Ireland 2 weeks in October 2010

Binayak · Member

Ireland 2 weeks in October 2010

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Welcome to my forum. October can be quite lovely in Ireland although the days are getting shorter, so plan accordingly.

If you are planning on self-catering in the west and SW then the Giant's Causeway would be too far as a day trip. You could consider self-catering for part of your trip and some B&Bs or other lodgings for the rest. In that case you might be able to schedule in the Giant's Causeway.

A few good places for bases would be Galway, Killarney and Kenmare. If you look at the Hot Offers section of the forum you will find some discounts being offered for self-catering for my readers.

Let us know what you decide to do and we will chime in with more suggestions.

Michele

Binayak · Member

Michele,
What would be the quickest way to get to the Giant's Causeway from Shannon

Binayak

stewh · Guru

Binayak

You should find this Route planner helpful. That is a long drive.

Stewart

http://www.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/

-- Edited by stewh on Monday 12th of April 2010 09:11:49 PM

-- Edited by stewh on Monday 12th of April 2010 09:13:18 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

The quickest way by road would probably be Shannon to Dublin, Dublin to Belfast. Then north. That route gives you the most highway driving. Three hours Shannon to Dublin. Two hours from Dublin to Belfast. Another 1-1/2 hours to GC. That's under optimal conditions. Traffic, weather and roadworks can all slow you down.

A long drive indeed!

Michele

Binayak · Member

I have given up visiting the Giant's Causeway in view of the long drive.Michele can you suggest two different places that I could spend a week in self catering accomodation which would cover the whole of south west Ireland.I plan to rent a car and do day trips.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Killarney is very central for doing most of the SW. Kenmare is positioned farther south and would be an alternative to Killarney.

In your first post you mentioned some other options that might be better seen from a base in Galway or Clare.

I have some personal recommendations in Kenmare, if interested. Some of them are on my self-catering page. One gives a 10% discount to my readers. Let me know.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig on Saturday 24th of April 2010 01:35:01 AM

Binayak · Member

Michele,

We are flying into Shannon to visit the SW.I want to spend a week in any two places out of Dingle ,Inch,Doolin and Killarrny.

Any thoughts?

Monty · Senior Member

Sort of a personal choice of where to stay, as although the area right near Killarney is wonderful and a must see when in that part of Ireland, many people find the town itself touristy and crammed. I prefer to stay in Dingle and do a day trip to Killarney area, or if you are headed to Cork area, I'd stay in Kenmare and then go to Killarney from there if you want to see it.

It really is what is best for you. I like the smaller villages as a place to stay, and Dingle and Kenmare are pretty darn good places to set up a base -- oh, to be there right now! wink

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 09:18:46 AM

Binayak · Member

Staying in Dingle or Inch is it possible to do day trips to Killarney and ring of Kerry?I will be going in the first week of October this year and plan to drive.

Monty · Senior Member

You could certainly do a daytrip from Dingle to Killarney, however if you are going to do Ring of Kerry, I would stay in Kenmare. I think the Dingle Peninsula is more spectacular than the Ring anyway, and much less crowded.

Once again, a personal taste. The Ring is a full day's event with stops, so Kenmare makes sense.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Cross Inch off your list. It is not near anything except the beach and a snack bar. So that leaves Doolin and Killarney. I think your decision is made!

Michele

Binayak · Member

Michele,

Does killarney have better access to both Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsuls than Dingle town?
Binayak

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Yes, Killarney is positioned better for day trips to Dingle and ROK.

Michele

Binayak · Member

My flight lands at Shannon at 4.30 PM.Is it possible to drive down to Killarney the same evening or should we halt for the night somewhere close to Shannon and proceed next morning,Can you suggest such a place?We are travelling in the first week of October and reaching Shannon after a 16 hour flight.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

A 16 hour flight! I would be ready for a light dinner and drop into bed. But it depends on your stamina. The drive to Killarney will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours. If it is a weekday you could hit rush hour traffic in Limerick and that would add to the time. I personally would stay nearby Shannon. Here are two excellent B&Bs:

Bunratty Lodge: http://www.bunrattylodge.com/
Headley Court: http://www.headleycourt.net/

Both are about a 10 minute drive from the airport.

Michele

Binayak · Member

The two B&B have great reviews.We will stay in one of them.Can you suggest a car rental agency in Shannon Airport?Does GPS adds greatly to finding locations that we are planning to visit?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

There is no one car rental company that is right for every person. It is a subject that takes much research. I suggest you look at my Car Rental page for tips and things you absolutely must know to be an informed consumer. Then take a look at the post here on the forum about Car Rental Rip-offs.

I have to admit that I have not used a GPS in Ireland because I have one in my head for that country. But many people are happy to have used one. Although on occasion I understand they can lead you down the garden path. If you rent or buy one it is good to have a paper map too.

Michele

Binayak · Member

I have booked with Kathleen at the Headley court.They seem to be very nice.
Now could you suggest some self catering accomodation at Killarney for a week?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Glad to hear you will be staying with Kathleen. She is a sweetheart. You will love your stay there. It is a very comfortable B&B. Please tell her I sent you.

I don't have any personal recommendations for self-catering in Killarney. I do have for Kenmare (about 30 minutes away). You will have to do some research. I have links to self-catering on my Links page. You can also just Google Killarney self catering or Killarney holiday cottages to find properties. I would look for 4-star rated cottages.

Michele

Binayak · Member

I have now booked a week self catering in Killarney.I have another 8 days before I fly back to London from Shannon.I want to visit the Cliffs of Moher Burren and Connemara.Would a week in Doolin followed by a night in Galway be appropriate?Also how long does it take to travel from Galway city to Shannon.My flight is at 12 noon on a weekday.Not forgetting that I have to drop the car at the airport.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Glad to hear you found some self-catering in Killarney. Where are you staying?

I personally would stay in Bunratty on my last night. If it is an international flight you need to be at the airport three hours in advance. For dropping the car plan on at least 15 - 20 minutes.

If you want to self-cater again in Clare take a look at Ballyvaughan instead. It is closer to Galway and you could actually do Galway and Connemara as a day trip from Ballyvaughan. Doolin is farther south and you could probably do a long day in Galway from there. But do explore Ballyvaughan as a possibility.

Michele

Binayak · Member

Redwood Apartment ,Tralee Road..Then could you suggest an alternative place to Doolin to stay for a week? .I could do day trips to Connemara,Cliffs of Moher,Burren ,Galway City?
Stay at Bunratty the last nightas you suggest.
I will explore Ballyvaughan.

Binayak · Member

Infact I could make Galway City as a base instead of Doolin.It only takes an hour and a half to reach Doolin according to Michelin and spend the whole day there and come back to Galway for the night.The last light as you suggest near the Airport.
Your comments!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Binayak,

Redwood House is a few miles from Killarney on the main Tralee/Killarney road.

Galway, Oranmore, Ballyvaughan, Kinvara. All would work for you. Keep in mind that Galway is a big city and check on the parking situation at any self-catering there. The others are small villages and Oranmore is a small town. Depends on what you are looking for.

Michele

Monty · Senior Member

The parking in Galway is insane. I love the city, but when I go there, I now stay in one of the many great B&Bs in Salthill that are right on the bus route to city center. You get there in only a few minutes and don't have to search for parking. The first time I went to Galway -- really this happened -- I spent more time looking for a parking space than I did walking around the city. Never again.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Monty,

I remember the "good old days" when you could park right at Eyre Square. No meters, no disc parking. Granted, sometimes you had to circle the park a couple of times but there was always someone exiting a space. Today it is a different story.

Michele