a few days on our own before a guided tour!

CowboyCraic · Guru

a few days on our own before a guided tour!

efederico · Member

thanks for such an informative website.

My daughter and I are arriving (August in Dublin) 3 days before my parents. We will then be joining a group tour of Belfast, Dublin, Galway including the Navy/Notre Dame Game. (GO NAVY)

I would like to spend our three days mostly south of Dublin doing things very different from our group tour.

After much research and realizing we can't "see it all", I need to hit the highlights? I have a rental car through Dan Dooley and we need to be back at the airport on the morning of the fourth day to meet the parents.

Plan 1- drive to Newgrange the morning we get there and tour first thing. Start driving south and stay somewhere around Kilkenny. Head toward Cork and stay somewhere. Last day from Cork to Dublin area through the mountains and do Glendolough.

Plan 2- drive south as far as possible. Head north each day and end in Newgrange for the afternoon. Stay near Dublin to be able to turn car in and meet parents.

Plan 3 - Head somewhere, stay 2 nights with day trips. Final night near Dublin.

I am interested in Newgrange, Rock of Cashal, Glendolough, Cobh, Wicklow mountains, smaller towns, stuff with water views. My 22 year old daughter would love to stay in a castle one night. Is that even possible? I love the b&b's.

Thanks

CowboyCraic · Guru

What does your itinerary look like on the group tour?

What will you be seeing in between Dublin and Belfast? On your way to and/or in and around Galway?

Cashel, Cobh and Glendalough are all south. Newgrange, in between Dublin and Belfast is most often included in a group tour itinerary.

I would suggest that you look at Option 3...and make your home base for those two nights Kilkenny. You can do day trips from there. I would suggest Butler House not quite a castle but steeped in history and was an integral part of the Kilkenny Castle estates.

and yes GO NAVY!!

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

efederico · Member

It's a bit of an "on your own tour" so I am taking the initiative to plan the free days.

Day 1- pickup at airport, taken to Belfast (maybe 1/2 day Belfast tour)

Day 2 - free day in Belfast- we are going to take a private day tour north to Giant's Causway.

Day 3 - Back to Dublin - half day free and then Navy Party

Day 4 - free day in Dublin (will probably do a get on get off bus tour)

Day 5- game day

Day 6 - depart to Galway- Visit Birr Castle Garden's and Ireland's Historic Science Centre.

Day 7 - free day in Galway- will want to do Cliffs of Moher

Day 8- leave from Shannon back home.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Okay, so you are their tour guide. smile

Depending on the traffic, it is about a two and a half hour drive from Dublin airport to Belfast.

As to Newgrange, I would suggest that you either stop on your way up to Belfast or get an Early start from Belfast on that 3rd day and tour it enroute back to Dublin

Galway is a three hour minimum drive, again you will need to adjust for traffic, as August is at the top of High season

You really need to be closer to Shannon airport on night 7, as it is a good distance between Galway and Shannon. Most people either stay in Bunratty or at the Premeir Inn on premise at the Shannon airport

You are jamming a lot into 6 days. I am not sure I would have such an ambitious schedule. Only you know the travel attitude for your family. I am not one for that much windshield time

efederico · Member

The 8 day trip part I gave you is a planned tour from Emerald Isle Tours especially for the Navy tourists. We have no control over the itineraty. It seems that they are taking us to the cities in groups/buses and then they are giving us free time. Of course, they also have all kinds of optional tours. I think we leave Galway at O'dark hundred to get to the Shannon airport on time. It's not ideal, but the trip is a treat from dad so I am happily going along.

Here is my 3 day plan

Dublin Aiport car rental to Newgrange first thing. We should be there by about 10:30. Then Newgrange to Kilkenny. Crash at a b and b.

Day 2- explore Kilkenny. (maybe Rock of Cashal) Same b and b

Day 3- head north to Glendalough for the day. Find a nice village and b anc b near the Dublin airport to be ready to turn in car and meet the parents by 8:00am next morning.

SOOOOO... Is this better and do-able!

Should I skip Newgrange. I really don't want to, but could always do it during our free Dublin time.

What would be a cute charming place to stay within close drive to the airport?

Thanks

Michele Erdvig · Host

efederico,

Welcome to the forum. You are in good hands with Bit's info. One thing to keep in mind with a visit to Newgrange is that to see everything you need about 4 hours. If you can skip Knowth and just see Newgrange and the visitor's center you will shave some time off that estimate.

I am thinking of castle hotels along your route. The ones that come to mind are Ashford Castle north of Galway, Dromoland Castle near Shannon and Clontarf Castle in Dublin.

What time is your flight from Shannon? That will probably determine how close you need to be to the airport the night before. BTW, the hotel at Shannon Airport is the Park Inn. But there are plenty of B&Bs close by too.

I agree with Bit about option 3. Kilkenny is a good base. You could see Glendalough on the first day and then cut across the mountains to end in Kilkenny.

Michele

efederico · Member

I would need the castle suggestions to be near Kilkenny. We are already booked in 5 star hotels in Dublin, Galway, and Belfast as part of the organized tour. The tour has us in a hotel of their choice before going to the airport.

I have no control over the tour, just our meager 3 days before and the free time the tour gives us.

thanks for all your help.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Unfortunately there are not castle hotels in every city and town in Ireland. Your daughter may have to adjust her wishes. You can look at my Castle Hotel page for a list and links to the castle hotels in Ireland.

Michele

efederico · Member

Yep! I agree.

We are now going the charming B and B route to conteract all the swankiness in the city hotels.

I can hardly wait till our trip.

Thanks for all the great suggestions