Feeling overwhelmed!!!

alix · Member

Feeling overwhelmed!!!

tony2phones · Guru

Personally I think you are hoping for too much for the 6 intermediate days. Your plan seems to be to drive the whole circumference of the republic from Clonard Co Meath) Dublin to Belmullet in freight delivery time rather than relaxed holiday time. If you were considering doing the northern (which I would consider) rather than southern direction then 6 days would do but you should consider cutting something out of your plan.

For the southern route consider cutting Wicklow and Waterford heading instead for Cork via Cashel/Cahir. Then Kenmare driving the ring to Dingle (dont tell anyone I said the D word) then up the Clare coast to Galway before crossing the Connemara into Mayo for Belmullet.

Andi · Senior Member

Tony, what do you have against Dingle? I'm just curious. I've been to Ireland 3 times and never been there. I've concentrated on Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal (all trips by bike, so I go a little slower!) Most people seem to think Dingle is fantastic.

tony2phones · Guru

I have a one man crusade to educate the masses that there is a lot more to Ireland than a single peninsular which draws tourists in the same manner that Disney's Lemmings rush over a cliff. It never ceases to amaze me how people who have never even been to Ireland think that somewhere they have never seen must be better in some magical way than the other 85% of the Island which they have also never seen. Yes there are some reasonable beaches and a small part of the Slea Head drive is pretty good, combine these details with the Highest pass in Ireland (Connor) and you have somewhere worth a look. But surely not at the expense of equally and in many cases more amazing places.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alix,

Welcome to my forum. In 5 - 6 days I think you should prune your desire to see "everything". I think you realize that wish is impossible. You just need confirmation that you should set a more realistic itinerary so your family has time to enjoy what it does see.

Perhaps you should tell us your "must see" list for those areas. That might help us understand your trip better.

You are traveling in "high season" so higher prices are in effect for accommodations. However, many B&Bs have rates of around 35 euro per person. That includes a big breakfast. Some will even give you a break on rates if you stay for a couple of days. Look at the "Hot Offers" section of the forum.

Since you are traveling in "high season" and with 6 people you definitely need to make advance reservations. You should also note that the Irish Open will be in Killarney during your travel dates. That might make a difference on where you stay.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

I've seen it all in the 38 years I've been traveling to Ireland. Fads come and go. Currently everyone wants to see Dingle. Tomorrow it will be something else. People who have never visited Ireland will go where the guidebooks tell them to. Someone just told me that a major guidebook has left the Beara Peninsula out of their book. Rick Steves tells readers to avoid Killarney and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park at all costs. Others rhapsodise over the Cliffs of Moher but forget about Loop Head, Bridges of Ross and the wonderful drive down the coast.

Then there are the many online forums. People will only recommend what they saw and liked. If they are lemmings then they will lead other lemmings to the same place. If they were in Dingle but not in Donegal then they will recommend Dingle. I can't tell you the number of inquiries I get as to whether it is safe to cross the border into Northern Ireland. People expect a war zone.

Most tourists only have a limited amount of time in Ireland. They will almost always spend a day or two in Dublin. Then they want to see the "highlights" of Ireland. So they will see the "lemming" spots. Even though Blarney Castle is touristy (and people know it) they still have to see it and kiss the stone. All their friends at home will demand to know if they did it. I know of some tourists who drove the Ring of Kerry at night just to cross it off their list and say they had "done it".

I like Dingle and think portions of it are very beautiful. But I also like many, many other places. However, when I do custom itineraries I must take into account what my clients want. Sometimes they are open to adventures and I can steer them off-the-beaten-path. But most stick to the tried and true highway. In that case I must plan the trip that they want. Not the one that I want.

You have your job cut out for you!

Michele

Roy · Guru

I was personally not impressed with Dingle town, although the peninsula is very pretty. I wife (the one from Co. Westmeath) wants to spend time there again on one of our future trips. BTW, today is Mother's Day in Ireland. it's a god thing I reminded my wife to call! She's on the phone right now with her mother.

tony2phones · Guru

I recommended Dingle for what it is, a nice pleasant area to call off south of the Shannon and a logical next stop after driving round the ROK heading generally North. The majority of overseas people on holiday like the peninsular and just because it doesn't send a tingle down my spine is no excuse to discount the area. On this count at least I believe that Michele and myself sing from the same hymn sheet. Just hope this sidetrack hasn't hijacked the original question.

alix · Member

Okay, let me put it this way, if you were driving from Dublin to Belmullet as I described, what are some points of interest that you would recommend not missing? A friend from England who has lived in Ireland suggested the Ring of Kerry which is why we're interested. And yes, kissing the Blarney Stone. (we do have to make everyone from 14 to 50 happy)

Irish Open? That could change things...if I chose to share that tidbit with my golfer husband...

For the 6 days it will be just myself, husband and children. We'll meet up with my parents in Elly Bay. That might make bookings easier. But you're saying I should still prebook?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alix,

Why don't you tell us what your interests are? There is just so much to see and do that refining it for us will be of help. For instance, if you hate gardens we won't recommend them. wink

I would absolutely pre-book accommodations.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

alix: I too know what it's like to feel overwhelmed by trip planning! My advice is to take a day or two to focus on remembering why vacation is fun. Recall why you wanted to go to Ireland on this trip. biggrin Browse through the photos in your guidebooks and dream of Ireland. Only allow the "fun" thoughts in.

Then, after filling your imagination with Irish fun and dreaming...you are ready to tackle your itinerary again. Drop someplace from your itinerary. You won't lose anything...instead you will gain time to really enjoy your destinations in greater depth and relaxation.

Since you are planning for a family group...which I have also done many times... You must tell them, you will try to include at least 1 "favorite" for each person...but you can't promise to include all of their requests, as its impossible with a group. Tell them it will be a great trip, they can trust you.

I have been planning our family trips plus trips for my husband and I for years. I have learned...always trim, trim, trim. Whenever we return from a great trip...we always wish we had more time at such great spots! And you know what that means?

I have studied the international trips our family has taken since 2004. The more nights we spend at 1 destination...the more it becomes our favorite place, because we see and experience more of it.

Have a wonderful Irish adventure! biggrin

alix · Member

Thanks Melissa, I know, sit back and breath. Booking a car was stressful enough.

Michele,
We like museums, scenery, gardens are ok. Historical sites. Tours. Plays, concerts, theatre. Strolling through towns in the shops. Bunratty Castle sounds fun. My daughter wants to see puffins. (not sure if this is something we can cross off her bucket list). My husband is an avid golfer but he'll likely hold off until we get to Belmullet. Still have to tell him about the Irish Open.

So far, Blarney Castle, ROK and Bunrattty seem to pique our interest the most. I'd rather stay away from the huge ROK crowds, but I think we'll have plenty of down time once we get to Belmullet.

I'm thinking like Tony and might cut Wicklow and Waterford.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alix,

Wise advice from Melissa who has "been there, done that". Since Blarney Castle is high on your "must see" list you might consider going from Meath to Blarney or Kinsale. Some interesting stops along the way are Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. That will cut out Wicklow and Waterford. Then you can proceed from there. Take a look at your map and also consider the sort of pace you want to maintain.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Alix,

We were both posting at the same time! And see what happened? Wicklow and Waterford - poof! Gone! A good substitute for ROK is the Beara Peninsula. No tour buses.

Michele