Hello, just looking for a bit of advice about our road trip. We're going to Ireland for 10 days in July (busiest time I know, but the only possible option for us. We'll be renting a car and plan to book B&Bs beforehand.

Our plans at this time is:
Day 1) Dublin - Carlingford
Day 2) Carlingford - Roundstone
Day 3) Riding in Connemara & ferry out to Inishmore
Day 4) Ferry back & driving for Adare
Day 5) Dingle Peninsula & Ring of Kerry - Killarney
Day 6) Riding in Killarney National Park & drive for Kilkenny
Day 7) Kilkenny
Day 8) Kilkenny & drive for Dublin
Day 9) Dublin
Day 10) Dublin & return flight

It's a preliminary plan, with the possibility of changing plans as we go, but we do plan to book B&Bs in Carlingford, Roundstone, Inishmore, Adare, Killarney, Kilkenny & Dublin. I know it might appear a bit hectic, but we have had hectic schedules while traveling in other countries as well and are not too concerned about it. Would appreciate any input about the plan though! Also wondering if you have any experience with horsebackriding in Connemara and/or Killarney National Park? We're not planning on hiking, but do want to rent horses for 2-3 hours each of the riding days.

Thank you for the prompt feedback!

No jetlag involved, we're flying in from Norway which is quite a short flight. Arrival time in Dublin 14:55, so first day is really just about finding a place to stay the night. We did consider going the other way around, but this way appealed more to us, leaving Kilkenny for last as there we don't have any clear plans whatsoever so it'll be a place to slow down after our whirlwind tour ;)

Day 1) Dublin - Carlingford *
We would like to stay outside Dublin, and Carlingford looked idyllic, though off to the North. We do have a list of places we'd perhaps like to include, though as I said evaluate as we go what we want to see. On the stretch Dublin - Galway the list includes Monasterboice, Newgrange, Tara, Kells, Clonmacnoise and a whiskey distillery near Tullamore (not Tullamore though). As we don't expect to get through anything except finding our B&B the first day, we'd like to stay on the east then drive over. I did also consider Mullingar for a stopover, but that would mean driving back east to see pretty much any of the things mentioned. Is there really anything much to see in Newgrange and Tara without spending hours on tours though?

Day 2) Carlingford - Roundstone *
I do see your point about the cross country drive, we'll have to evaluate this.


Day 3) Riding in Connemara & ferry out to Inishmore *
We were thinking of taking a later ferry out, after spending the half day riding. Then head back the next day and head for Adare. If you had to choose would you advice on not doing Inishmore at all?

Day 4) Ferry back & driving for Adare *
Pretty much considered a transition day. Possible attractions on this stretch Claddagh, Bunratty & Craggaunowen.
Figured reaching Killarney or Tralee this day would be too much of a stretch and Adare seemed an idyllic location to stop over.

Day 5) Dingle Peninsula & Ring of Kerry - Killarney *
We are prepared to have to choose between the two, but are unsure which one to prioritize. Any views on this?
We intend to just stop over at a B&B in Killarney, then see the National Park from horseback.

Day 6) Riding in Killarney National Park & drive for Kilkenny *
Possible attractions on the way to Kilkenny: Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel.

Day 7) Kilkenny *
Possibly just staying in Kilkenny and relaxing. Choice of attractions around: Kilree, Ahenny, Kilkieran.

Day 8) Kilkenny & drive for Dublin *
Day 9) Dublin *
Day 10) Dublin & return flight

There are several similar stuff like the high crosses and such, so any tips on which would be better to prioritize would also be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Malahide is an excellent suggestion as we'd love to see Malahide Castle as well. We're pretty set on riding both in Connemara and Killarney, but other than that I'll juggle around a bit, look at driving times etc and see what changes we'd like to do in our itinerary now that we have some advice to go by. Kilbeggan Distillery was the one I meant, yes! If going for Kilbeggan distillery and/or Clonmacnois on the drive to Connemara, would Mullingar be an idea for our second night?

