Shannon Airport to Kinsale

jheinzy57 · Member

Shannon Airport to Kinsale

stewh · Guru

Hi Jim
Good choice to fly into Shannon - much easier to get right into Ireland. Each of us has his own traveling style. I find that trying to see as much as possible doesn't allow me to see anything well enough. I would find the drive from Shannon to Kinsale via Cashel too much after an overnight flight from North America. You are right to stick to one area - the southwest. My advice would be to slow your trip down and see less but see it better. I'm sure you'll get more specific suggestions from Michele and others on this, the most practical of Irish travel sites.
Have a great trip!!
Stewart

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jim,

Welcome to my forum. Is your plan to see as much as possible while in Ireland? Or do you prefer to skip a few things in order to have a better trip? It is possible to see a lot of what you mentioned. However, you might need a vacation from your vacation afterwards.

I think you are trying to do too much the first jet-lagged day. Perhaps you should overningt in Cashel instead. Because you have limited time you might consider skipping Kinsale entirely and proceed to either Killarney or Kenmare. Spend a few days there and then proceed with your plan.

What do you think?

Michele

jheinzy57 · Member

Thanks Michele, I think you are right that we are planning way too much on our first day. I think we will rethink the whole first 2 days portion of our trip. I really don't want to skip the Rock of Cashel but if we did then we could spend the entire 5 days in the Kenmare/Killarney area. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Jim

jheinzy57 · Member

Stewh, Thank you for your sage advice. I think we will slow down and enjoy just being in Ireland rather than trying to see everything at a glance. We might just stay in the Kenmare/Killarney region this time around. Thanks for the reply. Jim

stewh · Guru

Jim, There is plenty to do for at least 5 days from Kenmare. My wife and I spent a week there a few years ago and it became her favorite town in Ireland. Again, have a great trip.
Stewart

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jim,

Kenmare is a favorite of mine. In fact if you are considering 5 days there you may want to think about renting a self-catering cottage. I highly recomment Doire Farm Cottages, about a 10 minute drive to Kenmare. They are wonderful cottages and there is a small one that is perfect for a couple. Contact Anne right away to see if she can rent to you for 5 days.

There is a ton to do and see from Kenmare. Let us know if you will be staying there and we will offer suggesitons for your time there.

Michele

jheinzy57 · Member

Hi Michele, Now I am thinking of spending the first 2 nights in Ballybunion which will be about an hour drive from Shannon. From there we can do the Dingle Peninsula on Thursday and head out to Kenmare/Killarney for Friday and Saturday. Much less driving and still we will see Irish beauty. We still plan to stay in Ennis on Sunday night and fly out of Shannon on Monday. How does this sound??? Thanks for all your help. Jim

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jim,

Let me see if I am understanding this right. Two nights in Ballybunion. A night in Dingle. A night in Killarney/Kenmare and a night in Ennis. That adds up to five.

Unless you are golfing in Ballybunion two nights is too much. You are better off spending that extra night in Killarney/Kenmare.

Michele

jheinzy57 · Member

Michele, My writing is more confusing than my trip planning! What I meant to say was that we are already booked just outside Killarney on nights 3 and 4 and are also booked night 5 in Ennis. My initial thought was to drive along the Shannon River coast OR head for Dingle Peninsula. I'm really confused as to what to do on our first full day in Ireland after a long flight which would be a Wednesday. We are completely open to ideas for day 2 Thursday as well. I am very sorry for not making myself more clear. I realize Dingle is close enough to Killarney/Kenmare to do a day trip. I wish we had a few more days this time around. Any advice would be greated appreciated. Thanks again for your help. Jim

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Jim:

If it were me, I would go to Dingle and not stay in Ballybunnion unless you are set on playing golf there. That said, the most westerly European golf links are on the Dingle Peninsula (dingle Links), way out at the tip and you'll hardly find anything more scenic unless you take out a second mortgage and play Old Head outside of Kinsale. I don't find the villiage of Ballybunion terribly interesting and there is so much to do on the Dingle Peninsula and in Dingle.

Although you can certainly do a day trip from Killarney to Dingle, if you have the option, stay on Dingle two nights, then two nights Killarney then back to Ennis.

Bill

jheinzy57 · Member

Bill, Thank you..Excellent advice. The more I read up on Dingle the more I think we will just drive from Shannon to Dingle and spend 2 nights there. The pictures I've seen are unbelievable. As for golf, my wife and I will stick to pitch and putt. I really appreciate your response. We are excited to see the beauty of this fine country. Jim

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jim,

Thanks for clarifying things for me. I think that your first two nights in Dingle will be perfect. It is a little longer than I usually recommend driving on the first day. But you can take a break, get some coffee and have a walk along the way to perk yourselves up. Most likely you won't do a whole lot on the first day. Perhaps a nap after your drive and see Dingle town. On your second night there you can do Slea Head Drive and see the sights. Then proceed to Killarney.

Michele