Itinerary for a First-timer

tiggy · Newbie

Itinerary for a First-timer

Michele Erdvig · Host

tiggy,

Welcome to my forum! I am so glad you found it for your trip planning. One thing to keep in mind when traveling around Ireland is you get no where fast. You average 35 mph. Since you want to do activities such as hiking, etc. you need to keep time for that too. Spending as many 2 or 3 night stays as possible is best, interspersed with a few one-nighters to get you from place to place.

I think you are trying to cover too much territory for 11 days. I suggest you choose either a southern or northern loop. I know it is very tempting to want to pack in as much as possible. If that is your travel style and you don't mind marathon driving days, fine. But the beauty of Ireland is found in slowing up a bit.

Since you plan to return again you can save the sections of Ireland that you don't see on this trip for next time.

Michele

tiggy · Newbie

Michele,

Thank you for your comments. One of the problems I have had is trying to figure out how far apart places are based on driving times. It doesn't help when the guide books don't agree with one another!

After reading through several guidebooks and talking with co-workers who've been to Ireland, the Dingle, Clare, and Donegal/No. Ireland areas appealed to us the most. Unfortunately, one of those places just isn't next to the others. We'd like to see more of "traditional Ireland" and these seem to be some of the best places to do so. The photos from No. Ireland and Donegal just call to both of us. We tend to gravitate towards the more wild and untamed scenery. Are there any other areas that you would recommend instead?

Thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

tiggy,

Go to: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/ and get the mileage. Divide by 35 for approximate drive times.

Connemara, west of Galway, may be the wild place you are looking for and it is much closer to your other choices of Dingle & Clare. I really like Achill Island also.

Michele

tiggy · Newbie

Thanks Michele!

Looking at the AA Roadwatch site and using the 35 mph guideline, the drive times actually seem quite reasonable to us. Six hours from Doolin to Letterkenny, especially if we stop along the way, is a rather pleasant drive. That looks to be the longest stretch we're considering. Everything else is in the 2-3 hour range. Just based on where we live, we end up doing a lot of driving (especially the really slow kind due to traffic.) For us, a long driving day is 10+ hours.

I'll check out Connemara and Achill Island in our guidebooks. Thanks for suggestion!

Michele Erdvig · Host

tiggy,

A six hour drive in Ireland is the equivilent of twice that in the US. The Irish roads really beat up the driver. Intense concentration is required at all times. There is never a moment for the driver to let his/her eyes stray from the road for fear sheep, cows, bicycles, farm equipment, etc. might be around the next bend. But you are young and can probably handle it.

Do consider Connemara and Achill as they would be a good substitute (and much closer) than Donegal.

Michele

KelliJo · Veteran Member

Tiggy,

A suggestion from the peanut gallery :)

Skip driving The Ring of Kerry altogether (contrary to what ALL the guide books will tell you!), as you mentioned you want to see wild and untamed scenery, and at that time of year on the ROK you are more likely to see tour busses and tourists...It is a beautiful drive, however I know I wouldn't want to do the trip on my first full day in Ireland, very tiring, long day. As Michele has said, a six hour road trip (or even a 2 hour road trip, for that matter) in the US is MUCH different than in Ireland. Save the ROK for your next visit where you can combine it with time in Killarney, and areas more south. I know it's awfully hard to cut things from your itinerary, as we are planning ours right now and I had to cut Donegal, which broked my heart as it is one of my favorite areas, but it will still be there for a return trip.

Head up to Dingle from Kenmare and explore Dingle on Day 2. That would bump a day/night which you can add in later, perhaps in between Clare and Donegal to spend time exploring Connemara, which is amazing, the people, the scenery, all the local crafts special to the Connemara region...

We are headed over in May, as well...is it too early to start counting the days???

KJ

tiggy · Newbie

Michele,

Actually, we have a good bit of experience with the "intense driving". We've done a good bit of mountain driving where you have only the roadbed with a cliff on one side and a dropoff (with a little wooden rail) on the other side. The most fun is coming around the curves and finding the RVs which really don't have the power to make it up the slope. (We've learned that stopping at every scenic overlook is a good way to let them get ahead.)

