Western Ireland Itinerary so far
Mar 27th, 2003, 07:36 PM
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Western Ireland Itinerary so far
Hello, I am not very good at making an Itinerary and would appreciate help.
As you can see by my previous posts I am still unsure of what to wear.
The plan so far is to fly into Shannon and drive northwest to Galway and spend one night there, then drive on to Connemara Park and drive the coastline north. Then drive some back roads until the coast again and then drive south as far as possible until it's time to go back to Shannon, we have 7 traveling days.
The names that grab me so far are Doolin for music because we want to hear traditional Irish music, Galway, and the Dingle peninsula.
It's hard to know where the small towns are as I do not have a detailed map yet. What specifically are the best drives to take? Which towns have the best places for live music? I can't find anything about this.
In Canada you can usually find a scenic route and then stop along the way for food and lodging. I will be doing all the driving so I am curious if there are unscenic routes that I should avoid?
Thank you,
Julie
As you can see by my previous posts I am still unsure of what to wear.
The plan so far is to fly into Shannon and drive northwest to Galway and spend one night there, then drive on to Connemara Park and drive the coastline north. Then drive some back roads until the coast again and then drive south as far as possible until it's time to go back to Shannon, we have 7 traveling days.
The names that grab me so far are Doolin for music because we want to hear traditional Irish music, Galway, and the Dingle peninsula.
It's hard to know where the small towns are as I do not have a detailed map yet. What specifically are the best drives to take? Which towns have the best places for live music? I can't find anything about this.
In Canada you can usually find a scenic route and then stop along the way for food and lodging. I will be doing all the driving so I am curious if there are unscenic routes that I should avoid?
Thank you,
Julie
Mar 28th, 2003, 02:32 AM
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About the only thing I can tell you about what to wear is that I travel to Ireland often in May (I'll be flying into Shannon on May 20th) - I carry an Eddie Bauer lightweight nylon rain parka. If you go to Doolin loop around Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher on the way there. Your west Clare visit should also include the Burren.
Ennis (County Clare) is nice, convenient to Shannon airport and Cruise's Restaurant & Pub has 'Trad' Irish music every night.
Galway City is great on a Saturday afternoon: 'Trad' Irish music atarting around 2 PM (at An Ceili & Taaffes) and continuing into the night. Last May I stayed at a place in RossaVeal (Connemara) - they had 'Trad' Irish music Friday night. see my http://groups.msn.com/gate5 for some other good stuff.
Ennis (County Clare) is nice, convenient to Shannon airport and Cruise's Restaurant & Pub has 'Trad' Irish music every night.
Galway City is great on a Saturday afternoon: 'Trad' Irish music atarting around 2 PM (at An Ceili & Taaffes) and continuing into the night. Last May I stayed at a place in RossaVeal (Connemara) - they had 'Trad' Irish music Friday night. see my http://groups.msn.com/gate5 for some other good stuff.
Mar 28th, 2003, 09:27 AM
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One night in Galway is not going to give you much time to visit this area. My wife & I were in Ireland last fall. We stayed for 3 nites at Roncalli House-Galway. Delightful location & owners. Tim & Carmel were extremely helpful. Their B & B is in a pleasant, quiet area beside Galway Bay- short drive to city center.E-MAIL ADDRESS-
"[email protected]". President Clinton's daugther stayed there a fews years ago. Good luck/have fun
"[email protected]". President Clinton's daugther stayed there a fews years ago. Good luck/have fun
Mar 28th, 2003, 06:53 PM
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Believe it or not, I used Galway as a base for three nites and here is my packecd intinerary for three+ days.
1st Day: Shannon to Galway via Cliffs of M, Dooln, Burren.
2nd Day: Clifden, Westport, Castlebar, Cong
3rd Day: Clonmacnoise, Roscommon, South Sligo, Tuam
4th Day: back to Shannon with a stop in Limerick
1st Day: Shannon to Galway via Cliffs of M, Dooln, Burren.
2nd Day: Clifden, Westport, Castlebar, Cong
3rd Day: Clonmacnoise, Roscommon, South Sligo, Tuam
4th Day: back to Shannon with a stop in Limerick
Mar 29th, 2003, 06:17 AM
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Julie,
Given that you have but seven days of touring, might I suggest that you not try to drive as much as possible. Doing this will no doubt detract from your vacation and leave you in want of, as Rick Steves has suggrested "a vacation from your vacation."
Try to allow a couple full days for Galway, as it's a fun and lively city. Plus, you're much more likely to find good trad music here than in the overpacked and over-hyped Doolin. (There was a time - about a decade or so ago - that Doolin was a true "back door" attraction, but that day, at least in high season, is long past).
Touring the byways of Connemara and West Mayo is a real treat. The scenery is quite striking, and you'll want to make a point of seeing:
Kylemore Abbey (try to get here early to beat the endless tour buses);
Croagh Patrick (here you can hike to the summit of Ireland's most famous mountain);
Westport (a pleasant, lively town in west Mayo);
Achill Island (situated not far north from Westport, Achill can make, if the weather's on your side, for one of Ireland's most memorable day trips - or more).
Finally, consider taking in one of Ireland's many major festivals. I don't know when you'll be in Ireland, but there's a terrific trad music festival in Feakle, East Clare, that takes place in August. Galway City is home to the internationally recognized Galway Arts Festival, held in late July, and West Galway holds its Connemara Pony Show in mid-August. For more listings, see Ireland's Bord Failte website.
Best of luck.
Given that you have but seven days of touring, might I suggest that you not try to drive as much as possible. Doing this will no doubt detract from your vacation and leave you in want of, as Rick Steves has suggrested "a vacation from your vacation."
Try to allow a couple full days for Galway, as it's a fun and lively city. Plus, you're much more likely to find good trad music here than in the overpacked and over-hyped Doolin. (There was a time - about a decade or so ago - that Doolin was a true "back door" attraction, but that day, at least in high season, is long past).
Touring the byways of Connemara and West Mayo is a real treat. The scenery is quite striking, and you'll want to make a point of seeing:
Kylemore Abbey (try to get here early to beat the endless tour buses);
Croagh Patrick (here you can hike to the summit of Ireland's most famous mountain);
Westport (a pleasant, lively town in west Mayo);
Achill Island (situated not far north from Westport, Achill can make, if the weather's on your side, for one of Ireland's most memorable day trips - or more).
Finally, consider taking in one of Ireland's many major festivals. I don't know when you'll be in Ireland, but there's a terrific trad music festival in Feakle, East Clare, that takes place in August. Galway City is home to the internationally recognized Galway Arts Festival, held in late July, and West Galway holds its Connemara Pony Show in mid-August. For more listings, see Ireland's Bord Failte website.
Best of luck.
