Would love your thoughts on our Ireland plans...
Aug 20th, 2012, 12:26 PM
#1
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Would love your thoughts on our Ireland plans...
Hello all – DH and I are planning our first trip to Ireland and would love any and all suggestions. We will be celebrating our 27th anniversary during this trip. Our 25th was spent by my father’s bedside during a very trying time. Kids are grown, dad’s ok and now is our time to go!
Here's how we like to travel: Natural beauty is magical to us; we like to pick a few locations and explore, avoiding "tourist traps;" depending where we are, we may rent a scooter and explore that way (not in Ireland!) We love to get to know an area as thoroughly as we can, meet people, experience the culture, walk, eat! We love food, but not necessarily “fine dining” – for example, we love the discovery of a farmer who makes and sells his own cheese at market; a gift of homemade wine from an Italian friend is always one of our most treasured gifts; sea urchin on the shores of the Adriatic along with crusty bread from our favorite Puglian bakery. Near Parma, Italy, we ate lunch in a small restaurant where the other patrons were local workmen - one of the best meals we've ever eaten, etc. So, we really love food/don’t like getting dressed up : ) We’ve seen castles, forts and the like. For something extraordinary, we will make a trip. If we happen across them, we’ll enjoy them. We do enjoy history, visit museums and churches some as well. Love small villages where people look at we tourists in the way that shows they don’t see many of us!
We arrive into DUB, pick up our car and head west for a one night stay in B&B on Shannon Harbour. Here we’ll rest and get acclimated. After breakfast, we’ll head to a stone cottage in the Connemara, a short distance from Clifden for 5 nights. We’ll explore the area by foot and by car. There’s a lake and a small boat, heavenly views of mountains, etc. We’ll eat in pubs, listen to music, cook a bit. This is the time of the Arts Fest in Clifden, so we’re excited about that. So much to see in this area!
Those two are booked. The plan is then to head east and stay in an apartment in Carlingford (maybe, but open to other village suggestions) hopefully with a view and balcony, for the next 5 days. We will explore that area, experience village life, hike a bit, take day trips including to Belfast, eat great seafood. Very loose planning, open to suggestions!
Next, we’ll have two nights in Dublin, flying out the third morning. Haven’t researched Dublin yet.
Time is short – this was rather a last-minute idea! I only realized HOW SHORT as I started researching – so much to see and do! Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. I’ve learned so much from reading through all of your posts over the years.
Here's how we like to travel: Natural beauty is magical to us; we like to pick a few locations and explore, avoiding "tourist traps;" depending where we are, we may rent a scooter and explore that way (not in Ireland!) We love to get to know an area as thoroughly as we can, meet people, experience the culture, walk, eat! We love food, but not necessarily “fine dining” – for example, we love the discovery of a farmer who makes and sells his own cheese at market; a gift of homemade wine from an Italian friend is always one of our most treasured gifts; sea urchin on the shores of the Adriatic along with crusty bread from our favorite Puglian bakery. Near Parma, Italy, we ate lunch in a small restaurant where the other patrons were local workmen - one of the best meals we've ever eaten, etc. So, we really love food/don’t like getting dressed up : ) We’ve seen castles, forts and the like. For something extraordinary, we will make a trip. If we happen across them, we’ll enjoy them. We do enjoy history, visit museums and churches some as well. Love small villages where people look at we tourists in the way that shows they don’t see many of us!
We arrive into DUB, pick up our car and head west for a one night stay in B&B on Shannon Harbour. Here we’ll rest and get acclimated. After breakfast, we’ll head to a stone cottage in the Connemara, a short distance from Clifden for 5 nights. We’ll explore the area by foot and by car. There’s a lake and a small boat, heavenly views of mountains, etc. We’ll eat in pubs, listen to music, cook a bit. This is the time of the Arts Fest in Clifden, so we’re excited about that. So much to see in this area!
Those two are booked. The plan is then to head east and stay in an apartment in Carlingford (maybe, but open to other village suggestions) hopefully with a view and balcony, for the next 5 days. We will explore that area, experience village life, hike a bit, take day trips including to Belfast, eat great seafood. Very loose planning, open to suggestions!
Next, we’ll have two nights in Dublin, flying out the third morning. Haven’t researched Dublin yet.
Time is short – this was rather a last-minute idea! I only realized HOW SHORT as I started researching – so much to see and do! Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. I’ve learned so much from reading through all of your posts over the years.
Aug 20th, 2012, 01:04 PM
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Actually, I don't think you need much guidance on Connemara.
It's a perfect place to just settle down, do a bit of hiking where you like, pop in the local pub, become a "local" on night two, and immerse just by being there. Ask at you local village store about local activities like the weekly chicken or farmers' market or similar high-adrenaline activities (just kidding) and endulge the pleasures of slow travel.
You can check out goodfoodireland.ie for local merchants, restaurants, pubs or farms that may suit your style.
