Wish Me Luck - Large Group Trip Coming Up
 

Background - 14 members of my family (ages 15-63) are travelling to Ireland for one week in Feb. Many are not very experienced travelers. I was designated trip planner. I know, Feb is not the best time but its what we could all do.

First thanks to all who helped me a few months back with ideas on where to stay for a large group. I settled on Killarney for a few reasons. Most wanted to see where the family came from (Dingle Peninsula) and see the Ring of Kerry, so I thought this would be a good location where I could find a house large enough for all of us within walking distance of pubs, food, shops, etc.
So far the group thing has been going well....All have paid for their share on time and so far little complaining.

We all pitched in $50 each for food/drinks in the house, which I put on a travel Visa card that can be used as a cc or at an ATM to be used when any of us goes to the grocery store. Likewise we all pitched in $50 each for gas to start, so no complaining about who paid more or less. If there's anything left we will split it evenly.

We rented 2 large vans, fitting 7 each (7 arrive Sat, 7 arrive Sun). I'm still not sure about this and am leaning towards having my group rent two cars instead. We have plenty of willing drivers. Suggestions?

My experience driving in Ireland leaves me a little nervous to have such a large vehicle, but we'll make it work!

Here is our loose plan - comments welcome
Sat - Group 1 arrives
Sun - Group 2 arrives

Mon - Morning Blarney Castle, etc
Afternoon Appointment with Genealogist at 2:00 in Cobh, rest of the group going to Titanic Experience

Tues - I know, I know, I know - I couldn't talk them out of it.
Morning - Very early start to the Cliffs of Moher (I think this is too far for a
day trip, but I'll roll with the punches)

Afternoon - Bunratty and Medieval dinner booked at Bunratty for the 5:30 seating. Local pub for those not wanting to
Medieval dinner

Wed - Dingle Day

Thursday - Ring of Kerry, with a visit to the Dark Sky Reserve before heading back

Friday - Killarney - Nat'l Park, Horses, Walk with birds of prey, Muckross House and a chef booked to hold a cooking class and dinner for our last night.

So two very full days and a few more laid back. I hope this plan works!

You might want to google "Slea Head narrow roads" and check the images before you make your decision on vehicles. I have a picture of one section right above me at this very minute. It can be a bit narrow. Conversely the rest of the trip a van might be better.

Just a quick comment re the vehicles. >>We rented 2 large vans, fitting 7 each (7 arrive Sat, 7 arrive Sun). I'm still not sure about this and am leaning towards having my group rent two cars instead. We have plenty of willing drivers. Suggestions?<<

When I've taken larger groups (12 and 13 people ) I arranged multiple vehicles and it worked out great. Like when 13 of us - all adults in this case - went to the Cotswolds in England and rented a big house - very similar to your situation. We had a mini bus (called a people mover over there) and two cars. That worked out very well -- each evening after dinner we'd sit around the table and decide who wanted to go where the next day which determined which cars went where. You may think you have a set itinerary/plan but with a group that large plans will change. Someone will want to stay home to get over headache/do laundry/shop/go somewhere else (all of which happened at different times). Most days all 3 cars went the same place -- but a couple of days all three went in different directions. Having the meeting the night before was vital. I had a basic daily itinerary laid out but modifications were made as we went along.

So in your case I would probably get the 7-passenger and 2 cars - one compact and one mid-sized

(On my '13' trip - at LHR when we collected the cars I had a 'hunch' re some interactions w/ one couple during the first week we were in London and decided at the last minute to get an additional car on my dime . . . and it was a good thing because one morning the two of them got up really early and took one of the cars w/o telling anyone they wanted to do something we hadn't discussed the night before . . . looooong story ;) - but without the extra (4th) car we would have been up s#it creek >) )

Thank you so much for this great advice (as always) janisj! You've convinced me the best idea is to rent two cars and one larger van. I also suspect that people will change their mind as to what they want to do once we're actually there.

Especially with the age range you have -- some may want to have a down/relaxing day and just go out in the afternoon or want to go say early AM pony trekking or something.

Don't worry so much about the weather. We are in France right now. We have had snow, slush and ice but we roll with it all. Waterproof boots have been a blessing. I don't think you will have snow where you are going. It has been tricky walking the sidewalks. I don't think anyone has shovels in France.

Cobh is great. Visit the church if you have time. I like how you did the food budget. I will remember that for next trip. Bacon rashers. Do buy them. Great for bacon sandwiches.