Thoughts appreciated on possible itinerary

Date: 5:50 AM, 03/14/11

Thoughts appreciated on possible itinerary

Tom K · Member

ooops, forgot to log in before posting. Apologies for the new member mistake.

Tom

tony2phones · Guru

I am going to assume your aim from Kinsale is Killarney which would be my choice over Tralee, Having driven through the Burren you could tour the Connamara or head to one of the Islands from Galway. I might not spend 2 nights in Kinsale but thats a personal preference although it would give you an extra night if you only spent one there. Other than that and suggesting a side trip to Clonmacnoise between Galway and Dublin it looks 90% achievable, which is pretty good for a 1st draft,

Tom K · Member

Thank you Tony for the quick reply, suggestions and encouragement. Yes I'd prefer Killarney over Tralee, too, but what I'm learning is that with the Irish Open golf tournament in Killarney that weekend, available lodging is scarce so I may be pushed out to Tralee. The family insists on not packing up and moving our lodging every day, and I've found a nice accomodation right on the ocean, so the two days in Kinsale should be a nice relaxing interlude (I hope).

CowboyCraic · Guru

Tom,

You are right in that Killarney will be overrun that weekend, perhaps Kenmare or even Dingle could be an option? If you are going as far as Tralee, Dingle wouldn't be too very much farther.

As Tony indicated, if you take the coastal route up to Galway, you will have seen the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. That would give you a day to explore the Connemara: Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park, etc. You could also use the day to explore Athenry, a fantastic Heritage town just east of Galway.

With two nights in Kinsale, you might want to take a look at exploring the Ring of Beara.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tom,

Welcome to my forum. I see everyone has given you a good start already. I think your itinerary looks good.

On the drive from Dublin to Kilkenny you might want to add Glendalough. It is not too far from Powerscourt and a must see in the area.

For Kilkenny you might want to download Corey's Walking Tour of Kilkenny from my Discounts page. Or if you want a guided tour they go a couple of times a day from the tourist office. I wouldn't bother with the Irish National Heritage Park. It did not impress me.

While in Kinsale you might be interested in the Queenstown Story Museum in Cobh. If the regatta is on while you are in Kinsale, I would suggest you make your reservations now. You could run into the same problem as the Irish Open in Killarney.

With only two days in the SW (one of them taken up with driving) I would cut the ROK from your plans. Since Killarney will be chock-a-block I would be inclined to go directly to Dingle for two days.

Glin Castle is closed as a hotel and is back to being a private home. Cross that off your list. Consider taking the Shannon Ferry, going up the Clare coast and seeing the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. If you take that route you can cross off Adare Manor, Hunt Museum (Limerick), Bunratty Castle.

Since you are traveling with a group who may well need a couple of rooms and during high season it would be best to make reservations in advance. All the areas you want to stay are very popular.

Michele

Tom K · Member

Thank you all! It appears that I am still early enough to squeeze in to good lodging in Killarney and Kinsale. As you suggested, I plan to book very soon. I love the Ferry suggestion. I hate to give up on the ROK, but I do see your point about all the driving. Is there a feasible way to do just a piece of it? I was also thinking about cutting off of N22 and going through Kenmare and then up to Killarney to get a more scenic drive. Or would I be better off taking N71 all along the coast -- it seems like that could take a long time and so not leave us much time to experience Killarney. Dilemmas, dilemmas.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Tom K:

In the opinion of many, some of the Best of the Ring of Kerry is the stretch from Kenmare into Killarney. I think that following the N71 from Kinsale into Killarney would probably make for a pretty long day, though you would have LOTS of daylight during July, so it probably would be do-able.

If you were planning to drive the N71, you should save Drombeg for that day. Otherwise, I would suggest dropping it from the plan as it's a bit far for an excursion with such limited time in Kinsale -- particularly when you have so many other 'Want To See's that are closer, both to Kinsale AND to each other.

If Drombeg is a MUST while in Kinsale, you could add several other sites around Clonakilty (DeBarras, Timoleague, etc.) to make the trip more 'worthwhile'.

