short week itinerary help

travelbird · Member

short week itinerary help

Michele Erdvig · Host

travelbird,

Welcome to my forum! Can you tell me what month you will be in Ireland?

For 7 days you are all over the map. I suggest inputing your routes into this website: http://www.roadwatch.ie/routes/ Get the mileage and divide by 35 to determine drive times. Remember, it will take time for your sightseeing stops also.

Since you are arriving and departing in Dublin, you could easily plan a trip just in the east. If you must do some of the west consider choosing between Dingle and Connemara and don't do both as you will be stretching yourself very thin. If you can change your plans to fly out of Shannon, do consider it.

Michele

travelbird · Member

We've booked tickets for Dublin leaving the states on Sept 30 and returning on Oct 7 - so the days will also be short and therefore a consideration. We're city folk and are interested in seeing Dublin. However, we're also mountain and beach lovers too. We vacation annually in the mountains of Maine and try to visit the Carribean often. So I'm terribly torn on what to do and see. Can you help me with some options that could help us decide on our itinerary?

Michele Erdvig · Host

travelbird,

Since you love the mountains and ocean I suggest visiting the southwest (Dingle, Killarney, Kenmare) and skipping Connemara. Ireland's highest mountains are in the SW and there are some beautiful ocean peninsula drives.

As for the coastal drive south from Dublin, it is not that spectacular. The inland route to Powerscourt and Laragh (Glendalough) is actually better. There is a lovely drive called the Vale of Clara between Laragh and Rathdrum. In October the woods there should have nice color.

Michele

travelbird · Member

I did read about the drive through glendalough but I hadn't heard it called that. I'll look more into it.

Do you think that Doolin and the Aran Island/Cliff cruise would be feasible with the other destinations you mentioned?

Michele Erdvig · Host

travelbird,

My book has complete info on the Vale of Clara Drive and a lot more. If you are going to concentrate on the SW I don't think that going to the Aran Islands would be advisable.

I can sense you are torn and want to see it all. That is the problem that everyone has when visiting Ireland. Even though it is a small country there is just so much to see and do that it takes time. In October the days are short (see my Weather page for sunset times). To enjoy Ireland to the fullest you are wise to cut out a lot and concentrate on what you do see. Once you are there enjoying everything you will not miss what you did not see. Or if you are like many other people you will return to Ireland again to see what you missed.

In Ireland less is more. See less, enjoy it more.

Michele

travelbird · Member

Thanks for the adivce. I've gone back to the drawing board and I feel a bit more comfortable with this agenda. What do you think?

Day 1 > Arrive in Dublin 7:30am, pick up car and head for Kilkenny via Eniiskerry and Glendalough.

Day 2 > Cashel to Trelee, stay in Blennerville near the beach. Maybe take in the steam railway and windmill.

Day 3 > Dingle peninsula via ConnorPass, stay in Dingle.

Day 4 > Thru Killarney and directly to Kinsale and Cork for the night.

Day 5 > See Cobh (cathedral and town) and Youghal lighhouse and on to Wexford to stay in Curricloe near the beach.

Day 6 > to Dublin to spend the rest of the day/night

Day 7 > fly out at 2pm

Michele Erdvig · Host

travelbird,

What you have outlined can be done. But it is a lot of one-night stays and driving. About 30 minutes from Tralee is one of the best B&Bs in Ireland overlooking a wonderful beach: The Shores Country House. Go to my "Lodgings" page and click through to the website. That might be a two-night option for you.

Michele

travelbird · Member

I just ordered your book after looking at the B&B you recommended. That place looks spectacular. It seems to be 30-40 minutes from any nightlife though. Is that so? Two nights in one location would be a plus.

Michele Erdvig · Host

travelbird,

You are correct that The Shores is not near Dingle town. However, there is a pub nearby and more pubs in Castlegregory. Annette does absolutely fantastic gourmet dinners (extra charge) on weeknights. I highly recommend it.

Michele