Hello, I am not sure I am doing this correctly but I am planning our first trip to Ireland and would like you to look it over and tell me if you think our plans are do able. Any suggestions on activities would be welcomed. Thank you Purple Pennie
Irish Adventure
May 13thWednesday
Leave for Boston at 2pm
Rememberpassports and ticket information
Depart for Ireland on Are Lingus
Flight # EI 132at 7PMbooking
May 14th Thursday
Arrive Shannon air port at 6:05 Am
Clear customs
Pick up Heritage passes (approx 41per person)
Exchange money if needed ( Doolin does not have an ATM)
Pick up rental car and map
Car rentalDollar rental car
If available pick up letter L for the car
Drive toward Doolin
Explore along the way
Stop for breakfast along the way
Possible stops:
Milltown Malby
Lahinch town dine at either the Shamrock or the Atlantic Hotel
Need to phone Sea View House with arrival time by 10:30am
Overnight stay at :
Sea View Housecost $103 per couple need to pay in cash
Fisher Street Doolin
065 7074826+353657074826
Settle into B&B
Explore the Cliffs or take a nap
Plan to eat dinner around 7pm
Ask at B&B recommendations for dinner
Possible evening visit to the local Pub
May 15th &16th Friday & Saturday
Check out
Head toward Galway
Vist the Burrne
AillweeCave
DunguaireCastle
Stop for lunch in Ballyvaughan or in Galway
Arrive Galway check into the hotel:
No rooms booked
Depending on time of arrival spend the rest of the day exploring Galway
?Walking tour
Evening at a local pub with music and dance
Explore Galway
If time and energy drive to Moycullen and visit
The Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory
Explore toward Clifden if we have time
Kylemore Abby
ConnemaraNational park
Killary Cruise if possible
May 17th Sunday
After eating Breakfast
Check out
Drive to Rossaveel or if able ferry from Galway
There are no car ferries to Inishmore
Leave car in lot
Cost to park the car approx: $14
Take ferry to Inishmore (cost round trip $64 per couple)
Ferry leaves at 1pm
Check into The Pier House
Explore at leisure or take the Mini coach tour
Tours run hourly and last for approx 2 ½ hours
May 18th Monday
Check out
Ferry departs at 12:00 or 17:00
Should plan for the 12:00 ferry
Drive to Ennis
Spend the night in Ennis or drive to Dingle
No room booked
Highlights:
Ennis Friary
Glor Irish Music center for evening entertainment or
Ceol na hinse stage show
May19th & 20th Tuesday& Wednesday
Check out after breakfast
Take the Ferry at Kilmer (departs on the ½ hour 30 dollars per car)
Drive toward Killorglin or Kilarney
Check into the BallyseedeCastle for 2 nights $440per couple
Kerry the Kingdom (explains life in Kerry) in Tralee
Welcome to my forum. It looks like you have done some intensive planning already. Most of your itinerary looks good so I will comment on the days that need help.
May 18th Monday
Check out
Ferry departs at 12:00 or 17:00
Should plan for the 12:00 ferry
Drive to Ennis
Spend the night in Ennis or drive to Dingle
No room booked
Highlights:
Ennis Friary
Glor Irish Music center for evening entertainment or
Ceol na hinse stage show
* Check to see if there is a show you are interested in seeing in Ennis. If not, Dingle would be a wonderful place for the night. You will have stayed in Ennis at the beginning of your trip.
May19th & 20th Tuesday& Wednesday
Check out after breakfast
Take the Ferry at Kilmer (departs on the ½ hour 30 dollars per car)
Drive toward Killorglin or Kilarney
Check into the BallyseedeCastle for 2 nights $440per couple
Kerry the Kingdom (explains life in Kerry) in Tralee
Ring of Kerry
ExploreDingle
The Great Blasket center
Muckross House & farm
If time explore Cork
* You have too much planned for these two days. If you spent the previous night in Dingle, I suggest you do Slea Head Drive and the Blasket Center then proceed to Ballyseede Castle. The next day you should choose between ROK or Killarney activities.
Thank you for your reply. I thought we may have planed too much for the 19th and 20th. Do you know if the high speed catamarn the "Aran Princess" to Inis Mor will be running in May? Thank you
Hi Purple Pennie, One thing we noticed was the charge for ATM's. This trip we are ordering Euros from our bank to use. This way we always have Euros when we first arrive and don't have to take the time to exchange our money. If I am remembering right, it seemed it was more costly, in the bank, to exchange our money. So less trips to the banks and ATM is better because you have less extra charges along the way.My husband and I were just talking about this subject today.
We made reservations from Rossaveel to Inis Mor Island-large island, on line, and got a 10%discount. Our fare was 45 Euros, round trip for 2. When you said, "Take ferry to Inishmore (cost round trip $64 per couple)" Did you make your reservation online at AranIslandferries.com? If you haven't made a reservation, go ahead and look up the site and get the discount. Have a wonderful trip, your plans sound full but fun. .....youngka
-- Edited by youngka on Wednesday 22nd of April 2009 03:29:43 AM
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
Send an email to find out the schedule of the boat to the Aran Islands. My thanks to youngka for sharing the discount with you.
The Irish banks don't charge for the use of their ATMs. However your own bank most likely has charges associated with using an out of network machine. Check in advance so there are no surprises. In fact, go to my "Money" page for more info.
Hi Purple Pennie, aranislandferries.com is the site I go to for the time schedule, information about the ferry landing, and signing up for the ferry to Inis Mor from Rossaveel. Thanks Michele for the info about the bank and ATm's, etc. Now Dave and are more clear on the subject! Purple Pennie have a great trip! youngka
-- Edited by youngka on Wednesday 22nd of April 2009 08:11:40 PM
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
HI!, I tried to book feery tickets through Aran Islands Direct'a web site but it tells me booking is not avalible. I have tried to e mail them but have not received any reply. Do they stilll have ferry services? Thank you for your help. Purple Pennie
Anne, When I first used the site, I completed the whole reservation form and thought I had it completed and sent; however, I got a note from a man at the dock, and he said he hadn't received it, for me to give him my phone number and he would call me - which he did. Got everything done over the phone and was still given the 10% on line discount. My son calls to the Netherlands from here and it is not too expensive at all. So, I have called several places to make our reservations. Try calling..... I know Bit said she was having trouble with the site, also...... youngka
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Living in Oregon, like to travel, love going to Europe, Alaska and maybe one day China.
Hi! Michele, I received your book yesterday and noticed that you will map out our route for us for 20dollars. My husband and I think that is a wounderful idea. As we leave May 13th is there still time for you to do a route for us using the above itnerary? Thank you Purple Pennie
Michele isn't in the States at present so she may not see your post until it s too late.
If you pick up an ordinance map at the airport, it will give you better detail than any of the other maps. This will help you to navigate all of those smaller roads which aren't always marked.
Pick up the Ordnance Survey Atlas at the bookstore at the airport. It is a very good map of Ireland. Sorry, but no time for me to complete a map for you right now.