Itinerary help needed please- September 08

Sarbear · Member

Itinerary help needed please- September 08

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sarah,

Welcome to my forum! Like many people here you have limited time in Ireland yet want to see a lot. Perhaps re-thinking things will give you a better trip. First let me ask you some questions.

1. Are you aware that the boats from Doolin will only go in good weather? Do you want to chance wasting a day if that occurs or would you prefer to skip Inisheer for sightseeing you can count on?

2. What do you want to do in Waterford? Is it an absolute "must see"?

3. Which area appeals to you most?

4. What are your interests?

5. Is Blarney a "must see"?

Get back to me and I will help with your itinerary.

Michele

Sarbear · Member

Thankyou Michelle for the super-quick response! Answers to your questions:
1. Didn't really think about the possibility of the boat trips being cancelled ... does this happen often? If there is a likelihood of cancellation or a reasonably high chance it's probably best to have something more certain planned ... hmmm tough one!

2. Waterford is the area my father hails from, so whilst we won't probably spend a great deal of time here, I would definitely like to see, and probably do the crystal factory too.

3. Another tough question!! I've heard Doolin is the highlight of many Irish jaunts, Ring of Kerry sounds amazing, I'm not sure that any place is more important to me than another (although for personal reasons Waterford is important), but possibly least on my list is Kilkenny.

4. Interests are broad, first probably natural beauty (rolling landscapes, greenery, coasts etc). Then historical sites, ie, castles, monastic ruins etc. Thirdly would be cultural, ie traditional music sessions and pubs and the Irish way of life.

5. I would like to do the touristy thing and kiss the Blarney stone, no other reason for visiting Blarney really.

Don't know that this narrows anything down, I'm now wishing I had a couple of extra days to play with but flights are booked already. We don't mind packing a lot in to our trip as we want to try to see as much of Ireland as possible, that said, we want to be realistic too (which is hard when you've never been there!). Your advice is very much appreciated.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

You could go to the Arans from Galway, the first day after arriving. If the weather is too bad for the 45 minute boat trip, you could opt for the 10 minute flight. This would also save you one day's car hire fees, though taxis/buses to and from the airport might negate any savings.

Here's some good sites for general info:

http://www.arandirect.com/

www.aranislandferries.com.

http://www.aerarannislands.ie/

Ferry to Inis Mor departs Rossaveal Quay at 10:30 AM and returns from Inis Mor at 5:00 PM. There is a shuttle bus from Galway City that departs from Kinlay House Hostel on Merchant's Road, just off Eyre Square at 9:30 AM. Round trip cost for one adult is 31 Euro according to the Aran Island Ferries web site.

Aer Arann flies out of Connemara Regional Airport, 17 miles out from Galway City on the R336 Coast Road. They too, have a shuttle from Kinlay House. The plane departs for Inis Mor at 10:00 AM and the return flight is at 15:45. Cost, including the shuttle bus is 45 Euro for one adult, round trip, according to THEIR web site.

These dates/times info was valid for Jan. the Aer Arann website should have date appropriate updates and current prices.

Otherwise, your rough itinerary looks fairly reasonable for a first attempt, which is a highly impressive accomplishment. The daylight hours will be getting shorter, in September, but none of the drives seem overly long. You MIGHT want to add your 'EXTRA' day into the drive from Kenmare to Waterford, if only to allow you the time to drive the N71 at a reasonable pace.

The grounds at Blarney are gorgeous, but the RESTORED castles at Cahir, Kilkenney and Ross Castle, in Killarney are actually MUCH more interesting and impressive. The climb up to The Stone is Long, narrow, twisting and Claustrophobic -- particularly if there are several Tour Bus loads ahead of you. It's best to arrive early, or late in the day, to avoid the worst of the crowds, though September shouldn't be TOO bad.

Otherwise, being young, you might enjoy an extra night in either Galway or Dublin, both of which are fun, YOUNG places, with lots to do and see.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 12:10, 2008-05-18

Sarbear · Member

Thankyou Bob,
This is invaluable advice which we very much appreciate. I'm glad to hear you think the driving between places is not overly long as I've read a lot about people underestimating travel times. Your input re Blarney and other castles is great, and also about the Aran Islands, I'll have a chat with hubby and look at the suggested websites.

We have our first night accommodation in Galway booked and the last two nights (Dublin) booked, however all the rest is not reserved... do you suggest reserving before we go as I like to be organised and we will most likely know where we want to be going. We are hoping to stay in B&B's.

Sarah

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If you really KNOW where you want to be and have preferred accommodations, then I would, by all means, pre-book. The only advantage/reason to 'wing-it', is if you are not particular about EXACTLY where you stay. The Tourist Offices located in most bigger towns (Galway, Kenmare, Killarney, etc.) can always book you for the night, for a very small fee (a couple Euro).

In early September, the worst of the tourist crush should be winding down -- particularly this year, with the Euro soaring against the US dollar and diminishing the numbers of US visitors (at least, SOMEWHAT), so there should be plenty of availability. Still, the better places, particularly those 'close-in' to town center and the night life will doubtless STILL be filled up, if you wait TOO late.

