Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Return to IrelandYes.com Website -> Ireland Travel Forum -> Ask Michele: Ireland Travel Forum -> Do I have enough WILD SEA COAST & Mountains in my Irish itinerary???
Post Info TOPIC: Do I have enough WILD SEA COAST & Mountains in my Irish itinerary???
Melissa5


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 796
Date:
Do I have enough WILD SEA COAST & Mountains in my Irish itinerary???
Permalink  

Hi Michele and all Ireland lovers:

The SEA is calling me...I love the wild sea coast.   Just yesterday I was walking in La Jolla, California, which has a great coast walk at La Jolla Cove. Suddenly I wondered...did I put enough SEA COAST access into my Irish itinerary?

Our trip is coming up in September! All accommodations booked.

I find myself regretting that I didn't book either the Bervie or The Shores Country House...someplace enchanting right on the seashore.

But I do have a good itinerary overall. Here is my itinerary. Will I get enough of the sea coast? Our main "bases" are Kilkenny, Kenmare, and Clifden, and we will have 3 to 5 nights at each of these main "bases" for day-trips nearby.

Bunratty (1 night)

Kilkenny

Kenmare

Kilnaboy, Corofin (1 night)

Clifden

Dublin (2 nights)

I am almost tempted to take out Dublin and add in a sea coast near Dublin. But our favorite sea coasts aren't spoiled by overdevelopment so I'm not sure that describes the coast near Dublin. Besides then I'd never see Dublin!

I don't usually change things this late in the game. But I'm wondering if I should take some nights away from Kilkenny and add some nights on the sea coast?

My husband is asking me if I included enough mountains and cliffs for him. He loves height and land with a varied topography. He's a biologist and music lover, but he especially loves land with a variety of delights such as mountains, hills, valleys, cliffs. I wonder if we'd enjoy the Wicklow Mountains more than Dublin?

But this is our second trip to Ireland and we didn't see Dublin on the first trip. We also didn't see the Rock of Cashel (accessible from Kilkenny.)

My husband is interested in MacGillycuddy's Reeks near the Ring of Kerry...but are they actually accessible? Can you drive up them and go for a walk?

Our main interests on this trip are the friendly Irish people, the Irish Trad music, the wild unspoiled scenery, especially sea coasts, mountains, the unique Burren, and friendly b&bs. History & culture are interesting too.

Usually when I'm this close to a trip I'm feeling really confident about my itinerary. But I feel like I've missed something important.



__________________
Michele Erdvig


Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 10695
Date:
Permalink  

Melissa,

Don't second guess it. You have everything set and a very nice mix of things to see and do.

From Kenmare:

Caha Mountains and Tunnel Drive (Kenmare to Glengarriff)
Barley Lake (near Glengarriff) see my blog for more
Gougane Barra
Ring of Kerry (serious mountain passes from Blackwater or Sneem to Glencar)
Valentia Island: Fogher Cliffs
ROK: Skellig Ring
Skellig Michael (if you are brave enough!)
Killarney National Park, Moll's Gap, Gap of Dunloe
Gleninchiquin Park & Waterfalls
Ring of Beara & Healy Pass (I like going south to north and coming up over the pass from Cork to Kerry)

From Clifden:

Connemara
Diamond Hill
Connemara National Park

For actual hillwalking or mountain climbing I suggest contacting the tourist office for guided walks (especially mountains).

Michele


__________________

"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
Alyboo


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 17
Date:
Permalink  

Melissa,

We are also taking our second trip to Ireland in Sept. We arrive Sept. 1 in Dublin, but are heading straight to Powerscourt and over to Glendalough for the night. Then 3 days in Kilkenny area (Lawcus Farm). When will you be in the area? Would love to meet and have a pint/cider/tea. Definitely try to go to Gleninchiquin Park while you are in Kenmare, it is wonderful! Hope your trip is as great as your first, if not better.

Kathryn

__________________
Melissa5


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 796
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks Michele, that's what I needed to hear. aww I'm going to enjoy highlighting all those places you have suggested. I think that's what keeps me alive...those highlighter fumes! biggrin

Alyboo: We won't be in Kilkenny at the same time. It will be fun to compare trip reports when we complete our September trips though! smile Have you been to Kilkenny area before, and just curious what you are planning to do in the Kilkenny area? Although it's our second trip to Ireland, it's our first visit to Kilkenny.



__________________
Michele Erdvig


Host

Status: Offline
Posts: 10695
Date:
Permalink  

Melissa,

Happy to help. There will be more than enough mountains and cliffs for your husband.

Michele

__________________

"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Return to IrelandYes.com Website -> Ireland Travel Forum -> Ask Michele: Ireland Travel Forum -> Do I have enough WILD SEA COAST & Mountains in my Irish itinerary???
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard