jenniferecronin Unregistered User (8/13/05 5:30 pm)
ring of kerry/northern ireland hi michelle, i am travelling to ireland in october for a week for a friends wedding at adare manor in limerick. we plan to be at adare by thursday the 13 of oct, but will arrive in shannon on sunday the 9th-this allow 5 days for pleasure trips. my husband and son (6months)and i are thinking of driving (we will rent a car) to killarney for 2 nights to do the ring of kerry. is this enough time or should we allow more? also, can we stay at one spot both nights or should we plan to drive to a second inn the second night? we are wondering about driving distance and ability to see most for our time. Also we are very excited about northern ireland and giants causeway, caves and old ruins as well as beautifuk scenery in antrim. we planned to drive there tue and leave friday for adare-is this enough time and again where should we stay-one spot or 2 different areas of antrim? I like the idea of one hotel for each of these short stays and where I imagine that the area we'll be covering isn't huge, i am just not sure? Also, is this too frantic of a pace with our 6month old son in tow? thank you so much for your help and any advice!!! Jen
It sounds like a fun trip, especially the wedding at the very posh Adare Manor. If I am understanding your itinerary right, you want two days in Killarney and then a couple of days in Northern Ireland before the wedding. If that is correct, then I suggest you spend your time in only one area and the southwest is closer and very scenic. Trying to go from one extreme to the other -- all the way from the very southwest to the very north -- will be much too much for you and your baby. There simply is no time for it.
Killarney will be fine for a couple of nights and you can do the Ring of Kerry from there as a day trip. Perhaps some time in Dingle would be an added bonus or you can also choose to do that as a day trip from Killarney also.
With only a few days in Ireland before the wedding you really need to simplify and do a bit less. You will enjoy your trip so much more.