Need Ireland Itinerary Help (2 weeks in 2007)
Nov 13th, 2006, 04:51 PM
#21
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Yes IrishEyes, I know about Lynham's -- I did mention that there were options in Laragh. I haven't stayed there, so I can't advise on the quality of the accommodation. I have stayed in the Glendalough Hotel, which is why I posted about it. There is something nice about having dinner in the restaurant there, with wine if you want, and then being able to stroll into the monastic city. You can't do that from Laragh.
Personally, I regard the drive from Dingle to Dublin as a day's work, but Erin74 seems to have more appetite for work than I do. Maybe the trip is OK for her. Dingle to Naas, cut across to Blessington, and over the Wicklow Gap -- a scenic approach. But every route to Glendalough is scenic!
Personally, I regard the drive from Dingle to Dublin as a day's work, but Erin74 seems to have more appetite for work than I do. Maybe the trip is OK for her. Dingle to Naas, cut across to Blessington, and over the Wicklow Gap -- a scenic approach. But every route to Glendalough is scenic!
Nov 13th, 2006, 09:31 PM
#22
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We'll actually be going from Killarney to Glendalough. I realize it's still a very long day's drive, but not quite as bad as coming from Dingle, hopefully. That's our longest day of driving on the trip.
Thanks very much for the hotel recommendations. I looked at all the places that were mentioned and they all seem lovely. It's hard to choose! We were also looking at the Derrymore B&B website. Anyone ever stayed there?
Thanks very much for the hotel recommendations. I looked at all the places that were mentioned and they all seem lovely. It's hard to choose! We were also looking at the Derrymore B&B website. Anyone ever stayed there?
Nov 14th, 2006, 04:04 AM
#23
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If you do end up in Belfast I would recommend staying outside of Belfast in Killyleagh. Hands-down Bar-none our favorite town in Ireland (north or south!)Especially if you will be there on a Saturday afternoon. Stop in at the Dufferin Arms for the Trad music and you will not ever want to leave this great town.
I love northern Ireland. We started in Belfast and worked our way around and after making it as far as Doolin we ended up going back to Killyleagh early just to spend a few more nights.
I love northern Ireland. We started in Belfast and worked our way around and after making it as far as Doolin we ended up going back to Killyleagh early just to spend a few more nights.
Feb 1st, 2007, 10:19 AM
#24
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Just wanted to post an update... We BOOKED OUR FLIGHTS!! I'm so excited! We changed our itinerary a bit since I last posted (we decided to save Scotland for another trip), so here's the update. We're still looking for sightseeing & restaurant recommendations-- basically any little tips on these areas we've selected.
Day 1- CLIFDEN
Arrive Shannon in the AM. Rent car. Drive to Clifden.
Lodging: Buttermilk Lodge B&B
Day 2- CLIFDEN
Sights: Explore Rossadilisk & Omey Island
Day 3- CLIFDEN
Sights: Explore Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Sky Road, Westport?
Day 4- DOOLIN
Drive from Clifden to Doolin, via Galway City.
Galway Sights: Latin Quarter, Lynch Castle, St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch
Lodging: (possibly Cullinan’s Guesthouse?)
Day 5- DOOLIN
Sights: The Burren/Caves, Cliffs of Moher, Quin Abbey
Day 6- KILLARNEY
Drive to Killarney.
Sights: Killarney Lakes/ Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House, Ross Castle
Lodging: Ross Castle Lodge B&B
Day 7- KILLARNEY
Drive the Dingle Peninsula.
Day 8- KILLARNEY
Possible day trips from Killarney: Kenmare, Kinsale. Or just spend more time around the lakes.
Day 8- GLENDALOUGH
Drive to Glendalough via the Rock of Cashel.
Lodging: (possibly Derrymore House or Glendalough River House?)
Day 9- DUBLIN
Drive to Dublin.
Lodging: Westin Dublin
Day 10- DUBLIN
Sights (spread over 3 days): The Post Office, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, Christchurch and St Patrick's Cathedral, The Four Courts, Guinness Brewery, Temple Bar, No. 29 Lower Fitzwilliam, National Museum, Dublin Castle Tour, Garden of Remembrance
Day 11- DUBLIN
Day 12- BELFAST
Drive to Belfast
Sights: Black Taxi Tour of the murals, Belfast Castle, more city sights
Day 13- BELFAST
Drive up Antrim Coast: Giant’s Causeway, Rope Bridge
Day 15- BELFAST
Drive to Dublin, via Trim
Day 16- Fly home
Day 1- CLIFDEN
Arrive Shannon in the AM. Rent car. Drive to Clifden.
