Family of 4 Ireland Itinerary - First Attempt - Southwest and...

RT · Member

Family of 4 Ireland Itinerary - First Attempt - Southwest and...

Green Dragon · Guru

It sounds like a good plan to me. I like the idea of flying, but have you considered bus or train rides? Do some research - you will have much less 'lead' time in a train station than in the airport, and be less likely to lose your luggage :)

I'm afraid I can't help with castle lodging or family lodging :(

From what I understand, Grace O'Malley was mostly up in the Connacht region. However, I believe she had some doings around Howth (which is very near Dublin)

From Wikipedia:
"A widespread legend concerns an incident at Howth, which apparently occurred in 1576. During a trip from Dublin, Ní Mháille attempted to pay a courtesy visit to Howth Castle, home of the 8th Baron Howth. However, she was informed that the family was at dinner and the castle gates were closed against her. In retaliation, she abducted the Earl's son and heir, the 10th Baron. He was eventually released when a promise was given to keep the gates open to unexpected visitors, and to set an extra place at every meal. Lord Howth gave Ní Mháille a ring as pledge on the agreement. The ring remains in the possession of a descendant of Gráinne Ní Mháille, and at Howth Castle today, this agreement is still honoured by the Gaisford St. Lawrence family, descendants of the Baron."

Have they read the book Grainne, by Morgan Llewllyn? It's an historical fiction novel - I enjoyed it much!

Michele Erdvig · Host

RT,

Welcome to my forum! I'm glad you found your way here. First, Grace O'Malley lived mostly in Co. Mayo. Clare Island, Westport, Achill Island were all her haunts. As Green Dragon mentioned there is a legend associated with her at Howth Castle. The castle is not open to the public but the grounds are. Howth is a bit north of Dublin. Short of entirely changing your itinerary, I think the Grace O'Malley connection will have to be cut unless you get to Howth.

I think your itinerary looks very good. You must have done lots of homework to come up with it. Good idea to ease into the trip, especially with your daughters along. Either Bunratty or Ennis will work for you. Although if you are doing the banquet Bunratty village will be much closer than Ennis. Bunratty is a small village while Ennis is a busy town.

Kenmare or Killarney? Since you want to do the Gap of Dunloe tour which starts early in the morning and ends in the afternoon, I think Killarney will be a better place to stay. In this case it suits your needs better than Kenmare.

On June 14 you will already be halfway to Newgrange so why backtrack to Kinsale? I would suggest an early start to fit in Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel as well as the drive. You could end somewhere in Co. Meath or Drogheda (Co. Louth) and see Newgrange the next morning. The earlier the better!

That will give you two days in Dublin.

Take a look at my Castle Hotel page. Most are very expensive. Just off the top of my head - some along your route are Dromoland Castle, Glin Castle, Ballyseede Castle (I inspected it last year and it looked fine), Clontarf Castle and Smarmore Castle.

Take a look at my Lodgings page for places to stay. Lots of other good info on my website too! wink

Michele

Dude · Guru

Also along the route is Kilkea Castle outside Castledermot in Co. Kildare. We stayed there in '03 and enjoyed it.

RT · Member

Wow!!

Thank you all for your insightfull and helpful comments and suggestions!

I especially appreciate you clearing up my issues w/ travel to Newgrange and also appreciate the suggestion on the Llewylln book - I've ordered it and several others from Amazon! We love to read together as a family prior to traveling!

Speaking of books - that brings me to my next "first question"

Michele, I am going to order your book but wasn't sure whether to get the current edition or the new one in March? I'd like the updated one in March but am concerned that I need to make my accommodation reservations sooner than that and so would need to get the current version. What would you suggest?

The next question involves Newgrange and the last part of the trip. I've looked at all the Castle lodging options and most seem to take us somewhat out of our way. Ballyseede is probably the closest option but it isn't that close to the Gap of Dunloe and I'm not sure is worth staying for just one night.

I did find Ross Castle in County Meath http://www.ross-castle.com and though not nearly as "fancy" as some of the other castle stays I believe would give my daughters a nice perspective and different experience as part of our travels. It seems to be about an hour from Newgrange according to their website.

If we left Kinsale early and then visited Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel along the way, would we be able to arrive at Ross Castle by dinner time?
How reasonable is it to get to Newgrange early enough to make a tour from Ross Castle? I'd like to take the Mary Gibbons tour of Newgrange but I don't know if it's possible since we wouldn't be starting in Dublin. Are their tours that can be booked directly from Newgrange if you are staying locally?

Thanks again!

Rich

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rich,

I suggest you get my current book. Although prices change slightly from year to year most of the info in it is still more updated than most other guidebooks are. There are a few places that have closed and others that I will be adding. But you can get any updates right here. One update I will tell you about now is phone numbers in the Killarney area are changing. If you plan on callilng anyone there you can ask me on the forum and I will give you the correct numbers. There is also an online phone book for Ireland that you can access.

I have heard mixed reviews of Ross Castle although I have not been there. Perhaps it would be best to skip the castle stay? After all if you stay at a castle you want to have the time to devote to enjoying it and the grounds, gardens, etc.

