martym

My husband and I are making our first trip to Ireland—May 25-June 8. We’ve worked on our itinerary but still have questions. Besides viewing beautiful scenery, enjoying small towns and pubs, our interests are art (my husband is an artist), gardens, megalithic sites, food—(we view a wonderful restaurant meal as entertainment!).

Lodging has been reserved except for our last night June 7 and we’re thinking of staying in Ennis since we are departing from Shannon airport 11:00 am June 8.

We will have 3 nights in each of the following:
Number 31, Dublin
Blindgate House, Kinsale
Sallyport House, Kenmare
g Hotel, Galway

Here is our itinerary as it now stands:
Day 1--arrive DUB at 10:25 am—after hotel check in and lunch—hoping to do a walking tour with Historical Insights at 3 PM (if we have the energy) to learn a little of the history of Dublin http://historicaltours.ie/

Day 2--—Trinity College, Book of Kells, National Museum: Archeology, National Gallery

Day 3—private tour to Newgrange and the surrounding historical sites -- with http://www.beautifulmeath.com/Index.html Question—What is an appropriate tip for the tour? It appears from the website that the Derek, who will be our guide owns the business, if that matters.

Day 4—depart Dublin—collect car (already reserved) at Dun Laoghaire—drive to Kinsale—stops we are considering on the way—
Powerscourt—Question-- after Powerscourt would it be best to back track to the M50 to the N7 or is there another relatively easy to get to the N7/M7 from Powerscourt.
Other stops we are considering on the way to Kinsale—Rock of Dunamase, Gash Gardens near Castletown, Rock of Cashel—Question – any other suggested stop?

Day 5—in Kinsale—things we are considering walking tour of the town, Charles Fort, Fota Arboretum and Garden, Cobh, The Titanic Experience—or my husband may golf

Day 6—drive to Glengarriff – visit Ilnacullin Garden—Question--any suggestions of places to visit on the way there or back

Day 7—depart Kinsale—drive the Ring of Beara—arrive Kenmare—

Day 8—drive the Ring of Kerry

Day 9—still in Kenmare--possibilities—my husband may play golf; or we may go to Muckross House and Killarney National Park Question-- Question--other suggestions in the area?

Day 10—depart Kenmare and drive to Galway with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher – Question – will we have time to visit the Cliffs and still arrive in Galway by mid-to late- afternoon?

Day 11—walking tour of Galway—spend the day in Galway

Day 12—Connemeara and Mayo County—drive a loop maybe through Cong, Westport, Clifden—see Kylemore Abbey, 12 Bens; leisurely drive—Question--if we wanted to have lunch in Clifden, between noon and 1 PM—what time should be leave Galway?

Day 13—depart Galway—take a 2 hour walking tour of the Burren http://heartofburrenwalks.com/ Question what time would we need to leave Galway to arrive at the Burren Center in Kilfenora by 10:45—continue on to Ennis –Question—any suggestions for a place to stay in Ennis for our last night in Ireland

Day 14—depart Shannon airport—11 am

In addition to the questions imbedded in the above itinerary—Are we trying to do too much? Are we not allowing sufficient time to drive between locations?

Any and all help and suggestions will be much appreciated!

PS--we will not be doing any boat trips to islands--DH suffers from motion sickness.

jaja

They're not in Ennis, but I highly recommend either Headley Court or Bunratty Lodge, both in Bunratty, for your last night.
headleycourt.net or bunrattylodge.com .

Pull out of the drive and it's a straight shot to Shannon Airport.

Just outside of Ennis is Eden Hill House http://edenhill.clareireland.net/ . Another easy road to the airport.

martym

thanks jaja

bean11

A couple of places we found really fun and historical in Dublin were the Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol. Both tours really explain the Irish independence movement from the British. In Galway, the An Pucan Pub had an Irish dancing exhibition every night(not sure if they still do). For us, 1/2 day in Galway would be enough time.

bdokeefe

Glengarriff- just out of town is the Ewe experience. As artists, you'll really enjoy it. Check out the web site.
There's also a national park with some short hikes, Lady Bantry's has a great view overlooking the town and bay.

martym

thanks bean11--we are interested in Irish history so thanks for the suggestions for tours in Dublin and I checked their website and An Pucan has live music every night!

thanks bdokeefe--the Ewe Experience looks fantastic--we will, for sure, stop there