Itinerary Help Please

twofishes · Member

Itinerary Help Please

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

Hi Jude,
Your trip is coming up fast. A big ? is are you locked into driving back to Dublin.
Many folks can fly into Dublin and out of Shannon and is considered a round trip airfare. That'll give you more time on the west coast.
-gary

twofishes · Member

Hi Gary,

Yes, we are committed to driving back to Dublin. We are flying with Ryanair out of Grenoble,France, it's a rather small airport with no flights to Shannon.
Is the driving time from Galway to Dublin 3 hours? That was what I was quoted on MIchelin.

Thanks,
Jude

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jude,

First, let me welcome you to my forum. What sort of a trip do you want to have? Fast, moderate or slow? The realities of your trip will be short daylight hours (see my weather page for sunrise/sunset). You will not get as far as you think in a day because in Ireland there are very few super highways like you may be used to. Sure, you will go fast in some spots but when you average it out at the end of your trip you will find 35 mph to be about right. If the weather is not good you may find yourself driving even slower.

What are your goals for the trip? What do you want to see? What activities do you want to do? I notice you mention a few parks. Are you interested in hiking? If you had to cut one area out which one would it be?

Give me a few hints and I will comment on your itinerary.

Michele

twofishes · Member

Bonjour Michele,

I think we could all use a moderate pace trip, as we just returned from a 2 week adventure in Egypt..We are American expats living in France so we are trying take in as much of Europe as we can during the time we have to spend here. Our goals for Ireland is learning about the culture and discovering the various landscapes.As I leave Ireland I would want to take with me wonderful memories and beautiful photographs.Scenery is important. as well as historical sites.

We are locked into the dates as the air travel has been already purchased but the itinerary is not sent into stone.

If possible we would like to do some horseback riding and few 1- 1.5 hr nature hikes.

We would like to see and do:
Dingle peninsula and Ring of Kerry road
ferry to Inishmore/ Aran Islands
visit Rock of Cashel, Glendalough , Charles Fort
Hike in Killareny and Connemara
see the Cliffs of Moher and Burren
spend a day in Dublin

Ouch I am not sure what to cut out..

Thanks so much,

Jude

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jude,

With your first proposal you had hardly any time for sightseeing. You were mostly driving from place to place. That is why I asked about eliminating something. Maybe cut out Kinsale and Connemara?

If you can fit in a few multiple night stays in strategic areas you will be better off. There is only so much you can do in your limited amount of time. Any chance you will return again?

Ireland is a small country jam-packed with scenery, castles, gardens, historic sites and more. In order to see them you have to spend time in areas. When sprinting around you skim the surface. About 33 years ago my husband coined the term "Green Blur Tour" to describe our frantic marathon drive around Ireland. Since that time I have learned to slow down and retain my sanity. I am also older and wiser. But each of us has our own travel style. You must do as you please, but I hope you will learn from my mistakes.

Would you like to post another itinerary for perusal? People rarely get one right on the first try.

Michele

Sidz · Guru

Jude:

At that time of year, the ferry to Inishmore/Aran Islands may be something to cut out, as the weather is often a factor and they only run a couple of routes per day at that time of the year. In my opinion, if you want to fit more into this trip and not meet yourself coming and going, I would consider cutting out the Ring of Kerry if you are going to do the Dingle Peninsula. The scenes you will see around Dingle are spectacular and will impress your photographic impulses.

Don't try to do too much. You'll enjoy what you do select much more if you aren't rushing around constantly.

Sid

twofishes · Member

Sid, Thank you for your advice.I have been trying to put together another itinerary since Michele's response and I have been struggling. I had thought about omitting the Ring of Kerry and questioning going to Inishmore in February. I have contacted the ferry and they are running but I am not sure what the weather will be like and if anything is open.Since my first post of I have added Cahir Castle it looks great.

So here goes..

Day 1 arrive in Dublin (late) sleep in Glendalough - Need recommendation contacted Riversdale House B&B but they are closed

Day 2 visit Glendalough*, Rock of Cashel* and possible Cahir Castle* before closing spend night in Kinsdale

Day 3 Charles Fort AM drive to Killarney Park spending afternoon night in Kenmare

Day 4 Dingle peninsula* Dingle

Day 5 *Cliffs of Moher, Burren*, (Galway)

Day 6 Aran Island ? (Galway)

Day 7 Connemara (Galway)

Day 8 ??? leave at 6pm Galway to Dublin - 3 hour drive (Dublin)

Day 9 Dublin* sight seeing before (Dublin)

Day 10 more sight seeing AM before Departing Dublin at 5:15pm

It's still not very good:(

Must see:*
Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, Cahir Castle ,Cliffs of Muher, Burren, Dingle peninsula,

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I am really struggling with this itinerary. I would like to spend 2 nights at a given location but it doesn't seem to be fitting in.. The other things I was wondering which is very unlike me is to not book our hotels ahead of time, so we have more flexibility. The downside is spending time looking for a place, which is somewhat harder when we would need a triple room as they are less popular. I just only started planning for this trip!! and it's only a month away...

