November Ireland Itinerary-Comments?
 

Going to Ireland in November, here is the tentative itinerary. I welcome suggestions/comments, thanks!

Nov. 3 W Leave US
Nov. 4 Th Arrive Shannon airport/stay Doolin
Nov. 5 F Moher, Burren/stay Doolin
Nov. 6 Sa Drive to Dingle/stay Dingle
Nov. 7 Su Dingle,Dingle Peninsula/stay Dingle
Nov. 8 M Ring Kerry/stay Killarney
Nov. 9 Tu Drive to Thurles/stay Thurles
Nov. 10W Cashel, Holy Cross/stay Thurles
Nov. 11Th Drive to Dublin/stay Dublin
Nov. 12F Trinity, Dublin sites/stay Dublin
Nov. 13Sa Return home from Dublin airport

Seems quite reasonable and well thought out to me. Personally, given the time of year, I would cut one night stay out of either Doolin or Dingle and add it into Killarney. Both Doolin and Dingle will be rather quiet in November whereas the more touristy Killarney area will still have plenty to occupy you. I know many others would disagree -- Killarney REALLy is a BIG TOURIST TOWN, but there are good reasons for that. I would be more inclined to follow your itinerary in June or July, but mine in Novemember, but the final decision is yours.

ferret-

was there in nov. a year ago and just to be sure it got down to the 30's at night. during the day it average about mid to low 50's. be prepared for that. you will love it. like italy, its just how you imagine it to be.

I think you've got a great plan. I hope you won't cut a day from your time in Dingle. It's true that the town may be quiet, but there's so much more to see on the peninsula than just Dingle Town.

I've stayed in Doolin in November and it's very quiet...although all 3 pubs remain open. If you decide to cut a day from Doolin, you'd have to do your Burren tour on Nov. 4, and that's doable if you're not too tired. The drive up the coast from Doolin to Ballyvaughan is also beautiful, so I guess I'd stick with your leisurely pace and spend the two nights in Doolin.

I've never spent a night in Thurles, so can't comment on that piece.

Dingle Penninsula has a town???

Just kidding. My thought was that the drive from Doolin would still leave time to do some exploring - Connor Pass, at the least, prior to spending the night. The next morning would give ample time for a liesurely tour of Slea Head, while still making it on to Killarney, before dark. That way, you could spend the evening exploring the town, leaving you additional time for the ROK, and possibly some of Killarney's other attractions. I would drive the N71 to Kenmare (the views are extrodinary!), then drive the Ring CLOCKWISE. I think the views are better this way, and last I knew the busses went anti- clockwise, so, if you do see any, they will be coming AT you (which is MUCH BETTER than following one for miles!)

Please realize that driving is difficult at best, and horrible at worst. Getting from place to place took us a lot longer than we figured. Consequently we were often feeling frustrated. The roads are very narrow and signage isn't good. I would suggest you not make reservations ahead of time. That way you can let the flow of the day dictate where you stay. Also, choose a place within walking distance to the town center. Just bundle up for the walk after an evening in the pubs. It's much better to enjoy the Guinness and not have to worry about driving. Cheers!

Hi FerretMeister:

I agree with the others. This looks like a good plan. I think you could go either way on the Dingle Killarney thing. Though I'm not a fan of Killarney during high season, I think it could be fun in November.

Doolin is very quiet in November, put the pubs liven up at night. The nice thing about Doolin at that time is that you can sit near the band and actually hear them. It's still a good idea to get there early. There were certainly plenty of people there when the band was playing. We stayed in Doolin last Nov for two nights and had a fine time, but we concentrated our entire week on County Clare and a little bit of Galway.

The roads are indeed narrow, but I don't think that you have any undo-able days in your plan. You should be able to make reservations, which I would suggest at that time of year. Not that you wouldn't be able to find accommodation, but many B&Bs are closed and you might end up spending a lot of time knocking on doors. There is not a great deal of daylight in November, so you will want to spend those hours enjoying the sights, not looking for a room.

I don't believe that I've ever even driven through Thurles, so I know nothing of the town. You might consider staying in Cashel if you have no particular attachment to Thurles.

Bill

When you see the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, and ROK you are repeating a lot of coastal views- Spend the day Nov 8, skip ROK and go to Kilarney Natl Park- The inland/parkland atmosphere is totally different than the coasts- The meeting of the waters hike was about the highlight of our week. We did everything else on your itineray on the SW coast but loved our day at Killarney Natl Park, (with stops at Muckross house and Ross Castle)

Ferret,

While the town of Thurles is by no means worthy of a special trip (nearby Kilkenny would be a much better choice), should you stay there you might want to consider a few worthwhile attractions, two of which are located close to the town itself.

Holy Cross Abbey, founded in the 12th century, is a popular parish church and a place of pilgrimage. This Cistercian abbey claims to possess a piece of the True Cross. What's particularly impressive about Holy Cross is that, prior to about 30 years ago, the building had been in a terrible state of disrepair for some 400 years. The recent restoration of the church is quite remarkable. The abbey also contains medieval frescoes, highly unusual in Ireland.

Also close to Thurles is Ballynahow Castle. (Next to the castle is a B & B that'll provide you with a key to enter the castle.) Ballynahow dates from the 16th century, and while there's nothing to see in the way of castle interior decoration, the building is wonderfully preserved. What's more, given there's a good chance you'll be touring the castle on your own, it might make for a rather unusual castle touring experience.

Finally, when you get a hankering for a pint and a bite to eat, go into town and check out Dwan Brewery (I hope it's still in business.). It's a very nice microbrewery that offers up a good alternative to the traditional pub grub and the generally limited variety of brews on tap in most Irish pubs. A microbrewery in small town Ireland is a most refreshing development.

Best of luck.

Just as an fyi--I am ferret's wife and the reason we are going to Thurles is to explore the area from which my great-grandfather came. We understand that it is not generally considered a highlight of a trip to Ireland--but it will mean something to us (well, maybe only to me--but ferret is obliging my wishes) In part, I would like to scope out the area as a way to know what to do when I bring my mother over someday.

As a related question, though, we are also acting somewhat as tour guides for two of my sisters--neither of whom can be described as experienced travellers of any kind. One of their top requests is to go to Waterford--a town that ferret and I both feel we can miss with no regrets (we've seen the crystal and been to glass/crystal factories before) Anyway, one of the reasons we are in Thurles for as long as we are is to accomodate their desire to drive to Waterford. Is that a reasonable day trip from Thurles?

Thurles to Waterford should take about an hour and a half, so should work for you as a day trip.