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Post Info TOPIC: SW or West Coast?


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SW or West Coast?


Hi,

I'm doing a driving trip and the original plan was to spend a couple of days in Dingle and then drive north upward along the Wild Atlantic Way to around Clifden or Westport. I'm traveling with my mom who is older, so although she is very energetic (she actually has more energy than me) and loves to explore, she's not able to hike or visit sites with slippery or poor footing. So after Dingle, she can't really go hiking through the Burren (and I'm not sure how much you can see while driving through) and the Cliffs of Moher, she can take in the view, but not do the cliff walk. She also can't do the Doolin Cave. She does like castles and ruins, but ones that once again, don't involve hiking along slippery footing. Are most of the things to do in Clare and Mayo centered around walking/hiking through the national park type areas? I do think she'd enjoy the Sky Drive from Clifden. Her main thing is she enjoys scenic drives, then we stop for a nice lunch and take in a cultural site/castle/ruin/museum/ and then go on. She also enjoys chatting with people in restaurants and pubs.

I'm starting to wonder if we're better off staying more along the SW and adding to Dingle: Beara, and then maybe continuing on the coastal areas going east towards Cork. Would this area be better? Would there be more sights to see that are easier walks? It seems like walking through the grassy areas would be easier than the rocks of the Burren for example. How do the sights from the drive compare?

I do think the drive north of Galway up through the Connemara/Sligo/Donegal looks intriguing, but we're coming up from Dingle and I don't want to get stuck driving long distances almost every day (especially since we'll likely be dropping the car off in Galway, so we'd have to backtrack if we went that far north anyway).

Thanks for any comments!



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Not sure what guide books you are reading but that is about the typical view of Dingle is great the rest of Ireland is ok that Rick Steves promotes. What is there in Dingle for your Mum? Most of Beara is great scenery but involves scenic drives or walking.

North of the Shannon. Clare. http://goo.gl/UtW24m South to North.  Loop head and the Lighthouse, Little Arc Church Couple of Dolphin (plural) boat trips. West Clare Railway,Vanderleur Gardens.  Inland you have Dysert O'Dea Castle or on the coast a nice bit of scenic coast up to Lahinch, Aquarim. round to Lisconnor for St Brigets Well. then the Cliffs, to Doolin and see the cliffs from below on a mini cruise, before the coastal drive round Blackhead to Ballyvaughan which has a Dolmen, ring fort with sheep dog demonstrations, pop inland for Burren Perfumery if you want a cave then you do the Aillwee Cave and let mum see the Birds of Prey part of the centre. Also in the area Cocomroe Abbey and by Gort Kilmacdua Abbey and Coole Park etc.  Kinvara has Dunguaire Castle, Oranmore Castle now has limited opening,  Then you are at Galway.

From Galway out on the N59 lots of places of interest http://goo.gl/Ek8bpw then (I won't go through) everywhere else on this map http://goo.gl/UL09QA  

Of course if you wanted to go up and over you would need a lot more time, http://goo.gl/xrDQtD gives just some points.

Whilst I do like the Dingle peninsula I am not a fan of the town or the hype!  Lots of good walks that very few visitors even think about, a solo Dolphin, an Aquarium, couple of Bee Hive huts and expensive ice cream made by an American.  would keep me busy for a couple of hours perhaps.

Sorry Welcome to the forum smile





-- Edited by tony2phones on Sunday 12th of April 2015 09:25:11 AM

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Libra20...if you could answer a couple of questions it may help to get more suggestions on your plans for Ireland.

 

1st will you be flying in/out of Shannon or Dublin? 2nd how much time will you have for the west/southwest? Also, why the car drop in Galway? That suggests a bus/train back to Dublin.

 

Keeping in mind your mothers footing issues, I am thinking back on one of my trips to Ireland when I needed a cane before my knee surgery. Also, thinking of your mothers desires to explore, see castles, scenic drives, cultural sites and museums, I like your 2nd plan of staying along the SW, Beara and on to Cork.

 

If you decide to go the SW route I think your mother would like a day in Killarney to explore Muckross House and Gardens (flat surface and easy walking). Ross Castle, which I was able to manage the winding stairs with a cane and railing chain, or just a look around the grounds would be great. A scenic drive through the Killarney National Park up to Ladies View is beautiful. Continuing from Ladies View on the N71 down to Kenmare and the Beara Peninsula.

 

There is a museum in Cobh called the Queenstown Story that your mother may enjoy.

 

If the car drop in Galway was to take a bus/train back to Dublin you could drop the car in Cork City.

 



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Thanks so much for everyone's feedback/help. Yes, we are flying in and out of Dublin. The plan is to take the train or fly from Dublin to Kerry. (I don't want to drive from Dublin because in the past I've got worn out from driving long distances everyday on trips and would rather shortcut some of the traveling by using a train or flight.) I was thinking Galway near the train station to drop the car because the other option in that region is Knock airport and that seems more effort because we'd have to drive from Westport (or wherever we are) to Knock Airport to drop the car and then take a cab to the train station.

