Hi Fellow Explorers,
We're travelling to Ireland in Sept. with my husband's elderly parents to take them to look at places where the family came from. They have not travelled O/S more than 5 days before so we are the designated tour guides.
We will fly in and out of Shannon and then spend most of our time looking at Athlone, Ballinasloe and Aughrim.
We are thinking it might be easier for us to stay at the Kingsvalley Hotel, Galway, for the entire time as we have a car booked. That way we can do lots of day trips and use Galway as a base and the hotel is near the N6.
Is this a good idea to just book one place or should we move south for the last 1-2 nights to look at things near Limerick?
Apart from family history we are interested in exploring historic sites rather than looking at views as our 12 yr old son is also coming on this epic family voyage.
Looking forward to your ideas.

Don't know where Straffan, Co. Kildare is relative to Athlone, Ballinasloe or Aughrim but the Ryder Cup Golf Matches will be held at Straffan's K Club from 19 Sep. Lodging will be 'tight' 50mi in any direction fron Straffan. The same may be said for Listowel, County Kerry (Horse Meet) a week earlier. No such problem for Lisdoonvarna (county Clare) MatchMaking Festival a week or so later.
Have you considered Gort?? It's well as a 'crossroads.'

Marlo, I agree with NedsIreland...Gort is a nice location, situated between Galway and Ennis. Its about 40 minutes drive from Shannon Airport. From Gort (a small town, with many pubs, restaurants, nice churches, and a great supermarket for local produce and fresh meats and cheeses) you can drive to Galway (35 min) Ennis (35 min) Bunratty Castle (50 min) the Cliffs of Moher (50 min) the Burren (50 min) and Kinvarra (Dungaire Castle)and Ballyvaughan (Ailwee Caves) (20 min). Connemara can be reached in less than 2 hours. Plenty of castles to explore throughout the region. Enjoy. Mikek

Hello, Marlo..How long is your stay in Ireland? Personally, I think you have made a pretty good choice in your hotel area. You are right next to the Galway Irish Crystal factory, which is a wonderful place to shop! And, you are within driving distance of the Connemara (my favorite), and Counties Clare and Limerick, also Cong in Mayo.

When in Athlone, be sure to make a side trip to Clonmacnoise, directly south.

Have a wonderful trip! Helen

marlo, you might ask if Kingsvalley Hotel has an elevator. My first trip to Ireland I found many of the smaller hotels didn't and I don't do well with stairs. I am thinking of your parents. Have a great time. Joan