Robin
Unregistered User
(5/15/05 4:59 pm)

Trip Ideas - north from Shannon

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We've flown into Shannon then driven back east to the coast, then back south along the coast through Waterford, Cork and Dingle then back to Shannon. Been there, done that and LOVED IT. Two weeks of heaven. Next year we will go back to Ireland again landing in Shannon but this time we would like to drive up the coast North. I would love to hear where you have been, what you saw, and where you stayed. Any exceptional B & B's...any unusual places to see and stay... I am beginning my plans for next year and want to study everything!!! I have heard that Northwest is not so tourist traveled. Would that be true? We love the "off the beaten path" treasures! We have been to the Cliffs of Mohr but will probably do that again. What is North of the Cliffs that you enjoyed?

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3146
(5/15/05 10:17 pm)

Re: Trip Ideas - north from Shannon

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Robin,

Welcome to my forum and I hope you get many suggestions from other members on what to do and see in the northern parts of Ireland. Do you have any idea of how long you will be in Ireland this time? Time of year? What are your special interests? All that will help us help you decide on special places to see.

It is true that Ireland's northwest is more off the beaten path for many tourists especially Americans. You will find more Europeans traveling there. I was recently in Donegal and they are lamenting the loss of American tourists since 9-11. You will be most welcome there.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do north of Shannon. Some of my favorite places are Connemara, Sligo, Donegal, Westport, Achill Island, the Antrim Coast, Enniskillen, the Ards Peninsula. Of course my book elaborates on it all, along with good places to stay and eat.

I am sure the others here will chime in with their favorites too.

Michele

Dude
Registered User
Posts: 38
(5/15/05 10:38 pm)

North of Shannon

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Here, in no particular order, is what I remember:
Queen Maeve's grave near Strandhill (actually climbed
all the way up. A miracle in itself)
Carrowmore passage graves (they have a visitor centre and tours now)
Croagh Patrick
The waterfall at Glencar Lake
Killary Harbour
Lovely scenery between Killary Harbour and Connemara
Kylemore Abbey
Connemara Visitors Centre
Aughnanure Castle
Dunguaine Castle
Ailwee Caves
Coole Demesne, Thoor Ballylee, Lake Isle of Innisfree
Rathburn Farms, near Ardrahan
Dunguaire Castle banquet
Lough Key Forest Park
Bricklieve Mountains (take the wild drive up the
mountains to see the passage graves, if you dare!)
Gleniff Horseshore drive
Creevykeel
Belleek
Galway Crystal

B&B's:
Bayview, at Rosse's Point near Sligo (this from '93 so
may not still be the same)
Corranroo, Kinvarra (from '97)
Lissadell, Sligo ('97)
Killowen House, Drogheda ('97)
Seapoint House, Westport ('03)
Caladhgearr Thatch Cottage, Spiddal (near Galway) ('03)
Rocky View Farmhouse, Fanore ('03)
Eden Hill Farmhouse, Ennis ('03)

I'd be happy to go along to be the guide!
Judy

yesiree100
Registered User
Posts: 30
(5/16/05 12:13 pm)

Re: Trip Ideas - north from Shannon

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Cong is one of my favorite villages and I always stay at Nymphsfield House (www.ireland.ie & search "nymphsfield").

Achill Island is beautiful.

The Shrine at Knock is interesting in both a good and a weird way.

Connemara has some amazing scenery. (Had a light meal at Lough Inagh Lodge in Recess...looked like it would be a great place to stay)

If you're going really far north Glenveigh is amazing.

Enjoy your trip planning.