8 days, first trip to Ireland, West Coast

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

8 days, first trip to Ireland, West Coast

Michele Erdvig · Host

Doug,

Welcome to my forum. Take a look at my article Plan Your Trip to Ireland in 10 Easy Steps. It will help you get started.

Ask yourself what sort of trip you want. Fast, moderately paced or leisurely? Make a list of what you want to see and do. Realize that you can never see everything on your list in 6 to 7 days. Given your limited time I would choose to go north or south, not both.

Do you have a guidebook yet? Any idea of what you wife is interested in?

Once you have your info gathered, sit down with your list, a calendar and a map. Work through a few itineraries. Keep at it because the more time you spend on it the better it will get. Feel free to post any proposed itinerary and we will comment on it and whether it is the best use of your time.

Let us know if you have any other specific questions.

Michele

Date: 4:03 PM, 02/12/11

Thanks Michelle:

We want to take it easy.... to have time to not only see and absorb the culture, but also have time talk, walk the towns, window shop. It will be our 17year anniversary!

In fact, when we've traveled in Germany in the summer, we enjoy "winging it" in terms of B&B's (i.e. don't want to feel pressured that we have hit the road just so we can get to our next B&B).

I'm thinking a few days in Dingle, Westport, see the Cliffs, drive the Clare coast. But if we fall in love with one town, we would like to have the luxury of staying an extra night...

Here is my thinking:

Fly into Shannon 6/2/2011

Days 1 & 2 - drive down to Dingle, stay for 2 nights.

Day 3 - drive up to Cliffs of Moher, stay in Ennis.

Days 4 & 5 - drive up to Westport, stay 2 nights.

Day 6 - drive back down to Co. Clare, stay maybe in Bunratty?

Day 7 - "buffer day" to allow extra night in a town, or more sightseeing.

Day 8 - depart Shannon

I'm thinking we will be ok "winging it" with the B&B's...but again, if I am wrong on this, please tell me.

Many thanks!

Doug

Michele Erdvig · Host

Doug,

Holiday Alert! The first Monday in June is a Bank Holiday. That means June 3, 4, 5 & 6 is a long holiday weekend. Popular places like Ennis, coastal villages, Dingle, Doolin, etc. will book up fast. Winging it? If you don't care where you stay or about the quality of the lodgings I suppose you may find something. I would definitley have firm reservations for a Bank Holiday weekend. In fact I would book Dingle NOW. You may find some places will only do a two-night reservation during a Bank Holiday.

What you have outlined is doable. The drive down to Dingle on your first day will probably take at least 3 hours, if not more. There is a new tunnel that goes under the river near Limerick that you should take to avoid city traffic. Have money for the toll.

Your next stop is on a Saturday night during the Bank Holiday weekend. Personally, since you are headed north I would think an overnight in Doolin or Ballyvaughan would be better than Ennis. It will give you time for the Burren and stunning coastline. Take the Shannon Ferry across the river.

Once you reach Monday you will have more success "winging it".

Since you know where you want to be on your last night in Ireland book that too. Bunratty is a good overnight near the airport.

Michele

Date: 9:22 PM, 02/13/11

Just curious why you chose the West Coast? My husband and I are planning our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Ireland. Not sure what would be the best routes, etc. Michele, how does one decide how to see Ireland if they only have one chance to go? We will be able to stay about 12-14 days. Our Anniversary month is October, but I would be happy to go in May. Please help. We like to venture out on our own and not be stuck with a tour group. We like to experience true culture and not the tourist sites only...we have been waiting 25 years for this and want to make sure we don't screw it up. We appreciate any words of wisdom Michele.

Thanks,

Kimberly

Date: 10:38 PM, 02/13/11

Hi Michele:

Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

I might be able to push our dates out a few days (i.e. arrive Shannon June 5th).

Where in Dingle to you recommend? Sounds like after Dingle, we will be safer winging it as for B&B's?

Best,

Doug

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kimberly,

Have you looked at the article on my Blog yet? It will walk you through the beginning steps of planning your trip. If you follow my advice there you will start out right.

