Ireland Bound: Trip to Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ireland Bound: Trip to Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ireland bound,

Welcome to my forum. I have copied and moved your original post to its own separate subject so that everyone (including you) can find it better.

I assume that you are arriving in Dublin and then proceeding to Maynooth for your first day? Will you be off an overnight flight? Will your companion have jet lag? If so, you will want to ease into the trip as it can take a few days to acclimate to the time difference.

Do you meet up with your friends on the third day or fourth? Where in western Ireland will you meet? What sorts of things are of interest to you?

Tell me more so I can help.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Maynooth is on the M4 so the easiest way west would be M4/M6 to Galway in about 2 hours direct. If you were to take this route you might want to detour to Clonmacnoise by Athlone. From Galway you have a choice of the Conamara or Buren regions, also the posibility of the Aran Isles. I will be more than happy to help with information on these areas if you decide on some parts from these options.

For the Over 66 yrs young there is the Golden-trekker pass giving free Rail travel if you decide to go by train rather than car. Unfortunately Irish rail is not widespread but will take you to most of the main towns and Cities.

http://www.moytura.com/clonmacnoise.htm

http://www.connemara.ie/en/

http://www.burrennationalpark.ie/
http://www.burrenbeo.com/

http://www.visitaranislands.com/

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-plan-your-visit/facts/golden-trekker/

http://www.irishrail.ie/home/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 21st of July 2010 06:18:59 AM

Ireland bound · Newbie

Thank you so much for your response. I am extremely interested in Galway. It seems close enough to manage in a day trip. I can certailny venture out a little further and spend the night I was hopeful to find a B & B in a working type farm environment. It's getting close so I have to make the final choices.

Thank you again

-- Edited by Ireland bound on Saturday 24th of July 2010 12:28:58 AM

tony2phones · Guru

There are lots of working farm type B&B in Galway and Clare but if you head for Clifden I can recomend Dan O'Haras which although hardly a working farm in the old school is attached to the Farm and Heritage centre.

http://www.bandbireland.com/accommodation/3336/galway/dan-o%27hara%27s-farmhouse-bed-and-breakfast.html

Just North of Galway outside Tuam there is ST Ann's which is a good traditional working farm B&B and handy for a trip to the Knock Shrine and the National Museum of Country Life

http://www.tuam-guide.com/st-annes-milltown.htm

http://www.knock-shrine.ie/

http://www.museum.ie/en/intro/country-life.aspx

-- Edited by tony2phones on Saturday 24th of July 2010 09:32:22 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ireland bound,

Good info from Tony. I am still not clear about your plans. Do you propose to do Galway as a day trip? It will probably take about 2-3 hours to drive from Maynooth to Galway and the same back again. You would be better off overnighting in the west instead.

Are you meeting other people in the West? Do you have a meet-up point and time?

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

For guidance the new M6 linking with the M4 means it is about 2 1/2 hours to central Dublin from the top of Galway so no problem getting from Maynooth in 2 hours. Clifden Connamara is another 2 hours taking the R341 Roundstone loop, 1 1/2 direct. Doolin from Galway is about 1 hour as is Castlebar/Knock. Any stops would have to be added of course.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Sunday 25th of July 2010 05:34:49 AM

Ireland bound · Newbie

Thank you Michele for your response. We will be arriving in Dublin on 4th. Traveling in to the city for a traditional Irish Supper for a Birthday celebration. 83 yrs WOW

On Friday our itenerary thus far:

Travel and stay overnight Aug 6 Cliffs of Moher - drive to Clonmacnoie
viist Cliff of Moher
Aug 7 Boat ride to Aran Islands Driver to Bunratty Castle for Dinner Stay Burnratty Castle Holtel
Aug 8 Tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Parks
_____________

An Alternate plan:

Driving down to Dingle Peninula
Tour Killarney, Muckroos HOuse and Gardent and Dingle>

This trip has been managed by our compaigns in Ireland.

_________________

We then have Monday - Wed. to tour on our own. I'm interested in seeing the landscape - a working farm - small less congested areas. I will acces to a GPS system and would like to do a day trip from Maynooth or perhaps one overnight. We will need to be back in Maynooth on Wed. to prepare for our trip back to the US on Thursday.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ireland bound,

You can certainly drive from Maynooth to the Cliffs of Moher, stopping to see Clonmacnoise along the way. Ferries run from both Doolin and the Galway area to the Aran Islands. There are also flights to the islands.

You could save Dingle and Killarney for your three free nights, before returning to Maynooth. Perhaps base in Killarney, do Dingle as a day trip.

Michele