chayes

After a long thread with lots of help, I have new questions. You all have been wonderful. I can't decide where else to go. I have the following:
1. Dublin
2. Waterford - What to do here? Read about Copper Coast Geopark???
3. Killarney probably-no hotel
4. Killarneyprobably - no hotel
5. Ballynahinch Castle - prob should've put Galway here, but these were the only nights available and I wanted to stay here. I saw it and fell in love. Has anyone stayed here. Do you just stay on the property and do things there? I know the big park is close. We love kayaking and canoeing. Hanging by the water. Is this property close to anything that we should go do? I can't find that out on the web yet.
6. Ballynahinch Castle -2nd nite
7. Galway? Should've gone here before the Bally, but couldn't get the dates. Where should I go. Does 2 nights sound good here as a springboard to explore. Tell me some good things not to miss.
8. Galway?
9. Dublin
10. Home to my grand babies ����
Please give me ideas of what to do in these ideas. My books and maps will be here tomorrow, but I love talking to people who KNOW the land. Lay it on me please!

Tony2phones

Not sure what books and maps you have ordered but if one is by Rick Steves send it back unopened and you will have gained his knowledge of Ireland.

Killarney to Ballynahinch is a fair old drive with the Castle a bit over an hour from Galway which is about 3 hours straight from Killarney. As to Killarney I use the Eviston Hotel or Sunnybank guest house through choice, I drink in O'Connors and Tattler jacks, both of which do good pub grub. Tourbus tourists might prefer the Danny Mann which would remind them of any Irish bar anywhere in the world except Ireland of course, entertainment is provided every night and to be fair sometimes quite decent.

I would though take the direct route maybe fitting Bunratty castle (3 or 4 hours) or Kilmacduagh http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/kilm...bey-co-galway/ (1 hour) & Coole Park http://www.coolepark.ie/ (1 hour) catch lunch in Paddy Burkes in Clarenbridge before Galway on the way past. I might also include Celtic Crystal in Moycullen between Galway and the Connemara but as you will probably have been to Waterford Crystal consider Aughnanure Castle http://www.oughterardtourism.com/mys...nurecastle.htm if you missed Bunratty.

Kylemore Abbey is over the Connemara from Ballynahinch and if you want you could do the pilgrims walk to St Patricks shrine above Recess as you cut through. http://www.ouririshheritage.org/page_id__60.aspx


other points on Connemara can be found on the map I linked in the last question, If you only have 1 night in Galway you could drop through Clare https://goo.gl/UtW24m to Ennis http://www.visitennis.com/and head back to Dublin under Lough Derg http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/ then head across and up to Dublin via the M7

You don't have time to fit everything in,, 57 years and I still find new places.

Padraig

Connemara is the wateriest part of Ireland, with a heavily indented coastline and many freshwater lakes, both large and small. But it's generally not suitable for DIY navigation because it is so rocky. There is an activity centre at Killary that does canoeing, but I know nothing about their programme: http://www.goconnemara.com/listing/k...nture-company/. It might be that they focus, as many such organisations do, on group activities for young people.

Or you might try sea fishing from Roundstone with a local boatman.

Ballynahinch is a country house hotel rather than an activity centre, but they have a trout fishery on a beautiful river, and I think that they also own a lake fishery.

One of my favourite Connemara activities is driving along the coastline, spotting places that look appealing, and doing a little local exploration - a "small is beautiful" approach.

chayes

Well I definitely made my reservations backwards. I should've stayed in Galway 2 nights and then the Bally castle the next 2 nights, but that was the only dates they had open. We will just drive and enjoy every minute. I just have to find a hotel in Killarney and one in Galway. Any suggestions for something really unique?

Padraig

You have to play the cards that you were dealt.

I can't help with unique hotels in Killarney or Galway. It's years since I stayed in Killarney, and in Galway I use the Westwood House (http://www.westwoodhousehotel.com/) which is fine, good value, but not a superior offering.

A lot of people seem to think the G Hotel in Galway is a bit special (http://www.theghotel.ie/index.html). I have never been in it.

If you do settle on Galway, I would revise my itinerary advice on Connemara to take advantage of the fact that you would not be leaving Ballynahinch with a long drive to make.

Ballynahinch Castle was once the home of Richard "Humanity Dick" Martin. Possibly worth a Google search for a potted biography.

chayes

Should we do the Ring of Kerry and/or Dingle Peninsula? Tour or drive ourself?

Padraig

That depends on who you ask!

From Waterford to Killarney you have a choice of routes. My choice would be to stay close to the coast, even though the journey speed would be slower and the time would be greater. Go as far as Kenmare: the drive from Kenmare to Killarney is stunning and, in my opinion, is the best part of the Ring of Kerry.

The Dingle Peninsula is a shorter trip, and I prefer it. It's my principal destination in Kerry, and I go there every year (in fact, I am currently working on arrangements to meet up with a group of people in Dingle next month).

chayes

I love driving slow and stopping a lot. I'm from Texas, which is huge, so I'm used to driving long ways. So I think I will do exactly what you suggested. In Killarney, would you stay by the lake or in town. I can't decide. Thank you so much for all your help!,