Hello! Could someone please critique the Ireland portion of our 4-week trip to Ireland/Scotland, planned for the month of May? Biggest concerns are obviously timing &amp; routing of the driving involved. Thanks so very much for any input or advice for us first-time travelers to Ireland. <BR><BR>Day 2: Arrive Dublin, pick up rental car, drive to Cashel. Explore the Rock sights, sleep in Cashel. <BR>Day 3: Drive to Kenmare. On way, stop at Cahir Castle, then on to drive part of Beara Peninsula (West at Glengarriff, over Healy Pass, on to Kenmare for the night. We’re omitting Cork City and Blarney Castle.)<BR>Day 4: From Kenmare, N on 71 thru Ladies View to sleep in Dingle Town. (In Killarney area are mainly interested in Torc Waterfall, walk or jaunting car ride thru Gap of Dunloe (not entire tour with boat ride – but even with being selective about all that’s available here, is it still reasonable to get to Dingle Town by evening?)<BR>Day 5: Dingle Peninsula. Sleep second night in Dingle.<BR>Day 6: More time for Dingle sights in morning, then drive to Cliffs and Doolin (thru Tralee, via Tarbert-Kilimer ferry, north along the coast) Sleep in Doolin.<BR>Day 7: Drive around Burren area during day, perhaps banquet at Dunguaire Castle in early evening, then either sleep near Castle in Kinvarra or further on in Galway City.<BR>Day 8: From Galway City base, day tour to Aran Islands. Sleep in Galway City.<BR>Day 9: Also from Galway City base, day tour of Connemara area. Sleep again in Galway City.<BR>Day 10: Drive E on 6 thru Midland area to sleep in Trim. Stops for Clonmacnoise and Bog Rail Tour.<BR>Day 11: Early Newgrange Tour, then stop at Monasterboice, and back to airport to turn in car. Train or bus to Belfast.<BR>Day 12: from Belfast base, day tour of Antrim Coast (Giant’s Causeway, etc). Sleep in Belfast.<BR>Day 13: also from Belfast base, day tour/s and/or black taxi tours of city. Sleep Belfast.<BR>Day 14: Ferry or fly to Scotland. NOTE: we’re saving Dublin for the 2 days before our return flight <BR>

Hi Margeo!<BR><BR>We did a similar trip this past May, in terms of direction. Overall, I think your plan sounds feasible, but I would have some concerns about that first day (day 2). Not sure where you are flying in from, but if it's from the Americas, personally I'm thinking it's going to be rough flying in, grabbing a car and then driving on unfamiliar turf on the opposite side of the road for three hours.<BR><BR>We flew from the mid-US and felt ver fortunate that we had a couple of days of recuperation near Dublin (family to visit) before tackling the drive.<BR><BR>Since you've already said that Dublin area is destined for another trip, I'll try to avoid bemoaning the fact that your first drive, whenever you take it, will bypass some really beautiful areas, including the amazing area of the Wicklow mts! That was one of our favorite places, but we did end up skipping the Aran Islands because of that decision.<BR><BR>Keep in mind with your drive times that you -will- have rain. We had at least a little rain every single day in mid to late May, but never long or hard enough to waste a day.<BR><BR>You're spot on with the Healey Pass idea. It's perfect, driving in from the Cork side, back towards Kenmare. You'll see what I mean when you top the pass.<BR><BR>For the Cashel night, check out Legends Guesthoust. http://www.legendsguesthouse.com Ask for a room with a view of the Rock. They should have something, as we got a full on view of the Rock lit up at night as walk-ins.<BR><BR>Also, personally I liked the boat portion of the Gap of Dunloe roundabout better than the cart thing. We were going for ponies to ride the gap, but they'd run out. It's touristy as anything, but still, it was fun (and a wet day! bring a parka or something).<BR><BR>Finally, I'd stay in Connemara rather than Galway, but that's a matter of personal taste. I'm a country/scenery person more than a city person. Either way, do not miss the Lough Inagh valley drive either to or from Kylemore Abbey. Again, it was grey and misty on that drive, but the weather actually gave the place an almost 'other-worldly' feel there in the middle of the Twelve Pins.<BR><BR>Have fun, no matter how you work things out for your trip! Let us know how the Scotland portion turns out. We have cousins with a hotel around Glencoe, but have never been, so it's on the agenda in the next couple of years!

