Aki
Registered User
Posts: 1
(8/22/03 12:10 pm)

Comments on itinerary

---

Hello Michele & everybody!
Wonderful forum !!
I just wish I had found it earlier...
As my trip to Ireland is planned for next week.

Anyway, I would very much appreciate your thoughts & comments on my below itinerary.
(Recommendations for B&B for the overnights would also be great).

Day 1 - Arrival to Dublin (late evening).

Day 2 - Tour & overnight in Dublin.

Day 3 - Morning leave for Galway. Tour & overnight in Galway.

Day 4 - Morning drive to Connemara NP & Clifden. Overnight in Galway.

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher. Overnight in Doolin.

Day 6 - Morning drive to Bunratty via Ennis. Evening - Bunratty Castle Banquet. Overnight in Adare.

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & overnight in Dingle.

Day 8 - Morning drive to Killarney. Tour Killarney & Lakes. Overnight near Killarney.

Day 9 - Morning drive to Kenmare. Tour Kenmare & Beara Peninsula. Overnight in Kenmare.

Day 10 - Morning drive to Kilkenny via Cahir & Cashel. Overnight in Kilkenny.

Day 11 - Morning tour Kilkenny. Overnight in Kilkenny.

Day 12 - Morning leave for Glendalough & Powerscourt (via Kildare). Overnight in Bray.

Day 13 - Morning tour Bray & Howth. Evening drive to Dublin A/P (night flight).

Note:
I've chosen to be in Bray & Howth on the last day, because I was looking for a nice place as close as possible to Dublin A/P, so that there's no rush and worries about missing our flight, due to some sheep-traffic-jam or because we've lost our way.

Thanks!

garyvol
Unregistered User
(8/22/03 12:47 pm)

1 week to go???

---

Wow, this looks busy.
For starters it's a good idea to try and home base 2 or 3 days if possible. I see you have Kilkenny for 2days 10th and 11th. That's good. You might consider 2day home base on the 8th and 9th in Killarney or Kenmare. That's my thoughts so far. We'll see what others think.
-gary

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 74
(8/22/03 12:55 pm)

Re: Comments on itinerary

---

My initial comment is that days 5,6,7,8,9 are all 1 night stays. I would try to combine at least 2 of them.

Depending on what time you get out of Galway - you could swing by the Burren & the Cliffs and do the late (8:45) banquet in Bunratty. - Assuming you can change your Banquet reservations..... Stay o/n in Bunratty then have 2 days in Dingle. It would be a full day, but you will appreciate the extra time in Dingle.

Also - doing Dingle , Killarney & Beara 1 day each - back to back is A LOT. I would maybe do Dingle and either Killarney or Beara.

In Bunratty , I like Headley Court,
In Killarney - Crystal Springs,
In Kilkenny - I DID NOT LIKE LAURELS

I have not stayed in the other towns you list.

good luck.
debbie

Dude
Unregistered User
(8/22/03 2:56 pm)
 
B&B recommendation

---

Instead of Doolin, consider staying near Fanore at Rocky View Farmhouse. Lovely people and comfy house with a glassed-in breakfast room with great view. They have a website; do a search for Rocky View Farmhouse, Co. Clare.

Dude
Unregistered User
(8/22/03 3:00 pm)

another B&B suggestion

---

Should have read through your itinerary more closely before firing off that last suggestion.
Near Killarney I highly recommend Salmon Leap. It is well located for exploring the area, and the hostess is just lovely. Large rooms, comfy lounge and wonderful breakfast. I'll stay there again. Sheila has a website also.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1770
(8/22/03 9:34 pm)

Itinerary

---

Hi Aki,

Gary and Debbie have some good points and Dude has given you a couple of recommendations. Your itinerary might benefit by a few more 2-night stays. But before I comment on the day-to-day itinerary, I must recommend that you have your reservations for the Dublin area. If nothing else is booked, Dublin is a must.

Day 1 - Arrival to Dublin (late evening). Michele's Answer:  Make reservations and let them know you will be arriving late. Rec: Glenogra Guesthouse or Jurys Inn Christchurch.

Day 2 - Tour & overnight in Dublin. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 3 - Morning leave for Galway. Tour & overnight in Galway. Michele's Answer:  Fine. Drive time around 3-4 hours.

Day 4 - Morning drive to Connemara NP & Clifden. Overnight in Galway. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher. Overnight in Doolin. Michele's Answer:  You can easily see the cliffs and Burren and arrive at Bunratty for a banquet. Is this reserved already? Can you change the reservation for the banquet?

Day 6 - Morning drive to Bunratty via Ennis. Evening - Bunratty Castle Banquet. Overnight in Adare.  Michele's Answer: It would be much better to spend this night and the next in Dingle.

