More Ireland Questions - Sorry!
 

We are landing in Shannon on Friday afternoon October 8th and driving to Westport. If we spendFriday evening, Sat and Sunday in Westport is that enough time to see all of Connemara and the sights of this region of Ireland? The next day Monday, we would drive to Doolin for one night and then on to Dingle for 4 nights that are already committed. On Saturday we head to Kenmare for 3 nights and then on to Kinsale for 2 and then back to Ennis for a flight on on Friday. Does all of this sound doable?

Any recommendations for Doolin lodging? Any recommendations for Westport lodging? Any recommendations for Kenmare lodging?

Is there time to see the Cliffs of Moher when leaving Westport and driving to Doolin?

Thank you from the Irish Novice

kpilling, how are we to help you if you don't ask questions?? Please don't apologize! We were all novices at one point.

In Westport we stayed at, and enjoyed Seapoint House, 6km outside of town, but on Clew Bay. http://seapointhouse.com/ . Not been to Kenmare or stayed in Doolin, although O'Connor's Farmhouse has gotten good press. http://www.oconnorsdoolin.com/ .

Doolin is very easy from Cliffs of Moher. Not sure of distance/location of Westport.

kpilling, 2 full days will be fine in relation to touring around the Connemara region from Westport.

Are you interested more in B&B's or hotels?

That drive from Shannon to Westport will be 2.5 to 3 hours. If you are flying from the US, that might be on the long side after the flight if you suffer from jet lag. Not impossible, mind, but long. Take it nice and easy, stop often.

I would think again about driving Shannon - Westport on Friday evening. Apart from the travelling time, the possibility of fatigue and the shortening hours of daylight in October, you will also face the Friday evening traffic getting through Galway city.
Solution? Perhaps take a night in Galway and proceed on to Westport on Saturday, driving out to Clifden and taking in Connemara en route, via Leenane.
Sunday could be given over to exploring the area north of Westport - Newport, Mulrany, Achill Island.
No problem including the Cliffs of Moher in your trip on Monday to Doolin.

I have stayed at the Boulevard Guesthouse a few times and have always enjoyed the experience. A very central location ...easy to walk to anywhere in town.

http://www.boulevard-guesthouse.com/

Have had family that have stayed at Boffin Lodge and it was recommended. Located on the Quay road..1/2 mile from the town.

http://www.boffinlodge.com/

If you are interested in hotels, I will be more then happy to give reviews on a few.

Enjoy your visit here.

Thank you all. Hotel recommendations would be terrific.

I would appreciate your input on my layout here.

Keeping in mind that I have to be in Dingle on the 12,13,14 and 15th of October.

We are landing in Shannon on the 8th of October and flying out of Shannon on the 22nd - what direction and time spent,would be the best itinerary for these locals?

Westport, Kenmare, Kinsale, Cobh, Dingle and Doolin?


Thank you all.

Direction really depends on you. I usually prefer to start out in the bigger cities (when travel is still fresh and exciting, and the crowds don't bother me so much) and leave the smaller villages to the end. However, Cobh is the only big city you've got, all the rest are small and charming.

Thats an awful lot of driving...... and I should know - I live in Ireland.

Here's what i suggest:

When you arrive at Shannon Airport, instead of heading north to Westport, head south to Limerick City.

From Limerick City I'd consider a night in Adare (a beatiful village in County Limerick).

Then on to Killarney - which by pure coincidence is my hometown. Killarney - whilst being the most picturesque and tourist friendly town in Ireland with beautiful hotels and restaurants - it is also the best starting/finishing point for the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry - if followed - brings you to the following rural towns in the Southwest of Ireland - Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirsiveen, Waterville, Valentia Island, as well as Kenmare to name but a few.

Following on from Killarney - I'd suggest you head to Dingle for a night or two. When in Dingle be sure to take in the Dingle Peninsula.

Afterwards, from Dingle, consider heading to Tralee, via Annascaul (be sure to pop in to Tom Creans for a real good pint of Guinness) and on to Camp.

From Tralee, you could travel onwards to Tarbert, catching the Shannon Ferry (which crosses the River Shannon) to Killimer which is reasonably close to Shannon Airport.

