maryrn
Posts: 2
(1/25/04 9:08 pm)
 
Rough Iteniary

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Help!
Here is a basic plan that I have come up with, but could sure use some fine tuning. Thanks for everyone's help.
Day1: Arrive Dublin 9:15. pick up rental car [stil
checking]. Drive towards Kilkenny and explore on the way.

Day2: Explore Kilkenny wicklow and wexford
Day 3: leave Kilkenny and drive toward killarney via Waterford, cobh and blarney
Day4: Tour around part of Ring of Kerry, ? Kenmare

Day 5: head to Bunratty Dingle pen. and connor's pass
Day 6: tour around bunratty
Day7: Head up to galway
Day 8: sites around Galway
Day 9: Head up to Donegal
Day 10 sites around Donegal and head up to North Antrim
Day 11: Giant's causeway and sites around
Day !2: head down to dublin, spend some time in Dublin
Day 13: head home

Exhausting yes, but is it doable? We have 3 kids- 7,10, & 12. One mother-in-law and the two of us . We arrive June 12 and leave June 24. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2078
(1/26/04 1:35 am)

Re: Rough Itinerary

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Hi Mary,

Is it doable with a mother-in-law and three kids? I don't think so. Not unless you want endless hours in the car. To avoid the green blur tour you need to trim back on something. I suggest cutting out Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford. Given your rough itinerary you won't get to see Wicklow and Wexford anyway since they are too far afield from Kilkenny for day trips. (I know, they look really close on the map!)

I suggest arriving and immediately heading north. Then circle down and around. Try refining your itinerary that way.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 353
(1/26/04 12:29 pm)

 Re: Rough Iteniary

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I agree that this is not do-able. You can certainly start by heading north, though be warned that you will get tired quickly on that first day. Not sure where you would want to stay.

If it were me, I would consider either a norther trip or a southern trip, but not both. For instance, your trip through Donegal will not give you much time other than a ride along the N15, which is not at all representative of Donegal's beauty.

It appears that you stay in the same place only twice and I'm trying to imagibe what it would be like to pack up the three kids every morning. Consider longer stays in fewer areas. Remember, if you stay in B&Bs, breakfast rarely starts before 8:00 AM and is an event with food served in mamouth proportions. This is not a quick brakfast bar and hit the road kind of thing. You will rarely leave before 9:00 AM and probably later.

The good news is that you will have VERY long days so evening drives can be fun. If you are staying in hotels, you can arrive later in the day, but in B&Bs, the standard is to arrive between 4-6 PM.

At that time of year, I would pick the north because it will be less crowded. There will certainly be people who claim that you can't miss the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle or (yuk) kissing the Blarney Stone. While, other than the Blarney Stone, those are wonderful, so much of Ireland is spectacular and seeing it with less tourism will be a bit more fun. Donegal and NI doesn't get hit as hard by tourism.

Bill

maryrn
Posts: 3
(1/26/04 2:20 pm)

Rough Itinary

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It does seem like an awful lot. I will have to try and revamp it. Thanks for the input. Can you recommend any B&B's in Northern Ireland near antrim or Bushmills? Thanks again,
Mary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2080
(1/27/04 1:27 am)

Changing Itinerary

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Hi Mary,

I don't know if you mentioned this before (perhaps in another posting) but are you using vouchers for accommodations? If not then I recommend Craig Park in Bushmills. However, you will not get there on your first day. Instead I would suggest stopping in Drogheda. Also, Drogheda is not far from Newgrange. The kids might really enjoy that.

If you are having serious problems making up your itinerary email me. I do custom itineraries and you can get one made for as little as $75. CLICK HERE. Of course, if you are the type that loves to do it all yourself, then that is what my forum is for. You will certainly get plenty of good advice here.

Michele

maryrn
Posts: 4
(1/27/04 6:22 pm)

rough itinerary

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Michelle,

We are not using vouchers. I'm thinking about staying for 4 nights in Killarney and then making day trips from there. Also going up to NI and spending a few nights there. I'm thinking about calling aer lingus and checking to see if we can get off at Shannon and then leave from dublin. I haven't had any luck with B&B's yet. All the ones I have e-mailed don't have rooms. I tried the e-mail for Killarney lodge but my e-mail was returned. I'm also checking into car rental's and I think we will be using Dan Dooley. We are going to rent a mini-bus for comfort, or can 3 adults and 3 kids fit comfortably in a 7 seater?
Thanks,
Mary

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 357
(1/27/04 7:36 pm)
 
 Re: rough itinerary

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Try places other than Killarney. The town will be pretty mobbed at that time of year. Kenmare is a nice and more peaceful option, though it will have a pretty good number of people there too. There are some places around Sneem that are nice.