Thanks,
Jude

Sidz · Guru

Looks like it's taking shape for you now, and I wouldn't fret about booking too much ahead of time. You should be able to "wing it" pretty easy in Februrary, and as you note, it will indeed give you added flexibility if you find the yearning to change plans along the way. When possible, that is certainly the approach I like to take in Ireland. I would think the only thing to really play with a bit is to see if you can maybe change your Dingle stay to a two nighter. There is much to see in Dingle Town and the peninsula, and then you could head north from there, stopping at Cliffs on your way to a two nighter in Galway region. Just a thought, but I'd hate to be in Dingle and just stay one night.

-- Edited by Sidz at 10:31, 2008-01-15

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jude,

How late do you arrive in Dublin? It gets dark early in February. You might be better served to spend you first night on the south edge of Dublin, and then continue your journey the next morning:

Day 1 arrive in Dublin (Overnight)
Day 2: visit Glendalough, overnight in Kilkenny
Day 3&4 Killarney, you can take in Cahir Castle & Rock of Cashel enroute there
Day 5 & 6: Dingle, this will give you adequate time to explore the peninsula and enjoy Dingle Town
Day 7 & 8, Galway, stopping at Cliffs of Moher and take the coast road through the burren enroute
Day 9: Head back to Dublin in the early morning, turn in your rental car and use ground transport to get around.
Day 10: Head for home and begin planning your next trip!

As for visiting Inis Mor in February, I would recommend that you pass. It is a lovely island and my forever Irish home. However, in the winter months most businesses are shuttered and there is not much activity. Should you choose to visit, you might consider flying over, as the ferry runs are weather limited. I would suggest that you use the day to explore the Connemara instead.

This type of schedule would allow you to see a good amount of Ireland, whilst at a slower pace. It also will keep you in active towns during the evening hours. Check Michele's information for sunrise/sunset hours.

I am not comfortable "sleeping on the fly" so to speak, that is, booking lodgings as I go. I like to know where I am going to lay my head and exactly how to get there. It is sometimes difficult to find lodging addresses in daylight hours. It is almost impossible to find it without many a grumble in the dark. That being said, you can certainly "lodge as you go" just make your first stop, in the town in which you wish to lodge, the tourist information centre, as they usually have a booking centre there to help you out.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 11:45, 2008-01-15

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 17:14, 2008-01-15

twofishes · Member

Greetings,

Thanks for all the help. I have taken in your suggestions and this is my latest attempt on my itinerary:

Day 1 arrive in Dublin (Overnight) in Glendalough ( I really want to get a head start on the the following day)
Day 2: visit Glendalough and Jerpoint Abbey, overnight in Kilkenny
Day 3 take in Cahir Castle & Rock of Cashel enroute to Killarney
Day 4: Killarney National Park overnight Killarney
Day 5: Killarney NP during am or head to Dingle
Day 6 Dingle peninsula drive Dingle
Day 7 Cliffs of Moher and take the coast road through the burren enroute to Galway
Day 8 Connemara or Aran Island depending on weather Galway
Day 9: Head back to Dublin in the early morning, sightseeing Dublin
Day 10: more sightseeing before departing Dublin at 5:15pm

Cowboy Craig suggests we turn the car in on day 9. Do you know how long the commute is to Dublin via public transportation from the airport? Should we consider a taxi ?

Any suggestions on "must" sees sights we can add to our itinerary using our overnights. Should we stop into Kilkenny Castle? We are staying at the Alcantra B&B. Or will we been seeing better castles? I don't want my 17 year to get castled out.

Is the "traditonal day trip" Gap of Dunloe & Lakes of Killarney taking place in February? Not sure if the boats are running.Thanks again..