Lodging: Buttermilk Lodge B&B
Day 2- CLIFDEN
Sights: Explore Rossadilisk & Omey Island
Day 3- CLIFDEN
Sights: Explore Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Sky Road, Westport?
Day 4- DOOLIN
Drive from Clifden to Doolin, via Galway City.
Galway Sights: Latin Quarter, Lynch Castle, St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch
Lodging: (possibly Cullinan’s Guesthouse?)
Day 5- DOOLIN
Sights: The Burren/Caves, Cliffs of Moher, Quin Abbey
Day 6- KILLARNEY
Drive to Killarney.
Sights: Killarney Lakes/ Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House, Ross Castle
Lodging: Ross Castle Lodge B&B
Day 7- KILLARNEY
Drive the Dingle Peninsula.
Day 8- KILLARNEY
Possible day trips from Killarney: Kenmare, Kinsale. Or just spend more time around the lakes.
Day 8- GLENDALOUGH
Drive to Glendalough via the Rock of Cashel.
Lodging: (possibly Derrymore House or Glendalough River House?)
Day 9- DUBLIN
Drive to Dublin.
Lodging: Westin Dublin
Day 10- DUBLIN
Sights (spread over 3 days): The Post Office, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol, Christchurch and St Patrick's Cathedral, The Four Courts, Guinness Brewery, Temple Bar, No. 29 Lower Fitzwilliam, National Museum, Dublin Castle Tour, Garden of Remembrance
Day 11- DUBLIN
Day 12- BELFAST
Drive to Belfast
Sights: Black Taxi Tour of the murals, Belfast Castle, more city sights
Day 13- BELFAST
Drive up Antrim Coast: Giant’s Causeway, Rope Bridge
Day 15- BELFAST
Drive to Dublin, via Trim
Day 16- Fly home
Feb 1st, 2007, 02:51 PM
#26
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Erin, it is shaping up nicely. How exciting for you!
Yes, the drive times might be a bit long, but you can adjust as you go along. There is nothing written in stone. You might find that you want another day in one spot. If the B&B you were in doesn't have room, they will help you find a comparable one.
I would probably add another day in Clifden and take one away from Doolin or Killarney, as Clifden & Dublin are two of your focal points.
In Dublin, take advantage of some of the walking tours or pub crawls:
www.angeltoursdublin.com
www.historicalinsights.ie.
www.discoverdublin.ie
www.zozimus.com
www.dublinpubcrawl.com
Use one of your Dublin Days to catch a tour up to Newgrange, as signing up on a tour guarantees you entrance to the tombs, www.irishrover.ie . You will be glad that you did.
Belfast also has some great walking tours,www.belfastpubtours.com & www.gotobelfast.com are two for you to check out. You could also take a cruise down the River Lagan, www.laganboatcompany.com.
For lodging in Doolin, I would suggest the Doolin Activity Lodge, as it is easy to get in and out of and is just a short walk to O'Connor's on Fisher Street and McGann's and McDermott's.
As for Killarney or Kenmare, I would have to side with Kenmare. Killarney National Park is an easy day trip from Kenmare.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic
Yes, the drive times might be a bit long, but you can adjust as you go along. There is nothing written in stone. You might find that you want another day in one spot. If the B&B you were in doesn't have room, they will help you find a comparable one.
I would probably add another day in Clifden and take one away from Doolin or Killarney, as Clifden & Dublin are two of your focal points.
In Dublin, take advantage of some of the walking tours or pub crawls:
www.angeltoursdublin.com
www.historicalinsights.ie.
www.discoverdublin.ie
www.zozimus.com
www.dublinpubcrawl.com
Use one of your Dublin Days to catch a tour up to Newgrange, as signing up on a tour guarantees you entrance to the tombs, www.irishrover.ie . You will be glad that you did.
Belfast also has some great walking tours,www.belfastpubtours.com & www.gotobelfast.com are two for you to check out. You could also take a cruise down the River Lagan, www.laganboatcompany.com.
