Help with SW itinerary greatly appreciated!

dan71 · Member

Help with SW itinerary greatly appreciated!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

It looks like you have planned an excellent itinerary. I will mention that the tour of the Gap of Dunloe by horse (walking, biking, etc.) and boats back across the lakes takes most of the day. However, if you just want to drive out to Kate Kearney's Cottage and walk a short distance into the gap, that is doable.

1. You have planned wisely. I am proud of you!

2. B&Bs will usually cost more for a single person. Hostels cost less, especially if you get a dorm room that is shared with others.

3. Actually, you will have inadvertently seen the ROK. You are going from Dingle to Portmagee (half the ROK). The next day you are going to Kenmare (the other half). Guess you will see all 40 shades of green and not just 20!!

I adore Kenmare. If you like ancient things check out the Druid's Circle near town. Reenagros Park is a lovely walk along the Kenmare River.

Please let us know how everything goes when you get back. We would love to hear all about your trip.

Michele

Roy · Guru

Having just recently driven from Shannon to Dingle, I have to admit that in hindsight it was not a good idea. It's optimistic to plan on making it to Dingle in 3.25 hours in my opinion. Next time I plan on limiting myself to about 2 hours of driving on the first day after flying. We flew from JFK, but will probably take advantage of the new flights starting from Dulles. The last hour or so I was mentally worn out. Of course, the lashing rains didn't help the situation.

Roy

dan71 · Member

Thank you very much, Michele and Roy. Especially given Roy's advice, I'll be emailing you soon, Michele, to ask for a map and customized routing!

Dan

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Hi Dan,
I'm new to the forum and hoping for my 1st trip to Ireland next year and your itinerary looks almost exactly what I'm looking to do. Thanks for the great ideas! And have an awesome trip - be sure to get some Guinness & Jameson's in while you're there :)
---Rosie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

To help with your drive to Dingle on your first day I suggest you stop partway along the route for a break. Take a stroll through a town and get yourself a cup of tea or coffee. The activity and break will help you continue on to your destination. If there is another driver they can help by doing part of the drive. Do not take Connor Pass on your first day!

Got the email!

Michele

Kirstin · Member

That day of arrival in Shannon can be a killer (literally) if you try to drive too far...especially if the weather in not the best. I'll share with you my "secret" stop in Tralee (on the way to Dingle or Killarney). Ballyseede Castle is a hidden gem for a jet-lagged traveller. Granted, there are less expensive accomodations, but I think you'd be very pleased.
http://www.ballyseedecastle.com/
Kirstin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kirstin,

Thanks for your recommendation.

Michele

dan71 · Member

Thank you all for your responses! You're making me a bit nervous about that first day, though.

It was Cowboy Craic in an earlier thread who advised me: "The drive to Dingle on the first day will not be bad as long as you stop often, eat light throughout the day and stay hydrated." So that was my plan. I usually sleep rather well during night flights, and I'm going to try the jet lag diet someone recommended in another thread. (To see what I'm referring to, just do a search for "jet lag diet.")

But no, I will not do the Conor Pass the first day!

Thanks again,
dan71

baja · Veteran Member

Dan: Want to add my cautionary tale about that exciting first day ...

We landed at Shannon in the morning, all set to begin our day and head out to Killarney with a few stops along the way. However, our best laid plans came to a screeching halt when we discovered that Hertz (we won't use THEM again!) didn't have our rental car ready. Worse, they had no idea when it would be available. Almost three contentious hours later, worn out and jet lag setting in, we got the car and headed southeast to Killarney, a little less inflated than when we landed.

Just be aware that your plans to make Dingle straightaway may be derailed by the rental car company.

Have a great trip -- and use Michele and her very knowledgeable forum as much as possible.

Bill

dan71 · Member

Very good to know, baja. I have used Michele and her very knowledgeable forum quite a bit --- I booked my rental car thru Kemwel (I think the car they found me is with Europcar).

