Last two weeks in June

Roy · Guru

RE: Last two weeks in June

Roy · Guru

Land in Shannon 17 June, six nights in Salthill, Five nights in Westport. Remaining two nights are open. Last night I'm not too concerned about as it will be in the Shannon vicinity. I'm looking for somewhere along the journey from Westport to Shannon for night #12. Places on our radar include Kinvara (have been there before) and Clarinbridge, Any suggestions are appreciated!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Have you ever been over to the Lough Derg area around Mountshannon, Killaloe, etc.? Or did you perfer a coastal area?

Michele

Roy · Guru

Michele,

Thanks for the wonderful suggestion! My wife said she was in Ballina as a child but not Killaloe. If we stayed two nights, do you think it's close enough to Shannon? (we fly back at 1:30 PM)

tony2phones · Guru

Killaloe and Ballina are either sides of the bridge on the south of Lough Derg and just under an hour from the airport either cross country or dropping by Birdhill onto the N7 under Limerick and through the tunnel on the N18. We have a good range of things to do and see with the Slieve Aughty on the west and Slieve Bloom on the east. at the northern end of the Lough is Portumna which has a forrest park and castle with walled garden. Either myself or Stewh will be able to give some guidence if you need any.

http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/MapZone/LoughDerg-South/

Roy · Guru

Thanks Tony- we should have ample time to stay there two nights and avoid Shannon/Bunratty as a last nights stay.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I'm delighted that you like my suggestion. You might like Carramore Lodge. Now you are almost set for your trip. smile

Michele

Roy · Guru

I found your previous recommendation of Caramore Lodge and that's exactly who I have booked with! Six nights in Salthill, five in Westport, and two in Killaloe wraps up lodging. Now to continue outlining day trips. I'm not developing a detailed itinerary as much as a list of potential day trips/activities. With the change of dates, we can better take advantage of the Galway Sessions and the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival. I also have reservations for Trad on the Prom.

stewh · Guru

Roy,
Michele's recommendation in Killaloe/Ballina looks really good. We considered a couple of B&B days in the area - Carramore Lodge would have been ideal. As things turned out I contacted the owners of the self-catering we used last year in Killaloe and was able to get a reduced rate for 4 days, we will be driving there from Shannon after our overnite flight from Canada; I'm not sure if I'll take the tunnell or go cross country. I really enjoyed Reddan's Bar in Killaloe - very welcoming. They are not a 'food pub' but a great lunch can be had at Wood Brothers Bistro a couple of doors away.

Michele Erdvig · Host

A couple of pubs I enjoyed were Goosers and Galloping Hogans. Tony, do you know if Galloping Hogans is still open? In this economy things are changing rapidly.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

To be honest I havn't been in there for a couple of years and its probably almost a year since I was last that far down apart from driving through. I would guess its still going but at the prices it had started charging, not with my custom.

Positive note is the Feile Brian Boru is on the 28th June to 3rd July so there will be some extra bits going on.

http://www.feilebrianboru.killaloe.ie/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Tuesday 22nd of February 2011 10:50:40 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Tony. It's been a couple of years for me as well.

Michele

Roy · Guru

I think I have mentioned this before. My wife grew up in Co. Westmeath and lived in Malahide and Howth until her mid-thirties when she moved to the states. She has told me that Ireland was of no holiday interest to her until we met (eleven years ago) except for visiting her family. It's great that we now can travel to Ireland and tour the country as we do. Going to Ireland to visit my wife's homeland provides a perspective that makes our holidays extra special for me!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Many Irish people have no interest in seeing Ireland at all. Most want to jet off to exotic, sunny climes rather than see their own country. It's rather nice that your wife now enjoys seeing the country she is originally from. Perhaps the distance makes all the difference?

Michele

Roy · Guru

mchele,

It also helps that I took such a liking to Ireland! When young, she holidayed in Spain and Greece. Distance no doubt has made a difference too. Now I am concentrating on day trips from Galway, Westport, and Killaloe.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Do you need any suggestions for your day trips? Just ask and we will deluge you with them.

