Ballybofey (nice town) crossing the border at Strabane (poorest town in Ireland). Onwards through Derry to Bushmills.
2. Via Omagh (longer 205 miles)
Westport to Ballyshannon the same as above but cross the border at Belleek (famous pottery factory) and onwards to Kesh travelling along the shores of Lough Erne (nice drive). From there to Omagh. On the main road from Omagh to Strabane is The Ulster American Folk Park which might be of interest to you if you have the time. From Strabane the same as above.
This is going to be a long day however your travelling after Bushmills are all short.
Have a lovely trip
Helen
Jun 25th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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Melissa - the Lough Inagh road is the one that OSI shows skirting along the lake. R344. Nice views of the 12 Pins (small mountains) all around the lake. I've only driven the other inland North/South Connemara road, the R336, as far north as Maum, then turned east. I understand it's also scenic all the way to Leenane.
I couldn't say on the Loop head detour. I've missed it so far for some reason, but enjoy the Clare coast in general, so I'd guess it would be worth a look.
And keep in mind re: Bunratty to Dingle, I just mean that I couldn't find much that suited *me*. But lots of people love Adare (it is in guidebooks after all) for instance, and love the folk park, but I tend to be biased more towards either scenic or everyday Irish experiences, whereas both Adare and Bunratty seemed too tourist ready for my own tastes. Not a recommendation there as much as explaining the gap in my feedback! Hopefully others will fill the gap.
Wow, July's just around the corner. Don't worry too much.. do leave a room for whimsy. Our favorite to-do is just to spot some tiny sign that says "castle ->", and make a sudden right up a small road to check it out. It's so peaceful outside the major cities and sights... It'll easily change your rhythm.
Jun 25th, 2006, 12:34 PM
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Helen, you must be the guardian angel for Northern Ireland tourists. Thanks for being so helpful throughout my planning!
Thanks for the route suggestions for Westport to Bushmills. I will take an AA printout with me as you suggest since it's a long drive. I like the first route you suggest, through Sligo, Donegal town, Ballybofey, and Derry. Lots to see! From this route can we see the famous Benbulben in the distance, which inspired Yeats? (I like poetry and scenery.) I also like a route which has nice scenery and lots of nice little villages to stop in.
The second route you suggest does have the intriguing Ulster American Folk Park. But since we will be seeing the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, I think we can skip that one.
We arrive in Ireland in the first half of July! During our 15-night stay in Ireland, we have 2 nights at a guesthouse in the countryside near Bushmills, and 2 nights at a lovely old farmhouse in Hillsborough. We will be visiting your city of Belfast on Friday, July 21. We will return to Hillsborough before dark. I once had your e-mail address but cannot find it in my many files. Mine is [email protected]. I would be pleased to hear from you but write "Belfast" in the subject line, so I will know it's you. I delete all unsolicited e-mails without opening them. If it was convenient my family would be pleased to meet you and your sister and buy you a drink.
Thanks for the route suggestions for Westport to Bushmills. I will take an AA printout with me as you suggest since it's a long drive. I like the first route you suggest, through Sligo, Donegal town, Ballybofey, and Derry. Lots to see! From this route can we see the famous Benbulben in the distance, which inspired Yeats? (I like poetry and scenery.) I also like a route which has nice scenery and lots of nice little villages to stop in.
The second route you suggest does have the intriguing Ulster American Folk Park. But since we will be seeing the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, I think we can skip that one.
We arrive in Ireland in the first half of July! During our 15-night stay in Ireland, we have 2 nights at a guesthouse in the countryside near Bushmills, and 2 nights at a lovely old farmhouse in Hillsborough. We will be visiting your city of Belfast on Friday, July 21. We will return to Hillsborough before dark. I once had your e-mail address but cannot find it in my many files. Mine is [email protected]. I would be pleased to hear from you but write "Belfast" in the subject line, so I will know it's you. I delete all unsolicited e-mails without opening them. If it was convenient my family would be pleased to meet you and your sister and buy you a drink.
Jun 25th, 2006, 12:44 PM
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Clifton, thanks for clarifying about the R344 road...the Lough Inagh road. It sounds like all the routes from Ballyvaughan to Westport are scenic! Hard to choose among them.
We do love scenic and "everyday Irish" experiences, as you mention. We even enjoy checking out grocery stores while traveling.
I usually include a few dabs of touristy stuff in each trip, but not an overload. Bunratty is a convenient first night stop near the airport. (Coming from LAX with major jet lag.)
We will definitely look out for any small signs saying "castle" or any whimsical detours! I appreciate all your thoughts.
We do love scenic and "everyday Irish" experiences, as you mention. We even enjoy checking out grocery stores while traveling.