Smiles
Jude

.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jude,

I am glad that my suggestions were of some use to you. As for Kilkenny Castle, I never fail to visit when I am near. Having two teenage sons, now 18 & 19, I can say that getting "castled out" may not happen no matter how many castles you see. I took my boys to Scotland in June of 2006. They managed to find Castles that even I hadn't located. The only disappointments for them were in not seeing Edinburgh Castle and in "wasting their time" at the Tower of London.

I believe that the Gap of Dunloe Tours run May - June. THe Boat Cruises run April - October.

WHether or not you take a taxi or public transport and the time it will take to get there, depends on where you book in for your end stay in Dublin. The lack of parking and the driving difficulties are best avoided by turning in your rental car. Parking is at a minimum and it is expensive, as well.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jude,

It is not a wise choice to drive to Glendalough upon your arrival in Dublin at 10:15 pm. No B&Bs are going to allow you to check in after midnight. There are no street lights in the countryside. Driving could be hazardous. Stay near the airport and get an early start the next day.

As Bit said Kilkenny Castle is well-worth visiting.

Contact Deros Tours about the Gap of Dunloe tour: http://www.derostours.com/

The commute from Dublin Airport to the city taking either a bus or taxi is dependant on time of day and traffic. It could take 20 minutes. It could take 1-1/2 hours.

Must sees: Slea Head Drive, Kylemore Abbey, Muckross House. Don't think there is time for anything else.

Michele

njmom · Member

Jude,
Please let us know what you find out about the Gap tour. I will be following you about a week or so later and I have similar questions. I looked on the Deros website but didn't see any dates/times for the Gap tour - just saw prices. The website does say that the ROK tour is available 365 days/yr.

According to the Muckross House website, the house and gardens are open all year round, but the traditional farms aren't open until March (and then only on weekends).

Michele Erdvig · Host

njmom,

Welcome to my forum! You can email Dero's Tours from this page: http://www.derostours.com/emailform.html I'm sure they will be able to answer any questions you might have about the Gap of Dunloe Tour. The tour generally departs around 10 and returns around 4.

If you have any other questions about your trip, feel free to post your own subject.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 01:04, 2008-01-26

njmom · Member

Thanks for the link, Michele. I just emailed them about the Gap tour. Will post the reply.

I will post my TENTATIVE itinerary soon as I can use help with tweaking it. So much to see, so little time...

Michele Erdvig · Host

njmom,

Time is always the problem when visiting Ireland. It is packed with interesting and beautiful things to see. As I often advise, make a list with most important "must sees" on the top. Notice what part of Ireland they are concentrated in. If you have 20 things you must see in the SW and two in Donegal and don't have time for Donegal cut it from your itinerary. You have to be smart and ruthless when planning. But, don't worry. You will enjoy what you do see and not miss what you don't.

Michele

njmom · Member

Jude,
I just heard back from Deros Tours and all they said is that the Gap tours will be running weather permitting - so guess you and I will have to wait and see what the weather brings.

Diane

Michele Erdvig · Host

Diane,

That is often the refrain in Ireland...weather permitting!

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Michele --

The way I heard it ---

"There is NO weather in Ireland ---

Just LOTS and LOTS of CLIMATE!"

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

You're always good for a laugh! We are presently having a lot of climate here in Atlanta too. Well, can't complain about precip since we are in a horrible drought.

Then there is the "four seasons in one day" rule in Ireland too.

Michele

Catzcrazy · Member

We are going to be in Ireland Feb 17th through Feb 24th and wanted to do the Gap of Dunloe tour. I emailed Deros and got an email back saying that they would not be doing those until March, but one of the posts here says they were told it would be subject to the weather - does anyone know for sure. We did this in March of 2005 and it was wonderful. We will have other family members with us and know it would be memorable for them.

Thanks..

Michele Erdvig · Host

Catcrazy,

Welcome to my forum! It sounds like you and Diane have heard from two different clerks with two different opinions. There are a couple of other companies that do the Gap of Dunloe:

http://www.gapofdunloetours.com/
http://www.killarneydaytour.com/

Perhaps you should contact Dero's Tours again with the info provided by Diane and ask they what's up.

Michele

njmom · Member

I'm actually arriving in Killarney on March 1st (or maybe the 2nd) so that's probably why I got a different answer. It's all very confusing for off season information. A couple of days can make a big difference.

