Registered User
Posts: 1
(9/2/03 9:06 pm)

Finalizing Honeymoon

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We are finalizing our 9-day honeymoon, leaving for Shannon in one week.

QUESTION #1: Can you tell us how long the drive would be to go from Ashford Castle down to Cork or Cobh?

QUESTION #2: Would you recommend seeing the Ring of Beara or the Dingle Peninsula, if you had to make a choice between the two?

This is what we've got planned so far...

Thurs AM--land in Shannon, travel to Doolin for 1 overnight.

Fri--head to Galway for 1 overnight

Sat--overnight reservation at Ashford Castle

Sun--head to Cork/Cobh, if feasible to get there by evening

Mon night--stay in Kinsale

Tues--Ring of Beara and stay over in Kenmare

Wed/Thurs nights--Dingle

Fri night--stay in Ennis to be near Shannon for Sat departure.

Is this outrageous or do-able?

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 93
(9/2/03 10:26 pm)

Re: Finalizing Honeymoon

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Wow - You have 8 different places in 9 nights. ( 7 if you make it to Kinsale on Sunday.)
That is a lot of moving around every single day.
Especially after all the stress of planning a wedding.

You have a lot planned for every day. General rule of thumb is you will average about 35 mph, so that drive from the Galway area to Cobh is a really really long drive.

If it was me, I would rethink some of your plans and try to fit in a couple of more 2 or 3 night stays.

Depending on when you get in - you could go either straight to Galway, or go to galway after Doolin. ( If you go to Galway first, you could go to Doolin on the way from Dingle on your last night.

If you do make the long drive down to the Cobh area - I would turn that into 2 nights in Kinsale.

I am sure you will get lots more suggestions from everyone here - you have very little time before you leave so there is little time to waste.

Oh- one more thing - you really should have your 1st , last and the weekend in Galway prebooked.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1813
(9/2/03 11:07 pm)
 
Re: Finalizing Honeymoon

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Hi Sharon,

As Debbie said it sounds pretty "outrageous". There are no super highways in the areas you will be traveling to and it will take much time to drive between places.

QUESTION #1: Can you tell us how long the drive would be to go from Ashford Castle down to Cork or Cobh? Michele's Answer: About 5 1/2 hours without stops to Cork City. Longer to elsewhere in County Cork.

QUESTION #2: Would you recommend seeing the Ring of Beara or the Dingle Peninsula, if you had to make a choice between the two? Michele's Answer: Dingle.

I also agree with Debbie about trying to schedule two-night stays wherever possible. You might be better off skipping Cork/Kinsale and concentrating on Kenmare/Killarney and Dingle.

Doing the Ring of Beara from Kinsale and ending up in Kenmare is too much for one day.

By paring down your itinerary you will enjoy your honeymoon much more. After all, you don't want to remember it as a green blur. I hope you can rearrange things, and do make reservations because the towns you are going to are very popular especially on the weekends.

Michele

Sharon Lani
Registered User
Posts: 2
(9/3/03 11:47 am)
 
Re-Finalizing Honeymoon

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Thank you Michele & DebbieK for your input. We were feeling that trying to get down to Kinsale/Cobh would be a bit much.

We've rethought the trip, made some changes, & this is what we've come up with now (& we didn't even have "our first argument" over this!!):

THURS: land in Shannon at 8am
drive to Doolin & stay over THURS and FRI

SAT: drive to Ashford Castle & stay over (we have a reservation there)

SUN: drive to Ennis & stay over

MON: drive to Tralee & stay over (unless it's not too much to get all the way to Dingle on Monday?)

TUES: drive to Dingle & stay there TUES, WED & THURS

FRI: drive to Bunratty & stay over (near the airport?)

SAT: depart from Shannon at 1pm

This seems more do-able & a bit more relaxed than our previous itinerary.

We have heard from Clonmara B&B in Dingle, but could use some suggestions for Doolin & Bunratty.

Thank you for all your input (as you can probably tell, it's our first trip to Ireland and we had enough "blurring" over the past month with the wedding and then the reception).

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 95
(9/3/03 12:12 pm)

Re: Re-Finalizing Honeymoon

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This looks much more relaxing.

I would think that with planning on spending 3 nights in Dingle, you could drive straight there, and not stop overnight in Ennis. Cong - Dingle should be around 5 1/2 hrs. So you could drive a couple hrs, walk around, do lunch , and then finish up in Dingle.

If you did this - you could move dingle up , and then spend a day or 2 in Killarney (just under 2 hrs from Dingle)


In Bunratty , I like Headley Court. Others here have recommended Bunratty Logde. Yes it is only 10 - 15 min from the airport.

