sallyg32

and Killarney, Kinsale & Dublin

Padraig

Eat, drink, and be merry.

chatham

Sally,

All of the above and I loved strolling along the river. I hope you stay in one of the hotels in the center.

Have fun! Joan

GreenDragon

In Ennis, there is the Glor Music Centre, if you would like to see things going on in music or dance - neat place. Check their website for goings-on.

Another nice place to visit (for me) was a little chocolate shop in a hidden away courtyard. It wasn't far from Cruise's (downtown)...

The great part about Ennis is it is very close to several great sites, such as The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, etc. We stayed 4 nights and still didn't see enough. We enjoyed visiting the cliffs, exploring the Burren (Poulnabrone Dolmen, Kilnaboy Church, Ballyvaughn, etc.), the Aran Islands, Lisdoonvarna (great smokehouse!).

Then we spent 4 nights near Killarney, where we explored (on different days) the Dingle peninsula, Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park (Ross Castle, Muckross House, Torc Waterfall, Ladies View, Gap of Dunloe). Then we went to Kilkenny (not on your list ) and then to Dublin.

Dublin has loads of stuff! If you like historic and ancient things, take a daytrip north or south - north to Newgrange and the Hill of Tara, south to Powerscourt Gardens or Glendalough Abbey. In the city, you can see the Book of Kells, explore Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo, see Kilmainhan Gaol, go shopping on Grafton Street, etc.

If you want to see our trip report, it's here with pics:


http://www.greendragonartist.com/BItripreports2006.htm

TimS

You didn't mention Dingle, but I will. If I had to choose between Killarney and Dingle, it's Dingle hands down. See as much of the peninsula as time allows, including the Blasket Island Centre. Spend at least one evening in a pub known for its traditionl music sessions. Spend a minimum of two nights, if possible.

However, I will put in a good word for the drive between Killarney and Kenmare along the edge of the national park. It's beautiful.

Robespierre

Tennis?

sallyg32

Thanks to all of you! While in Ennis we're staying at the Woodstock Hotel. In Killarney we're at the Kilarney Towers, in Kinsale at the Actions Hotel and in Dublin at the O'Callaghans Mont Clare Hotel. Are you familiar with any of them?

GreenDragon

Nope, we stayed mostly in B&Bs and self-catering while we were there, sorry

FlaAnn

Not to hijack this thread, but I've been wondering about Ennis myself, as we'll be in Ireland during Fleadh Nua.

What can't we miss? Are the "outreach celebrations" in MiltownMalbay more of the same, or shall we confine ourselves to events in Ennis? Other things to do while we're there?? Are the parades worthwhile? I want to see dancers and hear lots of music!

SiobhanP

Ennis is a great little place. I got married there last month myself so I really love the place. Its a small 50's looking market town (and there is still a market later in the week with food, junk, nik knacks etc. Its not a city so I doubt there will be any parades. Its a walking town (Small streets are a nightmare to drive as the sidewalks are tine and people walk into the road) there is a lovely friary ruins at the edge of th town I think its near cruises, lots of great pubs and music in many. We hod out from the wedding crown at a small pub called the Usual Place near the market square. We also had a fantastic Indian meal its upstairs above a shop on Lower Market Street. There is a nice pub for a pre dinner drink across the road. You can drive out to the Cliffs of Moher from Ennis and stop in Lahinch on the way out. Lots of surfers and lovely natural beach views. The burren is about an hour drive away as well. Bunratty is about a 30 minute drive away as well and has the castle, shops and nice for an afternoon. My husband took friends of mine for a drive and they ended up at Dromoland castle and had a walk around (not sure they were allowed but did so anyway!) Ther is also horse r8iding, and lots of activities like g9olf etc. At night just hit the pubs for music. The old ground hotel has a lovely newly renovated lobby (Started hacking it down 2 hours before we left!) and its a nice place across from the Church. Enjoy!

Padraig

Forgive the thread drift.

Congratulations and best wishes, Siobhain! May you have many years of happiness together.

Did you enjoy typing "my husband"?

SiobhanP

Its Funny Padraig,...still freaks me out...I still say partner a lot just to confuse people. Years ago when Living in the U.S. Partner meant same sex so i found it strange to say in Ireland. I upgraded him to Husband he has achived nirvana

GreenDragon

hehehe.. congrats to you SiobhanP!!!

NEDSIRELAND

One Sunday we went to (11 AM?) Mass at St. Peter & Paul Church in Ennis and after Mass we walked up to the Monument, then down Abbey Street to the Queen's Hotel for a Carvery hot plate midday meal (one of very few open on Sundays).

Then I told the wife we had to make another stop, at Cruise's next door. We got there just as a 'pick up' group was starting to play. We stayed to enjoy the music.

Ennis is a good 'base' for touring west Clare: From there, daytrips included Spanish Point & Lahinch (golf), the Burren & Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna & Ennistymon.

One Saturday morning we took an early BusEireann to Galway, did some shopping, stopped at Taaffes & Og Caeli for the music and returned to Ennis in time for Dinner. As I recall, the Galway-Ennis Bus took about 45min

Nuttela

I agree with plenty of the posters that Ennis is a great place to stop and use as a base city for other sites. We loved staying there and as cheesy as it may had been I would recommend the walking tour of the city if the Tourist Bureau still gives them. We got some history of the town and some myths and legends so when we walked on our own we had a better understanding of where we were.

In Killarney I would definitly do the Ring of Kerry and if you have the time venture even farther into the Ring of Kerry on to Valentia Island. It was a long day but for my husband and I thought it was worth it.

Oh and don't forget in all those places to have a pint or two at a local pub.

GreenDragon

Valentia Island has a wonderful (though cold and windy when we were there in June!) walk up to a point overlooking the Atlantic. Beautiful view!