Newbie looking for itinerary advice for Clare, Galway region

grizfan · Newbie

Newbie looking for itinerary advice for Clare, Galway region

Michele Erdvig · Host

grizfan,

Welcome to my forum. This sounds like a very special trip with your daughter. With only 5 full days, you need to optimize your time.

Let's start backwards. Sometimes thinking of things differently will help make a better trip. I would stay closer to Shannon on the last night. You need time to drop the car. Even though you are flying to London you should be at the airport around 9 am. If you stayed in Bunratty you could do the castle and folk park on your last day, perhaps even the banquet. That would really cap off the Irish portion of your trip.

Now let's go back to your first day. Two ideas.

1. Drive up to Redwood Castle and spend the night nearby.
2. Visit the Burren & cliffs and stay nearby.

Either will work. Which ever one you choose you would do the other choice on your last day driving back to Bunratty.

That leaves 3 days in Galway.

What do you think?

Michele

grizfan · Newbie

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions. how does this sound:

June 11 - arrive. Cliffs then stay in Doolin?
June 12 - Galway
June 13 - Galway
June 14 - Galway
June 15 - Redwood castle, then to Bunratty
June 16 - depart

I like the idea of having a base for a few days, and I also like the thought of staying close to Shannon before my departing flight.

Any hot tips for a B&B during our stay? If possible, I'd like to be able to wash some clothes on the 15th.

thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

grizfan,

Sounds perfect. I have a lot of B&Bs listed on my Lodgings page and even more (with descriptions) in my book. Which you reserve just depends on what you are looking for.

You are going to be on the move and have a long day on the 15th. That would not be the best day to do laundry. Best to find a launderette in Galway and have it done while you are out sightseeing. Very few B&Bs have the facilities to do wash for their guests, although there are exceptions.

Michele

grizfan · Newbie

OK - based on your advice, here's what I have so far:

June 11 - arrive, visit Cliffs of Moher, then stay in Doolin. Still need to book accommodations for that.

June 12, 13, and 14 - Galway. Booked a room at the Marless house B&B

June 15 - Redwood castle, then to Bunratty. Booked a room at the Bunratty Lodge.

How is that shaping up? Based on this, does anyone have suggestions for what to do?

thanks!

Michele Erdvig · Host

grizfan,

Looks good. Mary at Marless House will tell you where the best launderette is. The nice thing about most of them in Ireland is you just drop off your dirty clothes, tell them how you want them washed, ask for them to be THOROUGHLY dried and folded. Then pick up the clean clothes later in the day. Be sure to find out what their hours are.

Your first and last day were full so it's really only the Galway portion that you need to plan. From Galway you can do the Aran Islands, Connemara and Galway City. I have even done a day trip to Achill Island from Galway but it is a long day. Galway is a very "young" city with a lot of college-age people about. I think your daughter will like it.

If you book a castle banquet online they are currently giving discounts.

Glad you got into Bunratty Lodge. Mary makes all her own brown bread. You must try it at breakfast. It is a straight shot to the airport from there.

Michele