Suggestions for 16 Days in Ireland

Charlie · Newbie

Suggestions for 16 Days in Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Charlie,

Welcome to my forum. With 16 days you can see a good portion of Ireland. However, if you decide to stay put for 6 days in one place that will limit what you can see. There is certainly enough in the Kilkenny area to keep you busy for 6 days. You could probably choose almost any place in Ireland and find enough for that time period. Ireland is rich with sights to see. However, Mount Juliet is on its own in the countryside. Definitely not walking distance to anything but the estate it is on.

The Conrad Dublin is a good choice.

Almost every town, city and village in Ireland has accommodations that are within walking distance of town. Why don't you post a proposed itinerary and we will be happy to comment on it?

I think this page will help you choose a book about Ireland's history: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ireland+history

I usually suggest renting a small car but you may want to go a step or two up from the smallest cars available. Since each car rental company has their own models and fleet, perhaps you will tell us what you are finding and we can then comment on it.

With 16 days you can see Northern Ireland too. I suggest you get your map, calendar, dates and sit down to route yourself to the areas that are appealing to you. Let us know what you come up with and we will help you refine your plans. Keep in mind that it may take many tries before you get it right. So don't give up!

Michele

Charlie · Newbie

Michele,

Thanks. Please excuse any fornamatting problems - I am not sure how I got different font sizes but I can't figure out how to fix it.

I have a large map of Ireland on that we have gone over. Here is a potential itinerary. One of the reasons that we are looking at spending the first six nights at the Mount Juliet is to get relaxed and recover from the trip (and our jobs!). We realize that this location soed not fit the "walk to restaurant and center of town" that we want in the rest of our trip. I appreciate any thoughts/advice. We have made no reservations so everything is flexible.

We thought we would focus on the southern part of Ireland.

Day 1 - Arrive Dublin drive to Mount Juliet ConradThomastown Kilkenny, Ireland - spend day recovering from flight and exploring the grounds and Thomastown. Spend six nights at the Conrad maiking day trips.

Days 2 - 6 Day Trips - Counties Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Sites to visit: Kells Priory, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Glendalough, Powerscourt Gardens, Wicklows MountainNational Park, Cahir Castle, Rock of Cashel

Days 7 - drive to ??? (home base to explore Counties Kerry and Cork) - Stay 4 nights at ???

Days 8 - 10 - Counties of Kerry and Cork

Sites to visit: Ilnacullin, Charles Fort, Trip out to Skellig Michael,

Beara Peninsula, DinglePeninsula with HealyPass and Connor Pass - (Skip Iveragh/Ring of Kerry?)

Day 11 - drive/ferry to ??? (home base to explore Counties Clare, N Tiperary, and Limerick) - Stay 3 nights at ???

Days 12 &13 - Counties Clare, N. Tipperary, and Limrick

Sites to visit: Loop Head, Burren, Sunset visit to Cliffs of Moher, Lough Gur Day 14 - Drive to Dublin - Stay at Conrad Dublin Earlsfort Terrace Dublin for 3 nights

Days 15 &16 - Explore Dublin

Day 17 - Depart Dublin

Charlie · Newbie

After sleeping on the itinerary we are thinking of not including Dublin this trip and focus on the countryside. One idea is:

Day 14 driving north towards Giants Causeway, spending two nights in the area

Day 15 tour the area

Day 16 head to the Dublin airport and spending the night at an airport hotel before our flight on the 17th.

If we do this are we setting ourselves up for a rushed end of the trip? We would also appreciate other suggestions for what to do if we "skip" Dublin.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Charlie,

It will be an extremely long day to go from Clare/Tipperary North to Northern Ireland. That really gives you only one full day to do it justice. Can you perhaps pull another day from elsewhere to add to No. Ireland?

A good base for parts of Kerry and Cork might be Kenmare. Although I would not do Dingle as a day trip from there. I have done that before and won't do it again. Too long a day driving.

Six days at Mount Juliet sounds lovely. However, since it is your longest stay anywhere on the trip, you might consider one less day there and add it to No. Ireland.

Michele