Mom had read wonderful things about the Wild Atlantic Way and so that was the plan. I just started wondering if it would be lots of very long drives (to start, getting up from Dingle to Cliffs of Moher is about 3 hours) and national parks where she's not able to hike and caves that are too slippery. It sounds like we should be ok, though. I was also thinking that maybe we'd have a guide drive us for a day in that region. That might be good for seeing specific sights. Then I could do scenic drives like Sky Drive on my own.  But most of what I could find for private guides are full days. I've looked on places like Tours by Locals. I'd love to find someone local to just drive us around for maybe 3-4 hours. Or maybe this doesn't make sense? For that part of the trip, too, we weren't going to pre-book hotels, but rather see where we end up that day. We've done that in the past and enjoyed the adventure. (We're going first week of June.) 

I'm still pondering the SW after Dingle, too. I think I lean that way more. But she wants to go north. I think she thinks scenic drives may be more diverse or dramatic. In general, she doesn't care so much about the cities, but wants to see the scenic beauty.

 

 



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The Wild Atlantic Way is getting a lot of hype this year. Since it starts in Cork and follows the coastline west and north, it includes the SW. You can view a map here: http://www.wildatlanticway.com/home/ There is equally dramatic scenery in the SW. The north doesn't have a monopoly on that. 

How long do you have in Ireland? That will help you determine how much you can do and drive. 



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Not sure if this will help but I took my mom on several trips to Ireland.  The last two were six years ago when she was 86 and then 3 years ago when she was 89.  The trip six years ago included a 3 night stay in Dingle.  While you are in Dingle I would encourage you to take the Slea Head Drive and take your time with it.  It is a beautiful scenic drive with a lot of stops that your mother might be able to enjoy.  The Blasket Island Center was very interesting to all of us.  If you and your mom likes museums I think you would really enjoy that a lot.  Another interesting stop in Dingle was the Henry Clarke stained glass windows in the convent near the Catholic Church.  It was a beautiful display that my mom really enjoyed. 

We also took Mom to the Cliffs that trip and if I remember the paths to the Cliffs were very good.  She did not have trouble walking out there of course we held her hand but I dont remember her having any trouble while she was enjoying the sights. The Sky Drive was part of our itinerary that year also she loved that drive along with the drive from Leenane to Westport.  I cant remember what that is called but we all really enjoyed that.

When I brought her 3 years ago we had a small wheelchair which helped us a lot.  We travelled thru County Donegal and Mayo stopping at a quite a few sights.  She really enjoyed the town of Westport and we spent quite a bit of time at Our Lady of Knock Shrine. Im not sure if you have access to one of those wheelchairs but that helped her (and us!) a lot as she was able to participate in a lot of things she might have missed.

Enjoy your trip with Mom.  I took four trips to Ireland with my mom and treasure every minute.  Im going back this fall but wont have her as a travelling companion this time as we lost her a year ago. But I know shell be raising a pint to us from up above!

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Thanks for sharing about your trips with your mom. Sounds like some lovely memories!

The Henry Clarke stained glass windows sound wonderful. I hadn't heard of them before. I think mom will enjoy them. We're going to do both Conor Pass and Slea Head. Good to know that the Cliffs won't be too difficult. Did you drive through the Burren? I was wondering if there were nice drives through the area. I mostly read about people hiking the Burren. I'll look up the drive you mention to Westport. Sky Drive is on our list. Unfortunately, we won't make it as far as Donegal. If there were a flight from Kerry to Donegal, we'd do it!

Michele- here's the days that I have undecided (after Dingle):

Day 1 - Travel from Dingle to Loop Head or Cliffs of Moher or both
Days 2-4 TBD traveling through County Clare up to maybe Westport.
Day 5 - Train from Galway to Dublin

(Unless, we decide to stay SW and head toward Cork)

I just don't want to drive long distances every day. I'd rather be more relaxed.





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We did not travel thru the Burren so I cannot help you there.  I hope to do that this trip.  I have been in that area several times just have not had the time to explore.

I looked on a map and the road from Leenane to Westport is R335 which sort of follows the coast.  I believe it is called the Doolough Valley and is site of the Famine Walk.  It was quite pretty, very remote,  just us and the sheep.  We stopped in Leenane for tea after the Sky Drive and then picked this up on our way to Westport.

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Have taken that road before also -- it's called the Doolough Pass and is indeed the site of the Famine Walk.  A gorgeous drive if anyone is in that area!  I was surprised how large the mountains were in that region -- it's a wonderful route to come into Westport from the south.

Geno

 



-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 14th of April 2015 02:05:57 PM

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Thanks. I read about Doolough and that the landscape and the way the light hits, it is spectacular.

I also had a Killarney question. We're flying into Kerry airport (from Dublin) at around 12pm. I'm trying to decide if that afternoon we should drive part of the ROK or should do Ross Castle/Gap of Dunloe? Or is the Gap of Dunloe a whole day thing? From what I can tell, you take a jaunting car through the gap and then a boat to Ross Castle? I think I might prefer that, but I don't know if we'd arrive early enough. By time we get through the airport, rent a car, drive to Killarney, have some lunch, maybe there's not enough time?

