Pimp My Itinerary - September 2011 - 9 nights - 4 adults, 2 kids

CatManDoo · Newbie

Pimp My Itinerary - September 2011 - 9 nights - 4 adults, 2 kids

Judy · Guru

Having traveled to Ireland with children as young as 5 years old, here are some thoughts for you. When in Killarney stop at Muskross Gardens where the kids can run around for a while after a long car ride. Also take the tour of Ross Castle.

From Kenmare you could do the Beara Peninsula. For a shorter drive, from Kenmare to Lauragh, over Healy Pass to Adrigole, Glengarriff and back to Kenmare. Healy Pass has some great scenery and will be a shorter car time for the kids. Take along sandwiches and stop along the way for a picnic. Be sure to have the kids use the restroom (toilet) before driving over Healy Pass. I speak from experience.

Check with Bunratty for the banquet to see if they allow kids. Thats a two hour dinner, most 7 year olds cant sit that long. There is also the Corn Barn entertainment at Bunratty which would be more suitable for the kids. Maybe the grandparents will kid sit that night.

Sounds like you are staying at the Park Inn at Shannon. You can turn in your car the night before and save a days rental. The Park Inn is just a short walk across the parking lot to the airport.

Hope you have a big car or van with 4 adults and 2 children. We had 3 adults and 2 kids and just made it with a Ford Focus.

Let the airlines know if you want kid meals in flight, they do not automatically serve the kid meals unless you tell them.

Judy M

tony2phones · Guru

Shannon to Kenmare is a straightforward no problem 2 1/2hour drive.

Monday. You could do Beara and the South road under Banntry bay, I would hate you to just see Dingle and have nothing to compare it to.

Tuesday. Your wish list gives you about 6hours driving add a couple of hours for Cahir Castle and or the Swiss Cottage, another hour plus for Cashel and you are looking at a 10 hour day. I would do it but then I don't have to find and get into accommodation in Doolin and don't have a couple of youngsters getting bored on the back seat.

Move this to Saturday drive from Doolin to Ennis take the Scarriff road and skirt Lough Derg crossing the Shannon at Killaloe/Ballina then cross country to Cashel, skip Cahir and head back through Tipperary/Limerick to Bunratty for possibly a bit of the folk park and the Early Banquet this is 4 hours driving plus stops so leaving Doolin at 8.30/9.00 should make it possible. http://www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/BunrattyCastleFolkPark/ the youngsters will love the banquet.

My thoughts on Tuesday. Drive up to Listowel skirting Tralee. Listowel is a wonderful underrated Heritage town which is well worth spending a couple of hours and the Children would love the railway http://www.lartiguemonorail.com/ Cross the Shannon by the Ferry but get out of the car and onto the observation deck maybe see some dolphins. You wont have time for Loop Head I don't think which is a shame as you are so close. Check into your accommodation(?) and unpack, head up to the Cliffs late evening after closing and take advantage of the Public right of way to the edge (or as close as you can get these days) see them for free.

Wednesday. You will have seen the Cliffs from the top so take in a cruise of the Cliffs and Inishere. http://www.doolinferry.com/index.php?page=product-002

Thursday. Explore the Burren, Ailwee caves and Bird of Prey centre (hawk walk?) pass the Dolmen, over to the Perfumery Centre http://www.burrenperfumery.com/ possibly have a look at the Michael Cusack centre http://www.michaelcusack.ie/

Friday. I have swapped these days round because the 9th is the start of the Clarinbridge Oyster festival http://www.clarenbridge.com/ which might be of interest on the way back.

Saturday night. You could stay in Bunratty or The Oakwood Arms in Shannon if you have not already sorted that.

Sunday you will not have had time to see everything but I hope you will leave with good memories from the places you have seen and the people you will have met.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 27th of May 2011 06:02:31 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

CatManDoo,

I answered a couple of your questions under Melissa's post.

They might be interested in Molly Gallivan's in Bonnane: http://www.mollygallivans.com/ and Kissane Sheep Farm where they can adopt a sheep: http://www.kissanesheepfarm.com/ Definitely all the Killarney sightseeing and Gap of Dunloe.

From Muckross House you can get a jaunting car ride (horse-drawn cart) all around Killarney National Park including Torc Waterfall and Muckross Abbey. Muckross Traditional Farms may be of interest: http://www.muckross-house.ie/farms/intro.htm along with Ross Castle. You can also hire a rowboat and visit some of the islands on the lakes. There are lots of walks through the park (KNP). The Gap of Dunloe is an all day trip with horses and boats through some of Ireland's highest mountains.

If you do the Beara Peninsual there is hiking at Derreen Gardens (woodlands) and Gleninchiquin Park and waterfall. You can also take a cable car out to Dursey Island. Might be a thrill ride for the kids.

The Aran Islands will take a whole day from Doolin and the boats won't go if the seas are too rough or the weather is bad. Choose a good day for that. I like Tony's idea of Aillwee Cave and the Birds of Prey center as well as Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. You can also catch dolphin watching cruises: http://www.discoverdolphins.ie/

Lots to see and do in all of your areas. Just choose what works best depending on time and weather.

Michele