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Buckeyeknitter


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First trip to Ireland - 13 days - please critique
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We will be going to Ireland for thirteen days - my friend and I both late 50's.  We are skipping Dublin in favor of more time in the countryside.  I would appreciate any advice .  I cannot believe what a wealth of information there is on this site - thank you.  I ordered Michele's book on Wednesday and know it will be a big help on trip

After much agonizing here is my revised itinerary. We are into scenery and history. I am into shopping in fine Irish craft stores and local artists galleries and locally produced yarns and woolens. We are doing this on a budget as much as possible. I have done some research but would appreciate any suggestions for inexpensive lodging and also for any great shops to visit . And good places to hear music.


Wed and Thurs nights (04/01 and 04/02) staying in Kilkenny

Arrive Dublin 8:40 am Stop at Powerscourt Garden and Glendalough on way and spend two nights in Kilkenny . Will spend Thursday visiting either Kilkenny Castle (heritage pass) Jerpoint Abby in Thomastown 9 miles south or St Canices Cathedral. Also go to Kilkenny Design Center located in former stables across from Kilkenny Castle Consider going to Jerpoint Glass

Thinking of Dunromin, Carriglea, Ashbrook House, Abbeylodge BB. any comments? Carriglea and Abbeylodge both ranked highly on tripadvisor.com

Friday night 04/03 staying in Kinsale possibly or maybe all way to Kenmare

Drive to Kinsale area, stopping on the way to visit Rock of Cashel and also Blarney Castle,

Not sure where to stay is Kinsale a good choice? Would it be too much driving to drive all the way to Kenmare that day?

Sat 04/04 and Sun 04/05 Kenmare

Drive to Kenmare and spend two nights. On Sunday drive the Beara Peninsula At some point go to Muckross House

Mon 04/06 and Tues 04/07 Dingle or Kenmare?

Not sure about lodging would we be better spending the nights on Dingle or would it be OK to spend two more nights on Kenmare. I hate packing and unpacking more than necessary. Drive to Dingle and tour the area on Monday. Leave Wed morning and drive to Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, or Ennis. Not sure what to stop and see on the way or how far to drive. Definitely want to see the Burren and Cliffs of Moher

Wed 04/08, Thurs 04/09 Doolin, Lisdoonvarna or Ennis

View the Cliffs of Moher and Burren during Wednesday day would one day be Ok and then spend next day in Galway or maybe on boat trip does that make sense Specifically which town would you recommend and any special BBs

Fri 04/10, Sat 04/11, Sun 04/12 Westport or Clifden

While there visit Kylemore Abbey, Cong, Westport, Doolough Valley and Famine Walk Memorial, Croagh Patrick. Any recommendations for lodging Westport or Clifden or other nearby towns

Mon 04/13
Drive back to Dublin and spend night at airport hotel

My dilemmas - I am a little confused about third night would it be too much to drive to Kenmare from Kilkenny especially if we want to go to Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle on the way. Would we be better staying in Kinsale? Would like to stay each place at least two nights but not sure that is the best for us in this case

Also want to tour on both Beara and Dingle. Debating whether to spend two nights in Kenmare (or possibly three if we drive straight there from Kilkenny) and two in Dingle or stay in Kenmare four or five nights> Thoughts? Or should we cut a night there and add a night in Connemara?

Thanks for all of your advice

Pam

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Michele Erdvig


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Pam,

Welcome to my forum! I'm glad we got your registration problem fixed. Sometimes there is a glitch with the server and the email does not go through. Thanks for ordering my book. It is in the mail.

Be sure to look at my Lodgings  page for links to my recommended accommodations. Once the book arrives you will have many more to choose from. Please keep in mind that I am very fussy about the places I personally recommend.

