Trip to Ireland: 2 days in County Kerry or County Clare
 

Hi! My husband and I are traveling to Ireland in a couple of weeks. So far we have planned:
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin / explore Dublin
Day 2: St Pat's Day in Kilkenny
Day 3: Kildare
Day 4, 5 & 6: ???? Homestead one place for two nights 1 night Kerry/2 Clare or reverse
Day 7: Galway
Day 8: Back to Dublin
Day 9: Depart back to states

We have lodging for everything but day 4,5,6 and 8, Staying in a castle one night, hotel first two nights and B&B (Blue Horizon) in Kildare. Any lodging suggestions are also appreciated. We have rented a car and will be exploring on our own.

Also, looking at renting/buying cell phone for use (little ones at home). Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bev

Are you sure that you will be travelling in a couple of weeks and not in 11 days?
Anyway, I'd do 2 nights in Kerry, and one in Clare. But the most obvious tourist sites in Clare are so close to Galway that I wonder if you shouldn't simply stay 2 nights in Galway.

Thanks for the input. We are staying at the Abbeyglen Castle in Galway so I am not too sure my husband would want to homestead there, but we could stay in Galway at a B&B - I have heard fabulous things about the Pubs & music. We have a map up for Ireland but it is difficult to figure out how much is adequate time to enjoy things. My family is from County Clare and with any luck, we are hoping to find some records.
Do you recommend ROK or Dingle Penn or both?
I am open to any and all suggestions!!
Thanks!~
Bev

Given a choice between Kerry or Clare personally I would pick Kerry, but either is a good choice. I love Killarney (Muckross House), the Gap of Dunloe and out on the Dingle peninsula.

Speaking as a Kilkenny person I hope you are not too let down by St Patricks Day here, although to be fair they do seem to be making a bit more of an effort this year. If you like a parade the one in Dublin would be the one to watch. (it will be on TV though). Kilkenny itself is beautiful (I am a little biased though ;-) )

Don't bank too much on finding family records here. To be honest the Internet is often the best place to start. You might not find too much locally on such a short trip unless you have a lot of research done already and are very specific on what you are looking for. Some of the better records will be in the National Library in Dublin.

We have heard from friends that Dublin is out of control on St Patrick's Day. My husband chose Kilkenny because he read really good things about it. We are leaving Dublin on St Patrick's Day so we will see some of the celebration. Do you have a recommendation for a good pub in Kilkenny to celebrate? We really just want to enjoy Ireland. We booked the Hiberbian Hotel since we are planning on celebrating and didn't want to impose on someone in a B&B.
As for family records, my great aunt had quite a bit of information about her grandparents, but it isn't my focus. That would be for another trip. If we find something we do, if not, oh well.
Thanks!

For the time you spend in County Kerry, I recommend staying in Kenmare instead of Killarney. You can easily access Killarney and its sites, but Kenmare is a bit smaller, laid back with less crowds, and you can stay at the lovely Virginia's Guesthouse, run by a delightful couple, Neil & Noreen. Noreen's breakfasts are off the charts.

http://www.virginias-kenmare.com/

I also found Dingle to be a blast. Do say at least one night there if you can.

Thanks for the input although I am assuming you are a KU fan, so I will take it with a grain of salt - I have Dingle on the top of our list. I have heard that the Dingle penn. was actually better than the ROK. Thank you for the recommendation on the Kenmare B&B.

The Hibernian in Kilkenny is in a great location, slap bang in the middle of town. If you get a room on the front you can look right down on the parade (and the Parade ;-) ...in joke, the junction in the centre of the city is actually called The Parade.

You will have the choice of about 50 pubs within 200 yards (and that's not an exagerration!) The Left Bank across the street is the 'in' place at the moment, not my cup of tea though. If you would like somewhere small, 'real' and traditional try Ryans in Friary St (very close). You won't go too far wrong though there is plenty of choice. Make sure to see the castle it's right around the corner from the Hibernian.

Thank you - glad to know I made a good choice. Three sleeps and a wakeup

Had the room overlooking the parade and LOVED Ryans!! Met fabulous people and they had an outstanding band. One of our most favorite places on our trip!!

Sorry but I have jumped in here, we will be in Ireland in July and our initial plan is to collect our car at Dublin Airport and had towards either Kilkenny or Waterford.
Day 2 to Cork/ Kinsale -2nts
Day 4 Kinsale to Kenmare -2nts
Day 6 Dingle - 1 nt
Day 7 Tralee or Limerick ??? -1nt
Day 8 Galway -2nts
Day 10Dublin - 3nts ( using one day to go to Belfast on train/bus day tour)
Day 13- Fly to LHR
Any suggstions as to improve our trip and places to stay?