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blujaglove


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Final review of trip in June
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I have posted here a couple of times and everyone has been so helpful as was Michele's book.  I would love comments on my itinerary (we are two couples celebrating 50 birthdays and are very active).

June 14th arrive Shannon 6:00 am.  Depart for Dingle. Overnight at Heaton's Guest House.

June 15th - Overnight in Castlegregory at The Shores Country House and enjoy the dinner Michelle recommends.

June 16th - Drive to Ballyvaughan and overnight at Gregans Castle Hotel
 (maybe consider Drumcreehy Guest House as less expensive option)

June 17th - Overnight at Gregans Castle Hotel (maybe consider Drumcreehy Guest House as less expensive option)

June 18th - Depart for Clifden and overnight at either - Ballynahinch Castle (kind of expensive) or Byrne's Mal Dua House (more reasonable)

June 19th - Stay in Clifden at either Ballynahinch or Bryne's

June 20th - Return to Shannon area and stay at ????.  We were going to stay at Glin Castle and it is closed.  We looked at Dromoland Castle but it is just too expensive.  All ideas are welcome.  Since this is our last night we would love some type of Castle experience.

June 21st - Return to USA

Here are my questions:

1.  Does this seem doable in terms of travel times between areas?
2.  We would like to stay at nice places with some character, but not terribly interested in really small places without amenities.  Are there better values than mine above?
3.  Need a place to stay near Shannon on the 20th.


Thanks for your help!

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lew semones
Michele Erdvig


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Lew,

Have you confirmed that Annette at The Shores is doing dinner on that night? If so, you are in for a treat.

You are aware that Gregan's Castle Hotel and Ballynahinch Castle Hotel are not real castles? They just have "castle" in their name. Both are a bit isolated and in the country.

What a pity that Glin Castle has closed as a hotel. Have you looked at Adare Manor for your last night? It is very posh. In Bunratty is the Bunratty Castle Hotel (once again not a castle). My favorite places to stay near the airport that don't cost a fortune are Bunratty Lodge and Headley Court.

Are you aware that Dromoland Castle & Ashford Castle are running a special. If you spend two nights at either one you get a night free at the other. I don't know if that is in your budget but worth mentioning.

I think your itinerary looks fine. Although I personally would skip Clifden/Connemara in favor of more of the SW and spend those two days in Kenmare. But Kenmare is my favorite small town in Ireland, so I am prejudiced in its favor. It is also the gateway to a lot of beautiful scenery. So counting out my personal opinion, I think you will enjoy what you have planned.

Michele


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Green Dragon


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It looks good to me!  Even though you are doing a couple one-night-stands (which I have long since learned to disdain), you aren't doing lots of them, and you aren't driving long distances between them.  You are doing well to concentrate on one main area for your trip, and I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Your travel times look nicely reasonable - not a green blur tour :D

I don't have any suggestions for castles, I'm afraid.  But I'm sure Michele's suggestions are the best options :)

Have you looked into any B&Bs that might be converted from Abbeys?  I know there are some in Scotland, there might be some in Ireland, too.  It's not quite a castle experience, but it might be an option if some exist.

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