Ireland in two weeks-ish

Date: 2:47 PM, 01/26/11

Ireland in two weeks-ish

CowboyCraic · Guru

Cead Mile Failte, Amy,

Welcome to the IrelandYes! Forum. I'll chime in now and I am sure that Michele will be along soon.

First Off, what month are you looking to travel over? That will help us to help you biggrin

Secondly, usually you can get better deals booking your own car rental, airfare and lodgings than you can with the Fly-Drive packages.

You have definitely outlined more than can be accomplished in two weeks without it becoming a green blur.

It takes two hours and a pinch more to drive from Dublin to Belfast, so an overnight in between isn't necessary.

Maybe look at:

Arrive Dublin (Two nights) -

Head to Belfast (Two Nights) - Take a day trip up the coast to the Giant's Causeway on your full day

Head to Cong (Two Nights Ashford Castle)

Head to Galway (Two Nights)

Head to Dingle (Two nights)

Head to Kenmare (Two Nights)

Head to Kilkenny via Cahir & Cashel (two nights)

Overnight Dublin near the airport - Visit Glendalough and the Wicklows enroute

Head for Home

That is an outline for a 16 day trip including the day you fly home. It would take you in and out of Dublin. It also ties in all of the places you wanted to see without it being an inordinate amount of driving.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

Date: 7:23 PM, 01/26/11

We are planning on going May 7th-24th. Because we live in Oregon, we first have to travel to NYC. So, my plan is to fly to NYC on the 7th and then fly to Ireland on Monday the 9th, which means we don't arrive until the morning of the 10th, as far as I can tell. We'll also have to fly to NYC one day and then Oregon the next day on the way home.

All this means we arrive in Dublin Tuesday, May 10th early and have to to NYC from Ireland on Monday, May 23rd.

Would there be any sense in staying at Dromoland Castle instead of Ashford. I kinda got my mind set on Ashford, but looking at my map it seems like Dromoland would be less out of the way. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the help and opinions!!

Amy

murphy · Guru

Amy,

I think Bit gave you great advice. We soon learned that one night stays are not as good as spending 2 (or more) nights in one spot....it saves quite a bit of time packing, unpacking, and moving, which is time better spent sightseeing etc.

I was just wondering if you really HAVE to have a day in between, in NYC, coming and going, unless you want to visit relatives there, sight see there, or simply break up 2 long haul flights to help combat jet-lag, or are you locked into this arrangement with your travel package?

For our trip in March, we are booked to depart 7AM Portland- to JFK, a 4-5 hour layover, depart JFK around 7PM and arrive Dublin at 8:30 AM....Just in case you didn't realize that it is do-able.

I have noticed that some have chosen to go into an East Coast departure city on one day, stay the night and then take a day-time flight to Europe arriving late afternoon/evening...which they say is an easier way to handle jet-lag. I have not done this myself, mostly due to time constraints, and I don't believe there are nearly as many day flights available to Europe, let alone the cost. I usually try to maximize my time in Ireland, to get the most days and bang for the buck for the 2 week vacation time. Cheers! Dan

Date: 9:51 PM, 01/26/11

Thanks for the additional help. I would like to spend mostly 2 nights at various places if we can.

I'm staying 2 nights in New York because we used flier miles to get the tickets and so we're flying most of Saturday to get there. I also LOVE NYC and plan to set up our trip to Ireland by going to Irish immigrant sites in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

I would be happy to leave Monday morning for Ireland, but I was given the impression you have to take a red-eye? Maybe it's just because I'm trying to get a good deal and that's what the cheap flights offer?

One note on the previous suggestions...I don't have a strong desire to do the Giant's Causeway thing. What if I spent one day in Belfast and then drove in the late afternoon straight through to Cong/Ashford? Would that be a ridiculously long drive/day?

Thanks again for the help.

Amy

CowboyCraic · Guru

Amy,

It looks like you will have twelve days on the ground in Ireland. That being the case, I would say that you might want to leave Belfast and Cong out of the line-up for this trip. There just isn't enough time to cover that kind of ground without creating a green blur.

For a thirteen night stay, I might suggest:

Day One - Arrive Dublin - take ground transportation to city centre lodgings (two nights)

Day Three - Pick-up rental vehicle and head to Kilkenny via Glendalough and Powerscourt (Two Nights) - use your full day to explore Kilkenny and the local sights:Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, etc.)

