April 2012 preliminary itinerary

DiCal · Veteran Member

April 2012 preliminary itinerary

Michele Erdvig · Host

DiCal,

Welcome to the forum! You are certainly planning well in advance.

I prefer Westport over Castlebar. I consider it a much more attractive town. Plus it is only about a 15 minute drive from Westport to Castlebar.

It would be a shame to miss out on Connemara, which is just south of Westport. Is that on your radar? You definitely need to break up the trip between Westport and Dingle. Don't do it in a single day! If you do Connemara, perhaps an overnight in Galway, Ballyvaughan or Doolin is in order.

Most people are happy with a 2-night stay in Dingle. You can certainly do the highlights of the peninsula within that time frame.

I highly recommend a 3-night stay in Kenmare. It is a wonderful base for the SW. Cork City is not one of my favorites. Plus getting into and out of the city for day trips can be confusing.

Those are my thoughts. I'm sure the other forum members will have theirs too.

Michele

DiCal · Veteran Member

Yes, I do like to plan ahead! I did think the Westport -Dingle was too ambitious for a day. Perhaps we will stay 2 nights in Westport, 2 in Galway area, 2-3 in Dingle, and 3 nights in Kenmare. Connemara is now on my radar! Thanks, I appreciate your help. Your forum is a great resource.

Michele Erdvig · Host

DiCal,

Happy to help. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

I would also agree with Michele's version of the Itinerary but would put a night between Kenmare and Dublin possibly Kilkenny taking night 3 from Dingle which nice as it's reputation makes it is only a small peninsular. Kenmare is a good touring base for Kerry and Cork and deserves at least one night more than Dingle but also needs a break between there and your last night.

DiCal · Veteran Member

Thanks for the input. I have lots to consider and research. Perhaps we will start in the south and work our way around to Westport area and family (very distant). If Newgrange can be seen in less than 4 hours, we can stop there on our way back to Dublin to return the car the day before our departure. My priorities are to stay 2-4 nights in each place so we will be able to explore an area during the day. Again, lodging in small villages within walking distance of pubs and restaurants. I am sure I will have more questions as we refine our itinerary.

Michele Erdvig · Host

DiCal,

It will take about 4 hours for Bru na Boinne, Newgrange and Knowth. Which ever way you do Ireland, will be fine. Try out a couple of different itinerary plans and see what feels best to you. Let us know if we can help in any other way.

Michele

DiCal · Veteran Member

Let's see....I booked our tickets on Wednesday of last week and am now on Itinerary 4! But the research is fun as we learn about different areas of Ireland and places of interest. Your forum has been a great help already and I won't hesitate to ask questions in the future. Enjoy your July 4th Holiday.

Michele Erdvig · Host

DiCal,

Congrats on getting your tickets! Now the trip is a reality. You can have fun with different scenarios till you find one that is just right.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Hi Dical,

Take Michele's advice and see Connemara. Take the Sky road out of Clifden if you get the chance. Also R336 south of Leenane is beautiful. When in Dingle Conner Pass is a must see.

Frank

DiCal · Veteran Member

Thank you for your help. If we stay in the Galway area for 3 nights (instead of the Westport area), would we be able to reasonably take day trips to Castlebar, Connemara, and Cliffs of Moher? Frank, the Sky Road, R336, and the Conner Pass are now on the list. We would rather stay 3 nights in one place and concentrate in a smaller area rather than try to see it all. Again, this website is a real "find".

Wellsley · Guru

Hi DiCal, you are welcome.

From Galway you can do the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Aran islands, Connemara, I'm not sure about Castlebar that is north of Westport. It would depend on how much time to wish to spend there and how much driving you are willing to do. http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/Search.aspx It looks like it is doable. But I have not been there so I can't say. Back to Galway. It is a beautiful city Tig Coili and Taaffe's pubs are a must see. Great traditional irish music. The open market is great also. We bought food for a picknic lunch before we headed out on one of our day trips. It saved us money on lunch and was delicous. We stayed at the Park House Hotel http://www.booking.com/hotel/ie/park-house.en.html?aid=330632;label=ie-park-house-z89m7a37EQsJJf9WMqN1Hwe This is a very nice and expensive place, but my wife found a internet special and booked 4 months in advance and it was one of the best bargains of the whole trip to Ireland. I look forward to reading your itinerary.

Frank

-- Edited by Wellsley on Saturday 9th of July 2011 06:51:07 AM

tony2phones · Guru

Castlebar from Galway just about 80 or 90minutes, even calling in at Cong and Westport on the way its only 2hours behind the wheel possibly head across and call at the Bassilica and Knock Shrine on the way back down.

