glsebs

We will be in Dublin for three days in early May. We would like to combine this with seeing a bit more of Ireland for about 4 or 5 days.

I need help in deciding where to go. We are going to fly on United with FF miles, so we need to fly in and out of Dublin.

We like wandering around small towns and villages. We have driven in many countries in Europe, but I am hesitant to drive on hilly, windy, narrow roads, especially on the other side of the road. Thus, even though I am sure the scenery is breathtaking, I really do not want to drive on steep roads such as those around the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry.

Also, we would love to stay in a castle hotel such as Ashford Castle or Dromoland Castle.

Given these parameters, I would appreciate help in planning a few days in the countryside of Ireland.

bratsandbeer

My sister and I drove all over Northern Ireland and Ireland - even on some one lane detours where the sheep run. Also, Wales and England with no problems. She drove and I kept saying - left, left, left and reading the road map.
We drove the Ring of Kerry and didn't notice the roads were steep but then we have driven in mountains in the USA often. There are a lot of buses that travel on the Ring of Kerry. Not sure about Dingle - many prefer Dingle over the Ring of Kerry. After seeing so much of Ireland I didn't enjoy the Ring of Kerry as much as I thought I would. We did like Muckross House and walking up along the waterfalls close by.

We drove to Cong and the Ashford Castle. It is very expensive to stay at the castle. We planned to hve dinner there but we were not allowed in unless we were guests of the hotel. We walked the grounds for an hour and enjoyed that part of Ashford very much.

If you have driven other countries in Europe you should have no problem. Be sure to rent an automatic car as shifting and staying to the left is a bit much.

Irishgal127

Hey there...

We're going in February - and we got a sweet deal at the bunratty castle (weekend special) for two rooms - and it's located near the shannon airport - if you have a car you really will be able to travel all over!

I'm excited about going to the Cliffs of Mohrer! Hope you enjoy your trip ... i'll let you know how ours goes!

Irishgal

NEDSIRELAND

glsebs writes: "...even though I am sure the scenery is breathtaking, I really do not want to drive on steep roads such as those around the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry."
I don't know about the ROK, but I can assure you that there are no 'steep roads' on either approach to the Cliffs of Moher (i.e., from Lahinch or from Doolin).

Dromoland Castle grounds are exquisite! I've never actually stayed there: couldn't afford it but if I could, I would. If you do, don't be in a rush to get somewhere else; delay your departure until after lunch, even if checkout time is 11:00 AM. Enjoy the Castle experience!

Gumper2007

We stayed at Dromoland in 2008 and it is great, and yes it is expensive. When you stay there, spend all of your time there to get your moneys worth, unless you are flush with money and can go touring while staying there. We also did a pilot, co-pilot setup where the co-pilot gave directions so I could concentrate on the opposite side of the road traffic.
One of my pet peeves on this board is when someone comes on and blasts one of these beautiful country mansions that they are not real castles. You would not want to stay in many of the "real castles" that you visit while touring. Have fun.

onetwo

Gumper2007, It irks me when people think they are staying in a genuine castle hotel and do not realize it is not a castle at all.

I noticed on another post that someone is staying at Bunratty Castle. Of course they are not really staying at Bunratty Castle. They are staying at Bunratty Castle Hotel. It is not a castle or a manor. It is a beautiful country hotel.

Do you think the OP should be told that it is not a "real castle"? Will they be disappointed? When spending so much money should people know what they are actually getting? Those who have never been to Ireland before do not know about such things. That is why they ask. If they do not ask, should no one here tell?

I have spilled the beans. Bunratty Castle Hotel is not a real castle. It is across the street from the genuine Bunratty Castle.

Blasting and informing are two different things. Bunratty Castle Hotel is very nice.

Nuttela

I would recommend Ennis or Kilkenny. They both aren’t small towns or villages but they seemed like it to us. We enjoyed the old charm feel when we were there. We also enjoyed the Killarney National Park area.

Driving the Ring of Kerry wasn't bad so if you have the time go for it and don't let the driving worry you just be warned it is a long day.

Unfortunately my husband and I did not get a chance to go to Northern Ireland but maybe there are areas there that would fit with your time frame.

Sorry we stayed at B&B's so I can't help with the castle information.