Day Five - Head to Killarney via Cashel and Cahir (two nights) - use your one full Killarney day to take the Gap of Dunloe Tour including the Jarvey tour over the Gap and dinner at Kate Kearney's cottage

Day Seven - Head to Dingle (Two Nights)

Day Nine - Head to Dromoland Castle (Two nights)

Day Eleven - Head to Galway (Two Nights) -

Day twelve - head to Dublin - Lodgings near airport - turn in rental car - enroute stop off at Clonmacnoise

A route such as this one, would cover most of your must-sees and give you a castle stay without going out of your way.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

Just to add to Bit's advice, if you could give up the stay in Galway you could get a train up to Belfast from Dublin (and back again) at the start of your trip. Although I can't comprehend missing out on the Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast, which is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland.

I agree that Dromoland Castle is more in your line of travel than Ashford is. You could also look at Waterford Castle and Ballyseede Castle although they are not as plush as the 5-star ones.

Sit down with your map and a blank calendar and give it another try. You really have to do multiple itineraries before everything works out right.

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

Thanks Michelle!

I'm thinking of taking your advise to start blank and try again. I may just group places on to cards, make a blank calendar of days and try rearranging that way.

I am wondering what you think about the pay-your-own-way trip vs. buying a car/flight/B&B voucher package. I tried getting a quote online from Dan Dooley and it came to over a $1,000 USD for just my car rental! It seems through Scepter tours I can purchase airfare, car, B&B vouchers and a 2 night castle stay for my husband and I for around $3500. Is that a good deal? Do you think it is a good idea?

I'm missing the Antrim coast merely because I didn't want to do the American tourist thing and try and see the ENTIRE country in one visit. I'd love to go there, but felt like cutting out at least one section was important if we wanted to have a more "authentic" visit and not just be American tour-bus tourists. Any other advice for doing Ireland this way?

I SO much appreciate this forum. I tried calling a travel agent, but they didn't seem to have ideas or real information from people who were there or had been there. It's so nice to be able to ask a bunch of questions and get real answers! I open to lots of input!

Lastly, if I come up with an intinerary, is it appropraite to post it here for more specific input by you/your readers?

Thanks so much!
Amy

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

I agree that Belfast is out of the way, but it is my husband's one "must see." Having grown up with the Troubles on TV all the time - he'd like to see Belfast to help him understand. Maybe it could be a day trip from Dublin?

I think we will go for Dromoland rather than Ashford so as to cut out that whole big detour. I want to see everything, of course, because it will most likely be our only chance to go to Ireland, but I agree that a "green blur" wouldn't not be the best thing. This leaves me torn about every decision, of course! :)

Thanks for the continuing help!

Amy

CowboyCraic · Guru

Amy,

Were you looking at renting an automatic from Dan Dooley? If so, that would be about right for car rental. The most available cars are all manual. Automatics are at a premium and you will pay for the privelege.

We all have posted our itineraries here for critique. It helps us take in the bigger picture.

I made my first trip over in 2004. I booked a self-drive tour through a travel company similiar to Sceptre. My companion and I both thought that the package was a great deal. When we picked up our rental car, they charged us extra fees that weren't included in our package. When we used our vouchers, we found that some places only took vouchers during weekdays, only allowed one night, only took them for two nights, would take a cash paying customer who showed up before we did or wouldn't allow late afternoon arrivals or hold our rooms after three. We came home with half our vouchers still in hand, having paid out of pocket for rooms. I am not saying that Sceptre will necessarily be the same experience. I am just sharing my travel-package experience so that you will be aware of the pitfalls and downside.

If Belfast is a must see, be aware that it is a two-hour train ride up and again two coming back. You might consider heading back towards Dublin after your Dromoland stay, turning in your rental car and grabbing a train up to Belfast for two nights instead of Galway. Then you could grab the train back for your overnight before departure. That would take two days off your rental cost on the front and back side of your trip. A car is only a nuisance in Dublin.

I am in the process of setting up my eleventh trip over for this June. In planning my first trip over, I, too, said that it would be my one and only trip. I have in front of me, at the moment, another printable calendar that is blank. I have kneaded, molded and stripped and started over until I have what I think is the most workable itinerary. Keep in mind that once you are over, you find that you have to adjust to Ireland time, everything seems to slow down, and that your best formulated plans will change at the next tempting side road, village, small town, around that next curve. biggrin

That is, it will if you have given yourself enough time to slow down and be Faery led.

