Southwest Ireland in 8 days - help!
 

I am taking my mother and two young (10 & 8) children to Ireland in a week. Yes, I know - I've waited far too long to book hotels. We have roundtrip airfare to Dublin.

We want a taste of 'real' and 'fun' Ireland - but looking for 'very nice' accomodations. We don't want to see Dublin at this point as I am staying longer with my children - 4 more nights.

This is my tentative itinerary that I came up with in the past few hours.

Any input is greatly appreciated - truly, thank you in advance. I list spots to overnight and would love advise on which are better/etc.

Arrive Dublin

Drive to County Clare
2 night stay? Doolin/Ennis/Ballyvaughan

Drive to County Kerry
3 night stay?
Dingle/Kenmare

Drive to County Cork
2 night stay?
Kinsale/Cork/Bantry Bay

Drive to Dublin for last night
Depart Dublin on Day 9

Question - do we have 3 nights County Cork and drive to Dublin from there on day of departure? Flight is at 3p - drive from Cork to Dublin too long?

Thanks so much.

Drive from Cork to Dublin can easily take 5 hours.

What time do you arrive Dublin? Remember that there really aren't any expressways.

You are also coming into the peak tourist season, so you may wish to get the first night or two booked before you leave.

Is this your first trip to Ireland?

dave

I haven't been to Ireland in 20 years and I was more 'backpacking' then, a completely different type of trip - young/single/wild! ;-)

We arrive Dublin 530a and I figured no worries to drive to County Clare straight away. My husband thinks it is mad not to spend one night there due to jetlag but I say no problem.

For your first two nights pick Ballyvaughan if you want to be in a pretty town by the sea or Ennis if you want a bigger town with pubs that have great traditional music sessions.

I like Kenmare a lot, but if you're going to stay three nights in one place, make it Dingle.

I'd recommend one night in County Cork so you don't have to rush driving to Dublin and so your mother can see a little bit of the city.

Savvy,

Congratulations on your upcoming trip to Ireland. You'll have a splendid time.

However, I don't envy your plan to drive from Dublin Airport to County Clare - be it Ballyvaughn (my choice of the three listed, due to its overall rural appeal) as you're looking at a three-hour drive. That's not something I would take on, especially after having just arrived at the airport. Why not stay a night in Dublin, see a couple sights - perhaps sign-on with one of those Viking-style tours of the city. The kids would probably enjoy that.

In any event, try to spend at least a couple full days in County Clare. Bring the kids to the Cliffs of Moher, tour Burren National Park and investigate some high crosses (at Kilfenora) and megalithic tombs (Pulnabrone). In addition, the kids would undoubtedly enjoy Ailwee Cave, just south of Ballyvaughn. As to the "real" Ireland, the drive from Black Head, near Ballyvaughn, south to Doolin is very scenic.

You had alluded to Dingle: you'd be well advised to reserve at least two overnights here, as the scenery around the peninsula is among the most spectacular in all Ireland. Considering the kids once again, take a boat out on Dingle Harbor and frolic with Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin (that is, if he's still calling Dingle his home; I've not been to Dingle in five or so years). Also, while in the area, take a ferry ride out to the Blasket Islands - very scenic and steeped in history.

With any remaining days, the southwest of Ireland, including Kinsale and points west (West Cork) is justifiably popular. Much of West Cork, however, is not overly touristy, and this might provide a nice break from following a "Top 10" tour of Ireland (such as some of the sights I've alluded to.)

Do keep in mind, however, that your drive from Kinsale to Dublin will be rather time consduming. See viamichelin.com for details.

Best of luck.

Hi goddess:

1st, I think your husband is right. I think Explorer made a good point but would add at least 1 hour to travel time especially if you are not used to driving on the left. The M50 has lots of construction going on and that will slow you down. Driving will make you pretty sleepy. I always suggest less than 2 hours of driving time on the first day. The drive you make across Ireland is not the most scenic part either so great reasons to stop may be much less. Can you do it? Probably. Is it a risk? Yes.

I also agree with explorer that you can find things for younger folks in Dublin so don't discount that. I would also stay MUCH closer to Dublin on your last night. Too many things can happen enroute to cause you to miss your plane. Car rental return may or may not be quick.

More later.

Bill

Driving across the country after an overnight transatlantic flight is the absolute height of folly. I am sooooo w/ your husband on that! You can take any chances you want personally - but I'd think your DH would definitely not want you risking the lives of his children.

You <i>might</i> be fine - but more likely you will be exhausted, and you won't know which is which until after you land and are on the road.

I'd stay the first night in Dublin &quot;car-less&quot; and pick up a rental car the next day and start on the road after a restful night's sleep.

I'd also consider doing a one-way rental - collect the car in Dublin and drop it in Cork. Then you can take the train or fly to Dublin.

Hi there everyone,

Thanks so much for the valuable input, it is truly appreciated.

The reason I want to drive straight to Ballyvaughan (we decided on Gregan's Castle) is because we only have 7 nights total (last night WILL be in Dublin, we've decided not to chance missing my mother's flight) to explore Ireland with my mother. If we take the first night in Dublin, that means only 1 night in Ballyvaughan and I prefer not to lose a day there.