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I would not do either the ROK or the gap as each takes up most of the day. Tours of the gap generally depart in the morning. Instead see the Killarney area: Muckross House, gardens and farms, Ross Castle, perhaps a jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park or a boat ride on the lakes.

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Thanks. One last question. Everyone here has been so kind and helpful. Much appreciated.

Is it silly to come all the way to Killarney and not drive the ROK? I see people's opinions go back and forth on it.

Right now our schedule is:

Day 1 Fly into Kerry from Dublin and spend the afternoon at Killarney National Park/Ross Castle
Days 2 and 3 Dingle
Day 4 Drive to Cliffs of Moher/Burren
Days 5-7 Drive up the WAW through Connemeara, Clifden/Sky Road, maybe the Aran Islands, maybe Doolough
Day 8 Galway to Dublin (train)

If we did ROK, then it would be one less day going up the WAW through Counties Clare and Mayo.

Day 1 Fly into Kerry from Dublin and spend the afternoon at Killarney National Park/Ross Castle
Day 2 ROK
Days 3 and 4 Dingle
Day 5 Drive to Cliffs of Moher/Burren
Days 6-7 Drive up the WAW through Connemeara, Clifden/Sky Road, etc
Day 8 Galway to Dublin (train)

I go back and forth.... Each has it's advantages.


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The ROK is not obligatory. You will see similar scenery (ocean, cliffs, beaches, mountains) on the Dingle Peninsula and in Connemara. Choose whatever you are most comfortable doing.

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To get the best from the Iveragh peninsula you need to get off the ring and explore a little which is why folk who know the place say it takes a full day rather than the 4 or 5 hours taken by tour bus's. As you are set on two Dingle days then I would leave the Ring for another time.

See answer 5 on here for some good information in respect of visiting the Dingle peninsula http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g186610-i486-k8394970-Plan_B_for_a_rainy_day-County_Kerry.html#65874466 



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Hi All, Thanks for everyone's advice. We ended up staying a night in Killarney and saw Ross Castle and Muckross House. We also did a taxi tour around the sights.

In Dingle we did another private tour of Slea Head Drive with Diarmuid Begley. Mom loved chatting with him. Well worth it. My favorite place to stay of the whole trip was Heaton's Guesthouse in Dingle. They took such lovely care of us, and I highly recommend staying there. I had a gorgeous room with a view and breakfast was scrumptious. So many choices! Plus freshly-baked chocolate cake in the afternoon.

From Dingle we drove up the coast to Loop Head and stayed at Carraig Nua, a farmhouse B&B. We took a tour of the farm, visited the baby cows, and had fresh baked scones. It was lovely. Next we drove across the Burren, visiting the perfumery and Poulnabrone Dolman. The Cliffs of Moher worked out well. I told them that mom was older and not very mobile, so they let us park in a handicap space near the visitor center. Next was Kylemore Abbey, which mom loved. The scenery in the Connemara is stunning.

We met such wonderful people. And the food, absolutely delicious! Hopefully, I'll make it back again soon.

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Welcome back from Ireland. Thanks for stopping by to tell us how it went. I'm so glad you enjoyed Ireland and had a good trip with your mother. It sounds like you made wonderful memories there. Hope you get to return again soon. And when you do we will be here to offer advice again. smile 



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Thanks for the report, pleased to get a good report on Carraig Nua as I have recommended there recently.

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Hi Tony. Yes, Bernadette from Carraig Nua was a lovely and gracious host. We really enjoyed our stay.



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Thank you for the report.  I'm taking note of the tour in Dingle as we will be there in September.  So happy you had a nice time and made some great memories with your mom!  Sounds like it was perfect



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Hi Pic,

Also in Dingle, I highly recommend dining at Out of the Blue. It was probably my favorite meal of the trip. The seafood was incredible. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance. We had another stunning meal at Global Village. I had mentioned (just in passing) that mom had a recent birthday. They surprised her with dessert, candles, and singing. She was thrilled. It was completely unexpected, and it made her so happy.

 



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How nice is that!  I love Dingle. 

I ate at Global Village years ago and remember it as a lovely place with delicious food.  Have always wanted to try Out of the Blue so will definitely keep both on my list for this trip.

Thanks for the tip - again!



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Sounds great -- will have to try that also!  This place is excellent as well:  Half Door.

Geno



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I wrote an article about the Dingle portion of our trip. http://www.pinkpangea.com/2015/09/discovering-magic-dingle-ireland



-- Edited by Libra20 on Friday 4th of September 2015 09:23:09 PM

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What a lovely article. Thank you for sharing. Aren't the Irish wonderful? They sure can make a trip full of memories to cherish. Your photo of breakfast made me hungry for a midnight snack. biggrin



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Thanks Michele! And it tasted as amazing as it looked!

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Deleted as inappropriate.

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 19th of October 2015 09:21:48 AM

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