Top Ten Ireland
 

Hello to those in the know of all things Ireland.

I am searching and reading and taking notes on a possible upcoming trip to Ireland from Boston. It is a bit overwhelming. We would like to spend around 12 days capturing the beauty of the land.

Perhaps spend a few days settled in a cottage in a seaside village to get a little more local, rather than rushing to kiss the blarney stone . Dont want to see it all. Want to experience the breathtakingly beautiful.

So if you would....
What are the Top 10 musts? Thank you so much for any and all forthcoming help.
'lani

So far Dingle is popping as a possible short term stay.

Someone mentioned Connors Pass from Bunratty to Dingle - although the castle or any major tourist destinations could as easily be avoided as enjoyed.

Kinsale also sounds like an interesting destination.

Doolin trumps galway I think for us 40 somethings.

Ring of Kerry from Kenmare to Killarney.

So far these sound interesting to me. I love the city and spend a lot of time in NYC and Boston, so this trip would be more of the Irish countryside with a night in Dublin, unless someone convinces me that Dublin should be devoted to a few days of exploration.

Thanks for any advice!

For your week of 'squatting', consider Kilorglin. It's on the Ring of Kerry, about 1/3 of the way between Dingle and Killarney, making BOTH areas into easy day-trips.

We did a week there, in June of '05. If you 'click' on my screen name, look in the listings for: "Round Ireland in a Mini-Bus - The Guilty Pleasures Tour"

Bob

Another interesting and QUITE rural location is in the South West. Wojazz3 did a stay at Castle Townsend (near Skibbereen), I believe.
We did a week, in April of '06, on the Sheep's Head, in Kilcrohane.
Definitely NOT for everyone, but WE loved it.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34787168

Bob

Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventures.

It sounds like you have done your homework and picked all the right places!

Kinsale and Dingle are musts. I also second the suggestion for Castletownsend.

For another pleasant seaside resort town (cottages available) I suggest Lahinch in Co. Clare, not far from the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks colbec.

I_C do you have an updated link to your photos. Would love to see them and the link on your trip report has expired.

Thanks so much!

to capture some of my top tens...

3 days connemara (be sure to include drive past kylemore abbey up, thru doo lough valley to croagh Patrick, and the sky road outside of clifden

drive south around blackhead to cliffs of moher...stay in doolin

down coast via killimer/tarbert ferry, connors pass...to dingle, slea head drive 2 nights in dingle

3 nights in kenmare...ROK, beara Peninsula/healy pass/ garnish island

head towards wicklow/glendalough, powerscourt (rock of cashel would be a must see for me on the way)

last day/night in dublin (kilmainham jail must see...also book of kells/library)suggest hop on hop off ...stay on for a loop.

other favorites would be donegal/St. John's Point-Castle Murray House and Glenveagh National Park, Dunluce Castle/Giant's Causeway/Antrim coast, and Boyne Valley (newgrange/knowth, hill of tara...may be a must see...heard they are putting a highway thru it? that's progress for you)

Try this NEW photo link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/

Bob

Skellig Michael (off the coast near Portmagee) with the well preserved remains of an ancient monastry is breathtaking.

I would put it in my world top 10.

My wife and I went to Ireland last Ocotber and we loved Northern Ireland, between Ballycastle and Portrush. The coastline up there is beautiful. Here is my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35081010