First trip to Ireland. Itinerary for 12 day trip. Thoughts and help Please.

cranvo9 · Member

First trip to Ireland. Itinerary for 12 day trip. Thoughts and help Please.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum!

Kilcullen, County Kildare is VERY close to Dublin -- Probably UNDER an hour, from the airport. I believe I would head straight there.

LOTS to see in the vicinity, depending upon your interests -- Castles, Monasteries, scenery, Megaliths ... ... ...

You might want to peruse a few Trip Reports to 'Narrow Down' a list of sites. Your current 1 night in Cork seems a bit extraneous -- as you could easily spend ALL day just to GET there -- Only to depart the very next morning. This is particularly true, if you are dedicating 4 days to Donegal.

Were it ME, I would drop Cork and drive to Galway on day 1. You could over-night on Inis Mor on Night 2 and spent night 3 in either Westport (with a drive through part of Connemara) or Sligo .

Geno · Guru

To chime in on Bob's comments, I certainly would not rent a car and then stay in Dublin. If you want to be there the first night, wait until the second day when you are leaving to get a car. I too would skip Cork and head to Galway, as should you go to Westport, there are many things to see. One year I did:

Dublin - Day 1 (stayed near airport, took bus to city center, did hop-on-hop-off tour to see Dublin and stay awake).

Donegal - Day 2, 3, 4 -- drove to Donegal in the morning, and spent three days in the area, seeing Slieve League Cliffs, and the other countless sights in this remote part of Ireland. Really enjoyed it.

Westport - Day 5,6 -- drove from Donegal to Westport via Sligo. Westport is a wonderful town with traditional music. Crough Patrick area is a must see as is a drive through the Doo Lough pass.

Galway - Day 7 -- drove to Galway (stayed in Salthill), and stopped on the way at Kylemore Abbey. Another option would be to go via Cong if you are a Quiet Man fan.

Dublin - Day 8 -- drove from Galway to Dublin Airport (noon flight). Easy drive on highway caliber road.

This gives you a real basic idea, but it is a doable route that could be changed some to make certain you see some areas of interest. When you have things more in place we can all suggest places to stay.

Best regards,

Geno

Michele Erdvig · Host

I'm another one who agrees with skipping Cork. It is the odd man out on this trip. Was there something in particular you needed to see or do there?

Lough Eske Castle outside Donegal town is beautiful. I prefer the rooms in the actual castle not the courtyard.

cranvo9 · Member

Thanks for the quick responses Bob, Geno and Michele. I haven't been able to gather my thoughts as I 've been dealing with Aer Lingus and some glitch with their pricing. They were great and honored me my price. Anyway, Ive put deeper thought and research into my trip and decided to focus on south and central Ireland. I had looked up the wonders of Ireland and decided to focus on some of them. I would like to go to Donegal as thats where most of my family is near (Leitrim county) but having not spoken or ever met them I think I will travel my first trip and next year do it differently. So Friday 9/5 I arrive in DUBLIN at 5am. If I stay the night not sure where to leave my luggage since I cant check into a hotel at that time. After one day there I will go to Kilcullen for Saturday and Sunday and then leave early Monday morning. Heading south from Kilcullen, I will pass Rock of Cashel and see the sights. From there I'm not sure if I should go to Cork and stay a day or 2 ( No particular agenda for Cork) or just drive straight over to portmagee where I will go and see the Skelig islands. From there I will travel north as close to the coast for a scenic drive towards Galway stopping at the burrens and Cliffs of Mohr. When in Galway I will go to The Aran Islands possibly for the day and bike the sights (I cant find a place to stay on the Island that dosnt break the bank). If I dont find a place on the Island to stay, I will probably stay in Galway for 2 nights, do a day trip to the town of Connemara. On my way back to Dublin I will Stop at Seans pub in the town of Athlone and then for my last night/day I will stay in Dublin. Once I leave Kilcullen it will be and 8 day trip. Out of the places I spoken of can anyone give me specific days to stay in each? Like I said I have no rhyme or reason for Cork and I could head straight to portmagee for Skelig Islands.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

You don't mention DATES -- Time of year can dramatically affect routing and options -- but here are some Generalized ideas:

Nearly every hotel will allow you to store your luggage, even if they don't allow an early check-in.

The Skellig trip is VERY weather dependent -- it's best to allow more than just one day (with alternates) in the event of rough seas. Since you don't have a Cork 'agenda', I would head straight to the area of Portmagee. You could use the extra day to see some of the area -- tour the Beara, enjoy Killarney or Kenmare. Total stay: 2 Nights

Since the coast is your priority, you could complete the Ring of Kerry and then drive the Dingle 'Loop', with an over-night in either Dingle, or Castlegregory. 1 Night

Cross the Shannon via the Ferry at Tarbert and then follow the Coast West, to Loop Head and continue North, past Kilkee, Spanish Point and the Cliffs. Spend 1 night somewhere in West Clare -- Ballyvaughn, Lisdoonvarna, or ???

Spend your remaining nights in Galway, which allows you to visit Inish Mor and the Connemara AREA of West Galway. I know of NO Town by that name.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, You missed the date because without paragraph breaks and as a solid block of text it is very difficult to read and understand. If I have read correctly and understand it correctly this is what the proposed itinerary looks like (see below). I may be wrong because it was mentioned 8 days are available after Kilcullen. I am not exactly sure which day is departure day. I could be off by a day.

Friday 9/5: Arrive in DUBLIN at 5am.