For lodging in Doolin, I would suggest the Doolin Activity Lodge, as it is easy to get in and out of and is just a short walk to O'Connor's on Fisher Street and McGann's and McDermott's.
As for Killarney or Kenmare, I would have to side with Kenmare. Killarney National Park is an easy day trip from Kenmare.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic
Feb 3rd, 2007, 11:58 PM
#29
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Thank you, Cowboycraic, for all the great tips! I will definitely check out those sites. We were just talking about wanting to do a pub crawl, actually.
IrishEyes-- sorry, I did take down your notes on hotels before and then forgot to copy them into this itinerary. I really appreciate your feedback! Riversdale House looks especially nice. That's at the top of my list of possibilities!
Are we crazy to think we can get from Killarney to Glendalough in one day without making ourselves miserable? Would it be better to leave Killarney a little earlier and stay in Cashel one night on the way to Glendalough? Is there anyplace particularly scenic near Cashel you'd recommend?
The more I think we have this all nailed down, the more questions we come up with. Thank you all so much for your input!
IrishEyes-- sorry, I did take down your notes on hotels before and then forgot to copy them into this itinerary. I really appreciate your feedback! Riversdale House looks especially nice. That's at the top of my list of possibilities!
Are we crazy to think we can get from Killarney to Glendalough in one day without making ourselves miserable? Would it be better to leave Killarney a little earlier and stay in Cashel one night on the way to Glendalough? Is there anyplace particularly scenic near Cashel you'd recommend?
The more I think we have this all nailed down, the more questions we come up with. Thank you all so much for your input!
Feb 4th, 2007, 09:33 AM
#32
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Erin74 wrote: "Are we crazy to think we can get from Killarney to Glendalough in one day without making ourselves miserable? Would it be better to leave Killarney a little earlier and stay in Cashel one night on the way to Glendalough? Is there anyplace particularly scenic near Cashel you'd recommend?"
The answer to ALL those questions is Yes, AND No.
Welcome to the classic Irish travel dilemma ...
Is the drive from Killarney to Glendalough too long?
Yes, if you stop along the way to see any of the marveles that you pass by or near.
No, if you just concentrate on the destination.
Would it be better to leave Killarney early and spend a night enroute?
Yes, if you want to visit Cashel and Cahir more than just in passing.
No, if you haven't seen all that the Killarney area has to offer. The Gap of Dunloe / Lakes tour takes the better part of a day, but on a good day, it's worth every minute.
I like Cashel and Cahir (for different reasons). The 'Vee Drive' to/from Lismore is very scenic.
Every trip to Ireland forces us to make difficult choices as to what we do and what we pass by. Perhaps, that is why this summer will mark our Ninth visit. We STILL haven't 'Seen It All' and I dunno if we ever will. . .
But, it sure as Hell will be fun trying...
Bob
The answer to ALL those questions is Yes, AND No.
Welcome to the classic Irish travel dilemma ...
Is the drive from Killarney to Glendalough too long?
Yes, if you stop along the way to see any of the marveles that you pass by or near.
No, if you just concentrate on the destination.
Would it be better to leave Killarney early and spend a night enroute?
Yes, if you want to visit Cashel and Cahir more than just in passing.
No, if you haven't seen all that the Killarney area has to offer. The Gap of Dunloe / Lakes tour takes the better part of a day, but on a good day, it's worth every minute.
I like Cashel and Cahir (for different reasons). The 'Vee Drive' to/from Lismore is very scenic.
Every trip to Ireland forces us to make difficult choices as to what we do and what we pass by. Perhaps, that is why this summer will mark our Ninth visit. We STILL haven't 'Seen It All' and I dunno if we ever will. . .
But, it sure as Hell will be fun trying...
Bob
Feb 6th, 2007, 05:43 PM
#33
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Would also like to add --and I freely acknowledge that the 'stay two or more nights in each location' folks will probably SCREAM --
I would drive from Doolin to Dingle, drive Slea Head and spend the night in Dingle, THEN move on to Killarney for TWO nights instead of three. The drive from Killarney to Dingle will take you AT LEAST 1.5 hours EACH way. Just doesn't seem worth it to me...
