Kilkenny instead of Portlaiose?

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

Kilkenny instead of Portlaiose?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jeane,

If they are doing a Southern circle, rather than having them do Cashel first, I would send them toward Cobh or Kinsale, Killarney next, then Dingle and then up into Kilkenny via Cahir and Cashel.

How many days do they have? As for your North tour, Donegal, Galway, Clonmacnoise and then Boyle would save backtracking. How long do you have in each area?

Slan Beo,

Bit

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

We have 10 days for the first part and so we're doing Newgrange, Hill of Tara, etc. first and staying in Trim. Then we want to head north so we'll go through the Mourne Mountains and stay in Downpatrick. Then further north to do the Giant's Causeway, etc. while staying in Ballycastle. Next we'll head southwest for a night in Donegal. Then down to Boyle (because we met some folks we want to visit again there). Then over to Croagh Patrick and Kylemore Abbey and around the west coast with a stay in Galway. Then back across the middle to stay in Clonmacnoise (per your suggestion) and finally back to Dublin. That's where my husband and I will get on a plane and head home.

After dropping us off at the airport they will start their southern circle. I tried to get them down in to the Southwest corner as quickly as possible because that's the place they want to spend more time (they're not really interested in the southeast too much or even Cobh or Cork) I told them that from Dublin to Cashel would be a longer drive but then they'd be in the area they're more interested in and can spend some time going to Killarney, then Dingle, then Shannon (to do the whole Bunratty thing), and then start making their way back across the island to the Dublin area for a bit. So I'm looking for a stop somewhere between Bunratty and Dublin. I think they have about 8 days to do this second part.

My husband and I tried to drive no more than 2 hours each day between towns when we were there. We'd get an early start, make it to our new area within a couple of hours and spend the rest of the day exploring that spot. Then move on to a new place the next day. In this way we were able to get a taste of a lot of different places, hit major attractions, but not be driving all day. We knew that after the first time or two we would develop some of our favorite spots and we'd return to settle in for deep exploration of those areas. Our friends are the same. They'd like this trip to be an "overview" of the island, traveling to a new place every day, and yet knowing they'll go back again and again for extended stays in specific areas in the years to come.

So that's the plan...I'm just trying to find good ways to cross back to Dublin from the west, giving them some fun things to see and do along the way.

Your suggestions are pure gold, Bit! Just like Michele's and many of the regulars here! I have often changed major plans based on what the good folks here suggest so I'm all ears!

Thanks!

Jeanne

CowboyCraic · Guru

Jeane,

Have you thought of Nenagh as a stopover enroute to Killarney?It would give them a chance to do the Lough Derg drive, if they like or explore Nenagh and the surrounding area. WilliamsFerry House B&B is a favorite stopping point of mine.
Nenagh is often overlooked which is a pity, sitting as it does in the heart of Brian Boru Country. The Castle Keep there is a good enough reason to visit Nenagh. The Heritage Center, 13th Century (?) Friary ruins and St. Mary's Church are also worthy of a visit.

From Nenagh, it is a straight run either into Dingle or Killarney. Then on the Dublin return, they can head through Cahir & Cashel, stopping in Kilkenny. Again, this eliminates the backtracking

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

Nenagh is a good idea. Last time I drove from Dublin to Bunratty it only took 3 hours (and that is beyond Limerick). The roads cross country are continually improving. Another thought is Adare. Although some find the village touristy, I spent a week self-catering there and loved it.

I like Bit's suggestions.

Michele

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

Wow, Nenagh looks like a neat little corner of Ireland that I've never considered or really known about. If we don't schedule it into this trip, I think it will have to be in the next.

And Dublin to Bunratty can be done in 3 hours? That's great! And really helps me to re-work my plans.

Thank you, thank you, Michele and Bit!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

The Lough Derg area is lovely and a rather forgotten corner of Ireland. I am all for exploring off the beaten path.

Michele