Second trip to Ireland. 8 days in June 2010 :-)

chapeau · Member

Second trip to Ireland. 8 days in June 2010 :-)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Welcome to my forum. You must like Ireland to be visiting it again. June should be much warmer than March and I hope you have good weather.

You are correct. There is a cliff walk at Howth. From Drogheda you are very close to Bru na Boinne and Newgrange. If you plan on seeing everything there it will probably take you about 4 hours. Each site is at a distance from the visitor's center and you are bused separately to each one. Since the cliff walk and Newgrange will take most of your day perhaps you should stay closer to the Drogheda or Co. Meath area rather than going all the way north to Dundalk. The coastal drive is okay but there are better ones to see in Ireland. You might even think of an overnight in Trim where you can visit Ireland's largest castle. Plus it would position you for your drive the next day.

You might want a couple of nights in Galway for the Aran Islands and Connemara. From there I assume you will be heading north to see the remainder of your list. I don't know how fast you like to travel but you may not get to everything on your list.

If you would like to post a proposed day by day itinerary please do. We will be happy to comment on it.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hi,

Thanks a lot for this first answer :).

Well, things are more and more complicated, with people telling about also going in North Ireland... I don't know what to think about that. I've not read many things on it... I only know about famous Giant's causeway and Carrickarade rope bridge.

About this first day, your advice would be to skip that coastal road. Is that walk around Howth worth the time? The point interesting in Dundalk is that I found a nice B&B for 50 a night

. (As we're just back from a trip in Italy, any way to save money is good

).
Bru na Boinne seems to be a "place to see". (Maybe expensive ?).

How interesting is Trim? Opposite to Kells? I fell not inspired by Hill Of Tara, nor by Monaghan and Cavan Counties...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

You seem to be a bit lost. It seems that people are telling you to do this or do that. Have you yourself actually read a guidebook about Ireland? If not, I suggest you get one so you can determine what your interests are - not other peoples. What I find interesting might not be what you like. That's why it is important for you to take charge of your own trip. We can only guide you on the forum. It is up to you to determine what you want.

There are plenty of B&Bs all over Ireland. Go to my Lodgings page and my Links page to find listings.

You can access admission prices to many sightseeing places at Heritage Ireland.

For the Republic of Ireland: http://www.discoverireland.com/

For Northern Ireland: http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/

There is plenty to do in most areas of Ireland. The problem is choosing what you will see in eight days. This might help: http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-plan-your-visit/ And my Sightseeing page lists my Top 10 in Ireland list.

Let us know what your interests are and we will help. But keep in mind that in order to have a good trip you must be willing to work at it yourself.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Well. I've already read many website, a guidebook (National Geographic, it already accompanied us last year, and we used same books to Paris, Tuscany and Portugal)...

So in fact I think I'm too much informed. So many things to see, to do... I'm already sure we will at least to more trips to Ireland to see everything! We like "old stones", nice scenic drives, nice landscapes... We love Irish people, Irish breakast, Irish beers

. We prefer to visit things outside cities... We've seen enough cities in Tuscany, where there's not many things to see "in the middle of nowhere".

So the problem for this time is to choose what to see and what to do...

The hardest thing to do is to know how many time is needed for each thing... Last year, some points only needed a few minutes, others would have needed some more hours...

Opposite to people giving me advice to go in North Ireland (Belfast, Giant's causeway, carrickarade rope bridge are the things I've heard about), I'm considering to avoid visiting most of the Donegal to enjoy the rest of the journey...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

So you have "information overload" or too much info about Ireland. Since you have been to Ireland before you already know that driving can be slow at times and it takes time to get places. One nice thing about the Heritage Ireland website is that it gives estimated time for visiting each place. That will help you.

Since you like ancient stones I would think Newgrange at Bru na Boinne would be a must. Just plan on spending half a day there.

Northern Ireland is wonderful and has some very scenic areas. The Antrim coast is one of Ireland's best and most spectacular drives. The Gens of Antrim, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the beaches along the way all deserve time. There are some lovely villages, castles and gardens that are well worth seeing.

Since you are initially going north it makes sense to continue north on this trip. You might spend a few days in No. Ireland or your whole trip. What do you think about that? Then you could see something else on another trip.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hi Michelle,

Yes that would be another way to visit

.
I was more thinking in going that kind of way:
Glendalough, Browne hill's dolmen, mountrath, Birr, clonmacnoise, galway, connemara, mayo, sligo (maybe donegal town), Fore, Kells, Trim, Bru Na Boinne... Trying to focus on center and west.

Your way is also interesting by focusing on North. I'll check that tomorrow (it 10.00 pm here :)).