I've looked into Achill Island and it looks wonderful. However, I still have the "getting from there to Dublin" problem. That drive looks to be nearly as long as the Doolin to Letterkenny drive. We're mulling it over.

KelliJo,

I kinda like the idea of cutting off the Ring of Kerry. We've been kinda torn about whether to include it or not. Part of us says "how can you go to Ireland and NOT go there." We were hoping that late May would still be ahead of the tourist crush. If we were to do that, our propose itinerary would look something like this.

Day 1-2: Dingle
After landing in Shannon, take a slow drive to Dingle. Spend the full day there biking the Dingle Penn.

Day 3-5: Clare (Staying in one of Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan, or Corofin)
Drive from Dingle to Clare taking the Killimer ferry. Day trips to the Burren and Aran Islands.

Day 6: Westport
Spend morning driving to Westport with sightseeing on the way. Overnight Westport (or surrounding area).

Day 7-8: Donegal (Staying in one of Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, or Rathmelton)
Spend mid-afternoon driving to Co. Donegal. Day trip to explore Donegal Co.

Day 9: Ballycastle
Spend AM in Derry and PM at Giant's Causway.

Day 10: Cavan
Drive to Cavan. Overnight at Ross Castle.

Day 11: Drive to Dublin for 1pm flight home

(And counting the days is always an acceptable pastime. I'm holding off on our countdown until I have plane tix. I was just about to buy when the price skyrocketed. I blame the cost of oil.)

Kirstin · Member

Dear tiggy,
I've read your intinerary and the responses from Michele and the other good people who truly do have your best interest at heart. At the rate you and your husband are moving around Ireland, you will need a vacation from your vacation! If you are leaving from the USA on May 22 and returning on June 1,
those aren't really "vacation" days. It sounds to me as though you actually have 9 days of stay in Ireland. If you still don't have your plane tickets, forget about leaving from Dublin and spend this trip in the West - even as far north as Letterkenny/Glenveigh and back to Shannon.

Sometime in the future you might fly in to Belfast/Dublin and check out Giant's Causeway, the Glens of Antrim and the Boyne Valley.

I agree with Michele that Achill is wild and beautiful and, while you're out on Dingle, weather permitting, take the ferry over to Great Blasket Island and do some hiking. It's a mystical place.
Kirstin
p.s. If you stay in Doolin, check out McDermott's Pub for supper and music!

Michele Erdvig · Host

tiggy,

It is possible to do what you have outlined. On Day 9 you will get a brief taste of No. Ireland. If your main objective is to see the Giant's Causeway, fine. Too bad you will miss out on a lot of one of the most beautiful scenic coastlines on the Emerald Isle -- the Antrim Coast.

Since you should be at the airport at 10 am on your last day you need to leave early from Cavan.

It is going from the very southwest corner of Ireland to the very top that is a stretch. If you could decide on either the south and west or north and west, I think you could have a better trip. Everyone who visits Ireland must compromise on what they see unless they have unlimited time. You just need to decide what your travel style and pace should be

Michele

KelliJo · Veteran Member

tiggy,

Yes, contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly ok to go to Ireland and not see the ROK (all tourguide authors gasp here!). Especially if you are going to make time to see Dingle. That always seems to be the trade off, if you are limited on time pick one or the other, but don't feel as though you have to see both. Skipping one this time will only give you more reason to go back!

If you do get to Donegal and the weather is working in your favor while in Donegal Town, I recommend the waterbus trip. Ask a local and they should be able to direct you to it. Fantastic scenery you can't get from the roads, and local history as well.

KJ

ps - I just counted the days - 189 and a wake up!!!

Merle · Senior Member

Tiggy,
We did the ROK in 2004 and I thought it was overrated. The best part is on the road from Kenmare to Killarney.

Merle

Sidz · Guru

Another voice in the wilderness here telling you not to fret about skipping ROK. Other places just as nice, half the crowds, and half the time. If you do it fine, but it sure can be missed in my opnion. As Merle said, the drive from Kenmare to Killarney is a highlight.

-- Edited by Sidz at 11:49, 2007-11-09