But I will try to be patient on that first day, and prepare for the unexpected.

Oh, and Rosie --- glad I could help with the ideas!

dan71

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dan,

Kemwel is usually very good to work with. I would be surprised if you had any glitches but things do happen.

As i said before Shannon to Dingle on the first day is doable. You just need to stop often, eat light and remember that it isnt a marathon race to get there. Take advantage of the Killmer/Tarbert ferry to take off about 75 miles and give you a chance to shake off the jet lag a bit. There is something about the sea air that makes the jet lag melt away wink

. Play by ear once you arrive on the Peninsula, you might just want to find your B&B, settle in and explore the town.

I, myself, prefer the more personal setting of a B&B. No matter which you choose, there will most likely be a single supplement charge. The B&Bs are usually slightly less. I think I provided you some B&B suggestions on your original post.

You are getting close to your time to leave, three weeks isn't it? Does it take extra training and time on the bicycle to prepare adequately for this kind of adventure?

Slan Beo,

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 12:20, 2007-08-01

baja · Veteran Member

Well, I never said Dingle WASN'T doable the first day, Dan -- just wanted to warn against the unexpected. Kemwel has a good rep and I'm sure you'll have no problem. I'll sit down now and shut up.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Bill,

I didn't mean to appear as if I was trivializing your experience. I had a similiar experience at Shannon when I used Hertz. I really do think that there needs to be some type of regulatory commission set-up in Ireland regarding Auto Rentals. I think that the auto rental industry would benifit from having a watchdog. It seems that he larger more well known firms are the ones creating the problems.

After my second hour of run-around by Hertz, I started canvassing the other rental desks. EuropCar had a vehicle available, provided me a lower rate and had me on the road within twenty minutes. Needless to say, Hertz was not pleased nor were they any more pleased when they had to reimburse me for my inconvenience once I got home. Maybe it was the fact that I was traveling with a female Marine DI?

Slan Beo,

Bit

dan71 · Member

Dear Bit,

As always, you have some great advice.

The Killimer/Tarbert ferry is a wonderful idea. (Unfortunately, I think your link is outdated, but I found some information here/.) And yes, you did provide some helpful suggestions about B&Bs in my original post. Right now, I'm thinking of making it a combo of B&Bs and hostels.

I do leave three weeks from today, and am getting the usual pre-trip anxieties.

But to answer your question, to prepare, I've been riding the stationary bike about 8.5 miles every other day, then the stairclimber, to strengthen the legs. We'll be riding about 15-20 miles a day, so I plan to gradually ramp up the distance on the stationary bike.

And Bill, I appreciate the warning. Interestingly, there's another discussion of "Should I drive from Shannon to Dingle on the first day?" over at Fodors, if anyone's interested.

Thank you all so much, again!
Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

I have been using Kemwel and Europcar at Shannon for the past several years and am very happy with the service. The only delay I have ever had was when I had to wait in line at the desk for a few minutes while other people got their cars. Otherwise, it was quick and painless. The cars are parked a few hundred yards from the terminal. It is very convenient.

My husband often comments when he sees an old beat-up rental car that is a few years old: "They must have rented from Hertz!" He is usually correct.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dan,

How strange that the link didnt work for you. I just tried it and was taken immediately to the site.

15- 20 miles a day on a bicycle? I would attempt that horseback but knowing the hills and dales of Ireland as I do, you have my deepest respect and admiration. wink

I once looked at a mix of B&B and Hostels and decided that by the time I figured in breakfast, there wasn't much of a price difference and with the B&Bs, I didn't have to cook.

See I was paying attention to departure dates! No need to get anxious, you will go, you will realize you you forgot a few things back home, you will learn you didn't need them anyways, you will find yourself hopelessly lost and decide that it doesn't matter and, most importantly, you will have the time of your life!

Michele,

Hertz does have that junkyard reputation, which I find disturbing, as one would think a company with a prominent name would provide quality service.

Slan Beo,

Bit