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & overnight in Dingle. Michele's Answer:  Fine. But try for two nights in Dingle.

Day 8 - Morning drive to Killarney. Tour Killarney & Lakes. Overnight near Killarney. Michele's Answer:  I suggest spending days 8 & 9 in one place. Choose either Killarney or Kenmare. If you choose Killarney you could do either Gap of Dunloe or Ring of Kerry instead of Beara.

Day 9 - Morning drive to Kenmare. Tour Kenmare & Beara Peninsula. Overnight in Kenmare. Michele's Answer:  If you can't stay for two nights in one place and come from Killarney, get an early start.

Day 10 - Morning drive to Kilkenny via Cahir & Cashel. Overnight in Kilkenny. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 11 - Morning tour Kilkenny. Overnight in Kilkenny. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 12 - Morning leave for Glendalough & Powerscourt (via Kildare). Overnight in Bray. Michele's Answer:  Fine. The route through the mountains can be confusing. Stop frequently for directions if you are unsure.

Day 13 - Morning tour Bray & Howth. Evening drive to Dublin A/P (night flight). Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Since you are leaving so soon, I suggest getting everything in order ASAP.

Michele

Aki
Registered User
Posts: 2
(8/23/03 2:22 pm)

Re: Revised Itinerary

---

Thank you all so much for your comments and great advice

Here is my revised itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival to Dublin (late evening).
Already reserved Best Western Royal Dublin Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 2 - Tour & O/N in Dublin.

Day 3 - Morning leave for Galway. Tour & O/N in Galway.

Day 4 - Morning drive to Connemara NP & Clifden. O/N in Galway.

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher.
Evening: Bunratty Castle late banquet (haven't reserved yet. Should I?).
O/N in Doolin.

Day 6 - Morning ferry to Aran Island.
O/N in Doolin.

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & O/N in Dingle.

Day 8 - One more day & O/N in Dingle.

Day 9 - Morning drive to Killarney. Tour Killarney& Lakes.
O/N in Kenmare.

Day 10 - Morning tour Kenmare & Beara Peninsula
(I heard that Beara is more recommended & less touristy than Ring of Kerry. What do you say?).
O/N in Kenmare.

Day 11 - (decided to drop Kilkenny).
Morning leave Kenmare for Glendalough via Cashel & Kildare.
*Would we still have time left for touring Glendalough, as it looks like we are going to get there very late, after a very long drive all the way from Kenmare, including stopovers in Cashel & Kildare...?
Overnight-Any suggestions ?

Day 12 - Morning tour (Glendalough)& Powerscourt. O/N in Bray.

Day 13 - Morning tour Bray & Howth. Evening drive to Dublin A/P.

Thanks again for your comments.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1772
(8/23/03 5:22 pm)

New Itinerary

---

Hi Aki,

Day 1 - Arrival to Dublin (late evening).
Already reserved Best Western Royal Dublin Hotel for 2 nights. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 2 - Tour & O/N in Dublin. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 3 - Morning leave for Galway. Tour & O/N in Galway. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 4 - Morning drive to Connemara NP & Clifden. O/N in Galway. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher.
Evening: Bunratty Castle late banquet (haven't reserved yet. Should I?).
O/N in Doolin. Michele's Answer:  If you are staying in Doolin I do not recommend that you attend Bunratty Castle banquet. It is probably too late to book it anyway, since it is very popular and is probably full.

Day 6 - Morning ferry to Aran Island.
O/N in Doolin. Michele's Answer:  If the weather is bad, the seas are very choppy or the winds are high the Doolin ferry will not go to the Aran Islands. Make alternative plans in case this happens.

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & O/N in Dingle. Michele's Answer:  Fine. You might consider taking the ferry across the Shannon River.

Day 8 - One more day & O/N in Dingle. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 9 - Morning drive to Killarney. Tour Killarney& Lakes.
O/N in Kenmare. Michele's Answer:  Get an early start.

Day 10 - Morning tour Kenmare & Beara Peninsula
(I heard that Beara is more recommended & less touristy than Ring of Kerry. What do you say?).
O/N in Kenmare.  Michele's Answer: Fine. Beara does have less tourists because the roads do not support large tour buses. Healy Pass is spectacular.

Day 11 - (decided to drop Kilkenny).
Morning leave Kenmare for Glendalough via Cashel & Kildare.
*Would we still have time left for touring Glendalough, as it looks like we are going to get there very late, after a very long drive all the way from Kenmare, including stopovers in Cashel & Kildare...?
Overnight-Any suggestions ? Michele's Answer:  This will be a very long day, perhaps 6-7 hours of driving time. Any stops along the way will add to your time. If it is still daylight you can stroll around Glendalough on your own but the visitor's center and tours will probably be closed by the time you arrive. Rec: Derrybawn Mountain Lodge.

