Requesting Assistance with Ireland Itinerary
Jan 27th, 2017, 08:57 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Requesting Assistance with Ireland Itinerary
Hi. My husband and I are traveling to Ireland for 2 1/2 weeks in late August to mid-September. I feel good about the first half of the itinerary (3 nights Dublin, 2 nights Kilkenny, 1 night Waterford Castle, 2 nights Kinsale) but would appreciate guidance on my thoughts about the last week plus of the trip.
I was planning on 1 night in Kenmare coming from Kinsale and stopping at Blarney Castle and driving through Killarney with stops at Muck Ross House, Killarney National Park (Ladies View, Torc waterfall) to Kenmare. Will this be too much for 1 day? Will I have time to arrive Kenmare and spend a few hours in the town before dinner? Now I am contemplating a 2nd night in Kenmare allowing time to explore the town on day 2 and then Gap of Dunloe or other sites in this region.
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep.
Next day driving the Dingle peninsula and spending time in Dingle town (sleep Dingle).
Should I spend more time in Dingle town (harbor cruise) in the morning and then drive to Newmarket on Fergus with an overnight at Dromoland Castle stopping in Adare and Bunratty or Knappogue of Craggaunown (which is best). Alternatively, I could skip this day and night at Dromoland and head from Dingle straight to Cliffs of Moher area. This would allow me a day trip at Aran Islands or Galway at the end of the trip? Do I need more than 1 day for Cliffs of Moher and the Burren? Help!
If we skip Dromoland, I would try to arrive Doolin to take a boat cruise of the Cliffs of Moher at 12 noon, drive along the coast to Ballyvaughan, drive around the Burren and go to Kinvara for the Medieval Banquet at 5:30 pm. Too much for one 1 day? I could spend more time on day 2 in the Burren before heading to Connemara. Should we sleep in Ballyvaughan after leaving Kinvara or is Doolin better for pub scene?
Probably spend more time in the Burren before driving to Cong and staying at Ashford castle for the night.
Leave Cong and drive to Aasleagh Falls (worth it?), Leeanne, Kylemore Abby, Connemare Park arrive in Clifden (sleep).
Leave Clifden via Roundtable and Recess to Rossaveal to take ferry to the Aran Island of Inishmore. Spend the day on Insihmore but if weather is bad perhaps spend day in Galway. Sleep somewhere around this area. Ideas?
Next day head to Valley of Boyne, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Trim castle and sleep in Trim.
Depart next day for trip back to US via Dublin airport.
Any and all advise is much appreciated. Thanks!
I was planning on 1 night in Kenmare coming from Kinsale and stopping at Blarney Castle and driving through Killarney with stops at Muck Ross House, Killarney National Park (Ladies View, Torc waterfall) to Kenmare. Will this be too much for 1 day? Will I have time to arrive Kenmare and spend a few hours in the town before dinner? Now I am contemplating a 2nd night in Kenmare allowing time to explore the town on day 2 and then Gap of Dunloe or other sites in this region.
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep.
Next day driving the Dingle peninsula and spending time in Dingle town (sleep Dingle).
Should I spend more time in Dingle town (harbor cruise) in the morning and then drive to Newmarket on Fergus with an overnight at Dromoland Castle stopping in Adare and Bunratty or Knappogue of Craggaunown (which is best). Alternatively, I could skip this day and night at Dromoland and head from Dingle straight to Cliffs of Moher area. This would allow me a day trip at Aran Islands or Galway at the end of the trip? Do I need more than 1 day for Cliffs of Moher and the Burren? Help!
If we skip Dromoland, I would try to arrive Doolin to take a boat cruise of the Cliffs of Moher at 12 noon, drive along the coast to Ballyvaughan, drive around the Burren and go to Kinvara for the Medieval Banquet at 5:30 pm. Too much for one 1 day? I could spend more time on day 2 in the Burren before heading to Connemara. Should we sleep in Ballyvaughan after leaving Kinvara or is Doolin better for pub scene?
Probably spend more time in the Burren before driving to Cong and staying at Ashford castle for the night.
