My wife introduced me to this web site for researching our honeymoon trip to Ireland (we just got married a few months ago), and I have been so thankful because the information I have gotten from here has been so helpful.
I was hoping to get some advice on our itinerary. We are going for 8 days, 7 nights in late October. It's a self-drive trip, and all the hotels and dates are locked in. It's just a matter of filling in the activities in-between.
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin, drive to our hotel in Enniskerry for a two-night stay. If we're not too jet-lagged, take a trip down to Glendalough. Otherwise, stay local and visit the Powerscourt estate.
Day 2: Day trip into Dublin.
Day 3: Drive from Enniskerry to Cong for overnight stay at Ashford Castle.
Question -- I had a grand vision of making a detour to the Cliffs of Moher on the way there. Is that pushing it too much? Would you recommend something closer?
Day 4: Drive to Enniskillen for a two-night stay. Visit the Belleek Pottery Factory.
Day 5: Take a day trip up to Derry to visit the Bogside murals; Then go out to the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.
Question -- Is this too far to go from Enniskillen for a day trip? I'd drop the Bogside murals to save time if need be. Are there closer attractions you would recommend for the Enniskillen area, beside the Belleek factory?
Day 6: Drive from Enniskillen to Dublin.
Question -- Is there an interesting detour we can make between Enniskillen and Dublin?
Day 7: Tour Dublin, see what we missed from last time.
Welcome to my forum and congratulations on your marriage. It sounds like a lovely honeymoon in Ireland.
The first thing to keep in mind is that days will be getting very short near the end of Oct. Also, many sightseeing venues in No. Ireland are closed execpt for weekends. Since I don't know when you will be in Enniskillen it is difficult to point you to the correct sightseeing. But see my day to day comments below:
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin, drive to our hotel in Enniskerry for a two-night stay. If we're not too jet-lagged, take a trip down to Glendalough. Otherwise, stay local and visit the Powerscourt estate. * Fine.
Day 2: Day trip into Dublin. * Good. Take public transportation so you don't have to fight the traffic and find parking (difficult). Do the hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city.
Day 3: Drive from Enniskerry to Cong for overnight stay at Ashford Castle.
Question -- I had a grand vision of making a detour to the Cliffs of Moher on the way there. Is that pushing it too much? Would you recommend something closer? * Since you only have one night at Ashford Castle you will want to spend your time there enjoying the estate and castle atmosphere. I would plan on driving there for early afternoon check-in and spend your whole day at Ashford.
Day 4: Drive to Enniskillen for a two-night stay. Visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. * Belleek Pottery is best seen on a weekday when all the people are working.
Day 5: Take a day trip up to Derry to visit the Bogside murals; Then go out to the Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.
Question -- Is this too far to go from Enniskillen for a day trip? I'd drop the Bogside murals to save time if need be. Are there closer attractions you would recommend for the Enniskillen area, beside the Belleek factory? * There are many closer attractions but it depends on day of the week. Nearby Enniskillen are Marble Arch Caves, Florence Court, Castle Coole, Enniskillen Castle, boat rides on the lake. I don't know that I would plan on either Derry or the Antrim cost from there. Another option is the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh.
Day 6: Drive from Enniskillen to Dublin.
Question -- Is there an interesting detour we can make between Enniskillen and Dublin? * The most interesting sightseeing stop would be Newgrange and Knowth at Bru na Boinne (near Slane).
Day 7: Tour Dublin, see what we missed from last time. * Fine.
I hope my comments are helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank you very much for your expert advice! We will definitely take a look at those other options you suggested. The tombs at Newgrange and Knowth look especially interesting.