I usually include a few dabs of touristy stuff in each trip, but not an overload. Bunratty is a convenient first night stop near the airport. (Coming from LAX with major jet lag.)We will definitely look out for any small signs saying "castle" or any whimsical detours! I appreciate all your thoughts.
Jun 25th, 2006, 01:12 PM
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Hi Melissa5
I have been to Ireland twice. The first time, we just winged it with basic map of Ireland and map of Dublin. The second time, we printed out the AAA direction. While we made some adjustments to the AAA directions once we were in Ireland, I found them to be extremely helpful.
Also, on the first trip, I did not go to Bunratty for the usual reasons, too touristy. On the second trip, my sister talked me into going and I am so glad I did. I found it absolutely charming. Sometimes at work during a boring meeting, I will find myself sitting in the beautiful enclosed garden listening to the birds singing.
I also love grocery stores in other countries. I was at an Irish Fair yesterday, I smiled broadly went I picked up a bottle of salad cream.
I have been to Ireland twice. The first time, we just winged it with basic map of Ireland and map of Dublin. The second time, we printed out the AAA direction. While we made some adjustments to the AAA directions once we were in Ireland, I found them to be extremely helpful.
Also, on the first trip, I did not go to Bunratty for the usual reasons, too touristy. On the second trip, my sister talked me into going and I am so glad I did. I found it absolutely charming. Sometimes at work during a boring meeting, I will find myself sitting in the beautiful enclosed garden listening to the birds singing.
I also love grocery stores in other countries. I was at an Irish Fair yesterday, I smiled broadly went I picked up a bottle of salad cream.
Jun 26th, 2006, 08:59 AM
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Melissa,
You will love Donegal
Unfortunatly i will making my way to Prague for trip in central Europe and austria and my sister will be at Yellowstone Park in the US.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful time in Ireland and most importantly find your grandmother.
Have a super trip
Helen
You will love Donegal
Unfortunatly i will making my way to Prague for trip in central Europe and austria and my sister will be at Yellowstone Park in the US.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful time in Ireland and most importantly find your grandmother.
Have a super trip
Helen
Jun 26th, 2006, 09:10 PM
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roadlesstravelled: Thanks for your reply. Enjoy the salad cream and your memories of Ireland.
Helen, enjoy Prague and Austria, and I know your sister will enjoy Yellowstone! We loved it. Thanks for all your help. I plan to post one last question about Northern Ireland...
ilovetotravel29: Yes I think we should "wing it" a bit but have some printed out maps as back-up too. Right now we are still stressing about finding out (belatedly) that none of our credit cards cover the CDW for Ireland! We didn't realize our coverage had changed. WE may just have to pay for the CDW at the rental car place it looks like. So printing out directions is seeming like an easy problem to solve right now...Sigh...
Thanks for everyone's responses!
Helen, enjoy Prague and Austria, and I know your sister will enjoy Yellowstone! We loved it. Thanks for all your help. I plan to post one last question about Northern Ireland...
ilovetotravel29: Yes I think we should "wing it" a bit but have some printed out maps as back-up too. Right now we are still stressing about finding out (belatedly) that none of our credit cards cover the CDW for Ireland! We didn't realize our coverage had changed. WE may just have to pay for the CDW at the rental car place it looks like. So printing out directions is seeming like an easy problem to solve right now...Sigh...
Thanks for everyone's responses!
Jun 26th, 2006, 10:05 PM
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Hi Melissa,
I loved the route from Westport to Sligo to Donegal and then to Derry. You can see how a poet would be haunted by Benbulben. You'll be in a hurry but let me recommend a couple of stops for your Westport to Mayo day. Unless you get an early stop you'll only have time for one.
First, near Sligo, are the Carrowmore megalithic tombs. Fascinating and a great short tour from the parks guide. Second: Derry. The walled city and the murals are worth seeing. (The other route - we were disappointed in the Ulster folk park.)
Ballyvaughan to Westport - ah the options! We went via Lough Corrib and stopped at Aughnanure. I regret not seeing Roundstone but the drive was starting to seem so long.
But in general, we found wonderful routes for the days when we had more time. I'd take my map and look for the route less traveled. If it was marked as scenic or had interesting things along the way, that was my route. We saw a lot of sheep but also found the most beautiful vistas.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip!
I loved the route from Westport to Sligo to Donegal and then to Derry. You can see how a poet would be haunted by Benbulben. You'll be in a hurry but let me recommend a couple of stops for your Westport to Mayo day. Unless you get an early stop you'll only have time for one.
First, near Sligo, are the Carrowmore megalithic tombs. Fascinating and a great short tour from the parks guide. Second: Derry. The walled city and the murals are worth seeing. (The other route - we were disappointed in the Ulster folk park.)