Some things to keep in mind:

Less is more in Ireland

30-35mph is going to be your maximum travel speed on most Irish roads, no matter what the speed limit sign indicates.

There is no such thing as running in and asking for "quick directions"... the local you ask will want to let you know about whats happening locally, what you shouldn't miss on your drive and the like

Keep posting questions and itineraries. We are to help you have the best time possible.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

I think you are right to start blank again. On each card group everything you want to see in ONE area. List them in order of importance. Put the cards in order of importance. You will begin to see a pattern emerging. You will want to concentrate on the most important areas and things and let the others go. Since Belfast is your husband's only "must see" then you have to keep that. He might be interested in a Black Taxi Tour. As Bit says you could do it at the end of your trip also. But the train up to Belfast from Dublin is fast and the way to go.

Some packages are good and others are not. Start pricing the individual pieces. In fact look at my article Plan Your Trip to Ireland in Ten Easy Steps. Another problem with the vouchers is that there are virtually no B&Bs in the Dublin area that take them. They greatly restrict where you can stay. In Dublin you will want to stay at hotels.

Feel free to post your proposed itinerary here for our comments.

As I often advise people, you can't see it all. Although it seems painful to cut out things during the planning process, once you are in Ireland you will enjoy what you have decided to see. You will not miss the ones you cut out. Forum members come back to me often saying that is true. So just plan on enjoying your most important "must sees".

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

Wow - this is so great, thanks for the answers! I think I will take Michelle's advice, start blank and then come back in a few days with a new proposed itinerary.

I'm pretty sure I will have to just do the Sceptre thing and take the "package deal" risks because I don't think my dollars will stretch far enough otherwise. I know there will be probably an extra $200 in fees at the car rental place and I am wary of the B&B vouchers, but it may be a problem I'll just have to deal with in order to be able to afford to go at all.

I'm going to go chew on all of this for the weekend and will be back with a bunch more questions in a couple of days.

Thanks again!!
Amy

murphy · Guru

Amy,

I often wonder how many people say: " This is a once in a life time trip".....and then end up going back! Been there....done that! We went in 2006 under those assumptions. We went back in 09, and are headed back in 2 months. In spite of that, we have yet to get to Northern Ireland....and it still won't happen this trip. Northern Ireland, for us, will be its own trip of 2 weeks. Or.... 10 days in NI in conjunction with another 10 days in Scotland.

I too, thought we would never be able to afford to go back....but somehow, we seem to save enough money to go about every other year! Once you've been there....well.... the incentive to go back is great.

If I could roll the calendar back, to the ideal world, I would plan on visiting Ireland at least 4 times, allowing 2-3 week in each section: I would divide Ireland in 4 segments: NE(Northern Ireland) SE, SW, and NW. Even at that rate, you would not near see it all. Some regular contributors on this forum have been there numerous times.

I know that Michele won't "toot her own horn" so to speak, so I will say it: This the best Ireland web sight bar none! As Bit said, there are members of this forum who are more than happy to help and offer advice. We wish you luck! Dan

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

I have to say this is the best Ireland site I've come across in several months of searching the Internet, calling travel agencies, reading library books and otherwise trying to research our own trip.

I'd love to think we'd come back to Ireland, but realistically with 5 children and 2 grandchildren and counting, future travel dollars will probably be spent on family trips to places like Disney World. We are able to do this trip because of a very generous gift of a long time friend. So, I'm going to do my best to plan a great one-time trip, enjoy it to its fullest and hope somehow other trips materialize in the future. You never know what could happen!

Amy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wow! I'm blushing. smile

Thanks Dan and Amy for your very kind words about my website and forum. It is always nice to hear that people are enjoying planning their trips to Ireland and that my help is appreciated.

And let's not forget all the wonderful IrelandYes Irregulars here. They really make my forum what it is - a friendly place not only for planning but for dreaming . . . and for getting our "fix" in between our trips to Ireland. wink

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

Okay, so after going back to the drawing board over the weekend, here's the new itinerary I'm thinking on....

Day & Date

May 7^th

Day 1

Sat

May 8^th

Day 2

Sun

May 9^th

Day 3

Mon

May 10^th

Day 4

Tues

May 11^th

Day 5

Wed

May 12^th

Day 6

Thurs

May 13^th

Day 7

Fri

May 14^th

Day 8

Sat

Place

NYC

NYC to Ireland

Belfast

Dublin

Kilkenny

Goals to See

Fly to NYC 7:55am-10:57pm

Brooklyn

Fly to Belfast 9:25pm-9:00am

Black Taxi Tour

Milltown Cemetery

Stormont(?)

