jen
Unregistered User
(2/4/04 11:15 am)

Itinerary Advice and Comments Wnated!

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I keep adjusting and revising our itinerary for our first trip to Ireland. I want it to me memorable for everyone (husband, 2 kids ages 7 & 9, mother-in-law, and myself.
Here is what I have at this point. It is sketchy, so I would really appreciate feedback from all the experts out there
I received your book Michele and it is great! Thanks.

June 16: arrive Shannon 6 am. Drive to Cliffs and through Burren, check in Cregg Castle.

June 17: Another night at Cregg Castle, day in Galway

June 18-20: County Mayo and surrounding areas. Thinking of good drives, Achill Island, and any other ideas. Would like to stay in one place, maybe half-board. Definitely want good pubs, local music, Gaeltach area would be huge bonus.

Appox. June 21-23: Southern County Donegal, thinking either Ballyshannon or Westport.

Appox. June 24-26: Norhern County Donegal, daytrips to N. Ireland to see Bushmills and Giant's Causeway. Maybe Ulster Folk Park and Marble Arch Caves.

June 27-28: Drive back towards Shannon. Possibly see Trim, Newgrange, Tara, etc.

June 29: Buncratty Castle and Folk Park. End trip with the medieval banquet for the children.

June 30: Leave Shannon around 12pm.

A coulpe general questions: I heard Carrick-on-Shannnon is really neat, is it? Also we are really looking for quaint little towns with good pubs and a real Irish feel. We are avoiding Dublin and the south this time, but planning to go back for that when the kids are older.
Thanks so much,
Jen

Jen
Unregistered User
(2/4/04 11:18 am)

itinerary advice WANTED!

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Oops, sorry about the typo. Let's not tell anyone I teach English

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2111
(2/5/04 1:16 am)

Re: Itinerary Advice and Comments Wanted!

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Hi Jen,

You're funny. I'll never tell that you teach English! Glad the book arrived. I hope it is getting a workout. Below are my comments about your trip.

June 16: arrive Shannon 6 am. Drive to Cliffs and through Burren, check in Cregg Castle. Michele's Answer:  This is a pretty long driving day for your first in the country. Why don't you see how everyone is doing as far as jet-lag before commiting to the Cliffs of Moher and Burren. If everyone is dragging it might be best just to head directly to Cregg Castle and save the cliffs for another day. Also if the weather is not good you should try to see the cliffs on another day.

June 17: Another night at Cregg Castle, day in Galway. Michele's Answer:  Fine. Or if the weather is especially fine you might enjoy Connemara.

June 18-20: County Mayo and surrounding areas. Thinking of good drives, Achill Island, and any other ideas. Would like to stay in one place, maybe half-board. Definitely want good pubs, local music, Gaeltach area would be huge bonus. Michele's Answer:  Westport would be a perfect base for these days. Achill can be spectacular on a good day. The kids might enjoy the desserted village and Minuan Heights.

Appox. June 21-23: Southern County Donegal, thinking either Ballyshannon or Westport. Michele's Answer:  Donegal or Killybegs might suit you.

Appox. June 24-26: Norhern County Donegal, daytrips to N. Ireland to see Bushmills and Giant's Causeway. Maybe Ulster Folk Park and Marble Arch Caves. Michele's Answer:  Letterkenny is a good base for the north of Donegal and forays into Northern Ireland. Although I am rather partial to the Enniskillen area.

June 27-28: Drive back towards Shannon. Possibly see Trim, Newgrange, Tara, etc. Michele's Answer:  This is a quite a bit out of your way.

June 29: Buncratty Castle and Folk Park. End trip with the medieval banquet for the children. Michele's Answer:  The kids will love exploring the castle and folk park. Be sure to go all the way up to the castle turrets for views out over the countryside. You might actually enjoy the Ceili better.

June 30: Leave Shannon around 12pm.

A coulpe general questions: I heard Carrick-on-Shannnon is really neat, is it?  Michele's Answer: It is fine. Places like Killaloe and Mountshannon are small and neat.

On the whole it looks good with multiple night stays in most places.

Michele

jen
Unregistered User
(2/8/04 1:47 pm)

Itinerary comments

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Michele~
I really appreciate your comments. I agree that Newgrange area is out of the way, so am now thinking of going through the center along the Shannon. Mike wants to fish, so staying in a place with lots of lakes would be good. Any ideas? Has anyone stayed at Ross Castle?
Thanks,
jen

DarrenA
Registered User
Posts: 51
(2/8/04 8:07 pm)
 
:)

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The easiest place on your way from the North Coast to Shannon would probably be County Fermanagh - plenty of fishing there.

garyvol
Unregistered User
(2/9/04 9:29 am)
 
humm, stay at Ross Castle????

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Hi Jen,
We took a $$ tour of Ross Castle, but did not realise it could also be a place to stay overnite. That's new to me.

Happy travels
-gary

jen
Unregistered User
(2/9/04 9:53 am)
 
Ross castle and guest house

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Gary~
This Ross Castle is in County Cavan, and the tower is rumored to be haunted. I think it sounds neat but am trying to find someone who has stayed there.
Thanks,
jen

garyvol
Unregistered User
(2/9/04 10:23 am)
 
Ross castle

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Hi
Sorry, I was referring to the Ross Castle in Killarney.
Have fun.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2130
(2/9/04 11:36 pm)

Re: Ross castle

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Hi Jen,

I haven't inspected Ross Castle, though I saw some negative comments about it on another forum some time ago. If you do stay there we would like to hear about it from you.

Michele