...what do you think about this itinerary? As you can see, my husband and I don't like to drive long distances, and staying at an atmospheric, if not luxurious, small establishment is almost as important as where I'm visiting. I started to rush my bookings after finding some of my first choices were already sold out (in Killarney & Dingle, where I had wanted to stay 2 nights not 1) From Connemare, I was going to stay in the Midlands at Athlone on the way back to Dublin, but decided it would be better to add that night to the Connemare area either adding Westport or staying where we were near Recess. I sure appreciate your thoughts as this is our first trip to Ireland. While i'm booked, I can make changes to where we stay. We're retirees, relatively fit and active.


Day 1: arrive DUB 9:50a, get rental car; drive 1 hour to Powerscourt Hotel

Day 2: KILKENNY, Butler House
Day 3: “ “

Day 4: KINSALE, LongQuay House
Day 5: “ “

Day 6: KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK: Friar’s Glen
Day 7: “ “

Day 8: DINGLE: Greenmount House

Day 9: COUNTY CLARE; LAHINCH: Moy House
Day 10: “ “

Day 11: CONNEMARE: Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel
Day 12: “ “

Day 13: COUNTY MAYO; WESTPORT OR one more night in above

Day 14: DUBLIN
Day 15: “ “ May take day trip to Belfast?
Day 16: “ “
Day 17: Fly home

I forgot to tell you this trip starts in early September.

Westport is a lovely area, add a night. I am so happy you picked Lahinch, a very nice town. Drop off the car and take the bus to Belfast. If you can afford, stay at the Europa, very close to the bus/train station but super nice.

Thanks Macross. I will check on adding the night. We were planning on dropping car at Dublin airport and taxi to Dublin, then taking a train for the day trip to Belfast. But, do you think this excursion is really worth it, or should we just spend two full days in Dublin?

If this is your first trip to Ireland I would stay in Dublin. There is much to see in the city. I would not take a day away if you only have 2 full days.

As my husband has Mayo roots, we stay in Westport often. It is worth more than one night in my opinion. A day trip out to Achill Island from there would be nice.

Thanks Bette!

Hi Bette, where do you suggest staying in Westport? I've looked at all the offerings and nothing is calling to me. I'm considering the Westport Coast, but it looks so large and a bit out of town.

A few years ago we stayed at the Atlantic Coast Hotel which has been rebranded as the Westport Coast Hotel. This is in the quay area, away from the center of town. Fine for us as we have visited several times and wanted a new neighborhood to check out. I would recommend a walk in this area - check out The Helm or The Sheebeen

Last time we stayed at Hazelbrook Bed & Breakfast. There were 11 folks in my party and we had the entire B & B. Lovely B & B and John was a great host.

Sounds like you want a more upscale place. Perhaps look at The Wyatt Hotel - this is right in the center of town. Friends have stayed there and recommended it. We have not stayed but we had dinner there on our last trip and everyone enjoyed their meals. Another alternative would be The Westport Plaza Hotel...a few blocks off the center of town.