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tjd


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My husband and I will be in Ireland May 25-June 2nd. I'm the designated trip planner! I've been doing a lot of reading about all the fabulous things to see in Ireland... and am wondering what the best plan for us is.

Some details: We couldn't fly open jaw... we'll be flying in at 7:30 am on May 25th to Dublin. We leave 7:30 from Dublin on the 2nd. This give us 8 full days to hop around. We are already set to spend 3 nights in Dublin at the end of our trip-- May 30th-June 2nd. We are going to focus on the southern half of the island for this trip. We don't mind 1 night stays.

For the 6 days we are not in Dublin, I most want to see Inishmore, Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, Rock of Cashel, and Glendalough. Unfortuantely, it seems the 5 sights I want to see most are spread far apart! Here's what I've come up with so far-- what do you all think?

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin at 7:30am. Rent a car. Drive to Galway. Fly to Inishmore on the 4:00 flight. Questions: I am guessing the flight will be worth it to save time? Stay in Inishmore overnight.

Day 2: See Dun Aenghus. Fly back on the 3:45 flight. Drive to Kinvarra.

Day 3: The Burren, Cliffs of Moher. Or will we be able to see the cliffs on our flight to Inishmore? Drive to Tralee. Or Dingle?

Day 4: Dingle Peninsula. Drive to Cashel.

Day 5: Rock of Cashel. Sheep Farm. Drive to Kilkenny.

Day 6: Drive to Glendalough. See gardens and monastary. Drive to Dublin.

Day 7&8: Dublin.


A few more questions:

Should we hang out in the Dublin airport on the first day for a few hours and take a midday flight to Shannon and start our trip there? This would likely mean skipping the Aran Islands. I would love to go there, but I wonder if getting there is taking up too much of our trip.

Will we be missing out if we skip driving along the southern coast and take the inland route from Dingle to Cashel? We are suckers for scenery!


Thanks for any input you might have!





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Michele Erdvig


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tjd,

Welcome to my forum! I think your itinerary needs tweaking. That first day is a killer. Will you be getting off an overnight flight? If so, you should stay within 2 hours drive of Dublin. Consider going south to Co. Wicklow first.

May I ask why three days in Dublin? That takes up most of your trip. Can you have two days there instead?

Go back to the drawing board and rethink things. Let us know what happens.

Michele

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SusanD


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Hi there,
We just got back and dropped a day from Dublin b/c we were having such a good time in the countryside - no regrets.  I think 2 days in Dublin is enough - get a "hop on - hop off" bus ticket (@17 euro) and that will give you a good overview of the city - and a good way to get around.

The drive from Cashel to Dingle is gorgeous!  I recommend stopping in Killarney a bit before heading to Dingle.  Don't miss Connor Pass if the weather is clear - we drove in the fog and wished for the views.

I've travelled all over Ireland, and Dingle is by far my favorite - but this is just personal preference.

Good luck!


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Michele Erdvig


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Susan,

Welcome back from Ireland! Hope you had a good time.

Michele


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tjd


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Thankyou for the advice!

We just unexpectedly sold our house and are hurriedly looking for a new one.... next week I'll be looking at my travel plans more closely and try to get it all pinned down.  We'll be moving 10 days before our Ireland trip, but I just can't cancel the trip! So we better be fast unpackers... and read the guidebooks on the airplane!


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youngka


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tjd, my favorite place in Kinvara is Sheila Connleys B&B, nice little town, easy to get to the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, etc. from her place. Don't miss the Rock Shop just a short jump from The Cliff of Moher -- well worth it, good selection of Connemara marble and even a place to have lunch, if you didn't do so at the Cliffs. Have a great trip, youngka
http://www.conneelysbedandbreakfast.com/
I can't locate the Rock Shop's site to give you.  If I find it soon, I'll pass it on.....
http://www.kinvara.com/eatpierhead.html    good place to eat not far South from Sheila's place, good seafood, neat cozy little place.

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CowboyCraic


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Here is the link for the Rock Shop. It is a great place to pick up some unique souvenirs, to be sure.

Congratulations on the sale of your house! I don't envy you the moving, packing/unpacking just days before a trip such as this one, though. You will need the slower pace of Ireland just to recuperate.

I would stay in Dingle over Tralee, any day. My favorite B&B in Dingle is the Blooming Wildflower Cottage. If you are overnighting on Inis Mor, I would recommend either Man of Aran Cottage or Kelly House. Man of Aran is more remote but it is where I usually stay. Kelly House is closer in to the Port village of Kilronan. When I am in the Kilkenny area, I usuallt stay at Lawcus Farms, a bit out from Kilkenny but well worth the few miles drive.

Regarding Day 6, I would probably be more likely to overnight in the Glendalough area. That will give you the time necessary ti truly enjoy the environs of the area.

Remember to turn in your rental vehicle before you begin your Dublin stay, as having a car in the city is unnecessary and frustrating.

Slan Beo, Bit



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youngka


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Bit, thanks for the Rock Shop site. youngka such a neat place

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Michele Erdvig


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Bit,

I agree. The Rock Shop is full of fascinating and different gift ideas.

Michele

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tjd


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How about this for a revised version?

Day 1: Arrive 7:30am, rent car, Glendalough, night in Kilkenny

Day 2: Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, head towards Dingle. Stay in Killarney? Dingle?

Day 3: Dingle

Day 4: Dingle to Doolin. Burren, Cliffs of Moher. Stay in Doolin.

Day 5: Doolin to Galway. Possible scenic flight over Aran Islands.

Day 6: Drive to Dublin. Afternoon exploring Dublin.

Day 7: Dublin.

Day 8: Dublin, possible day trip to Newgrange.

Day 9: Fly out early in the morning.

We're staying in Dublin 3 nights because my dad generously offered 3 hotel nights with his frequent guest 'points' to us. But we'll spend 2.5 days there or 1.5 and a side trip to Newgrange.


It's getting pretty close to my trip time. I know I'm on the edge of the busy season. Should I be looking for reservations? Or would I be ok just winging it?

Thanks SO MUCH for the help. I'm checking out all the lodging suggestions now, both here and on Michele's page.

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Michele Erdvig


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tjd,

Your three days in Dublin will make up for the very speedy trip through the southern portion of Ireland. Personally, I think I would skip Glendalough, Kilkenny and Galway and try to have at least two nights somewhere like Killarney. You can see the Aran Islands from the Cliffs of Moher so no need for a flight there.

You most likely should have Dublin reservations. If you will be anywhere on a weekend then reservations are probably a good idea (Fri & Sat). Otherwise, it is a pretty slow year in Ireland.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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tjd


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Thanks for your input! I'll make those changes and add a night in Killarney and skip Kilkenny!

This website has been so extremely helpful for me... thanks!

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