7 Nights 3/15 to 3/22 Arriving Dublin

Pennie · Newbie

7 Nights 3/15 to 3/22 Arriving Dublin

Monty · Senior Member

Hi Pennie:

Although I have been to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day before, I have always selected smaller towns (Dingle, Galway, Kenmare) for that event. To each his or her own, but personally you couldn't get me to Dublin on St. Patrick's Day. Your analogy of too many beers and too few bathrooms is correct, as I have a friend who has been there, and he said it was insanity. An event filled with a rowdy, younger crowd that made him (in his mid 30s) feel quite uncomfortable. Oh, and you also get the thrill of purchasing incredibly overprice beers in that area. smile

Again, this might be exactly what you are looking for -- an over the top experience that would no doubt be somewhat entertaining -- but it's not for me. I have really enjoyed the smaller villages for St. Patrick's Day, with their parades and craic, but wall-to-wall people in Dublin would not be much of a good time for me, I suspect, so I have stayed away from that event.

Regarding the rest of your trip, in March I would suggest you pass on the Ring of Kerry (and the Blarney Stone for that matter, but I understand newbies interest in going there) and instead do the Dingle Peninsula. That is a fabulous drive, and something you could better fit into your route toward the Cliffs and Doolin. I have heard the boat trip near the Cliffs is amazing, and that is something I want to do sometime.

Have a great time no matter what you decide.

Best regards,

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Monday 31st of January 2011 09:55:11 AM

tony2phones · Guru

The ferries from Doolin run April to October so I doubt you could do the Cliffs from that angle, allthough as its St.Pats wk if enough people are about you could get lucky.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Pennie,

If you absolutely need to be in Dublin on March 17 I suggest you make your reservations for that night ASAP! You may find your B&B vouchers useless in Dublin and surroundings especially around St. Patrick's Day. There will be massive crowds, lots of celebrations and drinking.

Were you planning on seeing any of Dublin other than St. Patrick's Day celebration? If so, they your first day might be the day to do it. Get the hopper bus and see Guinness and whatever else appeals.

On the 16th Wicklow for Powerscourt, Glendalough and hiking will fill that day up. Killarney, Tipperary and Cashel are definitely not advised.

Since you have to stay near the airport on the 21st, that gives you just three days to see everything else. Can you fit in the Blarney Stone, ROK and Cliffs of Moher. Yes. But you will be doing lots and lots of driving and it will be a whirlwind trip. On departing Dublin drive directly to Blarney, kiss the stone and go on to Killarney for an overnight stay.

It will be a "green blur" trip but can be done.

Michele

Pennie · Newbie

Thanks for the advice! What do you think of the below plan?

3/18: Leave Dublin. We want to at least see the Blarney Stone and the Irish Heritage Museum at Cobh. Which one should we do first? Our goal, as suggested, will be to spend the night in Kilkenny or Kenmare. What time do you think we would arrive in Kilkenny or Kenmare?

3/19: Check out Kilkenny or Kenmare drive to Dingle. Would we have time to do the Dingle Peninsula drive/Slea head? Any other suggestions?

3/20: My goal would be to spend the night in Doolin. Is it infested with tourist? I really want to do a boat tour to base of Cliffs of Moher. I emailed O'Brien Line Tours and they said their boat tour leaves from Doolin this time of year at 12 PM and 3 PM, but we have to check the day of because of weather. If not drive to top of Cliffs. Any other suggestions? What time would we have to leave Dingle to make 12 or 3 PM boat tour from Doolin?

3/21:- I am not quite sure what to do this day. We have a flight out of Dublin at 8 AM on 3/22. How long is the drive from Doolin to Dublin? What sites can we see along the way? In addition, I would love to take back the rental car on 3/21 and not have to deal with it in the morning, but I have Bed and Breakfast vouchers to use. Are there B&B's near the airport or should I spring for a hotel near the airport. Thanks for your help!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Pennie,

Cobh first then Blarney. Otherwise it is too much backtracking. I suggest you skip Kenmare this time and head directly from Blarney to Killarney. Kenmare is more off-the-beaten-path. You are looking at a drive time of about 6 - 7 hours. That does not include time spent at sightseeing attractions.

If you drive directly from Killarney to Dingle in the morning then you will have time for Slea Head Drive.

Doolin can be "infested with tourists" in the summer and on holidays. I doubt if a Sunday in March will have the town jumping. Drive time from Dingle to Doolin via the Shannon Ferry will take about 3-1/2 hours. More if you have to wait for the ferry.

Doolin to Dublin about 4 - 4-1/2 hours. You could stop to see Clonmacnoise (south of Athlone) and Belvedere House & Gardens (south of Mullingar).

You will have to refer to your B&B booklet to see what B&Bs are available in the airport area that take vouchers. It will depend on the type of voucher too. Look for the Swords and Malahide areas since they are close to the airport.

Michele

Date: 9:47 AM, 02/08/11

Thank you Michele. Do you think we should stay somewhere else on 3/20 since it is a Sunday night?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Pennie,

I think that Doolin or Ballyvaughan would be a good overnight stop on 3-20.

Michele