Athlone or Birr would be better than Mullingar, maybe see Clonmacnoise or Lockes Distillery (or both). Oughterard is a nice enough spot but I wouldn't be staying there 3 nights. Clifden is a better option. You can ride from Cleggan (beach rides) and trip to Inishbofin rather than the Arans. Have 2 days out there and split the journey south in Kinvara/Ballyvaughan so you can take the Inis Oirr Cliffs of Moher combi cruise before dropping to Adare. You can then drive the Dingle peninsula on the way to Killarney.

http://goo.gl/maps/Efegt

http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 9th of January 2013 06:12:01 PM

First of all, thank you so much for your help and comments!

We've revised our plan a bit, taking in your advice, and come up with this:

Day 1) Flight Oslo-Dublin à Malahide. Stay 1 night.
Day 2) Malahide à Athlone. Stay 1 night.
Day 3) Athlone à Clifden. Stay 3 nights.
Day 4) Connemara (Riding) 
Day 5) Connemara
Day 6) Clifden à Ballyvaughan. Stay 1 night.
Day 7) Ballyvaughan à Adare. Stay 1 night.
Day 8) Adare à Kenmare. Stay 2 nights.
Day 9) Riding in Killarney National Park.
Day 10) Kenmare à Kilkenny. Stay 2 nights.
Day 11) Kilkenny
Day 12) Kilkenny à Dublin. Stay 1 night.
Day 13) Dublin. Return flight.

So, basically the only activities that are fixed in our schedule (aside from accommodation) will be our 2 riding trips, and we're wondering if that is something we should book beforehand? Also wondering if anyone has experience with either Point Pony Trekking Centre or Cleggan Beach Rides (which are the two we have found in Connemara). When in Connemara we would of course prefer to ride Connemara ponies ;)

We do have a list of possible things to do and see during our trip (I've mentioned a few previously in this thread), but nothing set in stone, and we did plan it as a road trip to be able to wing it and adjust according to weather and mood!

So what's the verdict? Does it look ok now?
 

-- Edited by Celticmoon on Thursday 24th of January 2013 12:34:49 PM

Looks good. Although Killarney is in closer proximity to Killarney National Park than Kenmare is.

Seans Bar is the oldest pub in Ireland (one of many to make this claim) and the only one I would go out of the way for in Athlone. Birr is on the old route we used to take for years before the motorway, is a whole lot smaller than Athlone and Older in feel being mainly Georgian. A good selection of accommodation and pubs to suit all tastes. You could call into Clonmacnoise on the way in and take the route past us over to Galway via Portumna and Loughrea (or the Slieve Aughty and Gort (probably too long)) before hitting the N59.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Saturday 26th of January 2013 06:08:23 AM

If it is a Connemara pony you are wanting to ride, I would send you to Errislannan Manor, just south of Clifden. They are a Connemara Pony specific farm. The people are lovely and attentive. The ponies are willing and not at all balky.

Tony, we performed in Sean's bar back in 2006 during an arts festival. I, too, would choose Birr, simply for its history, its architecture and the friendliness of its town folk. I just posted a link in Geno's thread to a very unique Guesthouse in Birr, the Malting House. When I was last in Birr, The Chestnut poured a grand pint...and a healthy dose of uisce beatha  The Sunrise Inn on the TUllamore road is also a good place for a pint and a chat

Geno, mo chara,

I promise that you will be wishing you had booked in for longer than one night!

Sometimes I doubt my brain

Celticmoon..... If you are heading over via Loughrea call down at Dartfield Horse Museum, Willie Leahy is a legend when it comes to the Connemara Pony and has a very interesting site just east of town. He also runs week long treks through the Connemara and has been breeding and dealing Connemara Ponies since Noah let them of the Arc (or so he says)

http://www.dartfield.com/   http://www.connemaratrail.com/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Tuesday 29th of January 2013 06:24:20 PM