j2spring
Unregistered User
(7/14/03 3:07 pm)

Dublin, Southwest, West of Ireland

---

Hi Michelle, I'm planning my first trip to Ireland in more than 20 years. I plan to visit lots of family in and around Dublin's north side (although, we prefer to stay in a hotel). My husband has never been to Ireland and if I want to be able to get him over there more often I must incorporate 2 things that are very important to us -- few crowds and Ireland's natural, outdoor beauty. We will have only 10 nights in Ireland and I'm planning to spend about 5 of those visiting family in Dublin. (We are not fans of big city crowds, but that is where they live so there's no getting around that)For the other 5 days, I wish to show him some of Ireland's lovliest natural scenery and we keep reading about The Ring of Kerry/Dingle/Beara Peninsula areas (although the traffic around "The Ring" may turn him off) and the West coast (Connemara, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher). For this trip, we would also like to stay in luxury accomodations. Please give me feedback on trying to incorporate Dublin, The Southwest, and The West all in this trip.Is it possible to see those 3 areas without spending most of our limited time in the car? (We will fly into Dublin and not get a car until we leave the city.) To avoid the crowds, I thought going in late September would help, if you don't think the weather would be too bad. Also, as for natural beauty, what would you recommend for the first time visitor? Would you agree with me on bringing him to the places I listed above? As for hotels, I have read that the luxurious Shelbourne in Dublin can be noisy and that some of the rooms can be a disappointment. Therefore,I'm leaning toward The Merrion. Do you or any of your readers have experience with it? (I'm choosing to stay in the city center so we can walk to many of Dublin's historical sites.) Also, if we go to the southwest and stay in perhaps Kenmare (to avoid Killarney's congestion), is The Park Hotel worth the expense? Is Ashford Castle a good selection for the West? Thank you for all and any feedback you and your readers can provide.

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 39
(7/14/03 4:46 pm)

Re: Dublin, Southwest, West of Ireland

---

Some quick thoughts :
5 Days is not a lot to get from Dublin over to the west coast and see all the things you have listed. ( Are you planning on flying out of Shannon? I hope so - otherwise you will lose most of the last day driving back to Dublin)

I would concentrate on either the whole time in Connemara ( which should satisfy the less crowds/more scenery nicely) - Do Connemara, Westport, Kylemore Abbey etc.

or do County Kerry - The Beara will have less crowds than the Ring , and is supposed to be beautiful ( it is on my list for my next trip ).
Maybe do 2 nights there, 2 in Dingle and your last night in either Doolin or Bunratty (depends on your flight out time, would give you a chance to see the cliffs on the last day)

It does take longer to drive places there than you think. I averaged around 35mph sometimes more on my last trip. I had 2 45 mile legs that took 1.5 and 2.25 hrs respectively. So , if you want to limit your time in the car, I would choose one section and concentrate on that.

Debbie

Dude
Unregistered User
(7/14/03 8:38 pm)

Beauty, etc.

---

How about staying in the East and going down into the Wicklow Mountains, County Kildare, etc.? Kilkea Castle Hotel near Castledermot is great, and there is Waterford Castle Hotel in (where else?) Waterford. Or you could go north and check out Kells, the Hill of Tara, and the Newgrange/Knowth/Dowth complex, though I don't know about luxury accommodations in that direction. Perhaps if you can whet his appetite you can fly into Shannon next trip and "do" the West.
Have a wonderful trip, whatever you decide!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1622
(7/14/03 11:27 pm)

Itinerary

---

Hi j2spring,

With only five days and assuming you are departing from Dublin also, I have to agree with Dude on spending time in the eastern part of Ireland. Since your family lives in Dublin you will obviously be making many more trips there. Save the west for when you have more time. There is no way you can do the west and southwest in the allotted time without turning your husband off: too much driving and time in the car to enjoy Ireland. So think of the Wicklow Mountains (very scenic), Kilkenny (fine old city surrounded by beautiful countryside), Wexford and Waterford.

If you absolutely must go to the other coast make a decision as to either the west or southwest not both. You might consider flying from Dublin to either Cork or Kerry Airport, which would save much time. If you decide to fly then probably the southwest would be the area to concentrate on.

September is generally a good time to visit Ireland and avoid crowds since it is the "shoulder season".

You are correct that some rooms at the Shelbourne can disappoint. Some clients of mine insisted on staying there and regretted it. I think the Merrion will be a good choice. Be sure to request a quiet room and bring ear plugs (I never travel without them).

Remember, you can't see it all. Make a decision as to what seems best for you. If you have any other questions, just post again and I will be delighted to help.

Michele

Gulliver
Unregistered User
(7/15/03 8:14 am)

West and Southwest Ireland

---

I agree with the other posters if you are flying in and out of Dublin. I believe that you can book your flights into Dublin and out of Shannon for about the same price.
If you fly out of Shannon then you would be able to spend about 4 days in the Connemara-Burren area. I would recommend this area because it would be close to Shannon airport when you depart and you could spend your last night in Bunratty. There are a number of very comfortable hotels in Bunratty to choose from.
As far as luxury hotels in the Connemara area, I have stayed and would recommend the following:
1. Gregans Castle Hotel in Ballyvaughan
2. Rossleague House near Clifden
3. Zetland House Hotel in Cashel (near Roundstone)
Each of these lovely hotels had wonderful restaurants on the premises.
From Ballyvaughan you could easily see the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin and Galway and from the other two you could easily visit Westport, Cong and Kinvara.
I have seen and visited Ashford Castle (near Cong) and it does look lovely. I have never stayed there so I cannot recommend it.
Again, only if you can fly out of Shannon would this trip make sense otherwise save it and the Southwest for a separate trip and save about 2 weeks to comfortably do both ( and not feel rushed and enjoy these fabulous areas)

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1624
(7/15/03 2:03 pm)

Good Info

---

My thanks to Debbie, Dude and Gulliver for their insights.

Michele

j2spring
Unregistered User
(7/15/03 9:27 pm)

HELP -- Dublin, Southwest, West of Ireland Part 2

---

Hi Michele, Thanks to you and your readers for your comments. You've all convinced me that trying to incorporate the southwest and the west with Dublin in only 10 days (with 5 of those in Dublin) would be just too much car time. The east coast sounds like a practicle solution, but my husband has read so much about sights in the southwest and west that I think he would be disappointed if he didn't see some of them on this trip. Which one to choose -- now that's the dilemma. I really need help with this one (Ring of Kerry/Dingle/Beara Peninsula v. Connemara, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher). I know this will spark a bit of debate, but your insight would be truly appreciated. Please comment also on whether you think Kenmare in a better choice than Killarney if we do the southwest (avoiding the crowds but being convenient to other areas). You mentioned that you thought The Merrion in Dublin might be a good choice -- have you or your clients had any personal experience with it? Also you did not comment on the Park Hotel Kenmare -- would that be a good choice for a luxury hotel in that area (I've also read about The Sheen Falls Kenmare). Also please comment on Ashford Castle -- is it too touristy, more a place to walk through or is it worth the expense. PLEASE share any personal experience you have with these places. (By the way, we will be able to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon.)Again, thanks to you and your readers for your help -- it's been quite a while since I've been back to Ireland, but if I plan this out well, I hope to be able to talk my husband into going more often.