If this sounds like a trip your interested in..... I'd be more than happy to suggest hotels/restaurants/etc.....

kpilling, there is a brand of Irishman known for his cuteness - and I think you have found one of them - the Kerryman.
Despite allowing you one night in the neighbouring county of Limerick, the other 30 counties of Ireland don't get a look in.
Nothing wrong with County Kerry, mind you......

Thank you for the ideas. But as I mentioned I am locked into 4 nights in Dingle and they are the 12,13,14 and 15th of Oct. So, since I arrive on the 8th in Shannon and must leave on the 22nd, I am looking for the most logical route and days to spend in Westport, Doolin, Kenmare and Kinsale/Cobh - all have to be planned around those 4 days in Dingle. So, should I go to Westport first, Doolin second, Dingle third, Kenmare fourth and Kinsale/Cobh fifth. Or is there a better direction to approach these areas? How many days for each? This is where I am having trouble getting my logical order lined up.

Thank you

I'm working on our first trip to Ireland so I've spent many hours looking at the location of the places you want to visit. I know you are locked into Dingle but Westport seems to be so far away from your other choices are you also locked into going to Westport? From what I've read, you should plan on only being able to drive about 30-40 miles in an hour (or whatever it is in kilometers) in Ireland.

Doolin would be closest after arriving at Shannon, stay one night, then up to Westport for the other nights before going to Dingle. By going to Westport you are doing a lot of backtracking, and I checked at www.aaireland.ie which has a route planner and it will be a drive of 207 miles from Westport to Dingle taking 5 hours. I don't know if you consider that a lot of driving for that day. Deborah

Since Dingle is written in stone, I would go North first, then South, AFTER Dingle. I recommend though, that you spend the first night in either Galway, or (if Galway doesn't interest you at all), Oughterard.

If you feel up to it, you can see some of the SE reaches of Connemara and/or visit Cong. Then, Oct 9th, relocate to Westport for two nights,and drive down to Doolin (personally, I would chose Ennis)for the night of the 11th.

You'll want to be near Shannon -- Bunratty, Ennis or vicinity -- on the night of the 21st, though, as you'll need to arrive about 3 hours early to handle car return, Vat Back, Customs and Immigration, etc ...

The following is meant to enlighten ---
I'm NOT being 'Snippy' :)

Consider:

Arriving SNN on 8 Oct -- presumably in AM after over-night flight from US -- http://www.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/ --

says that Shannon Airport to Westport via Oughterard is 115 miles and they list a driving time of just over three hours. Their drive times are NOTORIOUSLY optomistic -- it should take you AT LEAST four hours and possibly MUCH longer. Personally, I think a trip duration of 5 hours might be realistic.

WHY? --

Because, if you land at 7 AM, by the time you clear Immigration, collect your luggage, pass through Customs and collect your Rental Car, it will be between 8 and 8:30 -- which, if you are from the US East Coast, will FEEl like 2 or 3 in the AM, to you. So, unless you slept like a baby on the plane (doubtful) you will be groggy and tired, driving on the "Wrong" side of the road, over unusual and unfamiliar roads, in a strange (and strangely laid-out) vehicle.

If you leave the airport parking lot at 8:30, you will approach Galway arout 9:30 or 10 - on a Friday -- so traffic will be heavy, and SLOW. Once through Galway, traffic WILL be light, but the roads are winding and narrow.


Hope this helps ...

Bob

Hotels within walking distance of town...Knockranny House Hotel is located just outside town (on the Castlebar side) http://www.khh.ie/

Hotels in the Quay area (Clew Bay)..1 mile from town and easily walkable or €5 taxi if you partake in a few too many..

Atlantic Coast Hotel http://www.atlanticcoasthotel.com/
The Harbour Mill http://www.theharbourmill.com/

In town..

The Wyatt http://www.wyatthotel.com/
The Castlecourt http://www.castlecourthotel.ie/
Clew Bay Hotel http://www.clewbayhotel.com/

Not familiar with the other towns, as I live in Westport, though I am sure others will have recommendations.

Except for your first day's drive while jetlagged all the way to Westport, I thought your itinerary was rather good. SeeDee and Itallian_Chauffeur beat me to the punch with that sentiment, and Itallian_Chauffeur has given you excellent specifics for first and last days.