Some info, here: http://www.westcork.ie/west-cork-brochures.htm

As Michele mentioned, an alternative to driving the N71 and staying in Killarney, would be passing by and continuing to Dingle. The Dingle Loop -- Slea Head Drive and Connor Pass -- are mile-for-mile, some of the FINEST views in Ireland -- nicely COMPRESSED into a relatively compact area.

HARD choices, I know. hmm

But, as Michele often says, "You won't miss what you don't see."

And, as someone who is currently planning my 14th visit -- I can ASSURE you that with only a week, or even two, that you can NOT see it all!

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tom,

There is never enough time for everything. Even for me and I spend a month at a time in Ireland. Just plan on enjoying what you have time for. If you are like a lot of us here, you will be tempted back to Ireland again...and again and again!

As Bob suggested, the N71 between Kenmare and Killarney is part of the ROK and is very scenic. If you do that you can say you have seen the ROK - at least in part. Another option if you want to do the coast of West Cork would be a night in Kenmare and then then next in Dingle. In between you could see some of Killarney. But with only one night in Dingle you would want an early start so you can be sure to do the scenic Slea Head Drive.

Don't forget to look at my Lodgings page for suggested places to stay and my Hot Offers section of the forum or my article about discounts.

Michele

Michael · Member

Hi TOM,
lOOKING AT YOUR WISHLIST OF PLACES TO VISIT YOU WILL NEED A HOLIDAY AFTER YOUR TRIP I WOULD RECOMMEND THE LESS IS MORE APPROACH. WEST CORK IS BEAUTIFUL AND CLONAKILTY IS WELL WORTH A VISIT, I AGREE THAT KENMARE IS WONDERFUL BUT GIVEN A CHOICE i WOULD CHOOSE DINGLE AND THE SLEA HEAD DRIVE FOR SCENERY(MAKE SURE YOU VISIT PAIDI O SHEAS PUB. AFTER DINGLE HEAD NORTH TO lISTOWEL AND CROSS THE FERRY TO WEST CLARE. THERE IS A FANTASTIC COUPLE OF DAYS TO BE HAD THERE. vISIT kILRUSH AND kILKEE(GREAT bEACH) FARTHER NORTH MILTOWM MALBAY FOR MUSIC.VISIT CLEARYS PUB. DOOLIN IS FAMOUS WORLDWIDE.O CONNORS PUB FOR FOODAND CRAIC, MCGANNS FOR MUSIC. UP THE ROAD IS THE CLIFFS OF MOHER AND THE BURREN FROM THERE TAKE THE COAST ROAD TO GALWAY.
tAKE YOUR TIME. GO FOR A QUALITY EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN QUANTITY
mIKE

Wellsley · Guru

Two nights in Kilkenny or Tralee (30/7-31/7)

Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Abbey, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Blennerville Windmill

1/8 drive from Kilkenny or Tralee to Galway

Possible stops along the way - Listowel Writers Museum, Glin Castle, Adare Manor, Hunt Museum (Limerick), Bunratty Castle

Possible stops along the way or day trip from Galway - Cliffs of Moher, The Burren

I'm not sure how your going to be able to do this one. I think your going to have to cut this one way back. The ring of Kerry will take you the better part of a day. Then the Dingle Peninsula is another good day. We are headed to Ireland in May and are doing a similar trip. There is just not enough time to do everything I'd like to so we will fit in what we can. I have learned alot from the people here. And might just have to make more trips in the future.

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

Tom K · Member

Here's what I've refined the trip to, thanks to the excellent advice I've received here. Any further thoughts?