Ballyvaughan to Westport - ah the options! We went via Lough Corrib and stopped at Aughnanure. I regret not seeing Roundstone but the drive was starting to seem so long.
But in general, we found wonderful routes for the days when we had more time. I'd take my map and look for the route less traveled. If it was marked as scenic or had interesting things along the way, that was my route. We saw a lot of sheep but also found the most beautiful vistas.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip!
Jun 27th, 2006, 11:09 AM
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rosetravels, thanks for the route suggestions. Your enthusiasm is catching, now finding the best route seems exciting and less like a chore!\/
I'm looking forward to that Westport to Sligo to Donegal to Derry route, en route from WEstport to Bushmills. Can you actually see Benbulben from the route? This way we could get a peak at Sligo and Donegal, which I regretted not fitting into our trip.
We don't really need to see the Ulster American Folk Park, since we are planning to see the Ulster Folk Park and Transport Museum in Cultra.
I am considering the Carrowmore Megalithic tombs. It's a long day of driving from Westport to Bushmills, so we can't make a lot of long stops. But a lot of people have mentioned those tombs. Since we're not going to Newgrange, maybe Carrowmore would be a good stop.
Looking forward to scenic routes and the "road less travelled"! Thanks everybody.
/I'm looking forward to that Westport to Sligo to Donegal to Derry route, en route from WEstport to Bushmills. Can you actually see Benbulben from the route? This way we could get a peak at Sligo and Donegal, which I regretted not fitting into our trip.
We don't really need to see the Ulster American Folk Park, since we are planning to see the Ulster Folk Park and Transport Museum in Cultra.
I am considering the Carrowmore Megalithic tombs. It's a long day of driving from Westport to Bushmills, so we can't make a lot of long stops. But a lot of people have mentioned those tombs. Since we're not going to Newgrange, maybe Carrowmore would be a good stop.
Looking forward to scenic routes and the "road less travelled"! Thanks everybody.
Jun 27th, 2006, 06:57 PM
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Hi Melissa,
We went to both Carrowmore and Newgrange and much preferred Carrowmore. It has few visitors so it was a small little tour and the information was detailed. It trained us to scan the tops of the hills for cairns.
Benbulben is huge and you drive right by it between Sligo and Donegal.
I'd give you advice for my favorite Donegal to Derry roads but that's a long drive and I don't want to tempt you!
We went to both Carrowmore and Newgrange and much preferred Carrowmore. It has few visitors so it was a small little tour and the information was detailed. It trained us to scan the tops of the hills for cairns.
Benbulben is huge and you drive right by it between Sligo and Donegal.
I'd give you advice for my favorite Donegal to Derry roads but that's a long drive and I don't want to tempt you!
Jun 27th, 2006, 07:26 PM
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Have a wonderful time on your trip! And don't forget that some of the best memories are made from losing your way, dropping into a pub for directions, and never leaving the little spot you've stumbled upon. From one who knows . . .
Insightful question . . . Enjoy it all and doing both!
Insightful question . . . Enjoy it all and doing both!
Jun 27th, 2006, 08:11 PM
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To Melissa, I recently returned from a 3-week car trip to Ireland with my husband and another couple. And I tell you that no amount of maps will keep you from getting lost. We had 3 and we all have good sense of directions. The Irish do not believe in road signs!!!!!!!! Oh they have a few -- but not like we do here. Most if not all of our frustrations were because we couldn't get there from here. In Sligo we asked a policeman for directions to the tourist office (we could see it on the map and the church steeple that it was close to) He replied that we cross the river, turn right and then ask someone else. My advise -- go with the flow. Try not to travel thru towns during rush hours. We were told by an Irish person -- "Do not ask directions from a Irishman, because they are too proud to let it be known they don't know the way." That proved to be the case only in a couple of rare occasions. Ask directions. But know that the street signs just are not the same.
And last but not least. DO NOT RENT A CAR FROM HERTZ!!!!!!!!! We paid them about $900 US dollars for a larger stationwagon that could hold luggage for 5 people. We knew that there would be additional fees for the extra insurance, 2nd driver and taxes. But we were charged and additional $1400 because the stationwagon they had was small and couldn't hold the luggage of 4 people. We had 4 large suitcases & 4 small carry-ons. The taxes were over $200. They really took us for a ride!
Good luck and have fun -- we did.
And last but not least. DO NOT RENT A CAR FROM HERTZ!!!!!!!!! We paid them about $900 US dollars for a larger stationwagon that could hold luggage for 5 people. We knew that there would be additional fees for the extra insurance, 2nd driver and taxes. But we were charged and additional $1400 because the stationwagon they had was small and couldn't hold the luggage of 4 people. We had 4 large suitcases & 4 small carry-ons. The taxes were over $200. They really took us for a ride!
Good luck and have fun -- we did.
