DLB73
Unregistered User
(9/17/03 11:54 am)

Itinerary Inquiry

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Dear Michele:

I will be visiting Ireland in mid-October with two of my girlfriends for 8 days, arriving in Dublin (on a Saturday) and leaving from Shannon (the following Sunday). After doing some research, we decided on certain places we would like to see. I would appreciate any input on the following possible itinerary:

Arrive in Dublin on Saturday and stay until Monday. During such time visit the sites of Dublin and maybe take a day trip to Glendalough (do you know approx. how far a drive it is from Dublin?). Would you recommend going to Kildare either for a day trip or passing on our way to our next destination?

Leave Monday morning and head toward Ennis of Galway (can we stop in Glendalough or Kildare on our way?). Maybe stay there, want to see Cliffs of Moher, Aaron islands, Bunratty Castle. Or maybe stay in Galway? Any thoughts? Approx. how long of a drive from Dublin to Ennis/Galway?

Leave Wednesday and head to Killarney and from there make day trips to Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Blarney Castle, etc.

Leave Friday to Kilkenny (how long of drive to Shannon) and stay there for remainder of trip and drive to Shannon airport day we leave.

This itinerary may seem completely impossible. I am not sure of the driving time but thought I would put in as much as possible. We can forget going to Kilkenny and then just add an extra day in another of our destinations. (Maybe stay in Ennis an extra day so we can see Galway?)

I would appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Diane

garyvol
Unregistered User
(9/17/03 11:17 am)

car rental??

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Hi DLB
We first must determine if you are picking up your car rental on Monday in Dublin. That will determine what time you can start your travels out of Dublin.
-gary

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 110
(9/17/03 1:27 pm)

Re: car rental??

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and a quick couple of notes.

Your average speed will be 35mph - so take this into account when looking at how far it is to certain places.

Sunset in October will be around 6:45 +/- . So you will want to be checked in to your B&B before then, reducing the frustration of driving after dark on narrow winding roads.

Double check your destinations, to be sure they are still open in Oct. Most will be, but it doesn't hurt to check.

I am glad to see you are basing yourself for 3 or so nights , in each town - it will make your trip much more enjoyable.


wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 304
(9/17/03 1:42 pm)

Re: Itinerary Inquiry

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Hi Diane:

Here are my thoughts....

I would suggest not renting your car until Monday. If you go to Glendalough, take a tour. There are many available. You don't want to be burdened with a car in Dublin. It is an easy city to walk around and the Hop on, Hop off bus tours are great. If you arrive on Saturday and leave on Monday, you'll really only have one ful day to see Dublin, so i wouldn't suggest a side trip to Kildare from there. If you do that, don't stay in Dublin at all because it is much more expensive.

So here is a complete revision of what you have in mind. Instead of going to Kilkenny last, go there on Monday, via Kildare. After Kilkenny, head to the Killarney area, (I prefer Kenmare but Debbie will disagree ). Spend your time there and end up in Ennis which is close enough to the airport for an easy day. Drive times are longer and the average speed is 35MPH. Between Kilkenny and Killarney you could catch Cashel and Cahir and miss the overly touristy Blarney Castle. Cahir Castle is much nicer IMHO. If you can spend three days in Co Kerry, you will have at least a reasonable chance of seeing some parts of both Dingle and the RoK. Both take a full day and more is even better.

Depending on your interest in Kildare, if you don't mind missing it, and you want to hit Glendalough, you could leave Dublin on Sunday (the down side is that you won't see much of Dublin on Sat because you will be tired), see Glendalough and go on to Kilkenny, from there head west.

Based on your idea of leaving on Monday I would do the following:

M- Kilkenny
T-TH - Killarney (or Kenmare)
F-S - Ennis (or Bunratty)

If you leave Dublin on Sunday, you get to add an extra day somewhere.


Hope this helps.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1856
(9/22/03 6:33 am)
 
Itinerary

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Hi Diane,

Bill's suggestions are great and he has routed you the best way around Ireland for your trip. Now all you need to do is make a cople of decisions as to Kildare and Glendalough. Personally I prefer Glendalough (and Powerscourt!).

Michele