Planning our Dream Trip

GalwayMitchell · Member

Planning our Dream Trip

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum. I think you will find lots of friendly folk here that will happily share advice and assistance.

Be sure to check out some of Michele's articles, like 'Lodging', 'Getting Started and 'Tips and Tricks' -- all accessible by 'clicking' on the "IrelandYes Index" Tab at the top of the page!

To get the ball rolling, I'll add my 1.65 Euro cents worth:

Starting off in SNN at 6 AM, I think Galway makes the best choice for a first destination, for two reasons:

1) Galway is 1.5 - 2 hours' drive from SNN, depending upon traffic (should be minimal, on a Sat morning!), versus 3 - 3.5 hours to Killarney. That's much easier for a 'just off an over-night flight'. You should request an Early Check-In at your chosen accommodation, but regardless, MOST locations will allow you to at least deposit your luggage, even if your room isn't ready that early.

2) Since the plan involves a planned, or hoped-for 'Meet Up' with family, possibly the best opportunity to make that happen is on a Saturday or Sunday.

I like Doolin and have fond memories of lunching at Gus O'Connor's, back in 1999 and 2002, but you might be better served by breaking the Galway to Killarney trip at Ennis. Doolin really isn't even a proper village -- It's basically three pubs, some self-catering cottages and bunches of B&B and Guesthouses, scattered over a fair-sized area. Ennis is an actual town, with LOTS of choices for food, entertainment and shopping. Like Doolin, Ennis also has a very strong musical heritage and the town center is very 'walkable'.

I like Dingle, too, but Killarney is one of my favorite places and there is plenty to see and do if based there. Rather than spend just one night in Dingle, if it were me, I would spend all three in Killarney and then visit Dingle as a day trip. Likewise, unless the weather was absolutely Gorgeous (or, NOT doing so would be a 'Deal Breaker'), for such a short visit, I would choose EITHER Dingle OR the Ring of Kerry. Bear in mind, if you drive from to/from Kenmare and to/from Dingle, you will cover over a third of the ROK -- and the 1/3 that is claimed by many, to be 'the best bits'! The FULL ROK is well worth a look, but the regular, 'Tour Bus' Loop leaves out much of what makes the Ring drive truly memorable.

From Killarney, you could drive to Kilkenny via Cashel and spend the next day making your way to Dublin, via Wicklow. That would seriously reduce your 'Dublin Time', though.

Bear in mind that the entire Easter Weekend -- basically Friday through Monday will involve busier crowds and limited openings at some places.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome from me too. I'm glad Corey sent you this way. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you want to do and see a lot but have a short time. So Bob's advice is spot on. Your main focus will be Galway because of your connection. I agree that Killarney makes an excellent base for the SW. Do your Dingle day trip from there but let the weather be the determining factor. If is is foggy or lashing with rain you will find more to do in Killarney itself.

Since you are traveling over Easter you should firm up your itinerary and make reservations. Keep in mind that on Good Friday pubs are closed and also some sightseeing places. If you stay at a hotel on GF their bar areas are open to residents.

As for Wicklow, I would skip it on this trip. You might want an overnight in Cashel or Kilkenny between Killarney and Dublin.

GalwayMitchell · Member

Thank you so much! Your advice is so very helpfuL and I really appreciate it. We had booked some accommodations but spent today rearranging our trip to spend time as you and Michelle recommend. We decided to stay 2 nights in Galway, one night Ennis, one night Dingle, 2 nights Killarney, one night Cashel and one night Dublin. My husband was very excited to stay in Dingle and could not give that up. We will be driving each day but I am hoping they are manageable distances.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

We feel your pain -- Traveling in Ireland is always an exercise in compromise between seeing the sites and available time. hmm hmm

You have a good, basic plan from which to work. It's a good start, but the Devil is in the details! aww

Flexibility is THE key. Early March weather MAY play a big factor, as well. It may be unseasonably warm and sunny, or it could be cold and rainy. Daylight hours will be relatively short. Because of this, you will need to plan multiple contingencies and then, select the most appropriate, on a day-by-day basis.

The island is SO densely packed with places (and people) worth spending time at that it is VERY hard to winnow down the list to a manageable number. The best we can do is to suggest spots that are relatively close by to your intended route that offer a high 'Wow' factor! cry cry

One of Michele's IrelandYes Irregulars, tony2phones (who actually lives fairly near Ballinasloe), spent a LOT of time creating Touring Maps -- particularly for Galway and Clare) on Google Maps -- only to have them BUTCHERED by Google's recent 'Update'! furious furious

However, you might check out these links: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t58983141/end-of-my-mapping-days/

http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zeETIBvU4Igk.krVSjOoux3oU

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zeETIBvU4Igk.k-dUa5-sZLd4

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zeETIBvU4Igk.k0YJFQQ37TLo&msa=0&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=8&vpsrc=0

Now, you certainly won't have time for ALL of these, but it will give you some options, to 'pick and choose' from. I can't speak as to how much time will be consumed by your planned 'Meet Up' with relatives, but on OUR first ever visit, of eight days, in April, 1999, we planned 1-2 days for a meet with two of my Father-in-law's First Cousins. It turned into a 3+ day 'Festival' that created strong bonds of family and friendship that have only strengthened (rather than endured) ever since -- even after our 18 or so subsequent visits!

Michele always says, "You won't miss what you don't see." and that truism is particularly applicable to short-duration trips. It is better to REALLY love the things you DO visit, rather than cram so much in, that all that you remember afterwards is a hazy, 'Green Blur'! confuse confuse

Or, as I always say, "There's always the NEXT trip!" biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Sunday 4th of January 2015 11:02:52 AM

GalwayMitchell · Member

I am relieved that you feel we have a good basic plan. I was worried that it is too aggressive. I am not looking forward to checking into and out of so many inns and hotels and we have a minuscule time in Dublin, but I realize we must compromise. I think we will have 2 to 3 hours driving time each day? We absolutely need a "next time". I don't want to try and cram in a lot of things and not take in the essence of Ireland. That is my greatest fear. We made that mistake while in Hawaii. We saw Everything and drove everywhere. One of our son's friends is from the island and told us that we visited areas he had never been. :) We plan on having a laid back attitude and I am hoping we can still feel relaxed and leisurely.

Thank you for the links. I quickly checked them out and look forward to examining them more closely. Now to the details! If anyone has suggestions regarding a knowledgable guide for any of the areas we are visiting, I think I might want to splurge.

tony2phones · Guru

Thanks Bob, I will learn how to use a different map system at some point.

To split Ballinasloe and Tuam at a point of interest I would suggest Athenry. http://www.oldbarracks.ie/ or the http://www.raheenwoodshotel.ie/wine-dine.html has options. Closer to Loughrea http://www.meadowcourthotel.com/the-restaurant.html

Michele Erdvig · Host

You have a good plan in place now. I recommend seeing Cahir Castle (just south of Cashel) also. They do a good guided tour or you can wander at will throughout. The Swiss Cottage in Cahir is probably closed at that time of year but is an interesting attraction.