The Mary Gibbons Tour departs from Dublin. Basically, Mary Gibbons buses you to Newgrange and then you join everyone else who has arrived at Newgrange from various different ways. When I drove there last time I was waiting in at the visitor's center for the bus to take me to Newgrange and Knowth with people on the Gibbons Tour. So the Bru na Boinne portion of the Gibbons tour it is not a private tour. I suggest you stay nearby Newgrange and drive there first thing in the morning. When you enter you will be asked if you want to see Newgrange and Knowth or just one or the other. Opt for both. You will be given a sticker to wear with the time your bus departs. You will go to either place and then back to the center. Then you must take another bus to the other site and back. You need a minimum of 4 hours to see everything. They have a good cafe there for lunch. So to answer your question, yes you can go directly to Newgrange, pay and get your tour then and there. The reason I suggest arriving early is because it is such a popular site with limited access. The early birds get in quicker.

In the area I recommend Trim Castle Hotel and the D Hotel in Drogheda. Also Tankardstown in Slane. Nearest would be Drogheda.

Michele

RT · Member

Thanks for the rapid response.

I went ahead and ordered your book.

I appreciate your comments on Ross Castle and perhaps it is not the best choice. (I liked it because it seemed remote, a little more "primitive" and also because it had a history of ghosts/hauntings). I realize the last is just for the tourist trade but my daughters would get a big kick out of staying in a haunted castle.

I was wondering if Cabra Castle Hotel in Kingscourt would be too far from the Newgrange visitor center? In June the visitor center opens at 9AM and we are early risers so that getting up at 7 or earlier to drive to Newgrange to get to the center by 8:30 before it opened would not be a problem.

I am thinking if we do stay in a castle in meath county we would drive kinsale to cahir castle/rock of cashel then on to meath county. Overnight in Meath and either see Newgrange next day or spend next day relaxing/local sightseeing and then overnight in meath again and either sightsee or go to newgrange and then travel on to Dublin from there.

Thanks again,

Rich

RT · Member

sorry.

If Cabra Castle is to far, what are your thoughts on Bellinter House? It seems to be 20 minutes away from Newgrange and has a room that accommodates a family of 4.

If not we'll probably book the Trim Castle.

thanks again,

Rich

RT · Member

Further research has turned up mixed reviews on both Cabra Castle and Bellinter House. I'm leaning towards your recommendation of Tankardstown now.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rich,

Just keep in mind that Tankardstown is a self-catering rental. But that might be something different and fun for the girls. If you stay there you will obviously rent a two-bedroom unit. Then you will have your own living/dining room, kitchen, etc. The grounds are wonderful with extensive walks through the estate and horses in the pastures. There is even a walled garden. The whole place is gated, very rural and quiet. Even though it is self-catering you can order breakfast or meals in if you want. The best beds in Ireland too. You can email manager Debra Magill at: debra@tankardstown.ie She is a gem.

If you decide on Trim Castle Hotel, it is right across the street from Ireland's largest castle.

Michele

RT · Member

Thanks for your advice on Tankardstown. I've talked w/ my wife and kids and I think it would be a good option to try.

Just a quick question as I am debating Kenmare versus Killarney in the middle of our trip. Many seem to prefer Kenmare ovr Killarney claiming Killarney is too touristy. I primarily am going w/ Killarney because we would take the Gap of Dunloe Tour on our last full day in that region, then overnight in Killarney/Kenmare and drive to Kinsale the following day.

Do you think Kenmare would be more kid/family friendly than Killarney or since we will really spend only one full day in either place is it not worth obsessing about?

Do you think the Gap of Dunloe tour would be interesting for the family and hold the kids attention or would we be better off stayin g in Kenmare? I'm trying to avoid and single overnights in towns just to ease the travel schedule on the family.

thanks again,

Rich

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rich,

You will love Tankardstown. It is a unique experience.

There is nothing wrong with Killarney. It is a small town surrounded by great natural beauty, Ireland's highest mountains and Killarney National Park. Are there tourists there? Yes. Are there tourists in Kenmare? Yes. Neither one is a tourist trap.

For your trip Killarney makes the most sense. If you were not doing the Gap of Dunloe then I would suggest Kenmare. But if you want to do the gap from Kenmare you will be up at the crack of dawn rushing to make the tour. Better to be where you need to be. And the gap is a great trip for the kids and adults as well. So stop obsessing and stay in Killarney.

You can always see Kenmare on your way to Kinsale.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 03:30, 2009-01-04

RT · Member

Hi Michele,

We leave in two weeks. Quick question - for the drive from Bunratty to Dingle would you go towards the Shannon ferry and then take the ferry across or just drive straight down from Bunratty to Dingle? I think the drive time would be about the same but I've heard the roads from the Shannon ferry are more rural and nicer.

Appreciate all your help.

Rich

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rich,

If you will have already seen the Cliffs of Moher then I think the most direct route to Dingle would be best. You can stop on the way in Adare for photos of the thatched cottages and then make good time to Dingle.

What itinerary did you finally decide on?

Michele