planning a trip

clover · Newbie

planning a trip

CowboyCraic · Guru

First off, WELCOME!

How wonderful that three generations wil be traveling back to where your mam was born and raised. With 14 days, have you considered doing self catering for the 14 through the 24th? I ask because there is a delightful thatched cottage just outside of Mitchelstown that I recommend to families. Croughmore is well positioned for you to visit Killarney, Dingle, Limerick, Cork, Barney Castle, Cahir and Cashel.

You could fly into and out of Shannon, pick up your rental and aim for Doolin and Galway for the 10th -14th, staying in B&Bs in these two spots. 2 nights in each would give you an excellent settling in feeling. In Doolin, during our last stay, we spent three nights at the Doolin Activity lodge. We booked it as we would any other B&B expecting three seprate rooms. We were quite pleasantly surprised to find that what we had was equivalent to a three bedroom apartment. It is perfect for taking the Cliffs of Moher cruise or visiting the Cliffs of Moher and for touring the Burren.

I know Michele will have a ton of helpful suggestions. This was my two cents worth, for now. biggrin

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clover,

What a great trip you are planning. Bit has started you out with some excellent info. A self-catering rental for that week would be perfect for your family. Then on either end you could do B&Bs for a few days.

Since you are just starting your planning, I suggest you look around my website for some valuable tips. Some pages you particularly need to look at are:

Getting Started
Car Rentals & Driving
Tips & Tricks
Money
Lodgings
Self-catering Rentals

If you have my book it will walk you through all the stages with ease. Otherwise just ask your questions here and we will all be happy to help.

If you decide on a self-catering rental book it soon. June will book upfast.

Michele

clover · Newbie

Thank you both for the great advice we will certainly refer to your book i just ordered last night. Our ideas were arriving in Shannon and going to Limerick first day then working down thru Mitchelstown and on to Cork that evening. The next day to Cobh for the night. Then moving to Kinsale for the next night. Then moving toward Skibbereen and Bantry not sure where to stay for the night. Then heading to Kenmare for the next night. Then next day Ring of Kerry and overnighting in Killorglin. Then on to Dingle for the night. Then the Dingle Pinn. ending in Listowel for the night. The next day taking the ferry and spending the night in Milton Malbay. The following two nights in Doolin including seeing the Aran Islands by boat. Then heading to Bunratty for the last night before leaving the next day.

As you see we are spending some time there trying cover some ground but yet not wanting to rush thru. The hard part is not really knowing how long between areas or what might keep us in a certain area longer that others. Any suggestions or ideas would be great.

go raibh mile maith agat

-- Edited by clover at 21:33, 2008-01-11

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clover,

The temptation is to speed through Ireland spending every night in a different place. Since you are traveling with your kids and parents sometimes the logistics of doing that can be a challenge. Consider spending as many two-night stays as you can fit in. It takes time to pack up each and every morning and move on, find another B&B, settle in for just a few hours, sleep and then move on. It gets old fast.

You need to concentrate on where you can have some multiple-night stays. For instance you plan to spend one night in Cork, one in Cobh and one in Kinsale. Instead choose one location for three nights and do day trips from that location. They are close enough that you can do that.

It sounds like Mitchelstown is not important enough for an overnight stay and you plan on just driving through.

Another place for a good base is Killarney. You can do the whole SW from there including Ring of Kerry, Kenmare and Dingle. Killarney will have a lot to please the kids.

Gather your thoughts, re-think things, get out your map and a calendar to plot out another itinerary. Don't get discouraged. It takes many, many tries before you find one that will work for the whole family.

Michele

clover · Newbie

Thanks for the great advice that was one of our concerns and this helps us plot a new route. We will be arriving in Shannon and after car pick up we wil be on the road by 9:00 am and thinking of heading south to Mitchelstown for the first night stay ( moms hometown) and then heading to Kinsale as a base for a couple of days with day trips to Cork, Cobh, and Youghal.
We were thinking heading toward Skibbereen and overnighting somewhere along the way with great water views, Baltimoe? before then heading to Kenmare for another night then doing the ring of kerry ending up in Killarney for a couple of nights with a day trip to Dingle.
Then on to Doolin for two nights with an overnight along the way any suggestions?
While in Doolin seeing cliffs of moher then the next day cruise to aran islands.
From Doolin to Burnratty for the last night before departing.
We will be using you service for mapping and res. once we get a handle on our itinerary.
Once again thanks for your help!!!!!

Clover and family

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clover,

Now your trip is starting to shape up. With Kenmare and Killarney being so close, you are better off choosing one of them for a base for a few days. With the group you have Killarney would probably have more to offer and there is a lot to do in the immediate area. The Gap of Dunloe tour would probably be a hit with the kids.

With limited time you must spend your overnight stays wisely. You also don't want to uproot such a large group each night.

Keep at it and you will get an itinerary that is just right for your family.

Michele

clover · Newbie

Hi michele,
confused I was wondering if the drive from Kinsale to Killarney going along the south way thru Skibbereen and Bantry can be done in one day or should we plan on stopping along the way?

I have checked some guesthouses in the town center of Kenmare and they are already all booked should we keep going on to killarney?
We are tring to stay in town so we will not have to drive at night.
Thanks Clover

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clover,

You can do the drive from Kinsale to Kenmare or Killarney in a day. It will take most of the day but you can plan sightseeing stops along the way.

In Kenmare have you checked The Lodge?

In Killarney check on Killarney Lodge, Earl's Court House and Ashville House. Perhaps Fairview too.

Michele