Shannon to Dublin - comments please
 

After reading and appreciating the wonderful information on this site, we now have a proposed itinerary for this leg of our trip.


14th June - fly into Shannon from London, stay overnight at Bunratty (booked)
15th June - drive to Dingle and stay at Heatons (15th and 16th - booked)
17th June - Kenmare? suggestions please
18th and 19th June - booked into the Old Bank House, Kinsale
20th June - Portaloise? Want to see Rock of Cashel - suggestions please
21st and 22nd June - Dublin (booked) - fly late afternoon 23rd to France (Lyon).

We're keen to see the countryside throughout the areas we've nominated, not interested in Blarney, ok with the Ring of Kerry, but keen to see the Dingle Peninsula, any pubs with true traditional Irish music (which seem to be few and far between.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions.

My recommendations for Kenmare are The Lodge and Sallyport House. In Portlaoise it is Ivyleigh House. If you have time, the Rock of Dunamase outside Portlaoise is very interesting and photogenic.

Enroute from Kenmare to Kinsale is Clonakilty which is home to DeBarra's. In Cork City is the Lobby Bar, they have afternoon trad sessions. Both have websites that offer listings of performances. If you have the opportunity to see John Spillane (former Meteor Award winner, and half of the Gaillic Hit Factory), RUN, don't walk, to get a good seat.
There maybe something good at the Granary in Killarney, as well.
Check out www.whazon.com and, since Cork City is the European City Of Culture for 2005, check out www.myguidecork.com
If you are doing Dingle (Slea Head) consider driving Healey Pass and the Bearra instead of the Ring of Kerry. The Ring IS nice, but mid-June isn't the best time, unless you LIKE crowds.

IrishEyes - I have sent a reservation request to Ivyleigh House - it looks wonderful. Also have Rock now in my sights.

Itallian-Chauffeur - Will look into both websites and yes, Healy Pass, not the Ring of Kerry is on our list of "musts".

thank you both!

Any thoughts from anyone on favourites between Kenmare and next destination, Kinsale?

Mizen Head is well worth a stop. If I had a choice between the Healy Pass (awesome in itself) or Mizen Head (you don't have a lot of time), stop at Mizen Head -- greater bang for the buck in my opinion. ((b))

Thanks Budman. Appreciate your comments.

SherrillK, I hope you get into Ivyleigh. It is great. Try the baked eggs for breakfast. Very tasty!

If you don't want to drive the Mizen Peninsula (though I agree it is beautiful), some other stops along the coast might include:

Ilnacullin Garden near Glengarriff (you must take boats there and back and will see seals on the rocks)

Bantry House & Gardens

Drombeg Stone Circle

Timoleague Abbey

Thank you IrishEyes. Are you able to give me details about Dromberg?

If you are into the ancient past and archaeology -- Drombeg Stone Circle:

http://www.stonepages.com/ireland/drombeg.html

http://www.all-ireland.com/attractions/d/drombeg.htm

Dingle was delightful. Pick up Rick Steves Ireland tour book and follow his map for the Circular Tour. Had a fantastic dinner at Paudy's and ended the night at Murphy's Pub for Irish singing. Grafitti is another great restaurant and has a very contemporary atmosphere. Fun change from the pub grub.

Loved Kinsale and wished we would have stayed a 3rd night. Go to Charles Fort, take Don Herlihy's Town Walk and the Ghost Walk tour. Hit Mad Monk's pub for a Spanish Coffee and end the night next door at An Seanachai Pub for music and singing.

Your Itinerary was similar to ours and we found Dublin to be a disappointing way to end our trip after 10 days of driving through lush and charming Irish countryside. Although if you like a noisy, crowded, dirty, smelly city then Dublin could be the highlight of your trip. Fortunately after spending 2 days in Dublin we took a trip to Newgrange the day before our return to the US. Newgrange was awsome and once again filled our hearts with the warmth of Irelands history, scenery, people and charm. Mary Gibbons (Newgrange) Tour is great but you should make your reservations in advance. Don't get me wrong about Dublin. We still had great meals and met a few charming people but would not have spent so much time there.

You'll find great people, sites, dining and pubs no matter where you go in Ireland. Enjoy!!!