You approach a trip to Ireland exactly the same way you do any other country. If you were going to visit Australia or China or the USA for two weeks you would research, decide what areas appeal to you, determine which sightseeing fits your interests and then see what fits into two weeks. You know that you can never see all the country. So you have to trim down your "wish list" to fit into your time period.
What bothers most people is they want to see it all. As soon as you realize that is impossible you will find that your trip falls into place much easier. Make a list of "must sees" in order of importance. See where most are clustered. Let's suppose that most of your interests are in Northern Ireland but you want to spend one night in Dingle. It might not be in your best interests and fit time-wise into your itinerary to go from the very northern coast of Ireland to the very SW extreme just for one night. There are always sacrifices and adjustments to be made.

Most first-timers concentrate on the tried and true highlights of Ireland. They spend a day or two in Dublin because it is Ireland's capital. But the glory of Ireland is the countryside and small towns and villages. After seeing the "big city" they venture off mostly on a southern loop through Ireland. They hit the major sightseeing venues in Ireland such as:

Wicklow, Powerscourt & Glendalough
Kilkenny, Rock of Cashel, Waterford Crystal
Blarney Castle, Kinsale
Killarney, Kenmare, Ring of Kerry,
Dingle
Cliffs of Moher & Burren
Galway & Connemara

There is lots more to see in Ireland but not enough time for most people. That is why you will find that many of the forum members here are going back for their 5th, 10th or 12th trip. Maybe that is impossible for you. But you never know - you could get bit by the Ireland bug! biggrin

Perhaps now you can understand the logistics of planning. Do what you like. See what interests you. It is different for everyone. If you hate gardens but love ruins then skip the gardens and see the ruins. Plan the trip for you not just to cross off items on a sightseeing list.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Doug,

It will be better winging it after June 6. But do note that weekends can still fill up popular places. Have you looked at my Lodgings page yet? Have you read my article Michele's Hot Deals in Ireland 2011?

What is your budget? Are you staying at B&Bs, guesthouses, hotels, castles? When is your anniversary. Will you splurge on a special stay during your trip? If so, will it be in Dingle or elsewhere?

Michele

Date: 10:12 AM, 02/14/11

Cheers Michele:

What do you think of Gormans Cliftop outside of Dingle?

We will be arriving Sunday the 5th in the am in Shannon. So I figure a leasurly drive to Gormans that day...stopping along the way to see some bits....not too much though..due to jet lag. They have bike rentals there...which, weather permitting wouold be a huge plus. My wife and I are avid bikers and kayakers.

Speaking of that, do you suggest some stopping points along the way for the drive from Shannon to Dingle Pininsula?

I'm open to all levels of accomodation.... it does not have to be 5star every night, nor a castle for that matter. Quaint, traditional Irish B&B is what I'm looking for...but if a nice castle is not too far off our route, I'm ok "splurging".

Many thanks Michele.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Doug,

Gorman's is very nice. I inspected it a few years ago. It is not near Dingle town. I'd say maybe 10 miles or more away. If you want something special within a short walk of Dingle town I recommend Emlagh House. Another forum member celebrated their anniversary there and found it to be everything they wanted and more. If you go to my Hot Offers section you will find Emlagh House is offering my readers a free upgrade.

Michele

Date: 11:02 AM, 02/15/11

Thank you Michele. Will check those out as well.

Any suggestions for things to see/do on the drive from Shannon to Dingle. Unique routes, must do/see places?

Doug

Michele Erdvig · Host

Doug,

Since the drive will be on arrival day you won't want to do extensive sightseeing on that day. On your route is Adare village, which is worth a walk-about. It would be a good place to grab a snack and cup of tea or coffee. There is a pretty park in town besides the picturesque thatched cottages and churches. Depending on your route you could also stop at either Inch Strand or Connor Pass. Otherwise I think you should go directly to Dingle.

Michele

Roy · Guru

The longest I have driven after an overnight flight was Shannon to Dingle. Twelve rain events later I decided it was too far for this middle aged man.

tony2phones · Guru

There are a lot of potential stops on the roads between Shannon and Dingle, As suggested Adare on the N21 or Castleisland later on the same road for brunch then Tralee although I wouldn't recommend a novice negotiating the town centre and stay well away from the multi storied carpark if you value your insurance. Taking the N69 there is the Foynes Flyingboat Museum whilst further on Listowel is an interesting heritage town with some good café's and pubs, the Literary and Cultural centre and the "Garden of Europe" which is marvellous in summer. so consider this route on the way up. Don't drive the Connor Pass on the way into Dingle on your 1st day after a Trans Atlantic crossing. It is better sticking to the major roads and besides it is more scenic to drive the north bound direction.