Would appreciate your help here. Overall, is this a good itinerary for a June trip? Are the sights at each spot the right ones. Also, see the two questions below:
We want to avoid (if possible) all one night stops. Too much commotion for the young and old.
Nancy
: FLY into SHANNON : : : Rent car. Drive to Ballyvaughan.
Sat-Friday: : : **6 nights: BALLYVAUGHAN (renting a house so we'll have a base, and be able to just relax and get to know the town. : : : (Daytrips: Cliffs of Moher; Galway; The Burren; Towns around; Inismor (aran island) day trip; Bunratty Folk par?).
Friday-Monday: : : **3 nights: Co. DONEGAL or SLIGO : : : QUESTION: Although I know it’ll take 6 hours or so to get from Clare to Donegal, we don’t want to stop for one night. So, we can do 6 hours (we’ve done it with C) or perhaps we should stay in Sligo, and then go to our next stop via Enniskill which is supposed to be a nice drive. What do you think?
Any recommendations on where to stay? We’d like to get one manor or castle accommodation in, assuming we find one that is not too fancy and takes toddlers. : : : (Day-trips: Slieve League, Folk Village, Donegal Castle & Crafts Village)
Good idea to do self-catering in Ballyvaughan and multiple-night stays considering the ages of those you are traveling with. It will make the trip much nicer since you can take a break and slow down if needed.
I think it looks good overall, however you asked about the sightseeing in each area. What are your particular interests? For instance, I would not recommend gardens if you are only interested in seeing ancient historical sites. Give me more info on that so I can help with that.
My day by day comments are below:
: FLY into SHANNON : : : Rent car. Drive to Ballyvaughan.
Sat-Friday: : : **6 nights: BALLYVAUGHAN (renting a house so we'll have a base, and be able to just relax and get to know the town. : : : (Daytrips: Cliffs of Moher; Galway; The Burren; Towns around; Inismor (aran island) day trip; Bunratty Folk par?). ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: This will be a nice relaxing time for all. You can get a day trip to the Aran islands from Galway or Doolin. See my "Transport" page for ferry info. Take a trip down to the tip of County Clare at Loop Head. But be careful with your 3 year old as there are no barriers there. Kilkee is a nice beachside town with cliff walks and a good beach. Lahinch has a good beach also. If you go down to Loop Head you should stop at the Bridges of Ross. It is a wonderful scenic drive that is mentioned in few guidebooks but is highly recommended in mine. It is off the beaten tourist track.
Friday-Monday: : : **3 nights: Co. DONEGAL or SLIGO : : : QUESTION: Although I know it’ll take 6 hours or so to get from Clare to Donegal, we don’t want to stop for one night. So, we can do 6 hours (we’ve done it with C) or perhaps we should stay in Sligo, and then go to our next stop via Enniskill which is supposed to be a nice drive. What do you think? ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: If you take the main roads up to Donegal I don't think it will take more than 4 hours. Enniskillen is a beautiful area and you could easily drive there instead of Donegal if that is what you decide to do instead. I know of a wonderful farmhouse B&B out in the countryside a few miles from Enniskillen where you could really relax and see the sights. The Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh is not too far away.
Any recommendations on where to stay? We’d like to get one manor or castle accommodation in, assuming we find one that is not too fancy and takes toddlers. : : : (Day-trips: Slieve League, Folk Village, Donegal Castle & Crafts Village) ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: On the other hand, if you stay outside Sligo you could stay at Markree Castle. See my "Castle" page for a direct link. Also take a look at my "Lodgings" page for recommendations on great places to stay.
Monday-Friday: : : **4 nights: ANTRIM COAST : : : (Daytrips: Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillary/Dunluce Castle/Rope Bridge; Mount Stewart;. Glen's of Antrim;Carrickfergus Castle. ) ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: Seeing Mount Stewart from a base on the Antrim Coast might be a bit of a stretch. Had you thought of 2 nights in Co. Antrim and 2 nights in Co. Down?
QUESTION: Should we cut a day here? We’ll probably arrive there midday Monday, giving us 3 ½ days. ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: See comment above.
One full day ---: : : **Drive to Dublin, stop in Newgrange en route ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: Fine.
Friday-Monday or Tuesday: : : **3 night or 4 nights: DUBLIN : : : (Activities: Book of Kells, Dublin Writer's Museum, Guinness Storehouse, .) ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: Fine.
: : : Last night in Dublin if can change flight, or may have to leave Monday afternoon to stay overnight near Shannon ~ MICHELE'S COMMENTS: If you need to stay near Shannon I have some wonderful recommendations for B&Bs in Bunratty on my "Lodgings" page.
I think it will be a very nice trip with your multi-generational family. Surely a trip to remember for a lifetime!