Itinerary - south Ireland

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Itinerary - south Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deb,

So my book got all the way to Australia and your postman threw it in the bushes? Very interesting delivery system there!
I'm glad you found it. Hope it didn't get rained on.

Since you are arriving in Ireland after about 24 hours of flying I doubt if the first day will be one to remember. Do you have any idea yet of arrival time? Morning, afternoon or evening?

What is your travel style? Warp speed, moderate or slow? I realize that there is so much to choose from in Ireland that it makes decisions difficult. But give me a little feedback so that I can determine if your itinerary is a good one for you.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Luckily the book was intact :) (if it was damaged, I would have put in a complaint to the post office) ... thankyou for putting it in a nice thick envelope.

We are flying from Australia to London early May, 2012. Staying in London for 5 days then fly to Dublin, so we should be feeling good and ready to go by then. We will aim to arrive in the morning (though probably late morning).

Our travel style is moderate. We like to have things to do, but not be rushed.
We don't like "tourist traps" too much. A little goes a long way, but I know I have chosen a few of those, because that is what is advertised. We just want to go to the best ones.
We like beautiful scenery, historical buildings and pub nights ( i think they call it craic).
At the end of our Ireland holiday, we are flying to France for two weeks and then back to Australia.

If you need any more info, please let me know.

Thanks again :)
Deb

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deb,

It is good to know that you won't be jet-lagged on arrival in Dublin. That is an important point to consider. Are you departing from Shannon or Dublin to France? The flight from London to Dublin is a little less than an hour. You could spend the afternoon seeing the city and do the hop-on hop-off bus tour. However, unless you spend another day in Dublin you will only skim the surface.

Kilkenny is my favorite city in Ireland and I think you will like it. There is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas, making it a good base.

If your main goal is the SW I would think about cutting out Galway and adding those two days to the SW. Then you could do 3 nights in Kenmare or Killarney and one in Dingle. What do you think?

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Hi Michele

I really wanted to see Galway, because I've heard its a good place to go and I think Connemara area is good, but will think about cutting it out.

I think we will fly into Shannon to start our holiday and end in Dublin, and then fly to Paris. (I have looked into the flights and they seem to be the most sensible).

With this in mind, i think we should head down the west coast first and then go around and up to Kilkenny and then finish in Dublin.

What do you think ... are we seeing the best? (i know that's probably a hard question)

Debbie :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

All of Ireland is the best! But most first-time travelers to Ireland do mostly the southern portion of the country as you are doing. If you can bear to cut out Galway (I know it is painful!) perhaps you could start from Shannon, go a bit west to the Cliffs of Moher and then head south. Kilkenny is only about a 2 hour drive from Dublin. Depending on your flight time you could spend your last two nights there.

How does that sound?

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Another option from London is the fly into Cork fly out of Dublin option taking the arc up the west coast and across the M6 to Dublin

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks Tony - that sounds like good advice. That way I could see Galway and Conemarra .... mmmmmm... food for thought .. much appreciated.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Another good idea. There are so many different ways to do it. I do hundreds of custom itineraries each year and every one of them is different. Different people, different "must sees", different needs, different paces. If you flew into Cork maybe skip Kilkenny then.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

I truly appreciate all your help.. thankyou!!

Our latest revised itinerary is Arrive Shannon, pick up car and drive to Cliffs of Moher, Burren. Stay in Doolin (1 night)

Drive from Doolin to Dingle (1 night)

Dingle to Carciheeven (1 night) Is this a fairly easy drive? and do you know how long it would roughly take. We want to go to Valentia Island, so staying in Carciheeven or Portmagee is our idea. My husband's grandfather used to live and work around there.

Drive from Carciheeven to Kinsale (1 night)

Drive to Cork (2 nights) See Blarney Castle, etc.

Drive to Kilkenny (2 nights) would like to see Rock of Cashel

Drive to Dublin (2 nights)

What do you think . I appreciate any input or ideas.