Thanks, Clifton! Your input is so helpfpul! You won't believe that we had already decided to make that first night's reservation at the Legends in Cashel! Some other comments: As far as first day of driving from Dublin, we figured since the Aer Lingus flight gets in at 9 a.m., we could get to Cashel by mid afternoon. And, you are right to point out we're giving up Wicklow area...from what we read it sounds quite beautiful ...but... something has to go. We are a bit nervous about driving Healey Pass (also Connor Pass on Dingle Peninsula), but sounds too good to give up. What is REALLY food for thought is your suggestion re: staying in Connemara vs Galway City. Hadn't thought of that, because we figured being in the city might make it easier to sign on to day tours of the Arrans and Connemara (in case by then we're burned out about driving). Will give your option serious thought. Once more, thanks for your valuable input!

margeo,<BR><BR>You have the makings of a fabulous trip, but I have the sneaking suspicion that, given your proposed itinerary, it's a bit of whirlwind tour. In other words, you'll see much of Ireland, but you'll have only enough time for an all but cursory glimpse of many attractions.<BR><BR>To be more specific, and on the plus side, I think it wise to omit a trip to Blarney which is one of Ireland's most overrated sites.<BR><BR>On the other hand, however, the trip from Cashel to Glengariff is a bit tiring, and, before heading off for the Beara Peninsula, you'd be wise to soak up some of Glengariff (an attractive little town), and maybe even take an hour trip out to nearby Garinish Island. Even without this side trip, you'll be rushed to tour Beara and do it justice. Even if you do squeeze it all in, you're looking at a very busy day. <BR><BR>As an alternative, you might consider staying in Glengariff for the night, have a leisurely breakfast the following morning, and then enjoy the better part of a day on the Beara in a relaxed, easygoing manner.<BR><BR>As regards your day in Killarney, yes, you could spend the day in Killarney National Park and then make it on up to Dingle before sunset. But once again, you're looking at a most hectic day. Indeed, by day's end, you might be thinking of travel writer Rick Steves, who said, &quot;I need a vacation from my vacation.&quot;<BR><BR>Concerning Dingle, I'd reserve a minimum of two full days. You'll want one day to tour Slea Head, and another that combines time in Dingle town along with a half-day tour of Great Blasket Island. <BR><BR>Finally, rather than limiting yourself to a full day in the Burren, Connemara, and the Aran Islands, I'd suggest that you base yourself in either west Clare or Galway City for several days and explore the neighboring region. Spending a single day in the Burren or Connemara would be a shame, as there is so very much to see and do. Moreover, a common mistake is a day-trip to the Aran Islands. The largest island, Inishmore, is at its best when the crowds (meaning day-trippers) head back to the mainland.<BR><BR>Once again, you've the makings of a super trip, but spending a bit more time in fewer locales would, I think, make your vacation more relaxing and rewarding.<BR><BR>Best of luck.

Hi Margeo:<BR><BR>I agree with the posters that you will see much of Ireland, much you may not experience a lot of it. I won't give you a substitute itinerary but I'll point out the &quot;too busy&quot; days (IMHO).<BR><BR>Days 3 and 4 are too much and day two will be pretty tiring depending on your point of origin in the States. I also concur that it is okay to miss Balrney castle, though the grounds are quite beautiful and the castle is nice. The whole problem is the number of tourists and the Blarney Stone thing.<BR><BR>You might consider spending a night on the Arans if you can because the best time to see them is before the boats arive or after they have left.<BR><BR>I second the notion of not stayin in Galway, but near. I too enjoy the countryside so I am biased.<BR><BR>Day 10 will be pretty full depending on what you try to get done. On Day 11, be sure to get to Newgrange early to make sure you get a tour. Thise arriving late in the day will probably be turned away from a tour option. By the way, if you get there late in the day and no tours are available, if you ask them, they will probably honor your entry ticket to the visitor center the next morning and only charge you for the tour. <BR><BR>Last, though there are tours up to Giant's Causeway that take just a day, it hardly does it justice. The Antrim coast is spectacular and the glens are wonderful. Of the big 3 scenic hits on the north coast, Giants Causeway may be my least favorite (though certainly interesting). Then again, if I was on a tour bus, I would NOT want to go to Carrick-a-Rede. The beauty of the place is it's peacefulness and touring it with a hundred other people all quaking in fear as they cross the rope bridge is not my idea of fun.<BR><BR>I wasn't much help here, but you might consider slowing down a bit, visiting fewer sites and seeing more of the ones you visit.<BR><BR>Bill

I have traveled in Ireland and find your itinerary to be OK. But please do not carve your itinerary in stone. I personaly have never made an itinerary and have always went with the flow and had a great time. Just make sure you are in Dublin the day before your return flight as I did.