Unregistered User
(2/3/03 4:23 pm)

Another itinerary question

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Hi Michele & friends,

Michele, what a great site you've created! I can't wait to see your book. What's the best way to order the 2003 edition?

In the meantime, I've been mapping out a rough itinerary for our 8 day trip to Ireland this May and I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone has to offer- especially regarding actual places to overnight. At this point, I've been picking the most likely looking city/town in each area we want to visit rather than looking for specific B&B's. So if anyone has other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Here goes:
Day 1 Rosslare Habour - Kilkenny
Day 2 Kilkenny area
Day 3 Kilkenny - Killarney
Day 4 Killarney (day trip to Dingle peninsula)
Day 5 Killarney - ?? Lisdoonvarna/Ballyvaughan ??
would like to see Cliffs of Moher this day
Day 6 same location-see Burren, Kinvarra
Day 7 ?? to Athlone
Day 8 Athlone - Drogheda
Day 9 flight out of Dublin airport

I'm vague on days 5-7 since I'm finding it especially difficult to decide how much time to allot to things in this area. Would it be better to move through this area more quickly and add another day somewhere else?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1080
(2/4/03 1:28 am)

Re: Another itinerary question

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Hello jstroix,

Thanks so much for your lovely comments about my web site. I hope you enjoy it and get the info you need for your trip to Ireland. You can pre-order my 2003 book if you want (and I will honor the 2002 price). Just follow this link, print the form and send it to me but be sure to note on the form that you are ordering the 2003 edition, which will be out in March: www.irelandyes.com/orderform.html

Now on to your itinerary.

Day 1 Rosslare Habour - Kilkenny. Michele's Answer: Good. Be sure to take the scenic R700 to Kilkenny. Are you arriving by ferry?

Day 2 Kilkenny area. Michele's Answer: Fine.

Day 3 Kilkenny - Killarney. Michele's Answer: A long drive that can be broken up with sightseeing.

Day 4 Killarney (day trip to Dingle peninsula). Michele's Answer: Fine.

Day 5 Killarney - ?? Lisdoonvarna/Ballyvaughan ?? would like to see Cliffs of Moher this day. Michele's Answer: Good. I prefer Ballyvaughan. Taking the ferry from Tarbert to Killimer will save you time and you will have the fun of crossing the Shannon by ferry.

Day 6 same location-see Burren, Kinvarra. Michele's Answer: Good. You might check into doing a Burren walk with an expert.

Day 7 ?? to Athlone. Michele's Answer: Unless you want to see something specific in the area most people usually just pass through on their way to the east coast. The drive from Ballyvaughan (via Galway) is about 4 1/2 to 5 hours to Drogheda. You could break the trip by stopping at Clonmacnoise (S. of Athlone) or Belvedere House (S. of Mullingar).

Day 8 Athlone - Drogheda. Michele's Answer: If you skip staying in Athlone you could spend two nights in Drogheda and see area attractions like Newgrange at Bru na Boinne, Slane Castle, Trim Castle, Monasterboice, the Jumping Church and Mellifont Abbey (or whatever appeals). BTW, I have a fantastic place to stay in my book for Drogheda where the breakfast is unsurpassed.

Day 9 flight out of Dublin airport. Michele's Answer: I assume that your flight is not an early one since you will be driving from Drogheda. Generally drive time to the airport is about 45 minutes to an hour (depending on time of day and traffic), however there is much construction on the main N1 road. If you can take the Naul road, which paralels the N1 and will take you to the airport on country roads.

I hope those are the suggestions you need.

Michele

jstroix
Unregistered User
(2/4/03 12:32 pm)

Just what I needed.

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Michele,

Yes, those are exactly the suggestions I needed. We're arriving by ferry on May 30 after spending some time seeing castles in Wales.

I was concerned about the drive from Ballyvaughan to Drogheda, but it sounds like it could reasonably be done in a day. And the only thing I really want to see around Athlone is Clonmacnoise, which we can see on the way.

One other question: How early should I start making reservations for lodging? I'd like to wait until I get your book. Do you think that would present any problems?

Thanks so much for all your help.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1091
(2/5/03 2:37 am)

Re: Just what I needed.

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Hi jstroix,

Glad to hear that is what you needed. June 2 is a Bank Holiday, which means that May 30, 31 & June 1 will book up fast. Tell me what your requirements are for accommodation and I will give you some recommendations.

Michele

jstroix
Unregistered User
(2/6/03 11:32 am)
 
B&B's

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Thanks again, Michele.

We're looking for moderately priced B&B's (don't have a specific dollar target). Outside of town or in a nearby town is fine. That weekend we'll be in the Kilkenny and Killarney areas. How soon do you think we should make try and make reservations, especially for that weekend and for Dublin?

Jenn

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1101
(2/6/03 7:18 pm)

Re: B&B's

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Hi Jenn,

In Kilkenny: www.launardhouse.com

In Killarney: indigo.ie/~fullerj/

Dublin (near Swords - airport area): www.openbookdata.com/avg/index.htm

Dublin (in the city - Ballsbridge): www.glenogra.com

I suggest making your reservations very soon.

Michele