request for ireland itinerary advice
 

We (me, husband and 11 year old daughter) are spending 13 nights in Ireland at the end of August, arriving Dublin, departing Shannon. After reviewing the info in these posts, I have come up with the following itinerary:
2 nights Dublin
1 night Kilkenny
2 nights Kenmare
3 nights Dingle
1-2 nights Doolin area
2 nights Westport
1 night Ennis or other near airport

The goal was to limit the driving (somewhat). We like scenery, castles, interesting villages. We hope to get to at least one of the islands off the coast if weather permits. Nightlife is less important. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone might have - either ways to limit the driving further or places to add, subtract or substitute. Thanks.

Alice,

On the whole, I like your itinerary. You have done your research quite well. The only change I might make is to take a day away from Dingle, stay in Galway instead of Doolin for a night and do an overnight on Inis Mor. By catching the Ferry out of Rossaveal, you will be in good position upon your return to head for Westport.

You might consider staying in Bunratty on your last night and partaking in the fun at the Corn Barn at Bunratty Park. Your daughter would certainly enjoy it. The Atlantaquarium in Galway is also great fun for children of her age. You can catch the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle between Kilkenny and Dingle. Of course, on Dingle, she will love seeing Fungi, the Dingle Dolphin.

Let me know if you need Lodging recommendations. I wil be happy to oblige. You will need to start booking now, as August is a busy time.

Slan Beo,

Bit Devine

A few things to note:

1. This is a good looking itinerary although Westport is a bit out of the way. I might leave Westport out (and I love Westport) and add another day to the Kilkenny area. There is much to see there.

2. You are traveling during high season and every town you have listed is a tourist mecca with the exception of perhaps Ennis and it will be crowded too. Kenmare is a better alternative to Killarney at that time so it's a bit better. You might want to consider perhaps changing one of the places out. Doolin in particular is crazy and it's big attraction are the pubs at night and the cliffs nearby. At that time, the pubs will be insane in the evening and you won't catch much music unless you sit on one of the musicians lap. Very noisy. Consider something like Miltown Malbay instead. I don't know much about it, but it has a pretty good reputation for traditional Irish music. Other options would be Lisdoonvarna, Lehinch, or perhaps Corofin. Just a thought.

3. Bit's idea to go to one of the Arans is nice, and I would definitely stay the night as they will be very crowded during the day. A late afternoon trip to the sites after the boats have departed is quite nice. You would want to make reservations. There are three ways to get there: The ferry from Doolin (which sometimes has trouble in windy weather), the ferry from Rossaveal or the plane from Inverin. The flight is a bit more per person, but is very quick and if anyone has a weak stomach, it saves sea sickness enroute.

It is certainly possible to get to Westport from Doolin, but most of one day would be driving there and you would have one day to see the area.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Bill,

I am having a good giggle at the thought of someone sitting on the musician's lap! It makes the point very well. I think they would have a better time of it in Galway. I definitely think your suggestion to add a day to Kilkenny and remove Westport is worth their consideration.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Yeah, I'm thinking Westport is a ways out there too. If going north, I'd probably stick closer to Galway and maybe enjoy Connemara, but not head all the way to Westport.

In Clare, Kilkee and Ballyvaughan are also good choices for families (I really like Killaloe and Ballina, but they are a little further from the major sites).

Ennis and Bunratty are both good choices for your last night. The ceili in the corn barn at Bunratty is an excellent suggestion (the banquet is fun as well).

Thank you all for the help - I'll take the advice. I avoided Galway because it seems to have gotten mixed reviews here particularly as a place difficult to drive in. Is there some alternative to Westport if it is too far? Although I have looked at lodging reviews on this site, any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks again.

You could add a night to Kilkenny for one of those nights. You might also consider taking a trip out and spending a night on one of the Aran Islands, Inis Mor being the most populated. Another option would be to throw in a couple days in one of the villages in SW Cork (Kinsale, Clonakilty, Baltimore). Since you will be traveling in August, Kinsale would probably be my last choice of those since it tends to be pretty crowded then. A third option would be near, but not in Galway. I like Oughterard.

Dublin: Pembroke Townhouse: http://www.pembroketownhouse.ie/

Kilkenny, Laragh House:
http://www.laraghhouse.com/

Kenmare, Waters Edge:
http://www.kenmare.eu/watersedge/

Baltimore, Channel View:
http://www.channelviewbb.com/

Dingle, The Shores (my favorite:
http://www.theshorescountryhouse.com/

Oughterard, Waterfront Lodge:
http://indigo.ie/~waterfnt/

Ennis, Lake Side Lodge:
http://www.lakeside.ie/

These are all places that I've stayed at and I liked. There are certainly other choices too.