Carrickfergus

Drive towards Dublin seeing:

Monasterboice

Kells Abbey

Knowth/Newgrange(?)

Evening in Temple Bar (?)

Historical Walking Tour 11am

HaPenney Bridge

Grafton St.

Trinity College

Literary Pub Crawl

1916 Walking Tour 11:30am

Killmainham Gaol (if not on tour)

Guinness

Jamesons (?)

Wicklow:

Glendalough

Powerscourt

Enniscorthy

May 15^th

Day 9

Sun

May 16^th

Day 10

Mon

May 17^th

Day 11

Tues

May 18^th

Day 12

Wed

May 19^th

Day 13

Thurs

May 20^th

Day 14

Fri

May 21^st

Day 15

Sat

May 22^nd

Day 16

Sun

May 23^rd

Day 17

Mon

May 24^th

Day 18

Tues

Kilkenny

Kenmare

Dingle

Dromoland

NYC

Killkenny

Kells Priory

Waterford Glassworks (?)

Drive through The Vee

Cahir Castle

Rock of Cashel

Drive towards Kenmare via:

Cobh

Kinsale

Blarney Castle(?)

½ ROK

Muckross House

Dingle Pennisula

Adare

Bunratty Castle

Galway Day trip

Fly out of Shannon to NYC

Fly from NYC to Oregon

7:00am-2:15pm

I'd love some advice and input. Generally, does the above look like a good idea, are things grouped together well, does it look like a "green blur"? Specifically...

Is there any downsides to flying into Belfast. Any troubles renting my car there and then crossing the border into the Republic? Etc.
Where would be a logical place to add in a trip to Clonmacnoise to above? I really want to go there, but not sure where it fits. Would it fit on day 5 or is it too out of the way?
Does anyone know what a tour of Knowth & Newgrange involves? How many hours need to be allocted if we want to do that?
I've almost resolved to make my own arrangements rather than using a package deal. Should I make B&B reservations ahead of time, or leave ourselves the freedom to adjust the itinerary as we wander and just stay wherever we find something?

Thanks so much for the help!

Amy

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

I will answer your specific questions first.

The only downside to renting a car in No. Ireland and returning in the Republic is the drop-off fee.

The only day I can see for Clonmacnoise would be Day 16. Skip Galway. Do Clonmacnoise and perhaps loop back through Bir to see the gardens.

I timed my last visit to Knowth and Newgrange. It took 4 hours and I did not even see the museum (saw it previously). So plan on half a day there.

I would make reservations once you are happy with your itinerary. Why waste sightseeing time looking for places to stay? If you have reservations you will know where you are going and can make the most of your time. Plus when spending 2 or three days in one place you can get special offers and discounts when booking ahead. Have you looked at the Hot Offers section of the forum?

Now here is my input on the day by day itinerary.

Day 5: Skip Carrickfergus as it is in the wrong direction from your line of travel. Newgrange will take the most time (4+ hours). Be very careful at Monasterboice. There have been many car break-ins there. I suggest one person stay with the car at all times.

Day 8: Is a Saturday. Powerscourt and Glendalough will be very crowded. Bring your patience and perhaps a picnic lunch to avoid long lines at restaurants.

Day 9: Skip the Vee - that's too much.

Day 11: Skip Cobh. From Kinsale take the scenic coast drive west through W. Cork and Tunnel Drive from Glengarriff to Kenmare. Stops to consider: Timoleague Abbey, Drombeg Stone Circle, Bantry House (depends on time).

Day 12: I highly recommend the Beara Peninsula over ROK. Besides the ROK is a loop drive. Doing half of it doesn't make sense. Besides Kenmare is on the ROK and you will see some of the best of it when driving from Kenmare through Moll's Gap to Killarney on Day 13.

If you take my advice, then I think you have avoided the "green blur" and will have a very nice trip.

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

Thanks! Those suggestions really help - I'll adjust what I have accordingly.

Couple of quick questions on what you said...

What about skipping Kinsale instead of Cobh? Cobh seems to have more historical interest, so catches my attention more but I don't really know either.

