At Last Iternary

LindaH · Veteran Member

At Last Iternary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

Are you actually spending two nights in Bunratty? Your arrival night and the next night? You do know that Bunratty Lodge is no longer doing breakfast? That is why they lowered their rates. If you want breakfast in the morning I would recommend Headley Court. Do confirm in advance that they will accept a midnight arrival.

What time is your departure from Cork?

If you don't like crowds, the Bunratty Banquet is not for you.

Get back to me with more info and I will comment on your itinerary.

Michele

LindaH · Veteran Member

Hi Michele,
I have Emailed Bunratty Lodge and they have accomodation available. They will do breakfast for 37.50. Waiting for reply on late arrival. We do not have to stay there, just thought that it was close to Airport so easy to get too. I will happily take any other recommendations. You are the pro. I spent hours going over maps and books and am happy now to take all the advice that I can get. I am happy that I can get a flight straight from Malaga to Shannon and not have to go to London for a night. Too much of a schlepp. Will spend time in London afterwards. So so excited for Ireland and eagerly awaiting your advise.
We will leave Cork around midday. Have not booked any of these flights yet. Waiting for your reply. We are 7 hours ahead of you. Not sure which area in US you live in.
Regards
Linda

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

Bunratty Lodge is excellent and if Mary will do breakfast for you, so much the better. It is also easy to find from the airport. Email Mary for exact directions. It is a pretty straight shot (after going through a bunch of roundabouts.

Are you spending your first night and second night in Bunratty?

Is Day 8 a Sunday? If so, not much shopping.

Michele

LindaH · Veteran Member

Hi Michele,
Mary from Bunratty Lodge has confirmed that she will do breakfast and does not mind a late check in.
We are not set on staying at Bunratty Lodge for 2 nights, only if the iternary works out. Thats why we are awaiting some response with our iternary. As I said we are open to suggestions. I am not sure at all of distances so am not sure of the time needed to complete what we have set out in our plans. Could you or any one elset on the forum perhaps help me with that.
yOu are right. Our day 8 is on a Sunday and therefore we need to look at that and rather take a rest day somewhere else. Any suggestions.
What do you think of our iternary so far. Could it work?
Thanks so much
Regards
Linda

Sidz · Guru

I might suggest going from Doolin to Dingle, spending at least one night there, and then on to Killarney. Being so close to Dingle and not spending a night there is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up. Much more to see there than where you are planning to stay that night.

The other nights in Killarney would still work well for you, and you wouldn't have to backtrack to see the Dingle Peninsula the way you currently have your trip mapped out.

Have a wonderful trip.

LindaH · Veteran Member

Thank you so much for that advise.I will look at my trip and rather stay in Dingle. I think that I may only stay one night in Shannon aswell and head towards Dingle earlier. Great idea.
Regards
Linda

Sidz · Guru

I've been to Ireland a number of times, and Dingle is my favorite village to stay in, and obviously the base you need to see the peninsula at your leisure. Would recommend Emlagh Lodge if you are doing the B&B type stay -- it's right on the bay and the nicest play we stayed. http://www.emlaghlodge.com

Great rate, and the woman (Maggie) who runs the place is solid attention to detail, makes a wonderful breakfast, and its an easy stroll to town so you can leave the car parked when you go exploring restaurants, pubs, and shops.

If she has an opening, I would certainly book it if you can.

Should traditional Irish music be something you are interested in, I can give you my feelings on the top spots in town to go. smile

-- Edited by Sidz at 11:10, 2008-04-14

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I agree wholeheartedly with Sidz about Dingle. For me, the Slea Head Drive surpasses the ROK, although the stretch from Kenmare to Killarney is NOT to be missed. I would also vote for Kinsale, over Kilkenney -- not because of the destination, so much, but because of the scenery that you will pass through, enroute...

If you want an interesting, yet relaxing day of touring while based in Killarney, I can't recommend the Gap of Dunloe Tour enough ...

You can book it through the Tourist Office, or direct, through Deros Tours -- www.derostours.com . It is a short bus ride from town center to walk or ride via jaunting car through the Gap to the Lakes, followed by a long boat ride to Ross Castle, where the bus picks you back up, to return you to town center.