Michele

Roy · Guru

Of course I want suggestions and ideas! here's my brainstorm list so far:

Galway- (six nights)
Spiddal
Eyre Square
Inishmaan
Clifden, Dog Bay
Trad on the Prom

Westport- (five nights)
Climb Croagh Patrick
Clare Island
Achill Island
Aasleagh Falls
Ballintubber Abbey

Killaloe- (two nights)

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Roy,

I'm thrilled to see that you'll be spending time in the Lough Derg area! It's one of our favorite areas in Ireland. The self-catering accommodation in Tipperary that we usually book is on the east side of the lake, but we've been all around the lake from Portumna to Killaloe/Ballina. Just lovely!

I can't recall if you like seafood or not (or if I ever heard you say), but stop in at Crotty's Bar and Eating House. They have a wonderful fish chowder. They're located close to the Shannon River on Bridge Street in Killaloe. Here's their website with menu info: http://www.crottysbarandeatinghouse.com/ They have other things besides seafood, but we love seafood, so we ignore those other things! LOL

If you drive up to the Mountshannon area, try to get a boat out to Inis Cealtra (Holy Island). It's less than a mile from shore at one point near Mountshannon, but we have tried three times to get out there and can never get there (due to inclement weather). I just want to live vicariously through your experiences. If you want to see what's there, take a look at this: http://www.mountshannon.com/holy.html.

I envy your trip to Inis Maan. It's the one we haven't made it to yet! We also haven't been to Achill Island, but it is on the short list as well. Maybe next year... :)

One of these days, I really need to post our June Northern Ireland/Donegal itinerary...

Slan,

Kate

Roy · Guru

Kate- Thanks for the tips for Lough Derg. I will check them out.

We have not been to Inis Maan. We have been to Achill island, but the weather was gray. We try to do a mix of new and familar- such as wanting to climb Croagh patrick again!

Looking forward to seeing your Itinerary.

Roy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

The Killaloe area is associated with Brian Boru. Beal Boru is nearby and in town is the Brian Boru Heritage Center. Don't know if they are of interest to you.

From Galway there are some very interesting and remote drives through and around Connemara on some of the more forgotten peninsulas. Lettermullan, Gorumna Island, Moyrus, Glinsk. Very bleak but in a beautiful Irish sort of a way. Rocks and sheep. wink

On Achill Island have you seen the Deserted Village and Keem Bay? Did you drive up Minaun Mountain for the views? I'm sure you must have done Atlantic Drive. Save Achill for a nice sunny day.

Near Westport:

Museum of Country Life near Castlebar
Bellmullet Peninsula
Downpatrick Head

Be sure to pop into the tourist offices in Galway and Westport for brochures, maps, etc.

Michele

stewh · Guru

Roy,
We really enjoyed a fairly relaxed week around Killaloe last May. I did write a Trip Report, "LOST & FOUND..." that gives more detail if you're interested. One thing we did not do was take a boat cruise of Lough Derg. When we return in September that is on our list. I grew to like the low key charms of the area very much.

Stewart

stewh · Guru

Michele,

The drives you suggest to Roy will be of great interest to me also; it seems we are touring the same areas this year. We'll be in Killaloe for 4 days followed by a week in Killala, Co Mayo then a week in Roundstone, Co Galway.
thank you

Stewart

Roy · Guru

Thanks Michele- the suggestions do look right up our alley!

Stewart- I'll check your trip report. Thanks.

tony2phones · Guru

Some standard drives in the Connemara region

http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/visit/connemara/drives/

Not included is the Old Bog Road above Roundstone which is one of my favorite drives. It is shown on this Walks link.

http://www.roundstone.ie/activities/roundstone-walks.php

-- Edited by tony2phones on Monday 28th of February 2011 05:15:20 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy & Stewart,

Nothing like killing two birds with one stone! wink

Glad the info was appropriate for both of you.

Michele