Jun 28th, 2006, 12:20 AM
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rosetravels, another vote for Carrowmore I see! Well now I don't feel so bad that we're missing Newgrange.
I think I have to drive from Donegal to Derry anyway, since we are actually traveling from Westport all the way to Bushmills in one day. So if you want to advise on this go ahead! I'm delighted to hear we will "see" Benbulben, as I've been curious to see it. I love poetry and am always curious to see what inspires other poets.
Molloy95, thanks, we will enjoy both as well!
carkat, I'm glad you had fun despite getting lost. I guess we should plan to get lost. In fact I want to get a compass...and learn how to use it! (I have no sense of direction though hubby is pretty good.)
I think I have to drive from Donegal to Derry anyway, since we are actually traveling from Westport all the way to Bushmills in one day. So if you want to advise on this go ahead! I'm delighted to hear we will "see" Benbulben, as I've been curious to see it. I love poetry and am always curious to see what inspires other poets.
Molloy95, thanks, we will enjoy both as well!
carkat, I'm glad you had fun despite getting lost. I guess we should plan to get lost. In fact I want to get a compass...and learn how to use it! (I have no sense of direction though hubby is pretty good.)
Jun 29th, 2006, 12:27 PM
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just returned...
bunratty to dingle-would go straight to dingle, nice town(we stopped at adare-hohum)via connors pass, enjoy the town, maybe see funghi, then you have 1 day to enjoy slea head, and 1 day for activities -parts of our group enjoyed golf(Dingle Golf Club-20-30min. from town), pitch-putt(just over bridge out of town), and horse back riding-Long's/Ventry, shopping (if want to do beach schedule early as pos...mountain ride was nice too).
dingle to ballyvaughan-take ferry, then up coast stopping at small towns, cliffs
to westport-via cong...take paths past abbey thru woods over bridge...explore westport...then you have one day to go south to connemara...stop at famine ship sculpture/foot of croagh patrick...walk up a bit, thru doo lough valley, stop at falls at delphi, walk on peat bog, kylemore abbey, at clifden do sky road!
next day explore north of westport
on way to bushmills thru sligo, you can make a quick stop at yeats grave, doubt you'll have time- but a guided tour of walls/murals in derry (ask for caroline!) is very interesting...
directions...even with Irish driver/guide still made a couple of wrong turns...plan extra time!
---The first step in the journey is to lose your way...
Galway Kinnell
bunratty to dingle-would go straight to dingle, nice town(we stopped at adare-hohum)via connors pass, enjoy the town, maybe see funghi, then you have 1 day to enjoy slea head, and 1 day for activities -parts of our group enjoyed golf(Dingle Golf Club-20-30min. from town), pitch-putt(just over bridge out of town), and horse back riding-Long's/Ventry, shopping (if want to do beach schedule early as pos...mountain ride was nice too).
dingle to ballyvaughan-take ferry, then up coast stopping at small towns, cliffs
to westport-via cong...take paths past abbey thru woods over bridge...explore westport...then you have one day to go south to connemara...stop at famine ship sculpture/foot of croagh patrick...walk up a bit, thru doo lough valley, stop at falls at delphi, walk on peat bog, kylemore abbey, at clifden do sky road!
next day explore north of westport
on way to bushmills thru sligo, you can make a quick stop at yeats grave, doubt you'll have time- but a guided tour of walls/murals in derry (ask for caroline!) is very interesting...
directions...even with Irish driver/guide still made a couple of wrong turns...plan extra time!
---The first step in the journey is to lose your way...
Galway Kinnell
Jun 29th, 2006, 12:36 PM
#19
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Another thing to remember
You do not get from point A to point B in Ireland easily. The roads are narrow and meander slightly through the hills. The scenery is beautiful so just go along, stop where your fancy takes you and just enjoy.
I've enjoyed Bunratty and find the medieval feast to be great. However, I'm still searching for Tippararry because each time we stopped for directions we were told "Ahhhh, it's a looonnng way to Tippararry!!
You do not get from point A to point B in Ireland easily. The roads are narrow and meander slightly through the hills. The scenery is beautiful so just go along, stop where your fancy takes you and just enjoy.
I've enjoyed Bunratty and find the medieval feast to be great. However, I'm still searching for Tippararry because each time we stopped for directions we were told "Ahhhh, it's a looonnng way to Tippararry!!
Jun 30th, 2006, 12:11 AM
#20
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chip, thanks for all those enticing suggestions. Every time I hear about Dingle, I realize I could probably have spend our entire trip there and been contented! But I am pleased we have 3 nights there. Can't pass up Yeats grave either.
LN: Think of all the adventures you will have continuing your search for Tiperrary!
LN: Think of all the adventures you will have continuing your search for Tiperrary!
