Tara
Unregistered User
(3/2/04 7:31 pm)

Ireland trip in May

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My family of 4 will be returning to Ireland the last 2 weeks in May. I can hardly wait!!! We are taking a MUCH slower pace this time around but I don't want to miss anything when we are in certain areas. I need to know any suggestions anyone might have!!!
Day 1--Arrive SNN at 6a. Drive to Rock of Cashel, tour & then drive to Waterford City for O/N.
Day 2--Tour crystal factory, then drive to Blarney Castle and on to Glanworth, Co Cork for O/N at Glanworth Mill.
Day 3--Hot air balloon flight at Glanworth, then to Annes Grove Garden, then drive to Dingle to our self-catering house just outside Dingle town.
Day 4-10--Spend on peninsula with day trips around peninsula, out to the Ring of Kerry, ????
Please add anything I need to know about these areas or things I need to do differently!!
Thanks for all your help!!!

gillespie
Unregistered User
(3/3/04 7:14 am)

Hot Air balloon?

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Interested in knowing more about the hot air balloon ride? Where is this? Sounds fun. Thank you!

DavidA
Unregistered User
(3/3/04 3:25 pm)

Online Itinerary help

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Tara, I just returned from Ireland and prior to going I found a site that gives an online itinerary planner to make sure you don't miss some of the sites.

www.enchantingireland.com/FlyDrive/ItineraryGenerator.asp

It worked quite well since we were new to Ireland (though traveled Europe quite a bit) My wife did our itinerary, we printed it and took with us so we didn't miss the highlights.

I will state that it is NOT comprehensive -- we found other smaller, off-the-beaten-path things to see (as everyone will) that were not listed. It did give us a good start though.

Tara
Unregistered User
(3/3/04 6:16 pm)

hot air balloon

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Yes, Irish Balloon Flights offer hot air balloon flights in several different areas of Ireland. I have a friend who went on one and she said it was great and a wonderful way to see Ireland.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2225
(3/4/04 12:00 am)

Re: Ireland trip in May

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Hi Tara,

You start out your trip on a fast note but then settle down in Dingle for a week to take it easy. That should be lovely. I will add my day by day comments below.

Day 1--Arrive SNN at 6a. Drive to Rock of Cashel, tour & then drive to Waterford City for O/N. * Michele's Answer:   This is a bit farther than most people want to drive on their first day if they will be jet-lagged. If you have two drivers they can spell each other and you can take breaks if you are feeling tired. The fresh air at the Rock of Cashel and hiking around will help too. If you find you regain your stamina you might consider Cahir Castle. Note that the Waterford Crystal Factory is just south of the city. You could stay in Tramore instead. It is a nice seaside town.

Day 2--Tour crystal factory, then drive to Blarney Castle and on to Glanworth, Co Cork for O/N at Glanworth Mill. * Michele's Answer:  Fine. There is a good museum in Cobh about Irish immigration. A little jog off your main route but it might be of interest.

Day 3--Hot air balloon flight at Glanworth, then to Annes Grove Garden, then drive to Dingle to our self-catering house just outside Dingle town. * Michele's Answer:  The balloon flight sounds heavenly. Is it from Irish Balloon flights: www.balloons.ie ? You will have a pretty long day. I also suggest stopping at a pub before Annes Grove to use the facilities. They were atrocious at the gardens last time I was there.

Day 4-10--Spend on peninsula with day trips around peninsula, out to the Ring of Kerry, ???? * Michele's Answer:  Sounds like a wonderful stay. You could do the Ring of Kerry if you get an early start but it will be a very long day.

I suggest going to the tourist office in Dingle and getting info on the area when you arrive. It will give you lots of options for things to do.

Michele

P.S. DavidA, Thanks for the link.