Hi,
We will be going to Ireland in April for 1 week. We will be flying into Dublin and leaving from Shannon. Here is the itenerary we are contemplating, can you please tell us if we should review this trip. I want to make sure we have a relaxing trip and do not try to see too many towns/cities during the short stay:

Saturday 7:30am: arrive in Dublin

Sunday: spend the day/night in Dublin. We plan to stay in Temple Bar to be "in the middle of things"...after dublin, we're looking for more quaint towns, less city.

Monday: Kinsale. Drive from Dublin to Kinsale. Visit Desmond Castle, Charles Fort, spend time in the town.

Tuesday: stay another night in Kinsale (so we dont have to get right back on the road). Possibly drive to Cobh,

Wednesday: drive from Kinsale to Kenmare. Stay the night in Kenmare

Thursday: drive to Dingle Peninsula (skip Ring of Kerry). Stay in Dingle Thursday night.

Friday: not sure...we need to be in Shannon by about 10am the next day. Would it be better to head somewhere other than Dingle after leaving Kenmare?

Please help! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dublin to Kinsale is a long drive, do-able, but long. I would break up that drive by staying one night in Cashel and seeing its amazing castle. Then on to Kinsale as planned (my favorite town -- take the Ghost Walking Tour that departs from the Tap Tavern, and the more serious historical walking tour by Don Hirely). Then I'd probably skip Kenmare and stay and extra day in or near Dingle.

We've read that it's a 177 mile drive from Dublin to Kinsale...I'm starting to realize that we should not translate that into 4 hours driving time due to the difference in roads and driving patterns in Ireland (compared to the US). Thanks for the advice...

Do you know how long Dingle is from Shannon airport...I'm now concerned about the amount of time it will take us to get to Shannon, where we need to leave from on the following Saturday...is there another quaint little town that would be close to stay on Friday night before going to the airport on Saturday?

Try the Via Michelin route planner. This is what I used when I went to Ireland. Works great. Looks like Dingle to Shannon airport is about 2.5 hours. If your plane is leaving at 10 am that makes for a pretty early morning. I would stay near the airport that night. Good luck and have fun. There is a toll on the M50 that you will encounter after leaving the Dublin airport (if this is where you are getting your car from) Try to get a good map of the M50 around dublin. The exits can be a little confusing. Dublin to Kinsale is about 4 hours. Going to Cobh from Kinsale is a little bit of backtracking. Maybe consider seeing this on the way to Kinsale from Dublin. I would skip Kenmare and spend the day in Dingle. It's a charming town.

I like Ennis; and on a Friday night you can find good Traditional Irish Music at Cruise's Restaurant & Pub (adjacent to the Queen's Hotel - although I don't recommend staying at the Queen's, too noisy). I prefer the Temple Gate! Ennis is about 30min from Shannon airport.

You also might want to consider the Tarbert - Killimer (Kill-eye-mur) ferry when you're coming back from Dingle to County Clare. It saves you having to 'backtrack' on the N-21 toward Limerick City. From Killimer go west and take the coastal route up from Kilrush or Kilkee; you can fit in the Cliffs of Moher and maybe Doolin & the Burren.

Stop & shop at the ITB store in Lahinch. Last March they had 30% off across the board. The shopkeeper there filled out our TaxBack forms so we could get a refund in the Shannon Departure area.

Thank you so much for all of the helpful advice. I have a few questions about distances:

How far is it from Kinsale to Dingle?
(driving). Based on feedback, I think we are going to skip the night in Kenmare and go straight to Dingle from Kinsale...

I want to make sure we dont pack too much travelling into our week...so now we are considering the following itinerary...is 2 nights in Dingle (at end of April) too many?

- Sat am: arrive in Dublin
- Sat/sun night: stay in Dublin
- Monday morning: drive to Kinsale
- Mon/Tues night: stay in Kinsale
- Wed: drive to Dingle
- Wed/Thurs night: stay in Dingle
- Friday morning: ferry or drive to X...
(Enis?)
- Saturday morning: leave from Shannon

Have you considered staying just one night in Dublin? I have been twic and didn't exactly love it. All of the other places you list are so much nicer--cheaper too. Hope you see Clifs of Moher & the Burren. We only had one night in Dingle so we have to return. Great pubs & music.

I did the Kinsale to Dingle drive last summer. Very pleasant. It was about 5-6 hours if I recall, and that included a stop to see the Muckross House and gardens near Killarny.

