Please critique itinerary

Naw · Member

Please critique itinerary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Naw,

Welcome to my forum. I think your itinerary looks very good. You must have spent quite some time planning it out. Below are my day-by-day commets.

Day 1: fly into Dublin

Overnight Dublin * Fine.

Day 2: explore Dublin

Overnight Dublin * Good. If you plan on taking the HoHo bus you can get a free Pat Liddy walking tour of the city.

Day 3: drive to Newgrange, Old Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice

Overnight in Monaghan (my husband's family is from CountyMonaghan and although we dont have any other information, we would like to at least see the land that they saw) * Try to arrive at Newgrange in the morning to beat the bus crowds.

Day 4: drive to the coast and begin driving north. See Glenoe Waterfall and the Glenariff Forest Park.

Overnight in Cushendall * Fine.

Days 5 and 6: continue touring the AntrimCoast, including the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-RedeRopeBridge, DunluceCastle, Old Bushmills Distillery, Portstewart Strand

Both nights in Portstewart * When departing from Cushendall you will have the option of doing Torr Road Drive. If the weather is nice I highly recommend it. Be sure to stop at all the little coves and beaches along the way. It is a fab drive.

Day 7: Derry, Donegal

This looks as though it will be a long driving day. Do you think we could see the Slieve League Cliffs on this day or will it be too much?

Overnight Sligo * I hope you are not planning on driving the coast of Donegal? You would need a couple of days for that. If you take the main roads to Derry and then down to Letterkenny and Donegal town you will have time for Slieve League, provided you start directly after breakfast and don't linger anywhere. You could squeeze in the walls of Derry and Donegal Castle with an early start.

Day 8: Explore Sligo Yeats sites, Carrowmore, etc. This also includes Kinnagrelly and Ballysadare, where my family originated.

Overnight Sligo * Good.

Days 9 and 10: Connemara region

Both nights in Westport * Fine. Nice town.

Day 11: Explore Galway

Overnight Galway * Fine.

Day 12: daytrip to Inishmore

Overnight Galway * Fine.

Day 13: drive through the Burren, Ennis Friary, Adare

Overnight Ennis * Have you seen the Cliffs of Moher before? If not, this would be the day for it. I would leave Adare for tomorrow.

Day 14: DromolandCastle, BunrattyCastle and FolkPark

Overnight Ennis * I would do Adare first then backtrack to Bunratty and Dromoland. That will avoid traffic later in the day in the Limerick area. I would love to hear back about your experience at Dromoland Castle. Although I have inspected it I have not had the good fortune to stay there yet.

Looks like an excellent trip. I hope you enjoy it. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele

Naw · Member

Thank you so much, Michele! I have spent a lot of time researching the Internet and reading tour guides. I will follow your advice for day 7. I had not planned on driving the Donegal coast as I figured that would take a few days and I did not want to cram too much in or spend too much time in the car. I planned to see the walls in Derry and visit Donegal, but was hoping that we would be able to see Slieve League. Based on your advice, I feel better about that plan! We did see the Cliffs of Moher during our 2007 trip. They were fabulous! I will move things around on days 13 and 14. I had not taken Limerick traffic into account excellent suggestion. Theres nothing worse than sitting in traffic (especially on vacation). I will also incorporate the Torr Road Drive into our Antrim Coast drive. Thanks again for your help!!!

-- Edited by Naw on Sunday 20th of June 2010 04:11:07 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Naw,

Glad I could be of help. All of your research certainly shows. biggrin

In Derry you can park at the Folyeside Shopping Center parking garage. It is right next to the tourist office from where you can get a walking tour if you want. If the weather is bad you might skip the Slieve League Cliffs. Play it by ear when you are there.

I have some good accommodation suggestions on my Lodgings page and complete reviews of places I really like in my book Ireland Dream Trip.

A hidden gem that I highly recommend (not too far from the Giant's Causeway) is the Dark Hedges. See photo below.

Michele

The Dark Hedges

Naw · Member

Michele,

The Dark Hedges is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely add that to the trip.

I had a thought - should I change the two nights in Ennis to one? If I did that, I could add that night to County Donegal (perhaps Kilcar?). This way, we could take day 7 at a more leisurely pace. We could leave Portstewart in the morning and go to Derry. From Derry, we could explore Glenveagh National Park before heading over to Kilcar for the night. This will allow us to see Slieve League either day if there is rain. On day 8, we could explore more of the area around Sligo. What do you think?

-- Edited by Naw on Sunday 20th of June 2010 10:29:02 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Naw,

I read your itinerary wrong. I thought you were staying at Dromoland Castle on your last night. But I see you actually proposed 2 nights in Ennis. I personally would add an Ennis night to Donegal. Glenveagh Castle & NP is delightful. You might want to consider your last night in Bunratty instead. It will be closer to Adare & Dromoland and right next to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. You could even do the castle banquet if you want.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

I would agree with the final night in Bunratty. Limerick travel will be easier now the Tunnel under the Shannon is due to open. For the Connemara I would base in Clifden or Roundstone for 1 night. Westport is on the very northern edge and whilst I would not deter anyone from staying there I feel that the Co. Galway options are better than the Co. Mayo. The Cliffs experience has totally changed since 07 not for the best in my opinion but more tourist friendly than natural.

http://www.limericktunnel.com/index.html

Monty · Senior Member

Would agree on the Cliffs.

