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Post Info TOPIC: Itinerary Review and Comment Please!!!
rightwright


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Itinerary Review and Comment Please!!!
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Desperately looking for help with our upcoming Ireland trip!

Here's the proposed itinerary thus far - would appreciate any and all comments.  Additionally, are we close to any "can't miss" places that we've missed with this itinerary?  Please note the hotels and flights are already booked so the overnight locatinos cannot be changed at this point.

Day 1

Arrive Dublin and travel to Kilkenny visiting the following sites along the way

Glendalough

Jerpoint Abbey

Spend night in Kilkenny

Day 2

Travel to Killarney visiting the following sites along the way

Rock of Cashel

Cahir

Blarney Castle (maybe? - or too touristy?  We have no intention of kissing the stone but might want to see the castle!)

Overnight in Killarney

Day 3

Dingle Penninsula

Killarney National Park

Overnight in Killarney

Day 4

Travel to Galway and visit

Cliffs of Moeher

Connemara

Overnight in Galway

Day 5

Dunguaire Castle

Aran Islands (one)

Overnight in Galway

Day 6 & 7

Galway to Dublin - final 2 nights in Dublin

 



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tony2phones


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Point to point no problems, plan to see between points without a pilots licence and Harrier might be a different matter.

Driving to Kilkenny day one is fine taking in all the sights on the way with jet lag hanging around waiting to run you into a ditch or someone else, not good.

Day 2 long but possible

Day 3 & 4 not impossible simply implausible

5,6,7 bit of normality creeping in.

Welcome to the Forum and don't be discouraged, There will be a lot you can see and do but once you consider that you will average 30ish mph for much of your itinerary some trimming needs to be done.

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Michele Erdvig


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I understand that you already have your overnight stays reserved and they can't be changed. So you will have to go with your plan. There are some ways to optimize your trip.

Day 1: If the weather is horrible and lashing with rain, skip Glendalough and go directly to Kilkenny. You can see the castle and cathedrals and do more indoor activities. If jet-lag attacks you should consider skipping Glendalough too. It makes for a much longer driving day if you go south to Wicklow and then cut across the mountains to Kilkenny.

Day 2: You do know that Blarney Castle is just a ruined tower? The grounds are lovely with gardens and wooded walks. Considering the drive and the sightseeing you have planned it is a very full day. Suggest an early start directly after breakfast.

Day 3: Considering that Killarney National Park borders the town you should have no difficulty seeing some of it. Doing Dingle and the Slea Head Drive as a day trip will take most of the day. Muckross House & Gardens as well as Ross Castle are worthwhile but you may not have time for them.

Day 4: No time for Connemara. Plan on seeing the cliffs and Burren and Galway City. You can see Dunguaire Castle on your way to Galway.

Day 5: Choose either Connemara or Aran Islands.

You are getting a quick "appetizer" of Ireland. Hopefully you will get to return again and be able to have a slower trip to savor some of the character of Ireland.





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rightwright


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RE: Itinerary Review and Comment Please!!! -- REVISED ITINERARY - Please review (again!)
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Saturday October 6 - From Dublin to Kilkenny

 

1.       Jerpoint Abbey founded in the 12th century

2.       Drive to Kilkenny, a small city located on the banks of the River Nored. Within walking distance from B&B, see the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle & Black Abbey

 

Sunday October 7 - From Kilkenny to Killarney

Drive to Killarney visiting the following along the way:

1.       Rock of Cashel - A spectacular group of Medieval buildings

2.       Cahir - one of the largest castles in Ireland sits on an island in the River Suir. Built in 1142

3.       Maybe take a Jaunting Car ride (horse and buggy) to view the sights of downtown Killarney

 

 

Monday, October 8 - Killarney Day 2

1.       Ross Castle

2.       Killarney National Park- Sightseeing may include ruined castles, Muckross House &  Abbey and Torc Waterfall, Ladies View and Gap of Dunloe

(Or replace 1 & 2 above with the Dingle Peninsula?)

 

Tuesday, October 9 - From Killarney to Galway

Depart Killarney and travel north to Galway seeing the following along the way:

  1. Dunguaire Castle
  2. Drive north to the historic city of Limerick with King Johns Castle and St Marys Cathedral. Stop in Adare which is a small village with pretty thatched cottages.  Continue through Ennis with its old abbey and travel thru the seaside resort of Lahinch.
  3. Travel along the coast past the breathtaking 200m-high Cliffs of Moher  - walk to OBriens Tower at the highest point for great views. Drive through the bare limestone hills of the Burren to Galway.

 

Wednesday , October 10 Galway Day 2 I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!!!

1.       Galway just hang out here for the day no driving?

2.       Connemara National Park maybe?

3.       Aran Islands Keep reading posts that the weather/boat passage might not be that great that time of year rough seas, etc.

 

Thursday, October 9 From Galway to Dublin

Drive to Dublin and visit the following along the way:

1.       Clonmacnoise - Celtic crosses and ruins I found the place to be hauntingly beautiful.

2.       Kilbeggan Distillery is the oldest distillery in the world. Dating back to 1757

Thursday and Friday, Dublin October 9 and October 10

Things to visit

OConnell Street, St. Patricks Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Whiskey, Glasnevin Cemetary, Temple Bar Area, Gravediggers Pub (just liked the name!)



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Michele Erdvig


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RE: Itinerary Review and Comment Please!!!
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I will assume you have a map. If you look at it you will find that the order of your sightseeing is mixed up. For instance Tuesday Oct 9:

1. Adare
2. Limerick
3. Cliffs of Moher
4. Burren
5. Dunguaire Castle (Kinvara): Closed for tours in Oct. You can stop for a quick photo
6. Galway

Were you planning on stopping in Limerick to see the sightseeing mentioned? If so, it will be a long day. If you want to avoid Limerick and its traffic you can take the toll tunnel under the river.




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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

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rightwright


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Thank you (again) for your input.  Yes, I do have a map LOL but appreciate you catching this



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Michele Erdvig


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Happy to help. biggrin It's my job to know Ireland inside out! 



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"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.
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