What's the best way to go about figuring out driving plans between places? Michelin Map? Guidebooks?

Which would you suggest if you were going - Galway or Clonmacniose? I can't decide which to sacrifice :)

Thanks!

tony2phones · Guru

You wouldn't really need a car until day 8 public transport and tour bus's would cover you for the early part of your trip. Can't see where Clonmacnoise would fit. Under normal circumstances I would pick Cobh over Kinsale in a flash but the two are a long way apart by road and your schedule is tight.

AA route planner or Google maps will give you slightly ambitious driving times always add 10%

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

If it were me I would skip Galway and Clonmac. Instead I would spend the day in Clare and visit either the Cliffs of Moher and Burren or Loop Head & Bridges of Ross. If it has to be a choice between Galway and Clonmac I would probably choose Clonmac - although it will be a long driving day. It is a Sunday and things don't open early.

Here is the AA Route Planner: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/ You can input your start and end and they will give you directions. It will give you kilometers but there is a button you can click to get mileage. Get the mileage and divide it by 35 to figure out more accurate times. I haven't figured out the formular for kilometers yet. I am not great at math. But it is rather funny that ever since I've been posting my mileage formula for Ireland it has spread all over the Internet and become a standard way to calculate drive times! biggrin I see it all the time on other forums. So I guess I got that formula right.

You also need a map. I like the Ordnance Survey Atlas and Michelin Map. The atlas is easier to use because it is a book with pages you turn. The Michelin Map is very large. One of my readers had a good suggestion for the map. Make copies of sections of the map and blow it up by 150%. That will give you daily pages to use. In effect you are turning the map into an atlas!

If Cobh is calling to you this is what I recommend. Get an early start (9 am). Do the Vee Drive, Cobh and Blarney. Skip Kinsale and the West Cork Drive and take the main road toward Killarney. Before Killarney veer off and Drive through Kilgarvan to Kenmare.

Tony has a point about public transport for the beginning of your trip.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

55km per hour gives you about 35 mph but touring you can get an average of 70km per hour or about 45 mph. what really brings it down is driving through town or doing scenic routes.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

I'm going to have to check out the 55 km formula. Thanks for that. I figured the mileage formula out with the help of my husband. We had a rental car with a trip computer in it. On one whole month-long trip in Ireland the computer kept track of mileage, speeds, etc. Even though we went really fast on motorways and much slower on side roads the computer figured we "averaged" 35 mph on the trip as a whole. Bob (Itallian Chauffeur) likes an even lower estimate of 30 mph. But I'm sticking to the 35 mph as an "average".

If it is only motorway driving then you can make better time. I especially like the faster times across country. About three hours instead of four.

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

I like the sound of the Cobh plan. I'll think over the Galway, Clonmac, Clare decision and figure something out. I may just see how burned out we are with driving by the end and decide then, since it won't mean a change of location at night.

I was thinking of not renting a car until we leave Dublin, but what about seeing Kells and Monasterboice on the way from Belfast to Dublin? Is it possible to get off a train to do these and get back on? I would love to save some money on car rental. I think we may just skip the Knowth thing since it take 1/2 a day to do.

Thanks for the tip on Monasterboice, BTW!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

If you don't rent a car till departing Dublin then you will have to cut out Kells, Monasterboice and Newgrange. There are day tours from Dublin to Newgrange but that would take time away from Dublin.

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

Another thought....

What about switching day 7 and 8 and making the Wicklow stuff a day trip out of Dublin so as to put it on a Friday and hopefully be there with fewer crowds? Then do a few thing in Dublin Saturday morning and drive to Kilkenny. Would that be ridiculous?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amy,

That's doable. Try Mary Gibbons for the tour as she goes to both Powerscourt and Glendalough. With many of the other tours from Dublin you have to choose either or.

Michele

GrammyAmy · Veteran Member

I'll take a look, thanks!

Roy · Guru

I use the AA Road Atlas.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Michele ---

I calculate 35 MPH as you suggest and it works out pretty well ... 'cause we've become SLIGHTLY jaded, to the whole, 'Oh. My. GAWD!! STOP!!! We HAVE To have a picture of THAT ..."

But, I tell First-Timers to figure on 30 ... 'cause THEY haven't! biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Most people think I'm crazy when I tell them 35 mph. confuse

They are thinking more like 50 mph. If I told them 30 mph they would think I'm as crazy as you! wink

Michele