Deros also offers a bus tour of the ROK, if you want to avoid the self-drive. Both trips begin about 10 AM and finish up around 5 PM.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

Since you are arriving at midnight and going directly to Bunratty Lodge you will not have time to see: Day 1: Bunratty Castle / R47 to Kilahoe / Lough Derg / Scarrif / Ennis / Shannon / Banquet or Irish Night Ceili Stay over at Bunratty Lodge

Instead you will arrive, go to Bunratty Lodge, check in and go to sleep.

I agree with everyone else that an overnight in Dingle would be ideal.

Since you are departing from Cork, staying nearby in Kinsale at the end of your trip would be a good option.

I think you need to go back to the drawing board to re-do your itinerary. Don't be discouraged. It takes many tries to get one right. Build in your "shopping day" elsewhere. Perhaps Killarney.

Let's see what you come up with.

Michele

LindaH · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele,
Day 1 is the morning after I arrive and will therefore have the whole day ahead. I think I definately will go back to the drawing board. I am busy booking my flights to and from Ireland as we speak.
I am definately going to spend a night i Dingle. How could I think of missing it????
Regards
Linda

LindaH · Veteran Member

Bob,
What on earth is a juanting car?
I am definately going to include Gap of Dunloe in my trip.
I looked at the Deros Tours Site and it seems magnificent.
Thanks for that

Linda

LindaH · Veteran Member

Thanks Sidz
Had a look at the site and it is absolutely beautiful.
Going Email Maggie and see if she has an opening. Dont know my exact dates for Dingle as yet as I am going to redo my Iternary.

This site is so amazing.
Michele you are a star for starting it. I wish there were sites like this for all the other places we are visiting.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks

Linda

LindaH · Veteran Member

Sidz

Meant to ask you about great places to go for music. If I dont do the Ceili evening at Bunratty would I still get the feel of old time Ireland at these pubs etc. Not too keen on mass produced tourism. Want something more natural and not a sort of "Disney World" Experience. Hope I am not being offensive..

Thanks

Linda

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Jaunting cart: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-41703.html

The 'driver' is called a jarvey. The carts through the Gap look a little different, due to the terrain...

Music: In Dingle, The Old Bridge (dunno how to spell it in Gaillic -- actually, don't spell all that WELL, in ANY case.

Check out O'Rians, in Killarney. Also, try: http://whazon.com/

http://listings.independent.ie/going-out?location=Kerry&category=Traditional&from=2008-05-09&to=

Bob

Sidz · Guru

Linda:

My top choice in Dingle is what Bob mentioned as well, The Small Bridge (An Droichead Beag in Gaelic). http://www.dingle-region.com/smallbridge.htm When you walk around town and see the bright yellow building (no longer orange as their site shows), you will know you are there. Here is a clip of a session there:

Also good is Murphy's Pub, and several others in the village as well. Hard to go wrong in Dingle.

Make sure and go by Dick Mack's Pub for a pint and a conversation with third-generation owner Ollie Mack, a character who you will long remember.

As you can tell, I love talking about Dingle! Here is a good little film of the village to get you thinking about your trip!

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=ATW_6UZrC6k&feature=related]

-- Edited by Sidz at 11:50, 2008-04-15

LindaH · Veteran Member

You guys are all so great. 2nd video on village didnt play but I am excited anyway. Thanks so much.
Would you suggest I give Bunratty or Ceili Folk evenig a miss then?
Please let me know your opinions.

BIG Question: How far is it to drive from Doolin to Dingle and can I do it in a day. As you can see I cant wait to get there......

Thanks again

Linda

-- Edited by LindaH at 12:56, 2008-04-15

Sidz · Guru

You can drive from Doolin to Dingle in about four hours by taking the N67 and crossing the River Shannon at the Kilimer-Tarbert Ferry. That is a great way to see the countryside. You should have plenty of time -- you'll have ample daylight that time of year. As far as the last video I posted, try clicking on this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATW_6UZrC6k

LindaH · Veteran Member

Ok - just spent the last hour watching all sorts of videos in Dingle and rest of Ireland.
Thanks once again.

Going to revise iternary and post it back on this site.
Please would you advise me once I have done this as to wether it will work or not.

Thanks
Linda

Michele Erdvig · Host

Linda,

When you are ready, feel free to post your revised itinerary.

Michele

LindaH · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele.
I will work on it this weekend. Have booked Bunratty Lodge for one night already and all our flights in and out of Ireland. Good Start.
Thanks again.
Linda