Debbie
Unregistered User
(6/29/05 4:27 pm)

SW/West Itinerary

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Oh No! Another Ireland Forum!! I found this one through another one. Eleven months before my trip and I can't stop the planning!

I'm just looking for feedback on our draft itinerary for the second half of May 2006. It will be me, my SO, and my mother. SO and I have been once before. That trip included Cliffs of Moher, too brief stay in Roundstone to explore Connemara, Donegal, Leitrim, Dublin.

We'll have 10 days. Mom wants to explore Leitrim a bit because her grandfather grew up there (though we haven't yet found out where). We want more Connemara. So, with that in mind, here's what I have scratched out so far:

Day 1: Arrive Shannon. Drive to Roundstone or alternate Connemara base (we LOVED Roundstone last time, but I'm very open to other ideas).

Day 2: Connemara exploration and some light hiking for me. Stay in Roundstone again.

Day 3: More Connemara exploration. Relaxation. Stay in Roundstone again.

Day 4: Drive to Carrick-on-Shannon. Use as base to explore Leitrim (which, by the way, is a beautiful county).

Day 5: Explore Leitrim. Check out some of the Leitrim arts centers. Stay Carrick-on Shannon.

Day 6. Drive to Kenmare. Use as base.

Day 7: Beara Peninsula. Stay in Kenmare.

Day 8: Killarney national park. Stay in Kenmare.

Note: Possibly part of ROK on Day 7 or 8.

Day 9: Long day of driving, possibly. Drive to Doolin or Ennis, but possibly via Dingle peninsula. Depending on how relaxed we are. Stay Doolin or Ennis, or alternate town close to SNN.

Day 10: see Cliffs. Explore Burren. Find a way to pack all of our purchases. Stay Ennis or Doolin again.

Day 11: depart from Shannon.

This will be Mom's first trip out of US other than 1 trip to Canada 25 years ago. We all want to see some of the great sites, with time to enjoy them.

Comments, suggestions, on any of our days, bases, particular sites will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Debbie

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3220
(6/30/05 2:16 am)

Re: SW/West Itinerary

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Debbie,

Welcome to my forum. Since you have 11 months to go you will want all the advice you can get. The planning is half the fun. Your mother will thank you for it!

I totally agree with you about Roundstone. It is one of my favorites too and since you enjoy it so much I think you should stay again. It makes a good base for Connemara.

You do have a few long driving days in between your multiple night stays. For instance Carrick-on-Shannon to Kenmare is apt to take 6-7 hours or more. The good news is long daylight hours. Also, if you include Dingle on the day you drive up to west Clare that will be a marathon. So it really depends on how much driving you want to do in one day. You have been there before so you know what the roads are like and that it can be slow going at times.

Other than the long driving days it looks fine. Let us know if you would like more info on other things.

Michele

Debbie
Unregistered User
(7/1/05 9:05 am)

Re: SW/West Itinerary

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Thanks Michelle. I'm sure I'll be back in the months to come with more questions.

And yes, the planning is fun, but a bit too habit forming.

Debbie

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3229
(7/1/05 4:56 pm)

Habit Forming

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Debbie,

I'm always happy to input my "two cents worth". Maybe you can break the habit over the long holiday weekend anyway. I look forward to helping with any other questions or concerns you might have.

Michele

Debbie
Unregistered User
(8/3/05 2:17 am)

Revised itinerary

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I'd like to say I broke the planning habit, but I've really just been lurking and board hopping. Here is today's version of the itinerary. A couple days have specific questions...

Day 1: Arrive Shannon 7:00ish am. Breakfast. Go to Cliffs. Head to Roundstone.

Day 2: Connemara loop (Clifden and Sky Drive, National Park, Kylemore, *possibly* Cong but I haven't looked at the map for that yet). Stay Roundstone

Day 3: Relax in Connemara area. Light hiking for me. Beach walks for all of us. Stay Roundstone.

Day 4: Head to Galway. See Galway sites.
Question to anyone reading this...do you prefer staying in more central Galway or Salthill?
Question: What are your favorite activities/sites in Galway?
Stay Galway.

Day 5: Drive to Carrick-on-Shannon. Mostly to take Mom to the county where her grandpa was born, even if we fail in finding out town. I also like the arts center there. Return Galway to stay 2nd night.

Day 6: Drive to Dingle.
Question: Any favorite towns/villages on the peninsula other than Dingle?

Day 7: Dingle tour. Stay Dingle peninsula...same place as prior night.

Day 8: Depart Dingle. Stop to tour Killarney National Park. Head to Kenmare. Stay Kenmare.

Day 9: Beara/Mizen tour. Stay Kenmare.

Day 10: Relax and/or part of ROK. Stay Kenmare.

Day 11: Depart Kenmare. Possibly more Killarney tour. Head to Ennis or Bunratty.

Day 12: Leave from Shannon late morning flight.

One more question...I have no idea why, but for some reason having trouble with pay pal. Is there any other way to get your book Michelle?

Thanks!

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3296
(8/4/05 1:04 am)

Re: Revised itinerary

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Debbie,

Sorry about the Pay Pal problem. You can also order my book by sending me a check. You will find an order form you can print here: www.irelandyes.com/orderbook.html

I think your itinerary looks pretty good. On the first day you will want to make frequent stops if you are feeling tired since it is a pretty long drive. Hopefully the sun will be out as that always helps with jet-lag. There are some fabulous beaches around Roundstone. You will love Dog's Bay. You can also go hiking on Inishnee Island (bridge to island) just offshore from Roundstone.

On the Galway question, I prefer staying slightly outside the city. Currently there is a lot of construction going on and it is messy and busy. I generally enjoy walking around to see the sights, people watching, shopping and going to good restaurants.

If you don't want to stay near Dingle town you could consider Ballyferriter, which has superb views of the Blasket Islands and is a much smaller town (not that Dingle town is that big). Near Stradbally on the north shore of the peninsula is a fantastic B&B called the Shores. But there is not much around this area except beaches, scenery and rural pleasures.

Michele

Debbie
Unregistered User
(8/4/05 6:05 am)

Thank you!

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Thanks for your feedback Michelle. I am looking at the Shores. I think a remote area is fine for a couple of evenings, particularly given the great reviews teh Shores receives.

We were able to order the book through paypal last night.

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3307
(8/6/05 12:51 am)

Re: Thank you!

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Debbie,

The Shores is very special. You can read the complete description when my book arrives. If you don't mind the countryside it is perfect. When I was there it snowed on the mountains during the night. The next morning there was a huge rainbow going from the snowy mountains into the ocean. Absolutely fantastically beautiful! Most of the time rainbows so fleeting but this rainbow lasted at least an hour. It gave everyone at the B&B time to get out their cameras and take photos.

Michele