Once I know the drive is a comfortable one and not too rushed, I will buy your customised itinerary with all the small details. Thankyou again. Debbie.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

Cork and Kinsale are very close. Instead of splitting it up, why not spend 2 nights either in Kinsale, Cork or Blarney (depends on what you want to see). Then you would have an extra day for either Dingle or Cahirciveen. The drive between the two is pretty easy. Might take a couple of hours. I visited a cute little B&B just over the bridge on Valentia Island: http://www.carraigliath-house.com/

If you are happy with the itinerary you have come up with you may not need to purchase a custom itinerary. My book will fill in the blanks.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks so much for your advice Michele.

Staying in Dingle or Carhirciveen for 2 nights sounds like a good idea :)

I think we might stay in Cork for 2 nights and visit Kinsale and Cobh one day... and Blarney castle another day. After that, we will head for Rock of Cashel and then drive to Kilkenny.

I hope I'm on my on the right track (pardon the pun).

Deb

Monty · Senior Member

Hi Deb:

When you note that you will stay in Cork, are you talking about some of the wonderful villages in County Cork or actually the city of Cork? Some of the towns are among the most impressive in the country, and that would be my personal recommendation instead of actually staying in Cork. Certainly you may have a good reason why you want to stay in the city, but if not, I really like Michele's suggestion of Kinsale. It is a beautiful coastal town with some of the best food to be found on the Emerald Isle!

The rest of your plan now sounds wonderful! Have a great time.

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Wednesday 9th of November 2011 10:14:51 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

I would take Monty's advice and stay in Kinsale too. It can be a problem getting into and out of Cork City because of the confusing one-way streets and traffic. You can easily see Blarney and Cobh from Kinsale. In fact, there is a ferry across the river to avoid a lot of traffic.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Gee.. thanks Monty and Michele. I didn't realise how big the city of Cork was? Being a foreigner, I find it hard to see on the web just how populated each town/city is. When I look at photos, I don't see many people in them, so hard to imagine. That's why I thought Cork city would be nice and central and ideal for our stop. Though I noticed in your book Michele, that the B & Bs you recommend are out of the city.

I read on the web that Kinsale gets very busy with tourists which made me think it might not be ideal. I know you are experienced and you know the places really well so will take your advice and stay in Kinsale.

Thank goodness for your website and book Michele, otherwise people like me just don't have a clue unless they know someone who has been to Ireland before.
I have been asking everyone I know if they have been to Ireland before... and only one person has, and they went on a bus tour! I guess it is not as popular with Australians as Americans. We are so far away and "Europe" has so much to offer (as you say... it is hard to see everything :)

Kind regards
Deb

ps. Do you know how I could obtain a good road map (of the south of Ireland.. where we are going)? I would love something that has the roads, distances and places on it. I bought one of Ireland, from a bookshop here, but it is way too big, over 1 square metre and outlines every tiny trail. Just not practical.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

I like this atlas: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Road-Atlas-Ireland/dp/1901496872

You might try this online planner: http://www2.aaireland.ie/routes_beta/ Their travel times are very optimistic so don't go strictly by what they say. It will give you generalities.

You should be fine in Kinsale in May. It is busier on weekends.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thankyou Michele

I looked at the book on Amazon, and although it looks very informative, it looks quite big and heavy. I have also checked the other link you sent me. We have decided to keep our big map which I bought here (may also take a small magnifying glass with me hehe) and then when we hire a car in Ireland, hopefully they will have a map book included.

Debbie :)

Judy · Guru

Deb,

If your big map is a good one, but just too large, why not cut it into sections and only deal with the areas you need. One section for the west, one for the southwest and one for the south of Ireland. You could even enlarge each section for magnification.

Your car rental company will probably provide a map which you can use for an overall view. We have done this with our maps on past trips to Ireland and it worked great.

Judy M.

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

What a clever idea! Thanks Judy :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

The atlas is not really heavy. However, if you just want a simple map instead contact Tourism Ireland and they should send you a free one that is basic but has roads, towns and attractions on it.

It sounds like you may have the Michelin map which is huge. Judy's idea is a good one. Take it to a copy center and copy sections of it. Blow it up by 150% for each section.