Again, I would still either do north or south. Killarney is a LONG way from NI and there is much to see in between. My choice would NI that time of year because it would be less crowded.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2084
(1/28/04 12:41 am)

Gather Your Thoughts

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Hi Mary,

Right now I think that your thoughts are overcrowded with too many things to see and do, and too many areas to visit. Why not do this? Have everyone make up a list of what they must see. Make it in order of importance 1 to 10. Some of the things will be duplicates, which is good since it will indicate places that everyone wants to go. Cross out the last five things at the bottom of all lists. Try to organize this jigsaw puzzle into a whole that pleases everyone. It can be done. I do it all the time. Then sit down and re-think your trip. Remember less is more. Let your trip be one to remember not one that you felt you rushed through.

Since you want to stay put for 4 nights in Killarney, have you thought about self-catering? Sometimes renting a house or cottage can be much more cost effective than staying at B&Bs. Most houses rent from Saturday to Saturday for a week. With the rest of your time you could plan on staying at B&Bs.

My emails to Killarney Lodge are coming through fine. Try again.

I suggest calling or emailing your car rental company to ask them for their advice on which vehicle would accommodate all of you plus your luggage. You should have a count of suitcases plus their sizes. They will be able to estimate which vehicle would best fit your needs.

Michele

eyps
Registered User
Posts: 13
(1/28/04 9:33 am)

Car - vs - Van

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Mary -

Have you thought about renting a van (or bus) for your trip? I rented a Manual Ford Galaxy, but received a Mercedes (Vito) Bus over our Christmas trip. Take a look at the "I'm Back" section of Michele's forum for more info on that trip.

-eyps

jen
Unregistered User
(1/28/04 9:53 am)

rough itinerary

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My husband and I are also going to Ireland the last 2 weeks in June (15-30) with kids and a mother-in-law, except we have 2 kids (7 & 9). Although our trip is by no means planned yet, I did have to adjust my once way too ambitious itinerary quite a bit. I am finding even the planning is easier with a smaller travel radius. We are focusing on the west and northwest, maybe we'll see you there

Mbarnes
Unregistered User
(1/29/04 6:48 pm)

Planning

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We'are finalizing our trip in April. Husband and 2 kids 8/10. When I first started planning I was sooo confused. Mary's book was a prayer answered. Also all of the links were very helpful. However the best advice I got was from my husband. "Remember this is only our first trip to Ireland, we needs excuses to come back. With that in mind we are only doing the West Coast as far north as Ballyvaugh and as far south as the Ring of Kerry.

Good Luck!!!

maryrn
Posts: 5
(1/30/04 3:31 pm)

Rough Itinerary

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I do seem to be a bit overwhelmed, but I truly don't know if we will be back to Ireland and that is probably why I'm trying to see everything in the 2 weeks. I tried aer lingus to see if we could get off in Shannon and they said no because of security. Now I'm in the process of trying to rent a mini-bus from Dan Dooley [most likely] and they have been extremely helpful [esp. Kay]. I'm still trying to find us a place for the first and last nights. We will be leaving from Dublin, does anyone know of a nice B7B near the airport? Thanks so much.
Oh, I asked my kids what they wanted to see and of course they said EVERYTHING !
Thanks again for everyone's comments, they are helpful and realistic,
Mary

Dude
Unregistered User
(1/30/04 8:13 pm)

Transportation

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Mary, let me weigh in on the vehicle choice, if it's not too late. We were five women, with luggage for ten days, and four of us rather broad across the beam. We ended up with a Ford Tourneo and just loved it. Plenty of room, seats 8 and room for luggage and all that shopping. I did all the driving and it was great; you sit completely in the front like a bus driver and you are up high enough to see easily what's going on around you. And it had an automatic transmission. It was a bit wider than most Irish cars, but I found that people gave me more of a wide berth because of that (or maybe it was the panicky look in my eyes).

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2092
(1/31/04 1:46 am)
 
Refine Your Itinerary

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Hi Mary,

I suggest sitting down with a calendar, map and your "must see" list. Try to intersperse the one-night stays with 2 or 3 night stays from which to do day trips. If your family will not help but only wants to see everything then it is up to you to ruthlessly cut out the lesser things and see and do the more important things. If they don't like that they can't complain since they won't help. You can do it! I am looking forward to your new itinerary.

Michele

maryrn
Posts: 6
(2/3/04 2:50 pm)
 
Rough Itinerary- take 2

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Hi All,
Here is the next go at my travel plans.

June 12 arrive Shannon and p/u rental. Head toward Bunratty and check out the sites, nap and hopefully back out in the evening for a drive.

June 13 my son's B-D. stay overnight in Bunratty again and just check out whatever we want.

June 14 Drive down toward Blarney and Cork. drive over to Killarney to spend next few days.

June 15 Head out to the shortened ring of kerry, maybe go to killarney national park.


June 16 kilarney and tour around Maybe Dingle Pen.

June 17 connors pass and head up to Galway/ salthill.
June 18 galway and salthill
June 19 leave Galway and start the trek to Northern Ireland. Find a place to stay depending on how far we drive.