HAve a nice day

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

If you want the center and west then that is what you should do. However, there is much more on your list than you can probably do. You need to focus. Make a list with the most important things on the top. See where "clulsters" of attractions are. They will make good bases for you.

You need to decide if you want to go north to Newgrange first or save it for last.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hi there :)

Well,it's not really that "I want" but I have to make a choice. If it was possible to see everything, I would surely do it

.

Do you have any advice about the interest of going to Aran Islands (Inishmore) and to Achill Island?

Thank you so much,

Christophe

-- Edited by chapeau on Tuesday 27th of April 2010 03:19:49 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

The Aran Islands would be a day trip from Doolin or the Galway area. You would take a ferry or plane to the islands and back. Achill Island is Ireland's largest island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. So is easier to get to.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Good Morning!

So let's try to make it smoother :)

Landing at 7.20am, First we'll take the rental car (probably from Dan Dooley, it seems the best way to have no surprise there).
Day 1:
-Malahide Castle (quickly)
-Glendalough
-Browne Hill's Dolmen (Abbeyleix or not?)
-Rock of Dunamase
-Night at Mountrath
Day 2:
-Go to Clonmacnoise (passing by Birr?)
-Then to the Burren or Galway, some things to see on the way.
-Night near there
Day 3:
-Go to Doolin for a ferry to Inishmore(at 1.00pm, hoping to see some things in The Burren with better weather than last year)
-Hiring of bikes to visit.
-Night on Inishmore
Day 4:
-Touring a bit more on the island waiting for the ferry (8.30am is a bit early)
-Back to Doolin for the ferry of 11.30am.
-Heading to Clifden by coastal road. We already did it by the lough Corrib last year (a must to see

).
-Night at Clifden
Day 5:
-Nothing precise. Heading to Sligo, maybe a night at Tobercurry
Day 6:
-Touring around Sligo, Yeats Country Drive...
Days 7:
-Boyle Abbey
-Heading to Mullingar, passing by Seven Wonders of Fore and Loughcrew Passage Graves
Day 8:
No Dundalk
-Still to see: Bru NaBoinne, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice... Eventually Howth. Temple bar at night.
-Night at Dublin
Day 9:
-Plane is early
So it seems to be smoother, even if there is still a lot to do.

I only regret that we won't go in Donegal at all (Slieve League).
To go there, we would maybe skip Inishmore (losing many time by waiting the boat, and I also read that sometimes there are boats cancelled...) to go to Achill Island... This would let us a bit of time to go to Donegal town and Slieve League. Or maybe we skip both Donegal and Aran to give more time on the way back to Dublin from Tobercurry/Sligo...

But I think that we have here the main lines...

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Malahide Castle does not open till 10 am. Maybe not worth waiting around for? Otherwise it is an itinerary you can do. There is lots packed into each day but if you run out of time you can cross off the less important things. Perhaps you can save Donegal for another time.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Yes I think it would be better like this.

What to prefer to Donegal? More time in Mayo or more time to go back by Dundalk?
Or Aran (I'm not convinced, even if I'm very interested by the old castles)

But it's becoming more precise :)

chapeau · Member

Well,

Still thinking about all this :).

I see 3 possibilities:
- Going to Aran, No Donegal, just the time to go back from Sligo to Mullingar on 7th day, and to Dublin 8th day
- Not going to Aran, No Donegal, more time to go back to Mullingar 6th day, to Dundalk 7th day, to Dublin 8th day
- Not going to Aran, No Donegal, more time for something else, but I don't know where to spend more time.

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Why not wait till you are in Ireland and decide what you want to do depending on the weather and how you feel?

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hi Michelle,

Of course, that would be the best thing to do, but I really prefer to book all b&b's in advance (no loss of time, I can read advices on each I choose, and find cheap ones :) ). Chosing when in Ireland to go or not on Aran Islands would change the days of the whole trip...

One more thing, I am not sure that all this can be done on one day:
Trim, Bru NaBoinne, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice, Bective abbey and Kells (Is there anything to see in Kells?)

I feel so happy when reading your advices... A bit like I'm already on holiday

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Going to the Aran Islands (especially from Doolin) depends on the weather, winds and seas. The ferry can be canceled because of that. So if you plan on doing that, hope for good weather or have alternate plans.

You are correct that doing all you listed on one day is too much. As I said before just Newgrange, Knowth and Bru na Boinne will take half a day. If I were to choose one other area attraction it would be Trim Castle. Very impressive.