Sat 9/6 & Sun 9/7: KILCULLEN

Mon 9/8: CORK

Tues 9/9: CORK

Wed 9/10: PORTMAGEE

Thurs 9/11: GALWAY

Fri 9/12: GALWAY

Sat 9/13: ??

Sun 9/14: ??

Mon 9/15: DUBLIN

cranvo9, Can you correct my mistakes so that we can understand your plan better?

cranvo9 · Member

Bob and Michele I apologize for my incompetence and thank you both for your patience. Sorry, I will work at my writing skills again and make it easier for all...LOL

Bob, I arrive in Dublin 9/5 and leave 9/16.

Michele your dates are head on just unsure of Cork for 2 days or not or maybe the entire trip...LOL!

My original plan was to see family I never met, but that has to wait for next year. Most of them are up in Leitrim.
So the new plan became to see the natural wonders of Ireland, along with some of old pubs.
Knowing I am flying into Dublin and staying in Kilcullen from 9/6-9/8 I thought it would be best
To focus on the SW and make my way up north towards Galway (a city I really want to see)

9/5-9/6 Dublin

9/6-9/8 Kilcullen leave early Monday morning to Rock of Cashel.

I think best idea weather willing:

9/8 evening- Portamgee

9/9 skellig island trip

9/10 start my trip up toward Galway. Maybe following Bobs idea.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Is your departure date 9/16? If so, you have two additional days to play with. It seems like you are attracted to the coastline of Ireland. If that is the case, perhaps Kinsale instead of Cork. It is a pretty long trek from Kildare to Portmagee.
With two extra days you might consider some time in either Kenmare or Killarney.

cranvo9 · Member

Yes, my departure is out of Dublin on 9/16. I will research more and decide. I have many agendas but of course there is only so much to do in 12 days.
I might skip portmagee and skellig, go to Cork for 2 days. Leaving Cork on 9/10 go to Killarney for a day and then head up to Galway.

Michele Erdvig · Host

You might be wise to skip Skellig Michael in September. A trip to the island is always chancy and depends on weather, seas, etc. It could be a frustrating experience if you don't get to go and have invested much time to do so. Read up some more and then make your decisions. Let us know if you have any other questions as you proceed.

cranvo9 · Member

I shall, and Thank You very much Michele.

Geno · Guru

It sounds like you are getting there! smile

Probably the one thing I would say would be that I would opt for some of the incredible small villages in West Cork instead of staying actually in Cork. But then I guess it depends on what your interests are. I find West Cork one of the most incredible areas of Ireland, and have little use traversing around the city of Cork.

Enjoy your trip!

Geno

cranvo9 · Member

Thanks Geno.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I agree with Geno. Cork city is just...blah. Lots of traffic and not a great deal to see. That is why I suggested Kinsale, which is on the coast about 30-45 minutes south of Cork city. If you are looking for a special place on the coast I highly recommend Henrys.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Either Kinsale or Cobh might fir the bill for a 'Coastal-Centric' tour.

I really like Clonakilty, but it's NOT on the water. Driving along the N71 affords SOME water views -- but it can be rather time consuming.

Are you abandoning the Trip to Skellig? If so, driving the Dingle/Slea Head 'Loop' might be an enjoyable alternative. This could be done as a 'Day Trip' from Killarney.

cranvo9 · Member

Hello and sorry for the late response,

Yes Bob, I have abandoned the skellig trip and changed my plans a bit as to evade the green blur.
I hope this new plan sound a bit more sensible: Again this trip is in beginning of Sept

Day 1: Dublin- Arive at 5am- Early check in at (Hotel?) sleep a few hrs then:
1916 rebellion walking tour, Guinness tour and end the night with The Literary Pub crawl

Day 2-3 Kilcullen - See Family member. Some day trips from here. Not sure yet.

Day 4-5 Killarney- ROK the 1st day, Gap of Dunloe the 2nd day. See some other attractions in the area also, but these will be my big day trips.

Do you reccomend the biking or hiking the Gap of Dunloe

Day 6 Ennis, Doolin or Dingle- Drive The Burren from Killarney via the ferry over the Shannon (Is this my best bet for sights and time?)

Day 7-8 Galway -Cliffs, Aran Islands

Day 9-10 Clifden - Connemara (Not sure to stay 1 or 2 nights here) if only 1night, i would just stay an extra night in Dublin, Possibly shop Grafton st and possibly kayak in Dublin

Day 11-12 Dublin

Our Goal is not any but to enjoy the scenery and people. we don't want to be overwhelmed but want to see as much beauty as possible.

I forgot about The Dingle Tradfest Starting on 9/11- 9/14. I would like to see this one of the days. How could i do this as the 11th is my Day 7?

-- Edited by cranvo9 on Sunday 17th of August 2014 06:09:48 PM

-- Edited by cranvo9 on Sunday 17th of August 2014 06:18:18 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Early check-in at Dublin hotels will depend on if they have rooms available early. Don't count on it.

Driving from Kilcullen to Killarney means you will not be able to do the ROK on that day. The ROK takes all day and you have an extensive drive to Killarney. Instead see the local area on arrival. Next day choose either Gap of Dunloe or ROK. The gap is about 7 miles so whether you walk, bike or take a jaunting car depends on your fitness level and how energetic you feel.

It is equally as fast now to take the main roads and tunnel under the Shannon as it is to take the ferry.

You have 4 days in the Galway area. If you delete 2 nights from Galway/Clifden you could do two nights in Dingle for the fest - provided you can get accommodation reservations.