2 nights in Dingle is good, considering you won't get there until the mid-afternoon. There's a great drive around the Dingle peninsula that is one of the best natural sights all of Europe has to offer *if* it's sunny. Here is a good mile-by-mile description of what you'll see on it:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...and/dingbd.htm

The drive from Dublin to Kinsale is doable in one day, but ...

You have to drive past the Rock of Cashel without stopping (A mistake, IMHOP).

Drive by Cahir without stopping to see Cahir Castle (regrettable, but perhaps necessary.

Hope that they have completed the Mitchelstown and Fermoy bypasses. They weren't done last June when I was there.

If Danacat made it from Dublin to Kinsale in four hours, he's a better man than me. Allowing for only a brief stop at the Rock, and a lunch, I would think it would be closer to 8 - 9 hours. If the bypasses ARE done, that might shave a hour, but ...

The drive from Kinsale to Dingle is easier than Dublin to Kinsale, but again, there is Soooo much that you will have to pass up: Mizzen Head, Bearra, Killarney (yeah, it's touristy, but 250 year's worth of people can't be all wrong, and besides, it won't be bad, at all, in April.

Now you know why so many of us keep going back ...

Hi,

I agree with nini that maybe you could stay only the first night in Dublin and then head out the next morning. (We stayed there the first 2 nights and I would not do it again.)

Just want to mention some of the sights we liked between Dublin and Kinsale like Glendolough, Kilkenny and Rock of Cashel (loved it), and of course, Waterford.

Also, we loved the Blarney Castle. We were lucky that day - it was pouring out so no one was there when we got there. We were able to run in and out of all the castle rooms. Don't bother standing in line to kiss it if the line is long. The grounds are beautiful and there is nice path through the woods near the castle. The setting is lovely.

Just hope you are not missing alot of interesting castles and things between Dublin and Kinsale by not scheduling a night along the way.

Hope you have a great trip!!! We definitely want to go back.

Definitely agree with others that Dingle Peninsula is wonderful.

Ginny

PS We also stayed 2 nights in Kinsale but it was kind of off the beaten path and took some extra time to get in and out of it. Food was awesome!!

Thanks again for all of your feedback.
We are now considering a stop between Dublin and Kinsale to break the drive.

We only have 7 days and I'm trying to make a trip where we see sights, but also feel relaxed and mostly take in the culture, locals and pubs...

Can you tell me how far Kinsale is from Kenmare?

Would you still recommend 2 nights in Kinsale?

We are considering Kenmare versus Dingle because of timing.

If we go to Kinsale, then Kenmare (to prevent constantly being on the road) would it be better to stay 2 nights in Kinsale or 2 nights in Kenmare?

What is Adare like?
Is there another point near Limerick that would be worth staying to get closer to Shannon airport?

We would consider going from Kinsale to Kenmare to a place near Limerick...
I'm looking for alternatives to Dingle, and taking the ferry to Clare, etc...it sounds amazing, but I dont think we can work it all in within such a small period of time...

Thoughts?

Thank you in advance for your advice. If you could tell me approximate driving distances between the above places too, that would be wonderful!

Here's a web sight to check out your driving times.

http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/

Monday: Drive to Cahir & Cashel - spend night.

Tuesday: Drive to Kinsale in the morning, tour, spend the night.

Wednesday: Head to Kenmare. On the way, stop by Mizen head on the way and take the Healy pass on your way.

Thursday: Head to Dingle via the Connor Pass. Night in Dingle.

Friday: Take Ferry to Clare, drive by Kilkee, Lahinch, Cliffs of Moher, and spend the night in Bunratty.

Since you only have a week, this is what I would do. Do not, and I repeat, do not miss the drive around the Dingle Peninsula (Slea Head).

I hope you are not more confused.

"What is Adare like?"
Ireland's 'Tidy Village' is small but there are a couple of thatched roof cottages that make it a 'foto opp.' It has 2 very nice Hotels (Dunraven Arms is one) and it's essentialy a 'tourist trap.' I wouldn't stop the night there unless I was playing Golf at one of the two excellent Parkland courses.

"Is there another point near Limerick that would be worth staying to get closer to Shannon airport?"
Bunratty!

"I'm looking for alternatives to Dingle, and taking the ferry to Clare, etc...it sounds amazing, but I dont think we can work it all in within such a small period of time... "

Don't get all worrysome on us now! Yes, you can: If you depart Dingle Friday morning you should be able to make it either way (i.e., Tarbert ferry or the N-21 to Adare). I have stayed in Limerick City several times, and as far west as NewcastleWest (35 mi) and made it to Shannon airport by 10:00 AM

This our trip in June 2004

Bear in mind that we use public transportation exclusively so there may be a slight hike to places but not really more than fifteen minutes from a bus stop or train station.