Michele

chapeau · Member

So, so, it's becoming more and more precise
Day 1: Dublin Airport - Mullingar (166Km)
- Find a good Irish breakfast
- Visit Bru Na Boinne
- Head on Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice
- We would then go to Trim passing by Bective Abbey
- B&B in Mullingar
Day 2: Mullingar - Tobercurry (174km)
- We would begin with Loughcrew Passage Tomb and Seven Wonders Of Fore
- Then go to Boyle Abbey to end at Tobercurry... Maybe see some things around Sligo to take advance for day 3.
- Night at Tobercurry in a B&B
Day 3: Tobercurry - Sligo - Tobrcurry or Ballina
- Sligo, Yeats Country Drive, prehistoric zones, ...
- Night at Tobercurry or Ballina in a B&B
Day 4: Tobercurry (or Ballina) - Keel (168km)
- We would follow the coast, heading to Ceide Fields.
- Then again coastal road to Keel on Achill Island, maybe passing by Belmullet peninsula
- Night in a B&B at Keel
Day5:Keel - Clifden (143km)
Going to Clifden, passing by Kylemore Abbey.
Night at Clifden in a B&B
Day 6: Clifden - Lisdoonvarna (191km)
- Heading to Lisdoonvarna again by coastal road.
- Depending on the time, we will see a part of Burren (Flowered this time (I hope) )
- Night in a B&B at Lisdoonvarna
Day 7: Lisdoonvarna - ??
- Again in the Burren.
- Then Clonmacnoise
- Should we see Birr?
- Night at??? Athlone? Portlaoise? Tullamore? Birr?
Jour 8: ??? - Dublin
- First to Rock of Dunamase
- Then to Glendalough (Browne Hill's Dolmen or not??)
- Back to Dublin for last night.
Day 9: Return flight.

What do you think of that? I'm scared of the last days because there are more kms? Are there things to see that I forgot? Other that would better be skipped?

To reduce, we could sleep in Galway in place of Lisdoonvarna, but we would skip Burren (last year, it was not flowered and we had almost no time, so we only saw Poulnabrone...).

Any advice is welcome :)

Thanks once more,

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Below are my day-by-day comments.

Day 1: Dublin Airport - Mullingar (166Km)
- Find a good Irish breakfast
- Visit Bru Na Boinne
- Head on Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice
- We would then go to Trim passing by Bective Abbey
- B&B in Mullingar
Trim is a bit out of your way. Might be best to go on a more direct route to Mullingar.

Day 2: Mullingar - Tobercurry (174km)
- We would begin with Loughcrew Passage Tomb and Seven Wonders Of Fore
- Then go to Boyle Abbey to end at Tobercurry... Maybe see some things around Sligo to take advance for day 3.
- Night at Tobercurry in a B&B
Spending the night in Sligo makes more sense to me. But whatever.

Day 3: Tobercurry - Sligo - Tobrcurry or Ballina
- Sligo, Yeats Country Drive, prehistoric zones, ...
- Night at Tobercurry or Ballina in a B&B
Another night in Sligo would be good.

Day 4: Tobercurry (or Ballina) - Keel (168km)
- We would follow the coast, heading to Ceide Fields.
- Then again coastal road to Keel on Achill Island, maybe passing by Belmullet peninsula
- Night in a B&B at Keel
Fine.

Day5:Keel - Clifden (143km)
Going to Clifden, passing by Kylemore Abbey.
Night at Clifden in a B&B
Atlantic Drive on Achill Island is nice.

Day 6: Clifden - Lisdoonvarna (191km)
- Heading to Lisdoonvarna again by coastal road.
- Depending on the time, we will see a part of Burren (Flowered this time (I hope) )
- Night in a B&B at Lisdoonvarna
Consider Doolin for an overnight stay also. There are more lodgings to choose from there.

Day 7: Lisdoonvarna - ??
- Again in the Burren.
- Then Clonmacnoise
- Should we see Birr?
- Night at??? Athlone? Portlaoise? Tullamore? Birr?
You seem very undecided here. If you stay another night in Lisdoon or Doolin you will not see Clonmacnoise or Birr. Although there is a museum at Birr the best part is the gardens. Weather will determine if you see the gardens.

Jour 8: ??? - Dublin
- First to Rock of Dunamase
- Then to Glendalough (Browne Hill's Dolmen or not??)
- Back to Dublin for last night.
Day 9: Return flight.
The Rock of Dunamase is near Portlaoise. You might be better off skipping the dolmen and going to Glendalough instead on as many main roads as you can to optimize your time.

On the whole it is a lot more than I would comfortably plan for my clients. But it can be done. You will certainly see a lot and travel around a large area of Ireland in your 8 days. Good luck with the plan and let us know how it goes when you get back. We would be interested in hearing about your trip.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hello,

I'm back again

. Just having booked my car at Dan Dooley. It was +-155 for these 8 days, but it suddenly became 192... Hopefully, I had a promotion code allowing 10% off, so I paid 162 (with the insurance bringing excess waiver to 100 max). (I don't know if I can mention where I got that promotion code).

