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zooey1118


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march '09 itinerary - still need some help
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hi michelle & all,

just found your site this week while researching my trip - what a great resource!!  learning so much reading through all your info.

heading to ireland for the first time in late march (whoohooo!!)... trying to firm up my itinerary (at least as far as how many nights in each area and where to stay once there)...

we have 8 nights, flying in & out of shannon. (and i'll be a first time left side driver, just fyi)

here's my basic itinerary:

sat. 21st - arrive SNN 8 a.m., drive to dingle, stay 2 nights (peninsula, etc...)

mon. 23rd - drive to kenmare, stay there 3 nights (ring of kerry, gap of dunloe, kinsale, etc...)

thurs. 26th - drive to ballyvaughan or doolin, stay 3 nights (cliffs of moher, the burren, perhaps galway)

sun. 29th - leave from shannon (flight departs 11 a.m.)


any thoughts would be much appreciated. an alternate idea i have is to do THREE nights in dingle at the beginning of the trip (give us an extra day to recover from any jet lag), then reducing either the kenmare or ballyvaughan/doolin stay to 2 nights... most likely the kenmare portion. any suggestions on WHICH section of this trip would be best to cut to 2 nights? (of course, wish i had 3 in all!)

thanks for the help!



-- Edited by zooey1118 at 14:53, 2009-01-03

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Roy


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I drove from Shannon to Dingle in 2007, and I would caution against doing so after a night of flying. I will not drive that long again.

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Roy
youngka


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I agree with Roy. Maybe spend the night Kenmare, Adare http://adarecountryhouse.com/, these are nice little places and the Adare House and people who own it are so nice. Not too far from the airport. And this is close to the airport also: Bunratty Lodge -- Mary is such a wonderful owner! http://www.bunrattylodge.com/. Sneem is getting in the area of Cliffs of Moher and the Rock Shop http://www.sneem.com/, These aren't all places to stay, but ideas if you are in the area/s. Very nice B&B in Kenvarna with nice places for lunch or dinner along the way -- south west of Galway www.kinvara.com (click on accommodations then click on Bed & Breakfast and look at Conneelys Guesthouse (sheilaconneely@kinvara.com). You will be able to get lots of ideas on this forum before leaving in late March. Glad you found Michele's smile forum and lots of luck. youngka

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Michele Erdvig


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Zooey,

Welcome to my forum! I agree with Roy about driving to Dingle on your first day. Instead I suggest you go to Doolin/Ballyvaughan (much closer to Shannon Airport) for a couple of days. Save one day for your last night nearby the airport. Bunratty is ideal for that.

So just reverse your trip.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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zooey1118


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thanks for all the advice.  i didn't realize dingle was so far.  i thought is was about 2.5 hours, but assuming from everyone's comments that it's not an EASY 2.5 hours! 

will look into staying a night closer to the airport either when we first arrive or before we depart....sounds like that is the smart, less-stressful way to go!

cheers.

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Sidz


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I've found Doolin to be a wonderful and relaxing place to spend the first night, especially if you enjoy traditional music.  It is only about an hour from the airport and features a nice drive across County Clare.  Although I have not driven from Shannon to Dingle, I agree that it would be a bit of a stretch if you are tired from the trip. It is not a real easy 2.5 hours when you are trying to get your bearings after an all-night flight, and if you do not get to the Tarbert Ferry at the proper time, you add another 45 minutes or more to the slate.  Dingle will be more relaxing the next day. 

Enjoy the excursion.



-- Edited by Sidz at 09:36, 2009-01-05

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Michele Erdvig


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Zooey,

Depending on your route, driving from Shannon to Dingle can take longer than 2.5 hours. That estimate is optimistic. Much better on the first day to end in Doolin or Ballyvaughan.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
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