Leave Cong and drive to Aasleagh Falls (worth it?), Leeanne, Kylemore Abby, Connemare Park arrive in Clifden (sleep).
Leave Clifden via Roundtable and Recess to Rossaveal to take ferry to the Aran Island of Inishmore. Spend the day on Insihmore but if weather is bad perhaps spend day in Galway. Sleep somewhere around this area. Ideas?
Next day head to Valley of Boyne, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Trim castle and sleep in Trim.
Depart next day for trip back to US via Dublin airport.
Any and all advise is much appreciated. Thanks!
Jan 27th, 2017, 10:42 AM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A trip to Aran Isle will be weather dependent. In four trips to Ireland we have not done this trip due to bad weather. Cliffs of Moher will not take that much time. Lots of tour buses and people--nothing like it was a few years back. Maybe you are planning to do boat cruise below cliffs. ROK over rated imo--some cute towns along the way with folk villages. We loved Dingle and on the last trip did the Dingle Bay cruise. Kylemore Abbey is well worth a visit and the gardens there are beautiful. Leeane has a small museum and gift shop but we did not see a sheep herding event--may have to book ahead for it? Ashford Castle certainly will not disappoint--gorgeous! Cong is a cute town and the Quiet Man cottage is worth a look.Newgrange is worth a visit for sure--museum and cafe there good. I found Trim Castle a bit underwhelming. You can walk the grounds and try to imagine the size of it but the only thing standing is the "keep" and it is timed entry and we did not devote extra time for it. Connemara visitor center has interesting information on peat bogs and some nice walks if you have time to do that. If you have any extra time I suggest trying to stop and see Glendalough before heading to Dublin airport. Forgot to add Valley of Boyne has a nice museum. Hope this rambling helps!
Jan 27th, 2017, 12:29 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can only remember 3 days in the past 10 years that the ferry from Rossaveal to Inis Mor was cancelled due to weather?
I have covered the Doolin option and "Castle" hotel section on TA,
# Nini # there are 2 sheep dog demonstrations in Connemara Joyces http://www.joycecountrysheepdogs.ie/ and Leenane http://www.killarysheepfarm.com/
I have covered the Doolin option and "Castle" hotel section on TA,
# Nini # there are 2 sheep dog demonstrations in Connemara Joyces http://www.joycecountrysheepdogs.ie/ and Leenane http://www.killarysheepfarm.com/
Jan 27th, 2017, 12:40 PM
#4
It has to be very bad weather for the ferry not to go from Rossaveal. Larger boat, sit more in the back and you should be ok. I have video of our ferry ride back from Clare island and that was not for anyone without some sea legs. Pick a hotel close enough to pubs for the night and eat at Teach Nan Phaidi before climbing to see the fort in Inishmore. Named one of the best Irish cafes.
Leeanne is well worth a drive. Cong is not that exciting but did have a couple of drinks at Pat Cohen's pub and saw the replica of the cottage. Tour the church ruins.
Burren and cliffs are a quick stop.
Leeanne is well worth a drive. Cong is not that exciting but did have a couple of drinks at Pat Cohen's pub and saw the replica of the cottage. Tour the church ruins.
Burren and cliffs are a quick stop.
Jan 27th, 2017, 01:54 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You said: "Now I am contemplating a 2nd night in Kenmare allowing time to explore the town on day 2 and then Gap of Dunloe or other sites in this region.
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep." If you do, indeed, spend two nights in Kenmare, my suggestion is to do the Ring of Kerry one day and not use that as your route to Dingle. Instead, drive over the MacGillycuddy Reeks to Dingle. This was an amazing drive and our absolute highlight of four weeks in Ireland. While driving this route, I felt like we saw the Ireland we had always seen in photographs. Stunning.
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep." If you do, indeed, spend two nights in Kenmare, my suggestion is to do the Ring of Kerry one day and not use that as your route to Dingle. Instead, drive over the MacGillycuddy Reeks to Dingle. This was an amazing drive and our absolute highlight of four weeks in Ireland. While driving this route, I felt like we saw the Ireland we had always seen in photographs. Stunning.