I'm having trouble finding a place to stay in Killarney, even though many of the places say on their website they're open in March. Yes March, but not until mid-March (just like The Shores in the Dingle area). So, we've gotten a no from Lock Lein Country House & Killarney Lodge. Not encouraged by Earl's Court since their website only lists weekend prices for that first week but Im waiting to hear back. I looked at a bunch of others, just can't remember them off the top of my head. I think Gleann Fia Country House and Friars Glen may be open that time of year but they're not within walking distance of town. Maybe I'll just have to drive - I wanted to avoid the driving after dark. There are always hotels, I guess. I just wanted something cozier.

twofishes · Member

Yes, I have noticed many attractions don't open until the middle of March.Which can be a disadvantage but it also has it's advantages like there will be less people traveling during the off season.So you take the bad with the good.

Which brings me back to my itinerary.. I have been speaking with friends of mine from Ireland and they have been very happy to help me with my itinerary, sharing their favorite areas of Ireland.

Day 1 arrive Dublin - Drive to Leopardstown night at Bewley's (They thought it was much wiser to drive at night from the Dublin airport rather than in the morning as the roads would be more crowded)

Day 2 Glendalough and Rock of Cashel Night at Cashel Palace Hotel

Day 3 Cahir Castle to Killarney National Park night in Kenmare

Day 4 Ring of Kerry or/ Gap of Dunloe hike night in Dingle Green Mount House

Day 5 Slea Head Drive Dingle Green Mount House

Day 6 Clfifs of Moher and Burren night in Ballyvaughn Drumcreehy House

Day 7 Connnemara loop Clifden Sea Mist house

Day 8 Connemara/or fly to Inishmore for afternoon Clifden Sea Mist house

Day 9 Clifden to Dublin sightsee 1/2 day Ballsbridge Bewley's

Day 10 Dublin sight seeing Dublin depart at 5:15

I know I am not leaving us much time in Dublin but there are inexpensive flights on Ryanair that we can take for week-end trip, if we decide we would like to spend more time exploring. I am actually hoping this trip will be a green blur as I am worrying it may very well be a gray one!
I have been forewarned by friends to bring good boots, and lots of water proof clothes.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jude,

You are the first one who has wished for a green blur tour! But I know what you mean. Some of your days will be very long, like Day 2 & 4. On Day 4 you might also consider doing things in Killarney if the weather is dreadful, then continuing to Dingle.

Cashel Palace Hotel has been getting some mixed reviews lately so I will have to revisit them next time I am there. I was there a couple of years ago and the rooms in the main hotel are nicer than those in the mews. However, from the reviews it seems Cashel Palace could use a refurbishment. Another good alternative is Baileys of Cashel.

Have fun and do let us know how it goes.

Michele

twofishes · Member

To be honest I have not pushed the confirm button for rthe reservation at Cashel Palace Hotel. What interested in me was that they had a special 115 euros pp for B&B including one dinner. I don't know normally spend that much for a room per night but thought it was a good value since the dinner was included. Their menu seems very nice. Any thoughts ??

I could also use a recommendation for a B&B in Kenmare. My friends suggested Willow Lodge or Hawthorne House via another friend of theirs.But it neither one knocked my socks of.

I agree I am not sure about Day 4 but I have options. I am thinking about maybe just looking at the Staigue Fort and spending the rest of day in Gap of Dunloe.The drive time from Kenmare to Dingle is 2 hour so I am sure I will not have any problem filling the day!!

Thanks again,
Jude

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jude,

One of my favorite places in Kenmare is Shelbourne Lodge. It has a wonderful history. The rooms are of adequate size and very comfortable. The Foleys, Tom and Moira, are the most conscientious of hosts. I believe that they open in mid February. You can email them and ask.

In regards to Cashel, have you taken a look at Joy's Rockside House. I have always enjoyed my stays there. I believe that they open up in Mid February.

I will check my notebooks and see what else I might have for Kenmare. Beign a creature of hiabit, if I find a place that feels like home, I keep returning. biggrin

Slan Beo,

Bit

YaYa · Guru

Jude,

I stayed at Cashel Palace Hotel in 1997 and it was lovely. I too have read the not so glowing reviews on Trip Advisor. I laugh, that trip I started out at Bailey's which was a 2 star B&B. I sat there for maybe an hour, paid for the night and wheeled my luggage over to Cashel Palace. Actually the porter came for the luggage. Now, I see Bailey's has become a nice comfortable place and I think I'd give it a try now. You won't get the view of the rock, I don't think but it is very well located.

Good Luck, Joan

YaYa · Guru

P.S.

I forgot to say, Michele has some great places to stay in Kenmare. I stayed at The Lodge 7 nights and was very happy. As Bit said, I've heard Shelbourne is very nice, put that is second-hard info from me as I've not stayed. Give Micheles places a look.