If you were to make Galway (or Salthill outside)your first hotel stop before you make your way north, I think it would be a good "starter" day/night. As I've told others, even the buskers in Galway are pretty darn good musicians, so walking around while hearing that while you get yourself oriented is a darn good way to start your trip.

Thank you all for the good info. I have not been as clear as I should have been. Here is the actual itinerary.

Leave LAX on 10/6 arrive London 10/7 leave London 10/7 arrive Shannon 10/7 in the evening. We will be spending the night in Ennis.
10/8,10/9,10/10 - Westport
10/11 - Doolin or nearby
10/12,13.14,15 - Dingle
10/16,10/17,10/18 - Kenmare
10/19/10/20- Kinsale
10/21 - Shannon Airport area
10/22 - Back to London and on to LAX

Does this trip seem logical? Would you move any of the areas differently or spend more or less time in any one in particular. Keeping in mind that Dingle is locked in.

Sorry for the confusion.

Can anyone suggest an interesting B&B for our night on the 11th of October near Doolin? We want to try out the pubs for music in Doolin. Ennis or Bunratty or other atmospheric little village - suggestions.

I just got back from our trip. First time, and we arrived in Shannon around 9:00 a.m., picked up our rental car and staggered our way up to Doolin. If you are used to American cars, road signs, and general driving conditions (not to mention driving a car with a standard transmission on the left side of the road!), then I would set my sites squarely on Doolin for your 1st night. We got lost a few times in that short distance (it took us a bit to get familiar with Irish road signs and navigating our way through traffic circles), and I was glad we didn't have to travel any further than Doolin. We stayed at the Doolin Activity Lodge (which I can easily recommend). We made a short trip to the Cliffs of Moher, then walked to a couple of the pubs for meals/beers. For our last night in Ireland, we stayed at the Bunratty Lodge, which was also very nice and very convenient to the Shannon airport.
Regarding your itinerary, start with a night in Doolin, then drive up to Westport. You have a VERY long flight before you arrive, you will be exhausted, and finding your way up to Westport would most likely turn out to be a miserable experience. Make your first day as easy as possible.

Vaughan's Anchor Inn, Liscannor.

If you decide to stay in Ennis I highly recommend Newpark House. We stayed there last September and loved it. Newpark House is a 200 year old home/mansion that is now a B&B. It is very close to "downtown" Ennis and there is a supermarket about 2 blocks away that you could shop at if there is anything you might need. The house sits back off the road about 100yards and with the foliage around it you think you are driving into a garden. The host is very helpful, the rooms nice size, and the breakfast is great. Hope this helps. Becky

Happy you straightened your first pit stop out, kpilling. The girls and I here were worried we'd next hear from you from "the other side of the light", seeing as you'd have died from jetlag, distracted driving on some wayside up to Westport.

In Ennis, we stayed at the Old Ground. Nice hotel, I'm not that big of a fan of Ennis. I should be, but I'm just not.

You know, we never stayed in LaConnor (unless you count the one in the state of Washington, USA--quite another story), but SeeBee's suggestion brought back the memory that the three in my family ate at Vaughn's there midday. AND, if memory serves me correctly (but I am FOR CERTAIN aging) that's where we attended a Ceili. And it was so lovely.

So for the record, all of these we stayed at could be your first stops from nearest to farest away:

Ennis--Old Ground (nice hotel; I'm just iffy on the town)
Doolin--We stayed in the SeaView B&B (Ok--close to one trad pub, more of a walk from two others)
Ballyvaughen (but really not in it)--Gregan's Castle Really nice, but just a tad out of the way. Not much though!
Galway--Park Hotel (?)--nice hotel in town near main square, access to trad was lovely.

Not stayed in, but you might want to consider since SeeBee otherwise seems to have been so helpful:
LaConner--Vaughn's (Spit from Doolin's, Cliffs of Moher)

I think posting your itinerary helps a lot. Ennis is a fine place to spend the first night since you will be dragging from all the traveling. It's very walkable and small enough that you can do a lot or a little, depending on how you feel. I am not a huge fan of Ennis but I think it will be perfect for you.