Bob
I would drive from Doolin to Dingle, drive Slea Head and spend the night in Dingle, THEN move on to Killarney for TWO nights instead of three. The drive from Killarney to Dingle will take you AT LEAST 1.5 hours EACH way. Just doesn't seem worth it to me...
Bob
Feb 7th, 2007, 11:02 AM
#34
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suggestions...
day 3-from kylemore abbey continue on past leenane, aasleagh falls thru doo lough valley to croagh Patrick.
I would skip galway sight seeing and do burren/cliffs with one night in doolin then add day to Killarney (of course I would do 2 dingle, 2 kenmare and include beara/healy pass)
gap dunloe/lakes tour is great if you have the perfect day...takes most of the day (approx 10am to 4/5pm)...if you do jaunting carts thru gap then boat on lakes
I think you would enjoy seeing cahir (possibly swiss cottage nearby) and rock of cashel...stay in cashel and visit glendalough next day on way to dublin...
question...
are you keeping car in dublin? if so why not go from cashel...tour glendalough and stay in trim then do belfast days, and drive back to dublin, turn in car...end trip in dublin
I don't think you will want a car for 3 days/nights in dublin
day 3-from kylemore abbey continue on past leenane, aasleagh falls thru doo lough valley to croagh Patrick.
I would skip galway sight seeing and do burren/cliffs with one night in doolin then add day to Killarney (of course I would do 2 dingle, 2 kenmare and include beara/healy pass)
gap dunloe/lakes tour is great if you have the perfect day...takes most of the day (approx 10am to 4/5pm)...if you do jaunting carts thru gap then boat on lakes
I think you would enjoy seeing cahir (possibly swiss cottage nearby) and rock of cashel...stay in cashel and visit glendalough next day on way to dublin...
question...
are you keeping car in dublin? if so why not go from cashel...tour glendalough and stay in trim then do belfast days, and drive back to dublin, turn in car...end trip in dublin
I don't think you will want a car for 3 days/nights in dublin
Feb 8th, 2007, 11:31 AM
#35
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Thanks for these tips. My husband and I are discussing them. The Doolin --> Killarney --> Glendalough part of the trip is still being worked on, in particular. We're considering all the options you've mentioned.
We booked Buttermilk Lodge in Clifden, the Westin Dublin and are about to book Somerton House in Belfast (I think). The Kerry/Clare stuff is still so up in the air that we need to work that out before booking anything in those regions.
More updates to come.... Thanks so much for your input!
We booked Buttermilk Lodge in Clifden, the Westin Dublin and are about to book Somerton House in Belfast (I think). The Kerry/Clare stuff is still so up in the air that we need to work that out before booking anything in those regions.
More updates to come.... Thanks so much for your input!
Apr 12th, 2007, 10:27 AM
#36
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We're leaving in about two weeks and are all booked and ready to go! I just wanted to report back and let you all know what we decided on. It's basically the itinerary I posted on 2/1/07:
Arriving in Shannon
3 nights Clifden: Buttermilk Lodge
2 nights Doolin: Cullinan's Guesthouse
3 nights Killarney: Ross Castle Lodge
1 night Glendalough: Riversdale House
3 nights Dublin: Westin Dublin
2 nights Belfast: Somerton House
1 night Dublin airport: Days Hotel Dublin Airport
Flying out of Dublin.
We rented our car through Avis & got the CDW. We got a good rate through USAA, where we bank.
We are going to pick our Heritage Card when we arrive in Ireland.
We're keeping the car in Northern Ireland so we can drive up to Giant's Causeway.
I am beyond excited about this and will definitely be back after our return to post a report. Thanks again for all your tips and advice. It's much appreciated!
Arriving in Shannon
3 nights Clifden: Buttermilk Lodge
2 nights Doolin: Cullinan's Guesthouse
3 nights Killarney: Ross Castle Lodge
1 night Glendalough: Riversdale House
3 nights Dublin: Westin Dublin
2 nights Belfast: Somerton House
1 night Dublin airport: Days Hotel Dublin Airport
Flying out of Dublin.
We rented our car through Avis & got the CDW. We got a good rate through USAA, where we bank.
We are going to pick our Heritage Card when we arrive in Ireland.
We're keeping the car in Northern Ireland so we can drive up to Giant's Causeway.
I am beyond excited about this and will definitely be back after our return to post a report. Thanks again for all your tips and advice. It's much appreciated!
