pitterdunk

We are flying in and out of Shannon in early September. We only have a week so we thought we would skip Dublin and see the west coast area. We have thought about staying in Doolin two nights (as a base) then stay in either Dingle two nights, then Kenmore or Kenmore first then Dingle. Help!
Do we need to make reservations ahead ? Also Is Doolin a good place to start? We will arrive in the morning.We would like to see Old Head Golf Course, Balarny Stone, (I know it's touristy but we are over there for the first time so we need to be touristy!)Dingle area, Cliffs of Moher and anything else that 1st time tourist should see. We also like BEER!

janis

I'd suggest either 1) you tack this question on your earlier thread where you already have some suggestions, or 2) start a new thread with a better title.

"Where to stay" could be asking about anywhere in Europe. If "west of Ireland" or "itinerary from Shannon" or something like that was in the title people who know about that area will be more likely to open you thread.

(To find your earlier threads click on your name and they will display in the left frame.)

pitterdunk

Thanks for the information. I thought since it was in the Ireland topic list that I wouldn't have to put specific
titles on any inquiry.

Curious

pitterdunk,

There is no specific "country" topics. Everything goes on the European forum. The "specific country" is for doing a Fodors search only.

It's a common misconception to new posters.

Curious

rex

Practically speaking, Curious is right - - yet for the small number of people who use this forum in a country-specific way (and I often wonder if a lot of new participants intuitively click on a country and think that everybody else does that too!) - - there really is "an Ireland forum", It exists in a "virtual" sense and consists of all the posts you get when you click on Ireland in the "country box".

I continue to fault Fodors for two glaring disservices to new registrants: 1) they ought to include in the new registrant info a very directly worded link to their "help" (FAQ's) page, where they DO advise mentioning destinations directly in the message header - - see http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q6

and

2) they could and should monitor the first message posted by any new registrant, and even offer to edit the message for a first-time poster who doesn't realize what a message header ought to contain - - how big a job could this be? three or four new registrants a day? (making a first-time post)...

If nothing else, this tangential discussion keeps your message up "at the top" more, pitter... increasing your chances of getting more replies.

Best wishes,

Rex

pitterdunk

Thanks so much Rex! You just can't expect too much from us people in a little town in Wisconsin. It's just a good thing there is people like you to cover for us ! You're the best!!!
Thanks again.

Holldoll

Well Pitterdunk, I'm from Wisconsin too, and we can expect the best from Wis.--at least from the Packers!!! Anyway, regarding Ireland, if it were my first time and I had a week I would spend the first couple days driving north through Galway and out into Connemara, staying there a couple nights. Lots of people on this forum have suggestions where to stay if that's what you decide. Then I'd go back through Galway down through the Burren area and Cliffs of Moher and visit the Dingle/Kerry area. I think the very southwest and Connemara are the best parts of Ireland.

pitterdunk

Holldoll
Of course you are right on about the Packers....and the rest of your information sounds great too. Thanks

Itallian_Chauffer

Go to Doolin first, it is much closer. Prebook there and in Shannon, the night before your return flight. The rest can be pre-booked or 'winged' depending on your comfort level. Assume you are talking about Kenmare. You might want to cut Doolin down to one night, so that you can do one in Kinsale. That will make the Old Head/Blarney visits much less hectic.

joannapv

One night is Doolin is enough and we spent 3 in Dingle and loved it. We stayed at the Greenmount House in Dingle and Renvyle House in Renvyle and stayed with friends in Galway - had a wonderful time. The driving was scary and I never did relax. We found the restaurants to be wonderful. If you plan to stay in Dingle book the Greenmount House now and ask for room with balcony. I am off to California today but will post more next week about our 2 week trip.

pitterdunk

Thanks for the information about Greenmount House . We are definately going to stay there. Would really like to hear about your trip. Thanks again.

wojazz3

Hi pitterdunk:

You should have a great trip. Another very nice option on Dingle, but the other side of the penisula is The Shores. Nicest B&B that I have stayed in.

Looking at what you want to do, I would spend the 1st night in Doolin, then head south for Dingle, Kenmare, Kinsale (for Old Head) and then back north. I know you feel the need to see the Blarney Stone, but right up the road and a much nicer option in Cahir Castle in the town of Cahir. From there, the Rock of Cashel is just a short drive. If you spend your time on these two and miss Blarney, you won't be disappointed. It's not a bad thing to do that which is touristy, but there are much better options nearby.

The coast line and villages between Kenmare and Bantry are very nice and take the chance to tour one of the less visited peninsulas like Beara, Sheepshead or Mizen. These are much off the beaten track and are great to visit.

Then there is the beer. You can't go wrong with Guinness, but try the Murphy's especially when you are in Co Cork. For some reason, it tasted better to me there. Smithwick's (don't prounounce the "w&quot is sort of the Irish red and is a good option for non stout drinkers. If you have an interest in microbrews, on the way to Doolin from Ennis, in the little town of Inagh, is the Biddy Early brewery. They have three or four fine beers and are worth a stop. I never fail to have a pint or two when I go by.

Bill

pitterdunk

Bill, Thanks so much for the information. Your suggestions sound great! I will personally make it a point to try all the different beers! It's a tough job but somebody has to do it!

mmartin598

We visited in June and had a great trip ...we had 8 nights in Ireland but we started in Dublin and drove across to Shannon. We covered a lot of ground , 2 nights in Dublin, which we loved, (Guinness tour is great for beer lovers), then down to Waterford (not worth the time for us...we went on a Saturday so the factory had a skeleton crew..the gift shop is the main attraction and you can buy Waterford elsewhere ), up to Cashel to spend the night (very neat town and the castle.."the Rock of Cashel" and grounds are a photographers dream, especially at dusk), drove to Blarney the next morning (well worth seeing , the grounds are beautiful but go early to avoid the bus tours and don't be tempted to hang around and shop...the crowds are crazy!) then on to 2 nights in Kinsale (my favorite..stayed at Old Bank House which is right in the delightful town while the husbands golfed at Old Head) ,then on to Dingle for just one night .. I would have liked several nights here as a base and would HIGHLY recommend Heaton's Guest house ..one of the best places we stayed on our trip! Ask for a room looking over the bay (ours had a balcony)..breakfasts wereoutstanding with homemade scones/breads, hosts were delightful and very helpful. From there we drove up to Galway for a night (family roots) then went thru Doolin for lunch on our way to the Cliffs of Moher ( I'd prefer a base in a little larger town like Dingle but depends on what you want)...the Cliffs are fantastic and a must see. Our last night was at Dromoland Castle which is beautiful although pricey....a very formal elegant atmosphere. Have a great trip!

faithr

Cliffs of Moher are a must!