Also, I wanted to clarify my recommendation to add a day for the N71 -- If you don't wish to ADD the day there, then you shouldn't drive the N71. Instead, take the N22, through Macroom. This route isn't as visually impressive as the N71, but trying to do the N71 AND Blarney AND make it to Waterford WOULD be a VERY long day.

Bob

CowboyCraic · Guru

Sar,

Beginning this summer, Arandirect will offer a direct service from Galway proper to Inis Mor. Bob has provided you a link in his posting for their website. They are touting it asa swifter service. However, they are still held to the same rules of mother nature: rough seas means no ferries running. This direct ferry will only take you to Inis Mor and not Inis Oirr, as Inis Mor is teh primary destination of most tourists.

I woudl overnight two nights in Galway at the beginning of your trip, using the full day to take the Ferry across to the island. On your third day, head down the coast road, have a stretch and maybe a bite in Doolin, as two hours should be about right for seeing the shops on Fisher street, the coast road will take you right past the Cliffs of Moher, which will be another stop and then on to the Killmer/Tarbert Ferry and across to the Dingle peninsula. If you have not found lodgings in Dingle yet, try the Blooming Wildflower Cottage, which is in Dingle Town proper and very comfortable without breaking the bank. I would give two nights to Dingle and then on to Killarney for two nights there (using your extra night here, perhaps?), then to Waterford with a stop in at Blarney. Waterford to Kilkenny is an easy drive and then your final two days in Dublin.

As your primary reason for doing Waterford is to honor your roots there, you might take a look at some of the Genealogical sites pertinent to the area;

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlwat2/
http://www.from-ireland.net/contents/waterfordconts.htm
http://www.iol.ie/~mnoc/
http://www.waterford.lib.mi.us/adult/watehist/waterfordgenealogystudygroup.htm

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Sarbear · Member

Thankyou Bob and Bit for your very helpful suggestions. We are now very seriously thinking of taking the boat from Galway to Aran Islands and spending an extra night in Galway rather than Doolin.
Bit, we had not really thought about Dingle, as we didn't think we would have much time, but it sounds beautiful and with your suggestions it looks like we can fit it in.
On our drive from Waterford to Dublin, would you suggest driving through Kilkenney and Kildare or is it better to go through the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough? Just another thought I had :) as Wicklow and Glendalough sound amazing, (as does all of Ireland).

Is there anywhere that we have overlooked that, in your opinion, should be a "must see" when in Ireland?? I've seen that some driving routes recommended by Tourism Ireland are for 10 days and cover the North too....

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sarah,

Sorry to have to say this but most of the suggested tours that Tourism Ireland has are green blur tours. I don't know who created them but maybe they flew around Ireland instead of driving the roads. Or perhaps they are computer generated. They sound grand till you actually try to accomplish one.

I personally would not want to count on getting to the Aran Islands because I would not do it in bad weather even if you can get there from Galway. At least if you are staying in Galway you could choose something else to do if the weather does not cooperate. On the other hand, if you cut out the Aran Islands completely you will have time for other things.

Rethink your itinerary to get down to the really important things. Mile for mile Dingle has more going for it that the ROK.

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Sarbear,

Michele's web site has a great accommodations list that you can rely on. Also her book is a real help, with more indepth details of places to stay and advice for travelling, touring and all and all a very, very good book to read before you go and even take with you. Dingle is one of my favorites places in Ireland. I'd spend as much time as you can there.

Regards, Joan

Sarbear · Member

Thankyou all for sharing your expertise, Michelle, I take your point about concentrating on the most important things and re-considering the Aran Islands. Most important things for us are exploring the west coast (burren, cliffs, south west scenic routes) then Waterford for ancestry with some time to see Dublin.
A new draft of the itinerary looks like this:

Day 1 - late arrival in Galway
Day 2 - explore Galway in morning, drive through Burren in early afternoon, stay in Doolin o/n, visit traditional music session pub
Day 3 - Cliffs of Moher, Killimer ferry, drive to Dingle
Day 4 - explore Dingle peninsula
Day 5 - Drive the ROK and o/n in Killarney
Day 6 - Drive to Waterford with stop at Blarney castle (taking N22)
Day 7 - Full day in Waterford exploring Tramore and Waterford City.
Day 8 - Drive to Kilkenney in morning, drive to Glendalough for lunch, drive to Dublin and drop off car by 5pm.
Day 9 - Full day in Dublin
Day 10 - morning flight.

I know i've already taken much of your time, but if somebody could please let me know what you think about this revised itinerary, particularly Day 8 and whether we will be able to get to Dublin by 5pm (downtown drop off).

Thankyou,
Sarah

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sarah,

On Day 8 I think I would choose between Kilkenny and Glendalough. To see Kilkenny Castle and the city will take time and you will not be to Glendalough by lunch. If you are dropping your car downtown Dublin on a weekday you will definitely encounter lots of traffic. Weekends less so.

Your itinerary looks doable. We will look forward to hearing about it when you return.

Michele