The next day you will be refreshed, so the drive out to Westport won't be so hard. You can take a straight shot up and over from Castlebar or you can take a wandering route through Connemara. We love the coastal drive - stopped for lunch in Roundstone and bought some pottery. Malachi's bodhran shop was closed on Sunday. Whatever way you go, it is a bit of a drive.

The rest of your plan looks great. We spent two nights in Dingle and two in Kenmare, at The Lighthouse and The Lodge, respectively, and liked both. Two nights will be good for Kinsale. If you take the coast road through West Cork, you will pass through some lovely little towns.

The drive back to the Shannon area is not difficult once you get out of Cork City. I agree with Bob that Bunratty is a nice place to spend your last night. It is only a few minutes from the airport, and has a Blarney Woolen Mills and the associated home shop (forget the name right now) for those last minute gifts, plus your choice of several pubs and/or restaurants. We stayed at Dunaree with Penny O'Connor and would stay with her again.

Wow - you guys are awesome for all the input. Made a slight change - what do you all think?
Oct7 Land in Shannon late afternoon stay in Ennis ???????
Oct 8 - Stay in Ennis and visit Doolin and Cliffs of Mohr
Oct 9- Oughterard ???????????????????
Oct 10-11 - Westport - ???????????? possibly Boulevard House
Oct 12-13-14-15 - Dingle (Private Cottage in Dunquin)
Oct 16-17-18 - Kenmare - (Seashore Farms)
Oct 19-20 - Kinsale - (Old Presbtery)
Oct 21- Bunratty - ????????????
Oct 22 - Home

Any places with the ??????????? would be helpful. Also any highlights of pubs or restaurants is always helpful.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

If you end up in Doolin - I can definatly recommend Roadford House - it's right next to two of the three pubs. Simple rooms and a FANTASTIC dinner (I think breakfast was pretty good too)! The wife was very sweet and the husband is a chef. I stayed there last September for two nights.

Westport...

Restaurants
Breakfast/Lunch
Curry’s Cottage www.curryscottage.50webs.com
The Stuffed Sandwich – Bridge Street
Lunch/Dinner
Sol Rio http://www.solrio.ie/
The Helm http://thehelm.ie/
The Linen Mill – off Newport Road
La Belle Vita – High Street
Torino’s – Market Lane

Pubs
The Clock http://www.theclocktavern.ie/
Matt Molloy’s http://www.mattmolloy.com/index.html
Cobblers http://www.wyatthotel.com/cobblers-bar
The Porter House http://www.theporterhousewestport.ie/
McGings – High Street
Geraghty’s – at the Octagon

Matt Molloy's has trad music on every night after 10pm. The Clock,Porter House,Cobblers and Geraghty's also offer music on certain nights in October.

gablues------thanks so much for the restaurant and pub suggestions. We will be in Westport for 3 nights in Sept.at The Boulevard House.

Any other suggestions as to things to do and see would be appreciated. We've read the guidebooks, but of course people like you who actually live there always have a few favorites.

Cliffs of Moher now charges €6 to view the Cliffs. While this includes parking and admission to the Visitor Centre, there is no more free viewing.

Not going down well with the tourists or the Irish press.

I have experienced the boat ride from Doolin and recommend it.

Thank you all for the great suggestions.

One more question - When exploring the Connemara region - is Westport the best base or would Clifden, Oughterard or Rossaveel be best?

On balance, you are probably best with Westport as it offers the best choice of options in terms of accomodation and entertainment. Had a nice meal in Sage restaurant on Saturday evening - although having walked 20 miles and then climbed Croagh Patrick, I was probably ready to eat the leg of the table as well as what appeared on the plate. McGing's pub next door seemed a busy spot.
Rossaveal would be a very quiet place in October; Oughterard likewise. Clifden, by being in County Galway, can claim to be the principal town of Connemara but would not offer the same range of restaurants and pubs as Westport.
Travelling up from County Clare, you will need to decide whether to include Clifden on your route. An alternative route to Westport incorporating some of Connemara, would be to drive via Cong and onwards to Leenane. Most would regard Kylemore Abbey as a Connemara must-see, so that would involve driving beyond Leenane if taking this alternative route. Decisions, decisions.
One definite - you will need the full day for travelling when you do the Westport - Dingle leg of your trip. Don't factor in any sightseeing for that day!

tpayt, A few things I enjoy around the area..