We have decided on 2 nights Ballyvaughan, 3 nights Dingle and 2 nights Kinsale. The last night in Dublin as mentioned.

I am definitely not discounting Dublin with my children at all. We are spending 4 more nights after my mother leaves to spend in Dublin at the Four Seasons (I hear it is very nice), so we will have enough of Dublin.

I have been told that the drive from Dublin to Ballyvaughan will be no more than 4 hours maximum so I guess my feeling is that it isn't a big deal. We will figure it out. I have driven many times straight from an overnight international flight and never had an issue. If I am utterly spent we will grab a room in Dublin and that will be that.

So ... any thoughts on Skellig vs. Blasket Islands --- or both?

Thanks again - many, many times over!

Savvy

When figuring Irish travel times, use an average speed of 35 miles per hour.

And pack warm clothes! We were there at the end of July a few years ago and needed long pants and closed toed shoes and definitely a rain coat.

The N4 and N6 (most of the drive to Ballyvaughan) moves pretty well but still, I think it's a bad idea to make the trip.

Both the Blaskets and Skellig are uninhabited. They are meant for walking and you won't find any place to stop for a bite. The Skellig walk is straight up after you hike around the hill on a relatively flat walk. It is arduaous but not terrible. I have no children, so I have no idea at what age they get to a point that they can make a hard climb. For some, the trail up the rock brings on some acrophobia as there are a few spots where the steps have a pretty good drop off. I didn't have an issue at all, but I was behind a woman (on the way down) that was having issues moving forward. Great Blasket does not carry the same issues. That said, I think Skellig is one of the most remarkable places on earth.

Bill

I would choose the Blaskets with kids. Also it has the advantage of being much nearer to Dingle. To go to the Skelligs boat place is a long drive and then the boat may be canceled due to weather. As previous poster mentioned, there is no place to grab a bite on either place. So before you go pack a sanwich and some fruit for everyone. On a good day, the Blaskets are absolutely beautiful.

Another suggestion for that first day if you feel beat upon landing at Dublin. Grab a train from Dublin's Heuston Station to Galway, pick up a car there and drive to Ballyvaughn (an hour or less, if I recall).

Savvy,

Re: the Blaskets vs. Skellig Michael, the former is more accessible, especially given the fact you'll be spending three nights in Dingle. While you'll want fair weather for both trips, the trip to the Skelligs, with the heavens on your side, can make for a truly memorable day. Indeed, as suggested by Wojazz, it's a magnificent, truly distinctive place. Still, it'll require a much longer boat ride to reach your destination.

For both trips you'll want to bring sunscreen; there's much wind and virtually no shade. Pack a hearty lunch, too, and bring some pocket binoculars (one of the Skelligs features an abundance of bird life).

One more thing about Skellig Michael: unlike the Great Blasket Island, there's a real sense of remoteness about this place; it's a bit spooky to consider the monks who once inhabited the island. And yet there's also a sense of exhiliration. If you're someone who likes to scramble over and around highly exposed windswept trails, with magnificent views wherever you turn, then make time for the Skelligs.

Best of luck.

P.S. If you should travel to either place, make a point of obtaining some historical background. It'll make your visit all the more satisfying.

Thank you all so very much. This information is terribly helpful. Both of my children are utterly excited about the idea of Skellig so we will probably 'have to' make that journey. Just exactly how long IS the boat ride from Dingle - anyone know? Do you really feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere? That in itself is spooky to me! ;-)

Very good idea about the train from Dublin to Galway - thank you SO much, I am going to do just that!

My trip is in order aside from the last 2 nights prior to the last night in Dublin. I am agonizing over whether to stay in Kinsale at Perryville or Carlton - or Shanagarry at Ballymaloe House.

I also have a friend who just told me that Gregan's Castle in Ballyvaughan (our first two nights) is so remote and nothing special - aaahhhh!

Thanks again! you are all super!

Savvy Goddess

Re the length of trip to Great blasket: If you drive about 20 minutes to the harbor at Dunquin, the boat from there takes about 20 minutes, as I recall. Not sure about the trip from Dingle.

To get an idea of what you will see, visit the Blasket center in Dunquin.

The Skellig center is at Portmagee, out at the tip of the Ring of Kerry, a fair drive from Dingle. I think the Skellig boat goes from there as well.

Savvy,

I've not visited the Skelligs from Dingle Peninsula, so I can only guide you from the peninsula south of Dingle, the Iveragh (popularly known as the Ring of Kerry). I've left for the Skelligs from (or close to) Caherdaniel, and the trip to the Skelligs took about 45 minutes. There are a good many tour operators to choose from, some with modest boats, with others operating more comfortable craft. You can leave for the Skelligs from several Iveragh locations, some of which include Portmagee, Valentia, and Waterville. Given that you'll be situated in Dingle, I'd first look into finding a tour boat operating from there, but of course the trip to the Skelligs would probably exceed 45 minutes.

Should you make the trip from the Iveragh, you may want to consider first a trip to The Skellig Experience. Located in Valentia, it'll provide you with a good overview of the history of the Skelligs, its flora and fauna.

Finally, while the Skelligs are quite remote, don't let that deter you; that's part of the allure.

Best of luck.