Enjoy your travel planning!

wojazz3

I'm with onetwo here. There are, by the way, quite a few (20+) castles/manor houses that you can stay in throughout Ireland. Bunratty Castle Hotel is neither. It's a hotel across the street from a castle. Suggesting to someone that staying at the Bunratty Castle hotel remotely resembles staying at a castle is providing misinformation. It may be a lovely place to stay, but it's a hotel. Irishgal said a sweet deal at Bunratty Castle. Sorry, ya can't stay there. I don't think it is at all irksome to provide folks with accurate data.

Now back to the OP. With only 4-5 days to work with, I don't necessarily suggest driving to the west coast and back. You'll spend at leasta half day just getting there. There is plenty to do in the east for that amount of time for instance:

Newgrange, Kilkenny area, Glendalough, Wicklow Mts, Waterford/Hook Head area (Dunmore East is a nice place to stay) which is as far as I would consider going. Roads are for the most part fine and there are some beautiful areas that get ignored a lot just south and just east of Kilkenny. Also, you could stay closer and and visit the Malahide Howth Head area. There are some beautiful walks along the southern coast of Howth.

As far as castles to stay in, try Kilkea just north of Kilkenny and about an hour from Dublin (http://www.kilkeacastle.ie/) or Waterford (http://www.waterfordcastle.com/). Waterford is the more expensive. I've stayed in Kilkea and it is very cool.

Ireland is not the type of country which is easily enjoyed through the windshield. Reduce the driving and increase the sighseeing by staying east.

Bill

Gumper2007

I have an article saying the last castle built in Ireland was in the 17th century. http://williamstown.galway-ireland.ie/glinsk-castle.htm
What I was pointing out that most tourists, myself included would not know the difference between a "Real Castle" and an elegant, gigantic country mansion. I feel no need to stay away from some of these fine hotels because they are not real castles. I do agree with you that travelers need to be aware of the basic hotel that has a castle looking facade on it. They will be very disapointed with one of those. Sorry for the hijack of this thread.

glsebs

I am the OP who started this discussion. Thank you to all of you for your input.

I would really love to stay at Ashford Castle or Dromoland Castle or Adare Manor for four days. Then using one of these hotels as our base, we would like to take day trips to see some of the sights and small villages in that area.

Which area would be better for seeing just four days of the Irish country side and smaller cities.

I appreciate your point that the East would be more practical for such a short time, but I had my heart set on one of the above hotels. Would it make any sense to fly a budget airline one way from Dublin to Shannon and drive from there and return the car at Dublin airport at the end of the trip.

Thanks for any suggestions.

dakotapie

We'll be staying 2 nights at Ashford Castle in February and I, too, was wondering what would be good day trips from that location.

mari5

I guess you have already purchased your ticket.....but with FF points I don't see why you can't fly "open jaw"...into one city and out of the other (Dublin ~~Shannon). We have done it several times!(in Europe)
The WEST IS beautiful,,,cities of Adare, DINGLE, KEnmare, Kinsale, Driving isn't bad,, but it is often slow going. We always have had a car, but some people take the bus around,and do fine... (which involves a lot of walking )
Dublin is interesting, but we just gave it a day or two, and the other days were in the West. Flew into Shannon,(Dromoland is close by) rented a car,, did the above towns, and drove "across" to Dublin at the end.
Though we stay in hotels now, (knees/ankle problems, usually stairs) there are MANY LOVELY B&B;s in Ireland, thus allowing you to meet and enjoy the wonderful, FRIENDLY Irish people.

Foley

The best three genuine castles are Ashford, Dromoland and Adare. Dromoland has a modern separate wing so ask for the real castle if you decide to go there. I have stayed in them all. They are all expensive but if you can afford it I would pick Ashford because
• The grounds are bigger and nicer for walking. The others have used their space for golf courses.
• The food is good
• The surrounding countryside is more scenic and the drives are all flat – as I have said many times before on Fodor, my favorite drive is from Louisburg to Leenaun – on the flat through hills with waterfalls dropping into a small lake.
• You can wander around Westport which won the national tidy towns competition this year. You can visit Westport House – stately home. You can enjoy pub grub at Sheebeen which is recommended by Michelin. Visit Matt Molloy’s pub – he of Chieftains fame – flute player.
• Take a 20 minute boat to Clare Island (usually rough) as it crosses Clew Bay.
• Take a hour’s boat trip around Killary Fiord (not rough)
• Go fishing at Delphi Lodge
• Go further afield North (e.g. Achill Island), West (Clifden), South (Rossaveel and take a boat or a 7 minute flight to the Arann Islands)