My wife and i are planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland in early May, but our time is limited to 5 days in Ireland. Here is my initial itinerary:
Day 1: Dublin
Day 2: Travel from Dublin to Cork (potentially Waterford,Cashel along the way)
Day 3: Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula, Killarney
Day 4: Limerick, Burren, Cliffs of Moher
Day 5: Travel from Galway to Dublin
Day 6: Flight Home
Please give me some advice as to cities/sights i should definitely see or which places i might skip with such a short time frame. Thank you in advance!
What on that list would you be willing to cut out "Yourself" if needed? You could do all destinations as a road trip but are you coming here to experience the country or just what it is like to drive on our roads? Don't mean to be harsh as your first experience on the forum.
__________________
Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
I've heard that the Rock of Cashel is a must-see, and i would like to see either the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula. I would also very much like to see the burren and Cliffs of Moher. Other than that, i'm open for interpretation...although, as i said, i am limited to 5 days.
Rock of Cashel #3 You will be impressed at its sight from afar. Ring of Kerry #4 We took a tour bus and it was nice, but would like to go back and get off the beaten path and explore. Dingle Peninusla #1 Slea head drive & Connor pass were breath taking. Burren #5 like the phrase goes there ain't enough water to drown a man, ain't a tree to hang a man and ain't enough dirt to bury a man Cliffs of Moher #2 Breath taking but very commericialized. (still worth the look) These are what you listed the number to the right is the order in which I liked them.
Hi, Unless you have a reason to visit Limerick, there's not much that is compelling. There are plenty of great towns and villages in County Cork. I have not spent time in Cork city, however. Generally not recommended; apparently difficult to navigate. Waterford is not the most attractive city either. I don't really want to sound negative, we have visited many times and love the country. Kilkenny city is a very interesting small city with plenty of sights and lively pubs etc. As Tony points out, don't try to fit in too many things and you'll have more fun.
Welcome to my forum. With such a short time in Ireland you may want to rethink things. You can see the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle on a drive from Dublin to Killarney. Killarney would be a good place for three nights. That would allow your choice of ROK or Dingle as day trips. You might be better off skipping Cliffs of Moher and Galway. Your time is very limited.
If I'd a choice of the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula, I would defiitely shoose the Dingle. I find it's solitude and ruggedness more magical than the Ring of Kerry.
T'were I you, I would most likely do:
Day One ~ Arrive Dublin and head to Kilkenny - overnight in Kilkenny and explore the offerings of the city itself
Day Two ~ Kilkenny to Killarney via Cork, late lunch in Cork should suffice, seeing Cahir enroute...you should be able to take in Cashel, as well, should you wish ~ Overnight Killarney
Day Three ~ either Dingle Peninsula, Gap of Dunloe or Ring of Kerry ~ I placed them in my order of preference ~ In my opinion, the Ring of Kerry is far too congested and overly promoted ~ Overnight in Killarney
Day Four ~ Killarney to Dublin ~ stopping in Waterford for lunch and a look around ~ Perhaps a stop at Glendalough and through the Wicklows ~ Overnight in Dublin
Day Five ~ Explore Dublin ~grab the Hop-on/Hop-off bus first thing in the morning...this will take you to all of the main must-see spots...ride it once full circle to get an idea of everything and then decide which ones you "must" see...you certainly won't hit them all ~ Overnight Dublin
Day 6 ~ Flight Home
I would have to agree that there really isn't enough time to see the Cliffs of Moher and Galway on this trip...Perhaps with an extra day, you MIGHT have been able to pull i t off...but then it would have been a "windshield wonder" tour...and you should always allow yoruselves time to stop and smell the shamrocks