Have you looked at possibly doing the Medieval banquet on your last night? (may already be full up, but worth a check)

Sharon Lani
Registered User
Posts: 3
(9/3/03 8:48 pm)

Final Honeymoon (we think)

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Hi Debbie:

We have taken your advice and this is what we're trying to do now:

THURS: arrive in Shannon at 8am & drive to Galway for THURS and FRI nights (waiting to hear from Ashford Manor and Heron Lodge for availability)--any other suggestions if either of those places are booked???

SAT: Ashford Castle

SUN: drive to Dingle, stopping along the way for stretching and lunch

Staying in Dingle SUN, MON & TUES (waiting to hear from 55 John Street B&B and Clonmara)

WED: drive to Killarney for WED & THURS nights--any suggestions for places to stay?

FRI: drive to Bunratty for overnight (waiting to hear from Bunratty Lodge for availability).

SAT: depart for Philadelphia

This sounds wonderful. We'll just have to plan another trip to see another section of Ireland so it's never a blur!! Thank you! Thank you!

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 96
(9/3/03 9:16 pm)

Re: Final Honeymoon (we think)

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In Killarney, I like Crystal Springs Guesthouse. They are right on the river Flesk , so ask Eileen for a room that overlooks the river - it is a wonderfully soothing sound at night.
I have stayed there on both of my trips, and truely enjoyed it.

They are a very short drive to the downtown area (3 - 5 min) or a 15- 20 min walk. Great Breakfasts too. And as a bonus, the 2 ground floor rooms have dorm size refridgerators.

I am totally on the 'NO green blur' bandwagon.
I have been there twice and still have tons of places I have yet to get to. Just more reasons to go back.

Even with all the driving , and narrow roads, by taking my time and relaxing my itineraries, I honestly find Ireland to be my favorite/most relaxing vacation spot.

enjoy!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1819
(9/4/03 12:26 am)

Re: Final Honeymoon (we think)

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Hi Sharon,

With excellent advice from Debbie your itinerary looks fabulous. You will have a much more enjoyable honeymoon now that you have worked the kinks out. Below are my other comments.

THURS: arrive in Shannon at 8am & drive to Galway for THURS and FRI nights (waiting to hear from Ashford Manor and Heron Lodge for availability)--any other suggestions if either of those places are booked???  Michele's Answer: Good start. Marless House B&B is lovely. Also. Galway Bay Hotel has some specials for a two-night stay, which include B&B and one dinner per person.

SAT: Ashford Castle. Michele's Answer: Perfect honeymoon setting. Be sure to see the tiny village of Cong, Cong Abbey and take a walk through the grounds of Ashford Castle. If you head toward the falconry you will find "Dannaher's Farm" from the movie "The Quiet Man". In fact if you rent that movie you can see in advance some of the wonderful scenery in store for you.

SUN: drive to Dingle, stopping along the way for stretching and lunch. Michele's Answer: Fine.

Staying in Dingle SUN, MON & TUES (waiting to hear from 55 John Street B&B and Clonmara). Michele's Answer: I highly recommend Heaton's and Emlagh House. Don't miss Slea Head Drive and the Blasket Island Center.

WED: drive to Killarney for WED & THURS nights--any suggestions for places to stay?  Michele's Answer: Killarney Lodge (splurge for a junior suite). This is one of the few guesthouses I know of with air conditioning and an ice machine for guests.

FRI: drive to Bunratty for overnight (waiting to hear from Bunratty Lodge for availability). Michele's Answer: Mary Browne at Bunratty Lodge will make your banquet or ceili reservations, if requested. She has a queen four-poster with lacy canopy. If her B&B is not available stay right next door at her daughter-in-law's Headley Court (also lovely).

SAT: depart for Philadelphia. Michele's Answer: Time to plan an anniversary trip to Ireland!

Please let us know how everything goes (well maybe not everything). I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon!

Michele

Sharon Lani
Registered User
Posts: 4
(9/5/03 2:03 pm)

Final plans for honeymoon

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Thank you Michele & Debbie!

We are all set at Ashford Manor in Galway City for THURS & FRI nights, Ashford Castle on SAT night, trying to decide between Clonmara B&B and 55 John Street B&B in Dingle (both have SUN, MON & TUES nights available), Rivermere Guesthouse in Killarney for WED & THURS nights, and then lastly to Bunratty Lodge for FRI night.

We are so excited--will be getting out some winter-type clothes from the cedar closet this weekend!

Thanks again for your help!! I'll be in touch when we return!!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1832
(9/5/03 11:30 pm)

Enjoy

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Hi Sharon,

Please enjoy your honeymoon in Ireland! We will look forward to your trip report upon your return.

Michele