It's a perfect place to just settle down, do a bit of hiking where you like, pop in the local pub, become a "local" on night two, and immerse just by being there. Ask at you local village store about local activities like the weekly chicken or farmers' market or similar high-adrenaline activities (just kidding) and endulge the pleasures of slow travel.
You can check out goodfoodireland.ie for local merchants, restaurants, pubs or farms that may suit your style.
Aug 20th, 2012, 02:38 PM
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PalenQ: Yes, of course. This was the original plan and is still in contention. But, I would love to try not to do too much. Can you recommend an area as a base for these Dingle and Killarney that you think would appeal to our travel preferences? We were also interested in Cork. So much there, so if not this time, another trip just for the south!
Cowboy1968: Thanks for the tips...and, hah! chicken or farmers' markets CAN get our adrenaline going! We really do love that stuff. We have our own chickens and a huge veg. garden. Shoulda been farmers, maybe! I like the goodfoodireland.ie idea.
Cowboy1968: Thanks for the tips...and, hah! chicken or farmers' markets CAN get our adrenaline going! We really do love that stuff. We have our own chickens and a huge veg. garden. Shoulda been farmers, maybe! I like the goodfoodireland.ie idea.
Aug 20th, 2012, 05:38 PM
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While in Connemara take a short drive over to Cleggin andtake the boat out to Inishboffin Island. Not as many tourists as
Aran Islands. No big museums or ruins, just a quiet walk around a quiet place. It was one of my favorite days while in the area. Connemara Ntl Park for some hikes--maybe catch sight of some Connemara ponies in the distance--an interesting visitor center, low key but with lots of good info.
Won't get into the Cork, Kerry, Carlingford discussion. All have lots to see and do.
Aran Islands. No big museums or ruins, just a quiet walk around a quiet place. It was one of my favorite days while in the area. Connemara Ntl Park for some hikes--maybe catch sight of some Connemara ponies in the distance--an interesting visitor center, low key but with lots of good info.
Won't get into the Cork, Kerry, Carlingford discussion. All have lots to see and do.
Aug 21st, 2012, 10:09 AM
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I second Aran Islands - definitely stay over if you can. The smaller islands are less touristy, but even the big island (Inis Mor) is lovely and intimate once the daytrippers have gone home. We stayed at the Man of Aran Cottage B&B and rented bikes to travel around the island. Had Dun Aengosa to ourselves, breathtaking! Check out my trip report from May 2011 for more details, if you wish.
Aug 21st, 2012, 11:34 AM
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Oh, irishface, the trip to Inishboffin sounds perfect. Thanks for the input. It does seem that so much of Ireland deserves to be savored. I know we will want to go back to experience more.
GreenDragon: I've read your opinion on the Aran Islands and am intrigued. We were originally planning a night on Inisheer. We'll see if one of the Arans still fit into the plan. How is the food at the Man of Aran? If we can't do the overnight, maybe a day trip with lunch. I will read your trip report, thanks so much.
GreenDragon: I've read your opinion on the Aran Islands and am intrigued. We were originally planning a night on Inisheer. We'll see if one of the Arans still fit into the plan. How is the food at the Man of Aran? If we can't do the overnight, maybe a day trip with lunch. I will read your trip report, thanks so much.
Aug 21st, 2012, 12:30 PM
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Great to know - thanks. Evidently Man of Aran also has a small restaurant. From their website:
"Utilizing the excellent produce from Joe's garden, Maura conjurs masterful meals that she serves in the small restaurant located in the main building. The soups she creates, in particular, are original, unique and exquisite; and Joe, while professing no artistic talent, fabricates simply amazing salads out of his garden, featuring a medley of greens as well as many flowers including squash flower and even pansies."
"Utilizing the excellent produce from Joe's garden, Maura conjurs masterful meals that she serves in the small restaurant located in the main building. The soups she creates, in particular, are original, unique and exquisite; and Joe, while professing no artistic talent, fabricates simply amazing salads out of his garden, featuring a medley of greens as well as many flowers including squash flower and even pansies."
Aug 22nd, 2012, 05:32 AM
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Hi allisonm - Yes - the Harbour Master's House. Haha "all in one pub/market/post office" it does sound tiny! We will arrive in Dublin at 8:30 AM or so and will get the car and head there making some stops along the way. Howth seems easily accessible from airport, so even though it's not on the way the name keeps popping up in my reading, so that's a thought. The next day we're hoping to wake up ready to go and treat ourselves to a nice breakfast - maybe our first "full Irish." Do you have any suggestions for stops between DUB and Shannon Harbour?
Thanks, GreenDragon, we will check if we go. Maybe we'll get lucky with weather and bring a small picnic
Your trip report looks so thorough. Each trip I take I swear I'll write everything down or at least keep solid notes. I never do. I always forget all the details I plan to remember. This time!! I hope to curl up and read your report tonight.
Thanks, GreenDragon, we will check if we go. Maybe we'll get lucky with weather and bring a small picnic
Your trip report looks so thorough. Each trip I take I swear I'll write everything down or at least keep solid notes. I never do. I always forget all the details I plan to remember. This time!! I hope to curl up and read your report tonight.
