Suggestions please!!
 

My cousin's daughter-in-law is going to Ireland the end of this month.

SHE STATES.....We are staying in Doolin, on the Aran Islands at the Man of Aran Cottage, 2 nights in Sneem, 1 in Blareney and 1 in Bunratty.

HER QUESTION...If you went to any of these locations, what would you suggest to do and see?

I wish I could help but am unable to...but I am compelled to wonder why/how people decide book themselves into places like this and then act like they don't have any idea of what to do there.

Skip Blarney its in my opinion a waste of time and a complete waste of a night. You could go see the Blarney stone and leave if it needs in a few hours if it needs to be seen.

I cannot find the man of Arran cottage when I did a web search. Which Island is this?

Singletail..She has travel book knowledge but does not know anyone that has been there personally. We just returned last week from our wonderful first trip to Ireland but did not go to Aran Islands or Blarney....so I could not give her any recommendations. This is an anniversary gift from her dear husband.

Yes, skip Blarney - I also think it is overrated. We were a bit disappointed.

With the time constraints, I would recommend just taking a day trip to the Aran Islands and spending the night having some fun in Galway.

In Doolin, stop off to see the Cliffs of Moher on you your way down to Killarney, stopping off in Lahinch for sights & shopping, and taking the Killmer Ferry across the river down to Killarney.

Why Sneem? I would spend the nights and time in Dingle, and visiting some of the sites in Killarney (Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House and gardens). She could do the Ring of Kerry, but I think Dingle would be more interesting.

In Bunratty, the castle and folk park are nice, and the Medieval Banquet was fun. ((b))

The man of Aran cottage is on Inis Mor
http://manofarancottage.com/

Hi BobbiJo:

I agree that I wouldn't spend a night in Blarney, but then again, I've never tried it. If she does stay there, the drive through Gougane Barra is beautiful. Head south out of Kenmare to get there.

OK Doolin: Obvious choices are Cliffs of Moher, some of the Burren (perhaps Poulnabrone Dolmen), music in the pubs (O'Connors is not the only choice by the way). Another option, though more distant and it sounds like this would be the first day, would be Loop Head. That could feasibly be done on the way to Sneem, but it's a slow drive and the drive to Sneem isn't short. I assume they will be coming from Doolin Pier.

Sneem: Budman's valid comments aside, there is plenty to do from Sneem. The Beara Peninsula, Killarney Nat'l Park/Gap of Dunloe, quality golfing in the area, the Ring of Kerry etc. We have stayed at Tahilla Cove which is 4-5 miles outside of Sneem and done all of the above from there and then some.

Bunratty: The area is set up for tourism and there is much to do. If you are coming from Blarney, you should arrive around midday. www.shannonheritage.com is the site for much of the tourism in that area, but she could consider something a little less touristy, like a visit to the town of Killaloe on Lough Derg. The drive along the lake north of the is very nice.

Ok, that's my shot at it. Hope she has a blast.

Bill

Bill, Budman, Cailin and SiobhanP My cousin's daughter says a BIG THANK YOU for taking the time to answer her questions. It makes planning her trip easier.

She is back.....This is her email message to me today.....Ireland was WONDERFUL!!!!! We had such a great time! The weather was nice, a little chilly and off and on showers a few of the days but mostly when we were driving so it didn't make any difference to us.

The people were AMAZING!!! Very Friendly and nice!!! We would stop along the road to take a picture and people would stop to make sure we were ok and needed anything. We had such a pleasant exerience with all our B&B's, but you were right, they keep it COLD!!!!!

Scott even surprised me and had a renewal of our vows on the Aran Islands. It was very romantic. We did the renewal in an open roofed ruins of a church.

We will definitely go again, we are talking about going in 5 years with the kids.

We took over 12 rolls of pictures.

We had a wonderful time!!!!

The Irish are wonderful people.
We knew she would have a wonderful time.