Day 12 - Morning tour (Glendalough)& Powerscourt. O/N in Bray. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Day 13 - Morning tour Bray & Howth. Evening drive to Dublin A/P. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

Enjoy your trip to Ireland! Let us know how it goes.

Michele

Aki
Registered User
Posts: 3
(8/24/03 12:33 pm)

Re: Some more questions on my new itinerary

---

Hello Michele,

Thank you again for your very helpful comments.
I really appreciate it.

I have a few more questions in reply to your comments... Hope you don't mind.

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher. Evening: Bunratty Castle late banquet. O/N in Doolin. Michele's Answer: If you are staying in Doolin I do not recommend that you attend Bunratty Castle banquet. It is probably too late to book it anyway, since it is very popular and is probably full.

Is there any other Castle with nice Medival Banquet in the area that doesn't require reservations in advance?

Day 6 - Morning ferry to Aran Island.
O/N in Doolin. Michele's Answer:
If the weather is bad, the seas are very choppy or the winds are high the Doolin ferry will not go to the Aran Islands. Make alternative plans in case this happens.

Any suggestions for alternative plans in the area?

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & O/N in Dingle. Michele's Answer:
Fine. You might consider taking the ferry across the Shannon River.

Do we get on the ferry with the car ? How do we reserve it and how much would it cost?

Day 11 - Morning leave Kenmare for Glendalough via Cashel & Kildare. Would we still have time left for touring Glendalough, as it looks like we are going to get there very late, after a very long drive all the way from Kenmare, including stopovers in Cashel & Kildare...? Overnight-Any suggestions ?  Michele's Answer: This will be a very long day, perhaps 6-7 hours of driving time. Any stops along the way will add to your time. If it is still daylight you can stroll around Glendalough on your own but the visitor's center and tours will probably be closed by the time you arrive. Rec: Derrybawn Mountain Lodge.

So would you recommend to do Glendalough on the next day, together with Powerscourt, or would it be too much to squeeze in one day ?
As for the overnight suggestion for day 11: what I meant to ask is -
Is it OK to spend the 11th night in Glendalough and the 12th in Bray ?
Or would it be better to spend the two last nights in one place ?
BTW, I checked out "Derrybawn Mountain Lodge", which looks very nice, but a bit more expensive than other B&Bs. Is it because it's close to Dublin?

Thanks !

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1773
(8/25/03 12:52 am)

Re: Some more questions on my new itinerary

---

Hi Aki,

More answers to your questions:

Day 5 - Morning drive to The Burren & Cliffs of Moher. Evening: Bunratty Castle late banquet. Is there any other Castle with nice Medival Banquet in the area that doesn't require reservations in advance? Michele's Answer:  They all require advance reservations. But on occasion they do have cancelations. Go to my "Dining" page for an email address to make reservations. The closest castle banquet to Doolin is Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, which has a literary banquet.

Day 6 - Morning ferry to Aran Island.
O/N in Doolin.
Any suggestions for alternative plans in the area? Michele's Answer: Aillwee Cave, Buren Center in Kilfenora, and near Gort: Coole Park, Thoor Ballylee, Kilmacduagh Monastic Site. Farther away near Quin is Craggaunowen Project, Quin Abbey & Knappogue Castle. In Ennis Glor Music Center.

Day 7 - Morning drive to Dingle Peninsula. Tour & O/N in Dingle.
Do we get on the ferry with the car ? How do we reserve it and how much would it cost? Michele's Answer:  Yes it is a car ferry. You don't reserve it, just show up and get in line. All the details you need are here: www.shannonferries.com/

Day 11 - Morning leave Kenmare for Glendalough via Cashel & Kildare. Would we still have time left for touring Glendalough, as it looks like we are going to get there very late, after a very long drive all the way from Kenmare, including stopovers in Cashel & Kildare...? Overnight-Any suggestions ?
So would you recommend to do Glendalough on the next day, together with Powerscourt, or would it be too much to squeeze in one day ? Michele's Answer:  Do them tomorrow.
As for the overnight suggestion for day 11: what I meant to ask is -
Is it OK to spend the 11th night in Glendalough and the 12th in Bray ? Or would it be better to spend the two last nights in one place ? Michele's Answer:  Since they are so close together, why pack up and move on? I would stay put, but perhaps that is not your traveling style.

BTW, I checked out "Derrybawn Mountain Lodge", which looks very nice, but a bit more expensive than other B&Bs. Is more it because it's close to Dublin? Michele's Answer: Derrybawn Mountain Lodge is more expensive (40-45 euro pp) because it is a guesthouse. For a nice B&B try Pinewood Lodge: www.glendalough.connect.ie/pinewood.html

Michele