Westport House http://www.westporthouse.ie/
Westport Golf Club http://www.westportgolfclub.com/
Croagh Patrick http://www.croagh-patrick.com/

Clare Island http://www.clareisland.info/
Carramore, Old Head (Louisburgh) (22kms west via R335) is a lovely Blue Star beach
Achill Island http://www.achilltourism.com/ is always a lovely place for a day trip

gablues----thanks so much for the actual websites, Very considerate of you.

New question here-We are thinking of coming in Sept and debating.... a bike tour or our own car tour. Never been to Ireland. Ride bikes every other day here in Neb. which is a flat state. Will we feel like we saw Ireland on a 7 or 10 day bike tour?

Yes, but you will NOT be riding on anything flat, if you go to the most scenic areas, trust me! Ireland is very rolling :)

We are interested in seeing the Connemara region and that would also include a trip to the Inishmore Island. Is it best to go from Ennis to Galway and stay there 2 days to see Inishmore or is it best to go to Westport for all three days?

That would be Oct 8,9,10

Then on October 11 I need a good spot to stop between Westport and Dingle so that the drive is not so long.
Oct 7 - Ennis
Oct 8,9,10
Oct 11
Oct 12,13,14,15 - Dingle
Oct 16,17,18 Kenmare
Oct 19, 20 - Kinsale
Oct 21 - Ennis
Oct 22 - Home

Thank you

If you plan on a visit to one of the Aran Islands, then you really need to schedule two nights in Galway. Aer Arann will get you over in ten minutes but their airstrip is well out of town. An early start from Ennis might get you on the island by lunchtime; ferries might be getting a little weather sensitive by mid October so flying is your best bet, especially on a tight time allowance.
Standard activity on arriving is to rent a bicycle and make tracks for Dun Aonghus fort; there are taxibuses for the less energetic. Either way, you need to allow enough time to get a sense of island life so the more of the day that you have there the better. Spending the night there used to have the attraction of being in a police-free state (you can work out the effect that had on pub closing times.....).
Personally, I would spend the two nights in Galway and you can cover a decent chunk of Connemara en route to Westport on the following day.
In regard to the Westport-Dingle leg, I would go for it in a single day unless you had missed out on the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on your Ennis - Galway drive. The Killimor to Tarbert ferry gets you from Clare to Kerry without the need for going through Limerick. Stopping short of the ferry in South Clare doesn't offer too many overnight options as Kilkee is a very high-summer-only place. Doonbeg offers a very upmarket golf resort if you feel the need to test the constitution of your credit card; I think they have lodges to rent and there certainly must be a website.

cherylbr: I have good news and I have bad news.

Bad news first: Having biked three weeks in Ireland over two separate trips, I can tell you that rolling hills is your "minimum" expectation. Our bike trip from Kenmare to Cork (south-ish coast) was quite the challenge--up Beara and Healy passes--but our Lahinch to various places in Connemara (even on Aran islands), far less arduous things, were either rolling hills or headwinds. Never underestimate a headwind on the flat--one of our best fellow bikers was a Dutchman who had never really been above sea level before.

The good news: We biked with a really good biker from Iowa who LOVED biking on our Connermara trip. His wife couldn't really press a pedal, and the dear heart just road up and down, up and down each hill--even the most challenging-- until she either a) biked her ownself up to the top or b)was driven to the top by a van.

Also biked with people on a later trip who were in quite decent shape who lived in flat places in Minnesota. They did very well in Connemara, even on hills and even against the wind.

kpilling: I loved Inishmore, and I quite comprehend your desire to see it. We took the ferry right outside Doolin in early morning with our bikes. We then biked out to Dun Aegis, had a lunch at a lovely place (wish I could recall!) overlooking the sea, and we then we headed back to the dock to take a different ferry to place us further north towards Clifden. Our biking company, if I recall correctly, shuttled us up to Clifden from wherever we landed.

Rick Steves seems to have posted a pretty good ferry guide at this link:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...d/aranisla.htm

As always, enjoy your choices. There are no rights and no wrongs, only your own adventures.