Jan 27th, 2017, 04:20 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a small detail that only one travel author who knows less about Ireland than many folk who ask questions on the forums, recommends driving the ring of Kerry clockwise face on into heavyweight traffic and sensible folk following the tourist board advise to drive the ring the way it should be driven COUNTER CLOCKWISE.
MacGillycuddy Reeks route involves Molls Gap, Gap of Dunloe, the Bally**whatsit gap and other bohreen that I wouldn't recommend to anyone who doesn't know the area.
From Kenmare the best way to see Ireland as it was is to explore the Beara peninsula if only to take the Healy Pass route from County Cork into County Kerry.
MacGillycuddy Reeks route involves Molls Gap, Gap of Dunloe, the Bally**whatsit gap and other bohreen that I wouldn't recommend to anyone who doesn't know the area.
From Kenmare the best way to see Ireland as it was is to explore the Beara peninsula if only to take the Healy Pass route from County Cork into County Kerry.
Jan 27th, 2017, 04:34 PM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>> I was planning on 1 night in Kenmare coming from Kinsale and stopping at Blarney Castle and driving through Killarney with stops at Muckross House, Killarney National Park (Ladies View, Torc waterfall) to Kenmare. Will this be too much for 1 day? Will I have time to arrive Kenmare and spend a few hours in the town before dinner? Now I am contemplating a 2nd night in Kenmare allowing time to explore the town on day 2 and then Gap of Dunloe or other sites in this region.
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep. <<
To do this reasonably takes 3 nights in some combination of Kenmare and Killarney.If you want to keep it to 2 nights I suggest this:
Arrive at Blarney Castle close to 9am(about 1 hr from Kinsale). Spend 2-3 hrs there and at surroundings. Drive 1-3/4 hrs to Muckross House. Spend the afternoon there(and surroundings). Sleep in Killarney or Kenmare(1 hr drive) if you insist.Good traditional music in Killarney.
Next day Breakfast in Kenmare. Do the ring of Kerry. Sleep in Killarney(or Kenmare).
Next day do the gap tour. This is from 10am to 4pm(returns to Killarney).Drive 1-1/4 hr to Dingle. Sleep in Dingle.
http://killarneydaytour.com/our-tour/gap-of-dunloe/
http://www.heritageisland.com/attrac...larney-castle/
http://www.muckross-house.ie/
Leaving Kenmare early to spend all day driving the Ring of Kerry and arriving in Dingle to sleep. <<
To do this reasonably takes 3 nights in some combination of Kenmare and Killarney.If you want to keep it to 2 nights I suggest this:
Arrive at Blarney Castle close to 9am(about 1 hr from Kinsale). Spend 2-3 hrs there and at surroundings. Drive 1-3/4 hrs to Muckross House. Spend the afternoon there(and surroundings). Sleep in Killarney or Kenmare(1 hr drive) if you insist.Good traditional music in Killarney.
Next day Breakfast in Kenmare. Do the ring of Kerry. Sleep in Killarney(or Kenmare).
Next day do the gap tour. This is from 10am to 4pm(returns to Killarney).Drive 1-1/4 hr to Dingle. Sleep in Dingle.
http://killarneydaytour.com/our-tour/gap-of-dunloe/
http://www.heritageisland.com/attrac...larney-castle/
http://www.muckross-house.ie/
Feb 9th, 2017, 06:28 PM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to respond to your idea of taking the boat trip to see the Cliffs of Moher. We did that trip a few years ago and would never recommend it. First they put too many people on the boat so it was very crowded. The water was very rough and many people on the boat were seasick. The outside area on the boat was very tiny. A few of us squeezed together out there. You couldn't take any photos because the boat was moving up and down so much and we were constantly getting sprayed with water. The boat went out and then basically turned around and went back. We felt it was a big waste of time and money and physically very unpleasant. Also the view from the water wasn't better in any way from the view from the top. I do not know if our experience was unusual or not but we wouldn't recommend that boat trip.
