Thanks for the route advice! I will look into that. Also will check out Tullamore and see how that might fit.

Geno · Guru

Proposed March itinerary

tony2phones · Guru

I can see we are two people of chalk and cheese tastes. That said, have you considered Tullamore or Birr rather than Athlone? The Coastal route from Westport to Leenane along Clew Bay round Croagh Patrick and Louisburgh is a great scenic drive to Kylemore.

Geno · Guru

Michele:

Staying in Athlone is not key, just the area, as we head across in that direction. Will check some other places out, as Athlone sounds sort of bland, although I did note Sean's Bar in the "Parting Glass" book of historic pubs I have. Any suggestions for a B&B that would be close enough to Clonmacnoise and Kilbeggan? Would just be a one night stay, so not too concerned about substance over location.

I have been to Cong, but my fellow travelers have not, so wanted to stop. The monk's fishing house is incredible, as I can't imagine how that was built in that river when it was. Remarkable engineering feat. We did go in Cohan's as well, but as you say, only that back wall has any real connection to the movie. I liked the village -- the Abbey in the middle was real interesting and the walk back to the river and fishing house is beautiful and peaceful.

Really appreciate the other suggestions, and am excited to be going to Loop Head.

Best regards,

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 15th of October 2012 12:45:46 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Glasson Stone Lodge is walkable to a couple of pubs/restaurants. The village is quite small.

Geno · Guru

Thanks for the route advice! I will look into that. Also will check out Tullamore and see how that might fit.

Geno

Michele Erdvig · Host

Geno,

Athlone is an easy drive from Dublin on your first day. It is a work-a-day town and not Ireland's most attractive. But it is fine. Sean's Bar near the tourist office claims (among many others) to be Ireland's oldest pub. Worth a look or a pint. It would make a good base for Kilbeggan and Clonmacnoise. I don't know what your stamina level will be on day one but Belvedere House & Gardens is interesting (south of Mullingar).

You may have been to Cong before. Be sure to take the bridge across the river near the Monk's Fishing House (in back of the abbey) to view Cong Woods and the lakes. Pat Cohan's Bar has been re-done and turned back into a pub but the owner is eccentric. So don't even try for a photo inside unless you plan to sit and buy something or you will be chased away. Really, only a small corner of the pub is faux vintage. The rest is very modern. The facade remains as in the movie The Quiet Man.

When in Mayo, have you been to Achill Island before? The Atlantic Drive is dramatic as is Keem Strand.

On the drive down to Loop Head visit the Bridges of Ross, which is signposted. It is a natural sea arch that you can walk across. There is also the Little Ark in Kilbaha.

Depending on your route to Cashel, you could stop in Cahir for the castle. They do an interesting tour and then you have the option of exploring the castle on your own if you want. I doubt if the Swiss Cottage is open then. Part of the Rock is covered in scaffolding. But it is still worth seeing as is nearby Hore Abbey. Just north is Holycross Abbey.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

I have a recommendation just north of Athlone in Glasson village. It is Glasson Stone Lodge. It has been a while since I was there. In Birr the County Arms Hotel was nice when I inspected it. The Walcot B&B has some charming rooms but some of the en suites are very tiny.

Hope you get good weather for Loop Head.

Geno · Guru

Had looked at Glasson Stone Lodge, but the other two look real nice as well. Is Glasson close enough to walk to a restaurant or pub in the evening?

Thanks! More to consider.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Geno,

I have enjoyed Emmett House in Birr. It is well situated to Town Centre, the food is delicious. It is about a five minute to ten minute, depending your pace, walk to Birr Castle. Both Kinnitty Castle and Leap Castle are within a 15 minute drive.

I found the beds quite comfortable...and they have free wi-fi

Slan Beo,

Bit

Geno · Guru

Bit:

Looked at their website. Quite impressive!

Thanks,

Geno

tony2phones · Guru

Nice place handy for the Castle and town and well within Staggering distance of the Sunrise pub or the Cherry Tree both on the junction of the N52 Athlone Rd and Pound St.

Geno · Guru

After some time with a map, Birr is starting to look like a good possibility...

Thanks

Michele Erdvig · Host

Birr Castle Gardens is a must if staying there. Go off the beaten track to the Victorian Gardens and the waterfall.

Geno · Guru

Thanks -- will look into that!

Briefne · Member

Hello all, Newbie here

Nothing particularly new, just expanding on others posts confuse

Another shout for the Louisburgh to Leenane route in Mayo - called the Doolough Pass, stunning scenery with roadside memorials to tragic events back in the famine times.

