nissim

Hi everyone--

We're arriving in Dublin, and want to have a relatively relaxing vacation. I'd like to spend one night in Dublin and then see the country side. As I'm pregnant, we don't want to do too much walking, and hubby doesn't want to do too much driving.

I was thinking that maybe we could see Wicklow co, and perhaps on to Waterford...

Would it be a terrible shame to miss the West (it will be July, and I think very crowded, no?)? I also was think perhaps we could do Wicklow and then travel to Galway, maybe breaking it up somewhere.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the help!

GreenDragon

You seem to have posted this message twice. You can always find which threads you've posted to by clicking on your name at the top!

I would suggest if you want to relax, and not drive/walk a lot, then stick to one coast. The east coast has a lot to offer. Do you like shopping, history, panaramic views, etc? Wicklow, Dublin, Waterford all have wonderful things to fill a week.

After my first trip of trying to do everything, I've learned to adopt an 'I can see that next time' attitude. It would be a shame to never see the west, but you can do it another time. While you're pregnant, you want lower stress levels, and driving across country in Ireland is usually stressful

Let us know what you like, we'll tell you were to go!

panhandle

I agree...Ireland is better seen at a slower pace. Have you considered going North?? Belfast and the Giants Causeway arent terribly far.

nissim

hmm...haven't even given the North a thought. I will check into it.

We also like the idea of staying at a beautiful manor house and taking day trips. Any suggestions? Should we try going to Cork or is that too far?

Dathai

Hi there.
The end of July in Galway is very busy. From early/mid July there is a Film Festival, followed by Art festival followed by the busiest week of the year Race Week from 25th July or so.

For country houses you may want to visit Hidden Ireland or Ireland's Blue Book websites. For General Hotel information on other accommodations - visit beourguest.com or ireland.ie

Wicklow is a beautiful place to base - the areas around Enniskerry/ Powerscourt/Avoca are all very much worth a visit. If you were to travel to the west you would travel back to Dublin and follow the M50 ring road and take the N4/N6 to Galway or Westport.

The area around Westport is really lovely but it would take a good 4 hours driving from Dublin.

Going down the east coast - you could visit Wexford and Waterford indeed - Cork would not be a terribly difficult drive - done at your leisure.
Your idea of relaxing in Wicklow is Good! Take a few nights there and come back again to the west. There are now direct flights into Galway and Knock Airports from all over Britain - and some cities in Europe.

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy your holiday!

panhandle

Westport is a bit of a drive but the roads going that way are pretty easy to travel. The roads in the North are generally better than the south. The loop from Westport...Donegal....Giants Causeway...then Belfast would make a nice trip. you could drive one day...take one day off alternating. Or you could skip the causeway and stay near Enniskillen which is also very nice.

yesiree100

You would have a great trip sticking to the east. Consider including Kilkenny in your itinerary. It's close to Dublin and has a lot of history, shopping and sites.

rex

Might be better to add more info/questions to THIS thread, rather than start a new one (with such a meaningless mesage header)...

Or perhaps you didn't know how to find your previous post(s) since you are (relatively) new here.

Click on your own name - - this is a valuable tip that Fodors fails to give you when they send that initial e-mail confirming your registration.

Best wishes,

Rex

nissim

Yes, did not realize I could do that.

In any case, thanks for everyone's help.

How do you think this itinerary sounds (its still quite rough):
Dublin one night
Wicklow one night
On to Kilkenny for a night or two
On to Ballyvolane House (North Cork--anyone been there) for two nights (big splurge)then head back to Dublin (with a night spend somewhere).

How does that sounds?

mexicobeachbum

There's a bankers' holiday at the end of July/beginning of August. It's imperative that you find places to stay during that weekend right away, or there might be no room at the inn. There is a great festival in Waterford during that weekend that we attended last year, and it was great fun. It's called the Spraoi Fest (pronounced spree), and it's all about street music, theatre, and other entertainments. We stayed at the Mayors Walk B&B there and it was inexpensive and very nice. Just a thought.
I think between Waterford, Wicklow, and Wexford, you can find a lot to entertain you. They call that area the "sunny southeast" in Ireland, because the weather is drier and warmer.