Hello Everyone:

I will be travelling with my 81 year old Mum to West Ireland from England. Our ancestors are from County Clare hence the focus. She can walk but with bad knees very long distances are limited.

We have 2.5-3 full days maximum for this leg of the trip (no option for a longer stay I'm afraid). We will be taking it slow and easy (no long hikes, etc.). More or less some sight seeing, shopping, photo taking, etc. - whatever it is 81 year olds like to do these days.

We will have a rental car and I have chartered this route:

• Cork, Ireland (fly into)
• Bear Peninsula, Cork, Ireland (?)
• Kenmare (Foley’s Guest House)
• Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Ireland
• Limerick, Ireland
• Cliffs of Moher, Clare, Ireland
• Lisdoonvarna, Clare, Ireland
• Ballyvaughan, County Clare, Ireland
• Shannon, Ireland (fly out of)

Am I packing too much in? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you!

My 75-year-old mother-in-law enjoyed a 3 mile walk with us on Christmas day, while some other younger ones couldn't make it, or didn't want to. Everyone's different, so not all 81-year-olds will enjoy the same things. It's well worth going there anyway - & of course there's a visitor centre (which was of course closed when we were there).
Bunratty Castle near Limerick has an interesting folk village showcasing the old Ireland and is well presented. They also do medieval banquets. A bit over-the-top & touristy, but fun nonetheless. It's almost next door to the airport.
Do you have relatives who would expect you to visit? (Or are you trying to avoid them? )
When was your mother last in Ireland? Was she born here herself? She will find it greatly changed if she's not been for a while.

Thanks Ricardo. Good tips. Where exactly did you take the 3 mile walk?

No, no relatives - her grandparents were born in Ireland but she has generally lost track of those that did not migrate to the U.S. And she has never been to Ireland - this is her first trip.

Updated itinerary:

Day One:
• Cork, Ireland (fly into)
o Travel North on the N71 through:
o Clonakilty
o Skibbereen
o Bantry
o Glengarriff
• Kenmare (Foley’s Guest House). Stay Night One.

Day Two

• Travel North to the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Ireland on the N70 through (this is the Ring of Kerry)
o Waterville
o Cahersiveen
o Glenbeigh
o Killorglin
o Into Killarney or Limerick for the overnight stay.


Day Three
Travel from Limerick on the N18 through
Ennis
Corofin
Lisdoonvarna, Clare, Ireland
Ballyvaughan , County Clare, Ireland then south through:
Fanore
Doolin to the
Cliffs of Moher, Clare, Ireland

• Shannon, Ireland (fly out of)

On my trip to Germany last year at 77 years old, I was for some reason surprised that I didn't have the stamina that I'd had in the past, including in 2011 and 2012. The diminution of stamina wasn't great, but it was noticeable.

I'd be sure to allow for rest stops and relaxed times.

I would personally opt for Ennis rather than Limerick and possibly cut a few bits out... I did a road trip with pops on his 81st a couple of years ago and his comment was if we do it again can we do a bit less..

When are you coming over?

Thanks to all. We'll be over during the second week of May.

And Tony2Phones - which would you cut out? Thanks again!

No festivals I know of at that time? Driving the Ring clockwise shouldn't be a problem in May the heavy traffic doesn't really start until mid June. But I might be tempted to drive round the Dingle peninsula rather than the Invaragh on the way north.
For the route from Cork airport to Kenmare I would add a detour onto the R574 Healy Pass on the Beara Peninsula well worth the extra 20 or 30 minutes http://cycleireland.ie/healy-pass-cycle-loop/

Day 3 is the busy day and the roads are not the fastest to travel.. There is a lot out there as well http://goo.gl/maps/xMOHV for just some places..

Where in Clare is the genealogy centred Most tourism is concentrated in west Clare but there is a lot of space over here by the east of the county.

For your Night 2 I would suggest Killarney (rather than Limerick), my mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the Algret House B&B. It was perfect for our morning drive around the Ring of Kerry. Tony2phones is right - going clockwise in May will most likely not be terribly touristy.
The Cliffs is without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever been, even on a foggy day. You will enjoy it.
Overall I think you've got a good itinerary. Half the fun is just looking out your window!

Thank you everyone. What a great response!

Great trip and we share the same last name. I think it is wonderful that you are taking her.

We did it. A great 3 day trip up the West Coast of Ireland. We wouldn't change a thing. Here is the final itiniary:

Day One (Saturday, May 10th)
• Cork, Ireland (fly into)
o Travel North on the N71 through:
o Clonakilty - stopped at “De Barras” for a pint and pot of Stew or nice Doorstep sandwich
o Bantry
o Glengarriff
o Beara Peninsula (did this instead of Ring of Kerry)
o Kenmare (fun town, lots of pubs)

Stayed in Kenmare @ Foley’s Guesthouse
Henry Street, Kenmare
Co. Kerry, Ireland
tel: +353 (0) 64 664 2162
[email protected]


Day Two

• From Kenmare, travel North on the N70
o Kilarney (visited both the town and Kilarney State Park for a carriage ride)
o Tralee (stopped for lunch but that is it)
o GET FERRY IN TARBERT
 http://www.shannonferries.com/our-location-!12-cms.html

o Kilrush (take the N67 North)
o Kilfarboy (cannot get more remote - very interesting)
o Lahinch (surf town with pubs)

Stayed in Lahinch @ Craglea Lodge B&B
(http://www.clareireland.net/craglea/accommodation.htm
GPS:


Day Three
o Cliffs of Moher (both the visitor center and then later a 1 hour cruis from Doolin)
o Doolin
o Lisdoonvarna, Clare, Ireland
o Fanore
o Ballyvaughan , County
o Corofin
o Ennis

Stayed at Bunratty Castle Hotel
• Adjacent to the Hotel is the World famous Irish pub called "Durty Nellies"



Flew out of Shannon, Ireland (fly out of)

Poor you, last night drinking in mucky nora's... Glad you enjoyed yourselves, come back again when you have a little more time