Arrived Shannon airport on Sunday and caught bus to Limerick. A friend we met at the bus shed told us where to get off and instructed the driver to make sure he stopped there. He did and we walked up the short cul-de-sac to Glen Eagles (not that Glen Eagles, but very nice.) <[email protected]> About 30 Euros pps ensuite. Helen and Patrick Daly

In Dingle on Monday we stayed at Dingle Heights. <www.dingleheights.com, or [email protected]> Ask for a front room overlooking the harbor. Bridie Fitzgerald was our hostess. Very nice view and about 30 Euros pps ensuite. We had our first, of many, bowl, of Irish stew at O'Grady's across from the tourist board along the waterfront. We lucked out and were able to attend a folk concert of harp, guitars, penny whistle at St. James Church. But we heard lots of music around town as we went back to our bnb after the concert. One place is a hardware store by day and a pub by night! We got cheated out of our tour to Slea Head by the well know local tour operator who renigged on our email reservation. So we will have to go back! And use someone else.

Stayed in Killarney at Cloghroe <[email protected]> about 30 Euros pps ensuite, on Tuesday and did the Gap of Dunloe (three lakes by boat and through the Gap by jaunting car (otherwise a 7 mile walk) on Wednesday. Glad we didn't do the Ring of Kerry. Our hostess Margaret arranged the tour for us. Ate at Murphy's, known for it's pub grub.

Had to spend Wednesday night in Tralee since it is a long haul by bus from Killarney to Doolin. Stayed at The Willows, about five minutes from the bus station. <wwwthewillowsbnb.com or [email protected]> About 30 Euros pps ensuite. On Mary's recommendation we went to the Grand Hotel and ate in the pub section. Excellent food. Next day we walked out (rode the bus back) to the Blennerville Windmill before having to catch our bus to Doolin.

On Thursday night in Doolin we stayed at Nellie Dees. <www.nellie-dees.com or [email protected]> The bus driver will drop you at the door if you ask and it is across the road from one of the hostels. Only about five years old, all wood floors, very nice. Jimmy and Loraine Spencer. About 30 Euros pps ensuite. It was a bit of a hike to downtown Doolin but there were two pubs (out of 3) very nearby where we spent the evening eating delicious Irish stew and listening to trad music at McDermott's.

The next morning we hiked into town ("just a wee walk and a right at the bridge&quot. We passed several bnbs on the way that looked nice. We caught the ferry to Inishoor. Had to ride a carrick out to the ferry because the tide was out. That was a neat experience, although my wife was not really keen on it but nobody fell overboard.

Arrived on Inishoor (Inishere) on Friday and headed to our bnb, Tigh Searraigh. About 25 Euros pps ensuite. <[email protected]> Basic but clean and warm. Went for a tour around the island. It is only 2 km 2km so we knew we couldn't get too lost but the stone fences did start looking just like the last one. My wife got her Aran sweater made (supposedly) on the island. We went to pub (Fitzgerald's I think. There are only about 3 places to eat on the island) for supper and music. A bit of wait for the music but the food was great and the strawberry rhubarb pie was so good we ordered a second round. Bailey’s ice cream on it was heavenly. I have never tasted such a delicious ice cream! Called it a night about 10 PM and was up the next day to catch the 9 AM ferry back to Doolin and 12 noon bus to Ennis for our last night before catching our flight out of Shannon.

Saturday night we stayed at Stonehaven in Ennis <www.stonehaven-clare.com or [email protected]> about 15 minute walk from bus station but Marie would have collected us if we had called. Very nice family, especially Joseph the 7 year old. About 30 Euros pps ensuite. Ennis is a market town and we were there Saturday, market day. Neat!

Back to the train/bus station for our bus to Shannon airport and on to Scotland..

You can certainly see more if you rent a car but we didn't want the stress. Also, we noticed that more pubs are catching on to the attraction of pub grub by tourists and are starting to provide table service instead of us ordering at the bar. The price sometimes increases accordingly.

This may be more than you really wanted to know but we had a blast and are talking about doing the same tour again. We did Dublin in 2003 and I probably would not do Dublin again but there is something about the Southwest of Ireland that is magical. I will send you some Irish links if you will send me your email address. We are in Virginia Beach, VA [email protected]

I'd like to second Budman's itenerary. We loved Dingle and have a longer trip there planned for this May. His route included most of our favorites. We've not seen Bunratty; but, think that Ennis would be a good spot for your last night. I wouldn't waste my time on Adare.