While the views are stunning, the experience is indeed not the same. I much preferred years ago when it was more natural and undisturbed. I guess the Visitor's Center is a nice touch, but alas it took away some of the charm in my opinion.

We still go if someone in our group has not seen it before, but if the travelers have been there in previous years, we skip it now. I would like to see it from a boat's view below, however. That would be interesting.

In the Cliff's case, I think progress has gone one step forward, two steps back.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

I've been watching the progress on the tunnel for some time now. Last time I was in the area it was quiet a mess with roadworks. I'm delighted it is opening soon. It will alleviate lots of congestion.

Do you know how much the toll will be? I looked at the website but could not find that info there. Perhaps I did not click on the right page. I have been calling it the Shannon tunnel because it goes under the Shannon River. But I guess Limerick won out. http://www.limericktunnel.com/index.html

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Naw,

I agree with Tony that Roundstone and Clifden are good places to stay and smaller than Westport. But looking at your itinerary I think you are going for 2 nights in most places. That being the case, I think Westport will work for you. Achill Island is nearby and is one of my favorites in good weather. Atlantic Drive is wonderful and the island claims to have the highest sea cliffs in Ireland - big debate between Mayo and Donegal over that claim. If the weather is uncooperative the Museum of Country Life (free!) near Castlebar makes for a good rainy day venue.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Monty,

Ahh, for the good old days when you could drive right up to many places like the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Newgrange, etc. I prefer to remember the cliffs when there was no one there but seabirds and Dinny McMahon with his tin whistle. Back then you could have the whole place to yourself. Now it is a circus. That's why I prefer Loop Head instead.

Michele

Naw · Member

Thank you so much to everyone. It is helpful to plan an itinerary with a guidebook, but being able to have a conversation with those with experience with Ireland is something totally different and very appreciated.

I had not thought about Clifden, but after re-referring to the map, it makes more sense than backtracking to Westport. What if I were to split up the two nights that I was going to stay in Westport and spend one night there and one night in Clifden? When we were in Ireland in 2007, we spent one night in each city/town over a 10 day period, which is why I had decided to stay two nights in most places. I also really wanted to see Adare, so I was thinking about spending the last night there and having a special farewell dinner at Adare Manor. So the revised itinerary would/could be:

Nights 1 & 2: Dublin
Night 3: Monaghan
Night 4: Cushendall
Nights 5 & 6: Portstewart
Night 7: Kilcar
Nights 8 & 9: Sligo
Night 10: Westport
Night 11: Clifden
Nights 12 & 13: Galway
Night 14: Adare

Does this make more sense? Also, do you think that I would be able to see Clonmacnoise or would that be too much to fit in?

Thank you again!
Nancy

-- Edited by Naw on Monday 21st of June 2010 08:01:12 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

What time is your flight out of Ireland? That could determine where you spend the last night. Also, is it a weekday or a weekend? Dinner at Adare Manor is very expensive unless you choose the golf club restaurant.

I think that Clonmacnoise is out. I really don't see where it would fit in since you are mostly doing the perimeter and not going into central Ireland.

In Connemara you will most likely do some backtracking no matter if you stay in Westport for 2 nights or one night each in Westport & Clifden. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

Michele

Naw · Member

Hi Michele,

Our flight out of Shannon is at 12:30 p.m. on a Saturday. I had looked at Adare Manor, but definitely the Carriagehouse Restaurant. If traffic is going to be an issue, maybe Bunratty would be the best place to stay for the evening. Im still looking at where to stay in Connemara. Thank you so much for all of your help. I really appreciate it!

Nancy

tony2phones · Guru

Arts week in Clifden runs 16th - 26th September so you would need to look at booking accommodation for there now the town will be full of all types of people (including Myself a few nights) with lots going on. I am across on Friday night for the music staying either in the Al**** & Brown Hotel (recently changed hands) or the Arch Guest house. I would steer away from the Foyles.

tony2phones · Guru

Toll for the Limerick Tunnel is E1.80/car

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 23rd of June 2010 06:26:20 AM

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 23rd of June 2010 06:26:52 AM

Naw · Member

Thank you Tony! I appreciate your input!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

No rush-hour traffic on Saturday. However, for a transatlantic flight check in is 3 hours before your flight. You have to be at the airport at 9:30. Still makes more sense to stay in Bunratty since you can be at the airport in ten minutes. From Adare you should give yourself an hour, although it will probably take less than that.

While the Carriage House Restaurant is nice you can get an excellent meal in Bunratty at Gallagher's. Or you could do the banquet.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

Thanks for the toll info.

Michele

Naw · Member

Michele,

Thank you so much for all of your help. Perhaps staying in Bunratty for the final evening is the best bet.

Thanks!
Nancy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

I think Bunratty will be best. In the morning you won't have to rush. You can have a nice breakfast, do your last-minute packing and be at the airport in 10 minutes. If you would like an excellent B&B I highly recommend Bunratty Lodge.

You can take a look at Gallagher's menu: http://www.gallaghersofbunratty.com/

Michele

Naw · Member

I definitely think that we will stay in Bunratty for the final evening. Thank you so much for all of your help!

Nancy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Nancy,

Happy to help. Hope you have a great trip. We would enjoy hearing back when you return.

Michele