Traveling in March..... need to plan a route

Mainer82 · Member

Traveling in March..... need to plan a route

Green Dragon · Guru

It sounds like you are staying on the west coast - why are you flying out of Dublin, then? Or was that part of a package deal?

For just 6 nights, with your first and last already set, I would do something like this:

I would stay in Limerick the first night, as required. Then I would go to either Dingle or Killarney for two nights, and explore the peninsula of choice. Then I would travel to Kilkenny, seeing the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage on the way. Stay two nights in Kilkenny, explore the medieval city (great place!) and then head to Dublin. I would try to see Glendalough Abbey and/or Powerscourt Falls and gardens on the way to Dublin.

But that's just my suggestions. It really boils down to what you like doing - and it sounds like you want to see the landscape, do some touristy things, etc...

I've never encountered a B&B without towels, but they don't always have facecloths (those are sometimes considered a personal item, like underwear).

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mainer,

Welcome to my forum. You have already received very good info from Green Dragon (aka Christy). I would skip Galway too on such a short trip. Follow Christy's advice and you will have a great trip.

Michele

Mainer82 · Member

Thank you for your quick replies. Yes, we booked a package and are free to come and go as we please. I am excited about flying in/out of different airports so we don't have to backtrack to get back to the airport and can see more of the south.

I didn't realize, but we are staying at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt. It looks absolutely breathtaking! I like the idea of staying 2 nights in Killarney. We'll defnitely do that. I'm thinking of doing 2 nights in Killarney, then one in Kilkenny, possibly one in Dublin? Or should we just go over to Dublin for the day and forget staying there and do 2 in Kilkenny instead. I've heard that Dublin is like any other city and there isn't all that much to see........ although I do want to go to the Guinness Factory.

I do have a couple of other questions:

-How long does it typically take to see the Cliffs of Moher?
-Would it be too much if we did just that on the day we arrived? We get in at 8:50am.
-Is it wise to bring our laptop? We'd like to have it with us but I wasn't sure if it would be safe if left in the car? Then again, ALL of our stuff will be left in the car.
-Does it make the most sense to call the B&B's to book? I've placed a few enquiries online and sent a few e-mails but haven't heard back. I'm beginning to worry since we are going in 3 weeks. There are a ton of beautiful places in Killarney though!
-I was looking at the Chelmsford House and Redwood.

Thanks again for all of your wonderful tips!

Sidz · Guru

The Chelmsford House is real nice, and the important thing to us when we stayed there was that it was walking distance to city center so we could leave the car at the residence. Some places claim to be in walking distance, but when you get there.... ashamed

Great hosts who will take good care of you.

Mainer82 · Member

Any good pubs/restaurants you can recommend in the town?

Sidz · Guru

Many choices on each front. For traditional music we liked Danny Mann's and Dunloe Lodge on Plunkett Street. Can't recall where we ate, but many choices for sure in Killarney.

You'll have fun in this town.

Mainer82 · Member

Chelmsford house is booked for 2 nights. Do you remember if the rooms were on the ground floor or upper level? I am excited to stay here!

Sidz · Guru

We stayed upstairs, and I think that is where all the rooms were. The family lives on the ground floor. The place is squeeky clean and extremely comfortable, and the owners quite nice -- if I recall, I think they are originally from England.

No more than a five-minute stroll to city centre -- which key staying in Killarney. Also they are close to the road that goes to Ross Castle, Muckross House, and on to Kenmare and places south through Killarney National Park. Spectacular sights on that drive to Kenmare and Bantry areas if you have the time to go that direction for a day or more.

Another music pub came to me -- make sure and go to The Laurels on Main Street. Danny Mann's is more of a place for ballads, but Laurels and Dunloe Lodge had great traditional music when we were there.

For restaurants, check here:

http://www.kerrytourist.com/directory/eating_out/killarney_area/killarney/

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy it all.

-- Edited by Sidz at 15:33, 2009-03-02

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mainer,

Lucky you! Staying at the Ritz at Powerscourt will be a real treat. Will that be on your last night in Ireland? If so, I would just enjoy the area, see Powerscourt Gardens, indulge at the hotel, perhaps drive a few miles south to Glendalough to see St. Kevin's monastery and beautiful valley. I would just skip Guinness.

To answer your questions:

-How long does it typically take to see the Cliffs of Moher? * If you drive there from Limerick it will take about 1 1/2 hours. In order to see the museum and cliffs you probably need an hour or two. You could have lunch at one of the cafes there.

-Would it be too much if we did just that on the day we arrived? We get in at 8:50am. * Why not wait and see how you feel and how jet-lag is affecting you? Then make your decision as to whether you want a 3 hour drive on your first day.

-Is it wise to bring our laptop? We'd like to have it with us but I wasn't sure if it would be safe if left in the car? Then again, ALL of our stuff will be left in the car. * I always bring my laptop but I am traveling on business and need it. I have never had any problems but dilligence is needed to keep it safe at hotels and in the car. Never leave anything visable in the car. There are Internet cafes all over Ireland and many B&Bs and hotels also have computers for their guests to use to check their email. Unless you need to use the laptop constantly on vacation, it is probably not worth taking. If you just want to check emails a few times, leave it home and use the facilities available in Ireland.

-Does it make the most sense to call the B&B's to book? * Yes, it does make sense to book ahead if you find places that you like. That way you will know where you are going and will not have to take time out each day to search for a B&B. Instead you will have a relaxed trip and will get the most out of your precious time there.

As I recall, all the rooms at Chelmsford are upstairs.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

Sometimes B&Bs won't answer because they are currently on vacation themselves :) Many do so in the off season (like now) and go to sunnier climes for a couple weeks. I would try to give them a call, especially if you've your heart set on a place.

We loved the Alcantra in Kilkenny, but I think Michele said she was scaling back her operations, and only renting to those who have been there before. However, I'm sure Michele has other good suggestions for the area. Kilkenny is a wonderful medieval city, with lots of little alleyways to explore off the main street, TWO cathedrals (one Catholic, one Church of Ireland) a lovely castle, and various other things both in town and around town. We stayed three nights and got to explore lots, including a day down to Jerpoint abbey, Kells Priory and Inistioghe (where Circle of Friends was filmed).

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Alcantra is scaling back. They are easing their way into retirement. However I suggest that anyone interested in staying send them an email to see if they are open. They may just be lucky and get a room.

Michele