Hi,

Recent change to Ireland trip itinerary... I will have more time in Ireland than originally expected... now almost 8 o 9 days in IE.

Considering adding stops to Cobh and or Galway... and I'd appreciate some thoughts.

I've checked out old posts... but comments regarding these two areas seem buried amogst discussions about other major stops such as Dingle, ROK, Dublin, etc...

I'm interested in pros and cons of Cobh and Galway.

Will be in Ireland in early April.

Thanks

JB

Cobh is small, picturesque in a run-down sort of way, has a good enough heritage centre at the old railway station (the heritage being shipping and emigration) and is convenient to a couple of good things like Fota House and wildlife park.

Galway is a very lively small city with loads of tourists and loads of tourist amenities, and is the gateway to Connemara.

I'd sooner go to Galway, but that's my taste.

More questions?

I love Galway. It's a lively place with good restaurants, pubs, and shopping. It's also a university town which gives it a youthful, artsy energy. It's a city, but its central part is quite walkable and it doesn't overwhelm me the way Dublin can.

After spending most of my visits in small Irish towns, I really enjoy a few days in Galway.

Don't shoot me but I really find Cobh run down and a wee bit dull. My mother left from here on a boat to America and found it a bit crummy when she visited last. Galway is more fun.

I agree with siobhan, i personally find Galway nicer, but thats just a personal opinion.

Everyone's reaction will be different. I didn't enjoy Galway at all... We stopped there on our way up to County Mayo, and I found Galway too crowded, way too much traffic, parking problems, and I felt harried. It was very crowded. I was happy when we left the area. This was in the summer on a weekend, so maybe it's better during a slower season?

I know many people really like Galway. That's just my personal reaction. I liked Belfast, Westport, Dingle, and also the little villages better than Galway....tiny villages like Kilfenora, Kinvara, and Ballyvaughan.

Galway is always busy. Outside the tourism season, you have lots of students at the University and the Institute of Technology -- thousands and thousands of them. It gives the city a youthful buzz. Some like that; others don't.

Might I suggest the following instead of Galway and Cobh. Try staying in Kinsale ,the gourmet capital. It's just a 40 minute ride from Cobh. You could see the Heritage center in Cobh and stay in a great walking town,Kinsale.Try Westport instead of Galway. Its a 2 street town with great pubs, shops and is close to Croagh Patrick and a 40 minute drive to Caslebar and The Museum of Country Life, Free and enjoyable. Maamtoo

never been to Cobth , Galway was
crowded, touristy, and unattractive.
If you do stop in Galway , go to Aran Island

looking at your previous itinerary...

I think you would enjoy having more time in Dingle or Kenmare.

Galway was one of our least favorite stops (hard to drive in, very crowded, no must see sights, don't think it would offer much for kids when compared to Dingle/Kenmare)...the Connemara and surrounding area are wonderful but you really don't have the time and it would take you out of your way.

We toured Cobh from Kinsale...Kinsale offers some nice activities...scenic drive from Kenmare, Charles Fort, close to Blarney Castle, Midlton Distillery, and to Cobh.

another alternative would be to visit Cahir and Rock of Cashel with a stay in Kilkenny...touring Waterford from there.

Hello all,

Thanks so much for the help. I think were getting closer to a final plan.

We will not be visiting Galway... and Im not even sure about Cobh anymore.

As always planned, our trip starts near Shannon (that is where we fly in)... well spend a bit of time exploring the Shannon area. (This cannot change, as we are meeting relatives... and we need to be in Shannon for approx. 2 days until everyone arrives).

Then, from Shannon (instead of heading up toward Galway)... well head down toward County Kerry.

Ive got to decide how where to stay the next three nights.

It will either be: 1 or 2 nights in Dingle (Heatons Guesthouse), then 1 night in Kenmare (The Lodge) (or Killarney - Earls Court)... OR

3 nights in Killarney at Earls Court (or Kenmare - The Lodge)... and tour Dingle and rest of Kerry from there.

After these 3 nights... well head toward Waterford (A must see for my mother in law). See the factory tour, spend one night.

Then head toward Dublin for one more night.

Then were off to France.

ANy thoughts?

JB

The transfer from, let us suppose, Kenmare to Waterford is not a great distance but will be relatively slow because some of the roads do not suit fast driving and because you pass so many scenic areas (especially in west Cork) that you might be tempted to make a number of stops.

The obvious route seems to traverse Cork city. This is a pain. Just before you get to Cork, you can divert right to Passage West and take a ferry over to Great Island and make a brief visit to Cobh before continuing (by road, because Great Island is linked to the mainland by bridges) towards Waterford. It's not a short cut, but the time penalty might be light enough if you have some interest in knowing what Cobh is like.

I would stay 2 Dingle and 1 Kenmare

too bad you will have to pass by so many wonderful sights to see a factory

Well I can highly recommend Heaton's Guesthouse in Dingle. I just loved it there, especially at breakfast time! Fantastic breakfast menu, all included in your room price! And the Heaton's are friendly. Nuala knows where the good food in town is.

If you go to Dingle, do go for 2 nights. That gives you a bit of time to drive the Dingle Peninsula "ring", and also to wander around Dingle town a bit. I just loved this area. If you have time the Blasket Island visitor's center on the Dingle Peninsula is great. It made us want to go over to the Great Blasket Island, but we didn't have time...we had 3 nights in Dingle but would have needed 4 nights to make it over to the island.

Enjoy!