June 20 northern Ireland
June 21 northern Ireland, my b-day
June 22 northern ireland and start the drive to Newgrange or drogheda
June 23 either stay near newgrange or spend our last evening in Dublin
June 24 leave from Dublin.
Probably needs more fine tuning but is it improving?
Thanks,
MAry

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2105
(2/4/04 1:18 am)

Improving

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Hi Mary,

It is improving. I see that you are now able to fly into Shannon and out of Dublin. Let's take it a day at a time.

June 12 arrive Shannon and p/u rental. Head toward Bunratty and check out the sites, nap and hopefully back out in the evening for a drive. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

June 13 my son's B-D. stay overnight in Bunratty again and just check out whatever we want. Michele's Answer:  Fine. How about a fun night at a castle banquet or the Ceili?

June 14 Drive down toward Blarney and Cork. drive over to Killarney to spend next few days. Michele's Answer:  Long day. Get an early start.

June 15 Head out to the shortened ring of kerry, maybe go to killarney national park. Michele's Answer:  Okay.

June 16 kilarney and tour around Maybe Dingle Pen. Michele's Answer:  Fine. If you do Dingle spend the whole day doing that.

June 17 connors pass and head up to Galway/ salthill.Michele's Answer:   Connor Pass is on the way to Dingle. Do it on the day you go to Dingle not today.

June 18 galway and salthill. Michele's Answer:  
June 19 leave Galway and start the trek to Northern Ireland. Find a place to stay depending on how far we drive. Michele's Answer:  You could probably make it to Sligo or Donegal.

June 20 northern Ireland. Michele's Answer:  Choose a place and stay for two days. Do day trips from there.

June 21 northern Ireland, my b-day. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

June 22 northern ireland and start the drive to Newgrange or drogheda. Michele's Answer:  Okay.

June 23 either stay near newgrange or spend our last evening in Dublin. Michele's Answer: Okay. Since you will not get time to see Dublin I suggest staying north of the city for ease of getting to the airport the next day. Drogheda is about 30-45 minutes to the airport, depending on time of day.

It looks a lot saner but still quite a bit of driving. But you have been able to plan multiple night stays in a lot of places, which will help immensely. Once your itinerary is set, I suggest making reservations in as many places as possible. It is much harder to find 2 or three rooms at a B&B than just one. Also, if you need a family room B&Bs that have them usually only have one and they would be in demand. So make firm plans.

Michele

maryrn
Posts: 7
(2/4/04 5:13 pm)

improving...

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Michelle,
Thanks for the info. We will probably fine tune it even more but could you give me a few suggestions about B&B's in Killarney, and Galway? I tried Marless house in Galway and they have no rooms on the nights we need them. I'm going to try Mrs. Browne again, I know you said she was on Vacation, but the original e-mail I sent had different days. Can anyone recommend any other places? I'm very appreciative for all of your suggestions.
Michelle, is your 2004 edition much different than 2003? Should I wait for the new one?
One last thing, we ended up renting a 9 person minibus for the 6 of us from Dan Dooley. They were very nice to deal with.
Can you tell me how to find out about the celli? Thanks again,
Mary

maryrn
Posts: 8
(2/6/04 11:33 am)

 self-catering ??

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Has anyone heard of Carrigeen Holiday home in Dingle? They are self-catering and I'm not sure if that's the way we want to go, but I thought if anyone would know about them someone in this forum would. Thanks!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2128
(2/9/04 1:08 am)

 More Info

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Hi Mary,

Can the suggestions be for guesthouses as well as B&Bs?

In Galway try the Galway Bay Hotel as they have some special mid-week or weekend rates that include one dinner. Also Lawndale: www.ireland.travel.ie/acc...e=ITS0G087

Do email Mary Browne again since your dates have changed.

My 2004 book will have five new lodgings added and two removed. If you feel that you need the extra help planning now, just order the 2003 edition. I can always fill you in on the rest.

For info on the Ceili go to my "Dining" page.

Sorry, I have not heard of Carrigeen Holiday Home in Dingle. However, they should be rated one to 4 stars. Choose a 4-star self-catering place.

Michele

Edited by: Michele Erdvig at: 2/9/04 1:11 am


maryrn
Posts: 10
(2/9/04 7:38 pm)

 rough itinerary

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Michele,
Thanks for the info. I have heard from Mrs. Browne and we will be booking with her the first two nights. we are trying to decide if we should go self-catering for the first week and then do B&B's the second. I think we have refined our plans a little better , I think we are going to bag NI and instead head up to Galway and the surrounding area and then make our way east towards Dublin,staying in Trim or Newgrange and exploring those ares. Do you know how I can find out about self-catering? As usual, thank you for all your sound advice.
Mary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2132
(2/9/04 11:46 pm)

Re: rough itinerary

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Hi Mary,

Go to my links page and you will find links to self-catering under accommodation. Glad to hear things are starting to make sense.

Michele