Stay three nights in Dublin (Saturday 23 July Monday 25 July)
Hop on hop off bus to see the City Center
Sights in Dublin could include -- Trinity College; Dublin Castle, Grafton Street, Temple Bar , Christchurch Cathedral, Chester Beatty Library, theater, Guinness tour
Possible day trip on Monday 25 July to Newgrange

Tuesday 7/26 drive from Dublin to Kilkenny (through the Wicklow Mountains)

possible stops along the way
Powerscourt Gardens
Devils Glen
Glendalough
Glenmacness Waterfall
Brownes Hill Dolmen

Stay two nights in Kilkenny (Tuesday 26 July Wednesday 27 July)
Kilkenny Castle, Black Abbey, Smithwicks brewery tour
Possible day trip to Waterford and/or Wexford (Irish National Heritage Park, Johnstown Castle)

Thursday 27 July drive from Kilkenny to Kinsale

possible stops along the way
Ahenny high crosses
Glen of Aherlow
Cahir Castle
Rock of Cashel
Mitchelstown Caves

Places in Cork that could either be stops on the way or a day trip back from Kinsale --
Blarney Castle (just to look from the outside)
Old Cork Jail
Fota Island Wildlife Park

Stay two nights in Kinsale (Thursday 28 July - Friday 29 July)

Charles Fort
Desmond Castle and Wine Museum
Dromberg Stone Circle

Saturday 30 July drive from Kinsale to Tralee

possible stops along the way
sights missed in Cork
Kenmare Druid Circle
Killarney National Park

Stay two nights in Tralee (Saturday 30 July Sunday 31 July)

day trip to the Dingle Peninsula including the Blennerville Windmill

Monday, 1 August drive from Tralee to Galway

Possible stops along the way
Listowel Writers Museum
Cliffs of Moher (amazing scenery)
The Burren (amazing scenery)

Stay two nights in Galway (Monday, 1 August Tuesday 2 August)

possible day trip to Connemara area

Wednesday 3 August drive from Galway to Dublin

possible stops along the way -

Clonmacnoise High Crosses
Kilbeggan Distillery
Conollys Folly obelisk (Maynooth)
Castletown House Estate barn (Leixlip)

fly out of Dublin Thursday 4 August

Monty · Senior Member

The one change I would make is replacing two nights in Tralee with two nights in Dingle. Heck, I drive out of my way to stay in Dingle almost every time in Ireland, so there is no way possible I wouldn't stay there if I was as close as Tralee.

Much more to do in Dingle, more scenic, more action there.

It's a grand village.

I also would not do three days in Dublin. I find a day there is about as much as I can handle, unless you are a person who loves gridlock. The hop-on-hop-off tour in one day gives you a great overview of things and after that I'm not sure how relaxing any part of it is. And ... much more expensive to stay, eat, and drink there if that is part of the equation. I would at least take one of those days and assign it to seeing West Cork (Kenmare, Bantry, Skibbereen) on your way to the Dingle area, perhaps spending a night in Kenmare.

-- Edited by Monty on Tuesday 22nd of March 2011 12:36:23 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tom,

Your itinerary will work. Just adjust as you go according to how much time you have each day.

Michele

Tom K · Member

Thanks Michele. We've done several family driving vacations in the US and have become pretty adept at adjusting on the fly depending on what catches everyone's fancy as we get out on the road, how everyone is feeling, etc. So we won't be disappointed if we don't see everything on the list of possibilities, but will enjoy what we *do* see.

Monty, I had settled on Tralee because it seems to be about an hour less driving time than Dingle from our point of origin in Kinsale. I was worried that it would already be a long day of driving, especially if we spent any time in Killkenny and Kenmare on the way. We certainly plan to spend the next day getting out of Tralee and enjoying the peninsula. If you think I'm being too conservative and Dingle is a manageable end point, I'm happy to reconsider.

I think I'm committed to 3 days in Dublin. The first day will be devoted mainly to catching up with our daughter, who will just have finished a six week course of study in Dublin. The second day will be to explore the City, which seems very walkable (especially if not in a hurry) and the third will be as jumping off point for a daytrip to Newgrange.

Thank you again. I'm already counting the days.

Tom K · Member

One more question -- Our son is 17 years old. Will he be able to go into the pubs with us to see music at nights?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Your son shouldn't be an issue. I believe that 17 is the OFFICAL cut-off, but the reality is that children with families are rarely challenged.

Bob