Achill is another great call, we followed the Atlantic Drive Route (great scenery as mentioned) , ended up on Maunaman (I think) for stunning 360 degree views of Achill, off-shore islands and the rest of Mayo. You can drive to the top, look out for the TV masts lol. While on Achill, the Deserted village on the Keel to Dugort road might be of interest.

Hope this helps

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum Briefne. I just spent a week on Achill Island. Certainly worth seeing and off the usual tourist radar.

Geno · Guru

The itinerary work continues. Here is where I am at now, with some of the advice and some more research:

Day 1 Land in Dublin after night flight, get car, drive that morning and stay in Birr. Stay awake that first day going to Kilbeggan Whiskey tour and see Clonmacnoise which is only a few miles from there.

Day 2 and 3 Drive to Westport, stopping for a short visit to Cong on the way. Next two days trips to Kylmore Abbey and Crough Patrick, and other County Mayo sites.

Day 4 Drive to Ennistymon. A personal choice, as I like this small village and a couple of the pubs there.

Day 5 and 6 Leave early and head to Dingle, via Loop Head and then cutting back to the Tarbert Ferry to continue the drive. We will be in Dingle for St. Patrick's Day the next morning, which is something we have done before and want to do again.

Day 7 Drive from Dingle to Cashel , see Rock of Cashel, and see some of the sites along the way if we have time. We will stay in Cashel.

Day 8 Go to Wickow, enjoying the drive and many sites we will be close to throughout the day. Stay there that night.

Day 9 -- Get up early for flight home and to turn in car. Distance is 45 miles. Flight is at noon.

The changes from the first itinerary are -- Day 1, stay in Birr instead of Athlone; Day 4 stay in Ennistymon instead of Doolin; Day 8 stay in Wicklow instead of Dublin.

I have secured B&Bs in all places, although anything can be changed. When my fellow travelers said they did not care to do Dublin the last day, I went along without fanfare, as I have done that and really enjoy the smaller villages more.

Thanks for any ideas!

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 5th of November 2012 02:24:33 PM

Geno · Guru

Thanks --good idea on the gardens early on as I am sure the walk would do us good!

Here is where we are currently having rooms held:

Birr -- The Maltings.

www.themaltingsbirr.com (This place looks real interesting)

Westport -- Boulevard Guesthouse.

www.boulevardguesthouse.com (have stayed there before --great location)

Ennistymon --Hillbrook Farm B&B

www.homepage.eircom.net/~hillbrookfarm/index.html

Dingle -- Emlagh Lodge (our favorite -- the fourth time there)

www.emlaghlodge.com

Cashel -- Joy's Rockside House (saw this last time we were through Cashel -- obviously right next to the place we are going).

http://www.joyrockside.com/

and

I actually wasn't clear enough on the next to last day -- we are going through the Wicklow Mountain area, however we will be staying in Enniskerry at Ferndale B&B.

www.ferndalehouse.com/, so actually about 30 miles from airport instead of 45 miles.

Thanks,

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 5th of November 2012 04:13:23 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

On Day 2 you might want to start with a visit to Birr Castle Gardens if the weather cooperates (the castle is not open to the public). How fun to be in Dingle for St. Patrick's Day. More of a small town atmosphere than Dublin. Your itinerary looks good.

Where are you staying in Wicklow?

What B&Bs have you chosen?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Geno, mo chara,

Other than day 9, I think it look good. Depending on whether your day 9 is a weekday or weekend, I would look to somewhere North of the Airport. It is an hour's drive to the Airport from Wicklow, barring any traffic delays, such as morning commuters, farm equipment...you know the drill.. wink

I fell in love with Balbriggan the last time I chose to stay outside Dublin City on my last day. It is only 20 minutes from the airport. It is along the North Coast and has a great lighthouse and harbour. There is also Ardgillan Castle and Desmesne. Along with just those few mentionables and the overall atmosphere of the village, there are the passage tombs of Bremore & Four Knocks. You could spend a few days in that area, really.

Skerries is another favourite and only about twenty minutes from the airport. I enjoyed my stay at the White Cottages, which is in between Skerries and Balbriggan. A walk along the Pier and a nibble at Storm in a teacup...you mightn't want to leave Skerries at all.

Anywhere on the North Coast, Skerries, Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk, would probably be a better drive

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Good choice for Cashel. I've stayed at Joy's many times and it is always good. One real plus is the location. You can park in their lot and walk to the Rock. You can also see the Rock lit up at night from some of the bedrooms.

If you have the time take a wander through Ferndale's gardens out back. Did you know that the TV movie "Yesterday's Children" starring Jane Seymour was partially filmed at Ferndale?