DiCal · Veteran Member

Michelle, I just read your post to another member and you recommended getting a jump start on your trip by spending the last 2 days in Dublin, rather than the first two days. Is there any specific reason you recommend this? I have learned so much about traveling
to Ireland by reading your blogs and this forum. I have put tea at Josie's on my agenda. If we don't find your Josie's, we will find our own special place. Diane

Michele Erdvig · Host

Diane,

When people have very limited time in Ireland I sometimes say they can get a jump start on the trip by saving Dublin for last. Instead of spending 3 nights in Dublin - first two days and last night - they would stay in Dublin for 2 nights at the end of their trip. When I suggest that, I also suggest they do not do a lot of driving on arrival day. No more than 2 hours or so of driving to their first destination. That is because people never know how jet-lag will affect them.

Does that make sense to you?

Michele

DiCal · Veteran Member

It makes perfect sense by providing an extra day of trave. Would yo recommend sating in Dublin city center for the last 2 nights or closer to the airport? There is a reciprocal Club, St StEphens green Hibernian Club, where we were planning on staying in Dublin. Would it be too difficult to travel to the airport on our last day for a 10:00 am flight? And would driving to Kilkenny be too far to drive on the first day? Thanks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Diane,

Kilkenny is perfect for the first day. It is just about a two hour drive. The city is very walkable with lots of interesting things to see and do. You can do as much or as little as you want. Perhaps take it easy or even have a little nap.

Yes, stay in the city center of Dublin for the last two nights. That will make the most of your time there. Drop off your car before entering the city. It is a detriment and you can use public transportation or walk. For ease and quickness of getting to the airport so early, I would skip the bus and take a taxi. Just add 25 - 35 euro to your budget for the taxi to the airport.

Michele

DiCal · Veteran Member

Thanks, Michele.

Wellsley · Guru

Hi Diane,

We decided to take the bus from upper O'Connell st. to the airport. While waiting for the bus (three of us) a taxi driver came up to us and offered to take us to the airport for the same money it would cost to take the bus. (18 euro) So off we went. There are alot of taxi drivers that are sitting around hoping the economy picks up.

Frank

DiCal · Veteran Member

Hi, Michele and All: Happy New Year to everyone on this forum. I have been reading posts, researching attractions, checking lodging websites since July and I have found this site very helpful. I even took my first Gaelic lesson thanks to Corey at Irish Fireside (http://www.bitesizeirishgaelic.com/irishfireside/). Our April 18- May 2 Trip is fast approaching and I have a few questions:

1. At what point should I begin making reservations for lodging? I have contacted a few B&B's to inquire about rates and availability but I have not reserved anything yet. The same for a car rental. I have been checking prices at Dan Dooley and the cost of a car in April is almost twice the cost of a car rental in March. I am hoping prices will go down a bit.

2. As for lodging, my plan is to make reservations for the first 6 or 7 nights (as this is our first trip to Ireland as well as our first time driving on the left and our first time staying in B&B's - a number of firsts for us). The last 6 nights, I would like to play be ear and see where we end up. I intend to have your book with us for lodging suggestions. Will not having reservations work for the end of April?

3. We are still debating between 3 nights in Kenmare or 3 nights in Killarney. We just can't decide! But after Dublin, Kilkenny, Kenmare or Killarney, and Dingle, we are unsure of our plans. We have decided not to stay in Galway, but rather stick to small villages with lodging within walking distance of pubs and shops. Any suggestions for a 5 night itinerary heading north from Dingle?

Here's hoping the dollar continues to strengthen against the euro for the next few months. Thanks to everyone for this great site. , Diane

Michele Erdvig · Host

Diane,

Your trip is approaching fast. Are you still planning on visiting family in Castlebar?

I think you will probably be just fine without reservations for the last part of your trip. Although you might want to book your last night(s) in Dublin. Fortunately your trip avoids Easter and May Bank Holiday. So you should be good to wander through Ireland, stopping where you will.

Keep checking on Dooley every day. I got a great deal that lasted about 2 days. But who knows if that will happen again?

As for the Kenmare/Killarney debate, both are fine places to stay. Kenmare is much smaller. Killarney is larger (but not huge).

Michele

DiCal · Veteran Member

Hi, Michele, Our plans to visit distant cousins in Castlbar did not work. We may still drive thru the area but we are not able to visit them this trip. So we are very flexible.

I will definitely book our last night in Dublin before our return flight home.

I will keep checking Dooley and hope for a drop in prices.

Thanks for your help, Diane

Wellsley · Guru

Happy New Year Diane,

We loved Killarney. The shops were open until 9pm. So we could travel and see the sites all day. Then have dinner, walk around town visit the shops. If your in Killarney stop in to Tatler Jacks pub great food.

DiCal · Veteran Member

Thanks, Wellsley. Killarney does look nice and I have added Tatler Jacks pub to our list! We intend to spend 3 nights in the area and use it as a base for siteseeing.

Wellsley · Guru

Diane,

You could easly spend a week in Killarney and not see it all. Ross castle was nice. So was Muckross farms & Gardens

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/MuckrossTraditionalFarms/

I would have liked to take the Lily of killarney cruise, but the weather didn't cooperate.

Frank