Anika
Unregistered User
(6/16/05 11:21 pm)

9-Day Itinerary

---

Michele,

Thank you so much for your website and this message board. It has been a godsend.

There are four of us planning a 9-day trip to Ireland (only one has been there before) all aged 45-55, all active, but a few minor health problems in the mix. We’ll be driving and staying in B&Bs.

From suggestions on this message board, we decided to try set it up so we have several 2-night stays and have tentatively selected Dublin, Kilkenny, Cahir and Bunratty for our overnights, but we are open to suggestions.

High on our list are Waterford, Waterford Crystal, The Blarney Stone, Galway Bay, Bunratty Castle, Kilkenny Castle and the Nicholas Moss factory. Votes for Connemara, Giant’s Causeway, Tullamore (because of the whiskey), Ring of Kerry, Dingle and Donegal were skimmed off because of limited time…are we going to regret cutting any of these?…if you have any ideas to squeeze any of them back in, let me know.

We were thinking of the Bunratty Banquet…any other banquets we should consider…better yet, are there any castle stays we should look in to?

Although our wish list is loaded with the tourist things, we really would like to experience the real Ireland and the people. We would be willing to cut out a thing or two if it meant having some “real” Irish experiences. Let me know if you have any suggestions.


Friday, Sept 9: Arrive Dublin

Saturday, Sept 10: Dublin

Sunday, Sept 11: Dublin > Kilkenny

Monday, Sept 12: Kilkenny > Thomastown > Kells > Bennettsbridge > Kilfane > Kilkenny

Tuesday, Sept 13: Kilkenny > Waterford > Cahir

Wednesday, Sept 14: Cahir > Blarney > Midleton > Cahir

Thursday, Sept 15: Cahir > Cashel > Bunratty

Friday, Sept 16: Bunratty > Cliffs of Moher > The Burren > Kinvara > Bunratty

Saturday, Sept 17: Bunratty > Shannon Airport

Thank you for your feedback.

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3194
(6/17/05 11:48 pm)

Re: 9-Day Itinerary

---

Anika,

I'm glad that you are enjoying my website and forum and that they are helping with your trip to Ireland. You were right to whittle down the list of things that everyone wanted to do. Given your time limitations, there are only a certain number of things you can squeeze in and still have an enjoyable trip.

For a castle stay -- considering the areas you will be in -- you would probably want to consider Dromoland Castle near Bunratty or Carrigeen Castle in Cahir. Dromoland is very expensive. Carrigeen gets mixed reviews and you can read extensive comments about it right here on my forum. Take a look at my "Castle Hotels" page for info and links to their websites.

Your itinerary seems well thought out and not too fast-paced with two-night stays everywhere. I think that Kilfane is only open on Sundays in September but check with the tourist office in Kilkenny to be sure. Below are my day by day comments:

Friday, Sept 9: Arrive Dublin Michele's Answer:  * Fine

Saturday, Sept 10: Dublin Michele's Answer:  * Fine. Take the hop-on hop-off bus, which is good for the whole day of sightseeing.

Sunday, Sept 11: Dublin > Kilkenny Michele's Answer:  * Good. You can probably see most of the sites in Kilkenny. Note: one of the members of the forum, yesiree100 aka Corey, has a free walking tour of Kilkenny available. Look for his postings and email him to get it. Or else post a new topic about "Kilkenny Walking Tour" and he will find it.

Monday, Sept 12: Kilkenny > Thomastown > Kells > Bennettsbridge > Kilfane > Kilkenny Michele's Answer:  * As mentioned above I think Kilfane is open on Sundays. You might fit in Jerpoint Abbey too.

Tuesday, Sept 13: Kilkenny > Waterford > Cahir Michele's Answer:  * Fine. You could also consider staying in Cashel. For a "real Ireland" experience you could stay at a historic sheep farm B&B outside Cashel.

Wednesday, Sept 14: Cahir > Blarney > Midleton > Cahir Michele's Answer:  * Good. If you are interested in the history of immigration you might stop by the Queenstown Museum in Cobh. It is just a few miles out of your way.

Thursday, Sept 15: Cahir > Cashel > Bunratty Michele's Answer:  * Fine. I assume you will do the banquet on this night? If so, make your reservations so you are not disappointed. If any in your group has problems with stairs then I would recommend Knappogue Castle or Traditional Irish Night instead of Bunratty.

Friday, Sept 16: Bunratty > Cliffs of Moher > The Burren > Kinvara > Bunratty Michele's Answer: * Nice day trip.

On the whole it is looking good.

Michele

Anika
Unregistered User
(6/18/05 10:10 pm)

Thanks

---

Thank you so much for your suggestions. We had one goal when we were making up our itinerary - The Ireland veteran in our group wouldn't have to hear the words "you've got an hour and 15 minutes at this stop." He took a bus tour while he was in Ireland for work years ago and told us they made that announcement before every stop. I think we achieved that.

I looked into the Cobh visit and it sounds like a very good idea. Plus, the Titanic connection will interest my husband.

Thanks for the castle info, I didn't see you had a link for castle stays when I was going through it earlier. Where do I find more information on the Sheep Farm near Cashel?

Thanks again.

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3197
(6/18/05 11:44 pm)

Re: Thanks

---

Anika,

The sheep farm is Dualla House outside Cashel: www.tipp.ie/bedandbreakfa...-house.htm I have a complete review of it in my book, which might be a real help with your trip. You can just click on "Michele's Book" to see if it suits you.

Have a fun trip and do let us know how it goes for everyone.

Michele