Preliminary Itinerary - tryin' to keep it simple

Shawn · Senior Member

Preliminary Itinerary - tryin' to keep it simple

Shawn · Senior Member

I'm considering staying @ the Bervie on Achill Island instead of Westport. What would you all recommend. If you had 2 days to unwind where would you go? Is there much to see in Westport? Would Achill be worth staying at in April instead of summer time??

Dude · Guru

Can't speak to the weather in April as opposed to summer. We stayed at the Bervie in mid-September last year and had a wonderful time. Just perfect for unwinding--nothing is a far drive on the island so you can have plenty of out of the car time. I could spend days just strolling the beaches.

Of course, Westport is quite picturesque and there are lovely beaches (Rossnowlagh comes to mind) all along the "Atlantic rim."

Shawn · Senior Member

Tx Dude. I think I'm leaning towards the Bervie over Westport. I think my wife would love being right on the water and just strolling down the beach. It would be a great way to recover from the flight and just enjoy the scenary.

If anybody could chime in about Achill in early spring I'd appreciate it.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Shawn,

I love staying at the Bervie. Achill is wonderful if the weather cooperates. If it is extremely rainy there is not a lot to do on the island.I suppose Westport's advantage would be things to do if the weather is inclement. My only concern is traveling that far on your first day in Ireland.

Other than that, I think your itinerary looks fine. I enjoy both the Bunratty banquet and Irish Night. The banquet is held in the castle and Irish Night in the corn barn. That may be the deciding factor. Also, lots of steps into the castle while the corn barn is on the ground floor.

Michele

Shawn · Senior Member

Michele,

I think you summed up all of my thoughts. The extra hour to drive can be a drag after the flight and then extra time to get to Salthill aswell. However, waking up right on the beach/ocean would be very nice. I guess my wife and I will have to weigh out the pros/cons. We will difinitely make a day trip to Achill if we do stay in Westport. We would both love to roam around Slievemore for a bit.

I was thinking we could tour Connemara on our travel to Salthill if we get a early start. We would see Kylemore, Connemara Park, then to Clifden/Roundstone, etc. to Salthill. We would miss Cong & Cornamona area.

Would we get a nice tour of Connemara going this way? Or is Cong and lough corrib a must see?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Shawn,

The thought of sleeping with my window open at Bervie with the ocean just outside sounds very tempting right now. If you decide to stay there, you can always take a rest if the long drive is too much. Sometimes parking for a little cat nap in the car is just the ticket.

What you have outlined for Connemara sounds good. You can also get a cruise on Killary Harbor if that is of interest. If you go that way you will miss Cong. I was just there a few weeks ago and it was a wonderful day. The fall color, sunshine and beautiful walk behind the abbey were magical. I took my favorite photo of the whole trip there. But it would be very hard to choose Cong over the rest. After all it is just a very small village.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Dude; Murvagh is even more lovely than Rossnowlagh where the beach is concerned. Forest walks on one side, dunes and wide clean beach on the other... Long ways from Westport though.

Blessings this day