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Help with June Trip
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HI all!
Michelle, you and all the great folks here helped us plan our first trip last June. Now we're working on the second. The first part is pretty solidly decided so I need help with the second. The first part revolves around our participation in the World Bodhran Championship Festival just outside of Killarney. . My husband and I have a couple of days to ourselves, then our kids arrive for a long weekend, (we'll take the kids into Killarney, take them to Muckross, or maybe the Ring of Kerry during our down time) then we drop them off back at Shannon Airport and we continue on just the two of us.

First Part:
May 30th: Arrive at Shannon; Overnight in Doolin; See Cliffs of Moher
May 31st: Maybe go to Aran Islands, drive back to Bunratty to spend the night
June 1st: Pick up Son and Daughter-in-law at Shannon; do Bunratty Folk Park, stay the night at Bunratty
June 2nd: Head for Milltown (just outside of Killarney) World Bodhran Championship Festival
June 3rd: Milltown (Festival Continues)
June 4th: Head back to Shannon to drop kids off at airport; overnight in Galway
June 5th: Cliffden
June 6th: Wesport: Matt Malloy's Pub!

Second Part: Here's where I have no idea what I'm doing! Mostly I want to get up to see Giant's Causeway, see Turlough O'Carolan country near Carrick-on-Shannon, and get back to Shannon by the 15th. I'm trying to figure out if that is do-able and if so, what is the best route to accomplish that. We want to do lots of outdoors walking and we're musicians so anything musical (traditional) that can be suggested we'd be interested in). So...any suggestions on how to accomplish that? This is my rough plan:
June 7th: Sligo
June 8th: Derry (see Giant's Causeway/ Dunluce Castle)
June 9th: Derry
June 10th: EnnisKillen (Ulster-American Folk Park on the way?)
June 11th: Carrick-on-Shannon
June 12th: Athlone
June 13th: Ennis
June 14th: Bunratty
June 15th: Fly out of Shannon

Thanks again, everyone! Can't believe we're going back again so soon!
Jeanne


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Michele Erdvig


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Jeanne,

How great that you and your family are heading back to Ireland! The bodhran festival sounds like fun. Do you have your reservations for Milltown?

For the second part of your trip you might consider staying somewhere closer to the Giant's Causeway instead of Derry. That way you can do the whole Antrim coast with all its wonderful beaches, coves and scenic drives as well as Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle. Ballycastle would be a good choice. You could see the walls of Derry on the way.

On your last two nights you are staying in Ennis, then Bunratty. Is there a reason for that? They are really close to each other. If you spent just your last night in either Ennis or Bunratty you could take another day for exploring the Enniskillen area, which is just lovely. You will most likely spend a good part of the day at the Ulster American Folk Park so an additional day in Co. Fermanagh will allow you to enjoy the area.

Michele

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Hi Michele,
We are performing at the Bodhran Festival so they are arranging for our accommodations for that weekend.Thanks for the suggestion about Ballycastle. I have no reason for staying at Ennis and then Bunratty other than wanting to be close to Shannon the night before we leave. Is the second half of our trip too much driving each day? Or have I broken it up into good 'bite-sized' pieces? Also, are there better choices on which towns to stay in? I was just looking at the map and picking the next 'big' town that seemed to be an hour and a half to two hours away. I don't think we want to drive further than that each day. We really don't want to spend all of our time driving and I'm wondering if we're trying to cover too much territory in that second week of our trip. Also, it seems like there are lots of different ways to get back down to Shannon from Northern Ireland and I'm wondering if I'lve chosen the best route. Is there a different way to head south that will take us by 'must-see' areas?
Thanks for your help again. Since we're actually planning to stay at B&B's this time I've been spending a lot of time in your wonderful book!
Jeanne


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Michele Erdvig


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Jeanne,

Westport to Sligo is a pretty quick trip. You could consider pushing on to Donegal town, although I enjoy the scenery around Sligo. As you said there are many routes to take. Sligo to Ballycastle would be a long drive so maybe Donegal would make a better overnight stop.

As for heading south, it will depend on what you want to see along the way. Make that list first and then decide where you want to stay.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
murphybridget


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Participating in the World Bodhran Championship Festival near Killarney must be an incredible experience.

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