Suggestions for February destinations: 4 days outside of Dublin

Amanda · Member

Suggestions for February destinations: 4 days outside of Dublin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

Welcome to my forum. Looks like Galway is the odd man out here. It is hardly worthwhile driving all the way across the country for one night. I would skip that and add the night to either Kilkenny or Glendalough.

You can do a tour from Dublin to Newgrange: http://www.newgrangetours.com/

BTW, you won't need a car in Dublin.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

How about heading to Galway via Clonmacnoise. Drop down through Clare and cross the Shannon below Holy island (lough derg) for a night in Cashel. See the Rock on the way to Kilkenny. Then Glendalough on the way back to Dublin.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

Tony is partial to Galway. He lives there after all. I still think that you should stick closer to the east unless you can find extra days somewhere. I assume that Day 7 is your departure day from Dublin Airport?

Michele

Amanda · Member

Yes, we are arriving on Friday, Feb 3 and leaving Thursday, Feb 9 from Dublin (unfortunately - we are already planning to return to Ireland). Tony, I did consider almost that exact itinerary. I'm just worried that will be a lot of driving for four days (am I right?). In addition, I am trying to arrange a special tour of Glendalough with Fr. Michael Rodgers and possibly celebrate the festival of St. Brigid there on Feb 4 so his availability will somewhat dictate that possibility. But none of that is fixed. Michele, do you think we should consider jettisoning our Kilkenny/Glendalough leg altogether and just do Clonmacnoise and Galway? Being a first timer to Ireland, I just don't know how to decide. We prefer quaint and authentic experiences over commercial/touristy areas. I will say we have essentially 4 days to play with as we do not have to be in Dublin until Monday night.

Also, our departure flight is returning to friends in Frankfurt rather than the USA, so I'm hoping I won't have to be quite as early to the airport and could see a few things on Thursday before our flight departs at 5pm. Is this realistic with a car return?

Thank you both so much for your thoughts!
Amanda

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

That is a bit of driving for 4 days. Since you are planning to return to Ireland again, why not save the west for another time and stick to the east? It will make life easier for you this time.

Glendalough is a fantastic place. Unfortunately, it is a very popular place especially on weekends. Since it is so close to Dublin it makes a great day trip for locals and can be overrun on Sat and Sun. In fact, I like visiting it either early morning or late afternoon/early evening on weekdays so the crowds are not there. It turns it from a tourist magnet back into the quiet, scenic valley that St. Kevin chose to be "far from the madding crowd".

Kilkenny is a good base. From it you can visit Rock of Cashel, Kells Priory, Jerpoint Abbey.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Hi Amanda,

We took the Mary Gibbon's New Grange Tour and would highly recommend it. One of the stops is the Hill of Tara. There just below the summit is St. Patrick's church.

The tour starts early in the morning and your back in Dublin early afternoon. Leaving enough time to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral and the book of Kells

The Rock of Cashel would also be high on my list. It was well worth the trip.

Good luck with the planning of your trip.

Frank

-- Edited by Wellsley on Monday 16th of January 2012 11:02:53 AM

Amanda · Member

Thank you, friends! I appreciate it! I'm really enjoying your book as a resources, Michele. Thank again for the forum opportunity.

Amanda Martin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

Happy to offer our "two cents". Hope that helped you make a decision. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

I am partial to the Island of Ireland particularly the rural areas and the lifestyle. I could quite happily drive from here avoiding Galway City altogether we don't even shop there any more, Nenagh and Athlone are far easier. I do like Kilkenny not keen on the Glendalough area particularly in winter months (lovely in summer)

My suggestion was based on 4nights outside Dublin including Galway for whatever reason it was included in the question? I stick with the idea as being reasonable for 4 days and would be a shame not to get further than Kilkenny.

No harm just winging it in February and letting the weather help you decide.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Tony,

I think your plan would work too. But because Amanda is worried about too much driving and she is going to return again to Ireland, I suggested sticking to the east this time. There will be plenty to fill those 4 days. Perhaps next time she can fly into Shannon and be closer to Galway. I agree it will be chilly in the Wicklow mountains and Glendalough in Feb. It will probably be chilly everywhere.

Amanda, Bundle up!

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

To be honest the weather has been fairly tame over here, ok damp but we have only had the big fire going once this year and that was mainly to dry the chimney. My problem with Wicklow around Glendalough is that its driving over desolate bog that reminds me of Saddleworth Moor back in the UK, featureless with dead vegetation. More brown than green until it colours up again.

Another consideration might be to go across as far as Clonmacnoise then Birr and oft forgotten Roscrea on the way to Killarney.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've missed Saddleworth Moor. But it sounds like it is not worth seeing anyway. Actually the mountains and bogs around Wicklow can be brown at other times of year too. Guess it depends on weather. Glad to hear it is not a severe winter like last year. That was brutal.

Amanda · Member

Okay, Tony, you've swayed me. We've gutted the itinerary and started over. We will spend Fri afternoon, Sat, and Sun in Dublin. Early Monday we will head to Ashford Castle (they are running a stay 2 nights get a 3rd night free with dinner special) with a stop on the way at Clonmacnoise. We may head Wednesday to Kilkenny for the night before returning to Dublin airport Thursday afternoon, but more likely it is Kilkenny that will wait until next trip.

NEW QUESTION THEN: If we leave Ashford EARLY Thursday morning (say 7-8am), is it reasonable that we could see Newgrange briefly before heading to the Dublin airport by 3pm with a car return? I am assuming it will take 3 hours to drive from Ashford to Dublin airport. Is that correct?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

If you want to see it all at Bru na Boinne: visitor's center, Newgrange and Knowth expect to spend at least 4 hours there. The drive could take 3 to 4 hours, very much depending on traffic and roadworks.

Michele

Amanda · Member

Thanks for your great information!

Amanda

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

You're welcome. Hope it helps make your trip a success.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Now I have some responsibility on my shoulders hmm . Cong is not my favourite place in Co.Mayo but is a popular destination.

I recently asked Why is Cong so popular over on TA and got differing responses and some will give ideas for the surrounding areas.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g663560-i14235-k4836555-Why_is_Cong_so_popular_with_visitors-Cong_County_Mayo.html

http://www.burkes-clonbur.com/cong.htm

There is an amount of folk lore associated with Cong. I think there is something I have read recently but what and where escapes the fragile mind.

http://www.moytura.com/myplace.htm

You are fairly close to Knock for the Shrine and Bassilica.

I would allow 4 hours to get from Cong to Dublin Airport especially given a deadline to return a car.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 20th of January 2012 11:38:28 AM

Green Dragon · Guru

While Glendalough is still my favorite, I greatly enjoyed Clonmacnoise. You will not be disappointed there. While in Dublin, see if you can fit in Glasnevin Cemetery - I've not been there yet, but Corey and Liam gush about it at www.IrishFireside.com and I have it on my list. If you do make it to Kilkenny, stop by Jerpoint Abbey - it's fantastic as well. If not, see if you can make it through Kildare on the way out or back from Galway - there is a sacred well dedicated to St. Brigid there (there are lots of those) right across from the National Stud farm and Japanese Gardens. All are worth some time.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Amanda,

You might want to look at my articles about Cong Abbey and Cong Woods. There are a few things to see in Cong. At Ashford you might be interested in a lake cruise, falconry, golf, spa.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Glasnevin Cemetery museum is fast becoming one of the must see sights in Dublin

http://www.glasnevinmuseum.ie/