Bill

Oops, forgot Doolin:

Atlantic View:
http://www.doolinferries.com/atlanticview.html

Bill

Thanks again for all this info. Just as I was about to buy my tickets, I found a lower airfare if I fly into Shannon and out of Dublin. Would it make sense to do this trip in reverse as follows:
1 night Doolin area (maybe Ballyvaughan to avoid Doolin)
1 night Aran Islands
3 nights Dingle
2 nights Kenamre
2 nights Kilkenny
2 nights Baltimore
2 nights Dublin
Although I would love to spend the night on Inis Mor (assuming I can get a reservation), I am concerned that if I can't get there because of the weather, I will be stuck with no hotel reservation.

The sequence Kenmare - Kilkenny - Baltimore looks like a mistake. I presume you intended Kenmare - Baltimore - Kilkenny.

Yes, I think you have the makings of a good itinerary.

That's a fine itinerary with the switich in order that Padraig suggested.

Bill

Another point, you can almost always get there from either Rossaveal or the airport at Inverin. The flight is a little more but MUCH easier on the stomach if the seas are rough. The flight takes ten minutes and is very cool.

Bill

Thanks for the correction. I have now emailed many of the hotels you recommend. One last concern: with this itinerary we are going to have to return from the Aran Islands on the morning (assuming we have spent the night there) and drive straight to Dingle the same day. Is this realistic?

I would like to add to your list of hotels.

I've stayed twice in Lisdoonvarna rather than Doolin. Sheedy's Country House Hotel is a very nice hotel with great food. Also Carrigan hotel is nice and has good food.

Kenmare I stayed 7 nights at The Lodge(a guest house). It is an easy walk to town, has very comfortable accommodations and I believe all three of you would be fine in one room. My son's had a king bed and a single bed. They aren't huge rooms, about like a Marriott or Holiday Inn.

Also, Dingle we stayed at Greenmount House, a guest house. The three of you would be very comfortable in one of their suites. They are very big and have wonderful views. It's very close to town, just a steep hill down and back up.

Years ago I stayed at Langton House in Kilkenny. I liked it very much and I see it is still getting good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Have a great trip. Joan

I think you would be able to make it to Dingle, though it would be a long day. It would make a good argument for flying. Here is the link to Aer Arran:
http://www.aerarannislands.ie/

All of the places I listed are B&Bs and I think most offer triples. I believe all of the rooms at the Waters Edge are triples and I know Annette has triples at The Shores. Every place I gave you falls in or very close to what I think is the "standard" B&B price which is about E32-45 per person these days. The Shores is on the higher end of that, but well worth it. The two rooms I've had at the Lakeside in Ennis were triple/quads. Another nice place with a wonderful view. It's a working farm. When we were there in February, lambing had become and my wife was beside herself with excitement over those tining little things. Your daughter might like that very much.

I agree that somewhere outside of Doolin is as good choice. I don't have many suggestions for the area but Michele Erdvig (irelandyes.com) lists Drumcreehy House in Ballyvaughan http://www.drumcreehyhouse.com/ and her suggestions are always excellent.

Bill

I agree with Bill on Irelandyes web-site, she stays in all of the places she recommends and she keeps it up-to-date. I've used a few of them.

Carrigan in Lisdoonvarna is a moderate rate.
Sheedy's is a little more expensive

The Lodge in Kenmare runs a little more than a B&B.

Greenmount in Dingle suites run a little more also. Their regular rooms would be a moderate rate, but I think too small for 3 of you.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've already gotten a reply from Waters Edge saying they have availability with a rate of only 78 euros/night and I may try the Lodge just to compare. I will look into availability for the places you mention in Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan I am inclined to splurge a little there because it will be our first night in Ireland. I am hoping to average $200-250/night for the 13 nights and it seems most of these places will fall in that range.

Maureen at the Water's Edge is really nice. They sit up on the hill overlooking the bay and have a picnic table with the same view. If that is E78 for three people, that is a very good rate. The Lodge shows their rates at 45-55 pp and since you are there in August, figure 55. The Lodge is a lovely place though.

You should easily be able to get rooms for $200-250 per night for three. You could easily spend more though.

Bill