Michele

Carrielou · Newbie

Hi

I was just reading down through your posts and sounds like you are going to have a fab time in Southern Ireland. I would suggest also, due to your like of historical buildings and places of natural beauty to try to fit in a visit to Kilmallock in Co. Limerick. It would be on your travel somewhere as it is on the Cork / Limerick border and only half hour drive from Blarney. Kilmallock is one of the oldest known towns in Munster

"Around the walled town which was one of the principal towns of the province of Munster in medieval times, are the earliest known roots of man in the south-west of Ireland. Excavations at Tankardstown uncovered a complex of houses and early farming activity dating from shortly after 4000 B.C. Scale models of the Stone Age houses and a large model of the medieval town are featured in Kilmallock Museum. Substantial portions of the old town walls survive as well as town gates Blossom Gate and Johns Gate a landmark in the centre of the town. Church and abbey ruins testify to the importance of the area from the 13th to 15th centuries. "

Its lovely to have a walk around and see the ruins of the 13th Century Dominican Priory and other fantastic old buildings.

Just a suggestion

Carmel

Green Dragon · Guru

It sounds like you will have a fantastic trip! However, I would blanch at all the 1 night stays - it does take time to pack up, check out, find the new place, check in, unpack, etc - time that takes away from your valuable sightseeing and relaxation time. I try for a minimum of 2 nights in a place, and try for 3 as a preference. I'm not saying that's how everyone should do it, just how I prefer to do it. Ireland is a very relaxed paced place :)

What sort of things do you like doing? Castles, stone circles, cemeteries, shopping, talking to locals, drinking in pubs? That does make a difference as to what we can recommend for good places to go/see/do.

Cashel is no problem - it's a couple hours detour on the way to or from Kilkenny. (I also love Kilkenny, great place!). Also check out Cahir Castle nearby Cashel - and the Swiss Cottage. Fun places.

On Valentia Island, are you interested in going out to Skellig Michael? I've tried to go twice, but been foiled twice by bad weather. However, if you climb to the top of the hill on that end of Valentia Island, you get a fantastic view of all the surrounding area. Breathtaking! It's an easy hike, but takes a bit of perserverance if the wind is strong. Ballinskelligs beach is a lovely, lonely place to visit along the Ring of Kerry, too.

Kinsale has a reputation for fantastic food, so be sure to try out some places. Fishy Fish is one I've heard about, but I've yet to get to Kinsale myself :( Next time, perhaps! We stayed in Kenmare, and I simply adored that place.

We had a decent map, but we loved bringing my GPS (I had Europe maps downloaded into it). That way we had very little issue with getting lost on purpose, knowing we could find our way back.

Cork is the second biggest city in the Republic of Ireland. Doolin, your first stop, is MUCH smaller, a true village.

The Burren and the area around Doolin is so fascinating, I would take some time to see it before dashing down to Dingle the second day. But then again, Dingle is also spectacular. 10 days is not enough! :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Carmel,

Thanks for your suggestion of Kilmallock. It is a place that is overlooked. I've directed some other forum members there when they had time. The little museum there is eccentric - in a good way. The ruined buildings and the gates are well worth seeing. I have some great photos from Kilmallock.

Michele

OzzieDeb · Veteran Member

Thanks for your advice everyone.

This is my revised itinerary

(1) Arrive Shannon (not jet-lagged) at midday.
Drive to Burren, look around and then book in at Doolin for overnight stay.
Go and look at Cliffs of Moher late afternoon/early evening.

(2) Drive to Dingle and stay 1 night.

(3) Drive to Caherciveen, stay 2 nights at Valentia Island.
(4) Drive to Kinsale, stay 2 nights and visit Cobh and Blarney Castle.
(5) Drive to Kilkenny via Rock of Cashel, stay 2 nights in Kelkenny.
(6) Drive to Dublin, stay 2 nights.

My number 1 and 2 can be changed to
(1a) Arrive Shannon, drive to Limerick and Adare (stay overnight).
(1b) Drive to Dingle stay overnight.

I have looked at the map and I think Killmallock is a bit out of the way, for us to go.
Unfortunatley we only have 10 nights maximum.
My must-sees are Valentia Island, Kinsale, Cobh, Blarney, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny.
I would also love to go to Muckross House if we have time.

Has anyone got any other suggestions?

Thankyou, Debbie :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Debbie,

It looks fine. So many places, so little time! It is always tough making decisions.

Michele