Need Help in Planning Ireland Trip:Flying into Dublin 7/29
 

There are 5 of us flying in and out of Dublin 7/29 until 8/6. It is our first trip to Ireland and want to see as much as we can. Anyone have suggestions from their trips? We would greatly appreciate it!!!

Hi Jennifer:

I'm probably not the best to help you with this because I like to move kind of slow and deliberate but I'm sure we all need to have some questions answered before we can help.

What brings you to Ireland ... city life, museums, countryside, wild coast lines, ancient history, castles, villages, pubs, walking, hidden gems or anything else? With only a week, you won't get to see it all but it would help to know the kinds of things you want to see. For instance, with a week, I wouldn't consider Dublin, but others who love cities will travel to Ireland just to see Dublin.

Driving in Ireland is a slow proposition. You will unlikely average more than 35 MPH throughout a day and in more rural areas, even less.

Let us know and we'll all be more than happy to give you too much information.

Bill

Hi, Jennifer -
I am searching for the same information...So I hope you don't mind if I am piggybacking on your post. I am flying into Dublin on Oct. 15 and out of Shannon ten days later. So, any all recommendations are appreciated.
I am traveling with my brother and we are interested in historical areas, castles, interesting towns, and pubs/nightlife. We are open to renting a car for some of the trip. Thanks!
STP

We flew into Dublin and stayed there for 2 nights. We did a city tour, visited Newgrange, attended a performance at the Abbey Theater and just walked around the city. It was lovely. We stayed at the Fitzwilliam Hotel on St. Stephens Green and Grafton Street. We loved this location. We then rented a minivan from Dan Dooley and drove to Kilkenny where we stayed in a Castle that we rented from the National Landmark Trust. We stayed there for 3 nights. We drove from there to Dingle where we stayed at Greenmount House (loved this and loved Dingle) for 2 nights. Drove to Galway via the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. We stayed at Glenlo Abbey for 3 nights and flew home from Shannon Airport.
We had a great time and loved the choices that we made. Let me know if you need any specific info.
June

Just spend 10 days in Janaury in Ireland. We were 4 adults and stayed in a new and claen two bedroom apartment called Shaw Court run by the Harcourt Hotel and 3 blocks from them. You could put 5 in the place easily. convenient for buses and only about 2km from the city center and cheap.
We cooked our own Irish breakfast from the corner store. We did the book of kells and the Jail and Guiness , Temple bar, but missed the most of the great museums, with 2 adult kids 21 and 22 years,left Dublin to Powers court(great lunch)and Glendlough staying outside Waterford. Next day did the factory, my wife and daughter loved it. Then on to Cobh. Stayed 2 nights with day trip to Rock of cashel and blarney castels.
Left driving through Kinsale for breakfast on our way to Kenmare. Loved this town and Virginia's guesthouse and dinner at mulcahy's. Drove ring of Kerry and tsyaed to 2 nights in Dingle (Grrenmount too). slea head and the Dingle Penisula was awssome. Did the cliffs on the way to Galway, ferry across the Shannon was fun.Stayed at Spanish Arch Hotel Great location but would stay at Jury's next door next time. Great dinner at Kirwins Lane between spanish arch and jury's.Shopped until we dropped in Galway then headed back across the country stopping at Clomacnoise and Newgrange. These sights were great in the winter , no crowds and sun came out for photos.
We stayed in Athelone one night then finished up at Swords travel lodge which was ideal for early moring flight out and cheap. Also convenient to Port Marnock/Malahyde for evening dinner.

DK Eyewitness' Ireland guide book and, after you've wiped away all the drool from looking at the incredible drawings and photos, get Lonely Planet's Ireland for some great maps and more specific details. Well worth the cost.

Ali