While in Kilkenny you can do a walking tour of the city. It is small and can be accomplished in a few hours, stopping off to see the sights. Corey has shared his free walking tour with us: http://www.knockahopple.com/downloadkilkenny.html If you prefer a guided tour they go every couple of hours from the tourist office. The next time I am in Kilkenny I am staying at Rosquil. I was very impressed with the guesthouse and the host. Since you are interested in quality crafts Kilkenny Design Center (across from the castle) is a must. 

On Fri 4-3 you would be better off staying in Blarney or Kinsale. Sightseeing takes time. Also along the route is Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage. Then there is Blarney Woolen Mills (they sometimes have craft demonstrations). Lots to see and do on this day. Think about pulling a day from Doolin or Westport/Clifden and have two nights in Kinsale.

I have done Dingle as a day trip from Kenmare before. I do not recommend it. You will be better off spending two nights in Kenmare and two in Dingle.

Wed 4-8, Thurs 4-9: If you want to go to the Aran Islands you can do so from Doolin or Galway. Going to the islands are weather dependent since most everything is outside. If you are in doubt about that, you can consider one night in Doolin or Ballyvaughan and steal a day for Kinsale. 

Fri, Sat, Sun 10, 11 & 12: April 10 is Good Friday. Pubs are closed. Most restaurants are closed. A lot of sightseeing is closed. It is a good idea to make dinner reservations at a hotel. Perhaps bring fruit and cheese for a picnic lunch along the way. Either Clifden or Westport are good places to stay. Although Westport is larger and has more options. This is another place in your itinerary where you can steal a day for Kinsale.

For your last night near Dublin Airport I recommend Premier Inn. I had a very nice stay there in October. Bewleys also has some low room rates.

Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Buckeyeknitter


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Michele

Thank you so much for your advice - so in a nutshell
Kilkenny 2 nights
Kinsale 1 night
Kenmare 2 nights
Dingle 2 nights
Place to see Burren and Cliffs of Moher and Galway 2 nights
Westport or Clifden 3 nights
Dublin 1 night

Still a little confused - as to where we should stay after leaving Dingle. If we drive all the way to Galway we will have to backtrack to see Burren and Cliffs of Moher - correct or I guess we could see them on the way? Would the drive from Dingle to Galway be incredibly long. If we see Burren and C of M on way would it make sense to just stay in Galway one night and then add a night to end of trip in either Westport or Clifden. I realize that way we would be skipping the Aran Islands which might be OK>

Originally when I was planning this I thought we would have time to do Donegal and Northern Ireland but I have been dissuaded that it would be too crazy. But I do think we will really like the areas around Westport from what I have read so want to be sure to spend enough time there.

Anything special to see on car trip on way from Westport to Dublin?

I look forward to getting your book - yes this trip is approaching fast!

Pam

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CowboyCraic


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Pam,

Coming from Dingle, take the Tarbert/kilimer Ferry and then follow the coast road signs which will take you to the Cliffs of Moher, have lunch and a stroll in Doolin and then take a drive through the Burren as you wend your way towards Galway. It will be a full day, to be sure but, with the stops and the beautiful scenery, a day well spent.  Then you can base out of Galway and do Inis Mor on your full day or choose to explore Galway instead.

Slan Beo,

Bit

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Michele Erdvig


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Pam,

If you can skip the Aran Islands I would do this:

Kilkenny 2 nights
Kinsale 2 night
Kenmare 2 nights
Dingle 2 nights
Place to see Burren and Cliffs of Moher and Galway 1 nights: Doolin or Ballyvaughan
Westport or Clifden 3 nights
Dublin 1 night

From Dingle you can take the ferry across the Shannon River and go north up the coast of Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher. You can see the cliffs on your driving day. If you drive all the way to Galwy, yes, you would have to backtrack if you wanted to visit the cliffs on the next day. But no reason to do that as you will drive right past them on your way to Galway.

Westport to Dublin sightseeing:

Strokestown Park House, walled garden, Famine Museum
Belvedere House & Gardens (south of Mullingar)

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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