I also booked my B&B in Keel. I'm not sure whether I can mention which one it is.

Following your advices, we would maybe go to Trim, depending on the time we'll have.
We would spend 2 nights in Sligo.
After thah I'm not sure on which road to follow... Following the coast, by Belmullet? Or go cross the country by Ballina, Bangor or Castlebar, etc...
Next, we would maybe go up the Croagh Patrick, Doo Lough Pass, Kylemore abbey, Cleggan then Clifden.

Some hesitations on the next day: I think it's best to go to Lisdoonvarna, because there are things to see in Burren, even if it means more kilometers. But to go there, I don't know which road to choose. Folowing the coast by ballyconneely, roundstone, Errisbeg, Pearse's Cottage, Costelloe, Spiddle... Or shorten it a bit by going to Maam Cross (even if it has already been done last year), then to Costelloe, Spiddle... I don't find many information on this part of Galway County.

Now it's time for me to go to sleep, but I'll be happy to read from you again :).

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Glad to hear you have your car rental. One more thing to cross off you list. Yes, there are promo codes if you do a search. Always a good thing to do when booking anything.

I suggest you plan your routes when you are in Ireland. The locals will help. You can see how the weather is and then determine if you want to take the "scenic route" or a more direct route.

We will be very interested to hear back from you after your trip to see how it all turned out. You can post in the Trip Reports section of the forum.

Michele

chapeau · Member

Hi,

Yes of course, I'll report everything here. It's the less I could do to participate myself at this forum

.

I'll try to find some minutes to relate my last trip...

Ok for fixing the routes once there. Anyway, do you think it's ok to fix the places to sleep like I said? (Mullingar-Sligo-Sligo-Keel-Clifden-Lisdoonvarna-Tullamore-Dublin).

It's time to work now for me :).

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Yes, I think it is time for you to make your lodging reservations. Good luck!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Christophe,

Glad to see you are considering a visit to Fore. To be done right, you will need at least an hour on the ground. I was there for three but, as a photographer, I sometimes get lost in the energy and lose track of time. Just east of the ruins is a small tea house which runs a video of the life of St. Fechin and the seven wonders attributed to him.

You are definitely more ambitious in your plans than I would be. Have a grand time and I loo forward to your trip report

San Beo,

Bit

chapeau · Member

Hi,

Well, 3 days before departing! And we are both ill :-s. I hope we'll get in better shape on Tuesday!

Maybe I can get some more help for our days in Sligo and in Burren...

So I can read about "Yeats country drive" in my guide:
I was planning to see Carrowkeel Labby Rock Heapstown cairn on my way to Sligo from Mullingar.
Then on the next day, Knocknarea Mountain, Carrowmore, Strandhill, Rosses Point, Lissadell House (I heard that this couldn't be visited anymore),Drumcliff, Ben Bulben, Creevykeel, Gleniff Horseshoe, Glencar Lough+waterfall, Dooney Rock. These are many things.
Does anyone know about all these? Are there things that we should skip?

About Burren:
On our road from Clifden to Lisdoonvarna, we could see Ballyconneely, Roundstone, Mount Errisbeg, Pearse's Cottage. Then we will follow the coastal road by Costeloe and Spiddle. Then in the Burren, we would find on our road Dunguaire Castle, Corcomroe Abbey, Newtown Castle, Rathborney Church, Cahermacnaghten
Then for the next day, on our road to Tullamore, we could pass by Leamaneh Castle, Dysert O Dea, Kilmacduagh, Thoor Ballylee, Turoe Stone, Clontuskert abbey, Clonfert Cathedral and Clonmacnoise.
I'm sure that this is also too much... But again, what is unskippable?

Thanks again for your help

.

Christophe

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christophe,

Hope you get well in time for your trip.

For Sligo:

Lissadell House is currently closed to the public. It was opened for a portion of last year and is open for special events. I suggest you check with the tourist office to see if something special is on when you are there that will enable you to see it.

Knocknarea can be seen from the whole Sligo area. If you mean to climb to the top it will take time so that may not be in your plans. Likewise with Ben Bulben.

If you plan your route carefully (ask at the tourist office) you can visit most of the places in good order. For instance, Creevykeel is just off the main road when going north to the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive. So you can combine things. How much you actually see will depend on how early you start, the weather and how long you spend at each place.

For your other days: Thoor Ballylee has been closed to repair flood damage. You should check in advance before you go out of your way. Some of the sites you mention are not well known or signposted. If you don't have a good map they could be difficult to find and eat up a lot of time. You might opt to see more familiar ones and those more directly on yor route to fit them into your timeframe. I would definitely see Clonmacnoise.

Have a great trip. Bon voyage!

Michele