Help! Short notice on a 10 day southern Ireland trip

Geno · Guru

Help! Short notice on a 10 day southern Ireland trip

llktraveler · Member

We just found out our daughter has been invited to teach a study abroad program in Galway. This is good news for us and we plan to join her for 10 days in June. The bad news is I feel this is short notice to do proper trip planning. We plan to fly with her into Dublin and take the southern Ireland tour, ending up in Galway where she will stay on for her 6 week program. Another daughter is also joining in on the family adventure. Does this iternerary make sense?

Dublin 2 nights

Waterford 1 night

Kinsale 2 nights

Kenmare 1 night

Dingle 2 nights

Galway 3 nights

Appreciative of any and all feedback. I am usually a lover of trip planning but this time I am feeling a bit lost and definitely short on time.

Cheers! Lori

llktraveler · Member

Geno
Thanks so much. I am excited to get some help and advice so quickly. I was torn between Waterford and Kilkenny and you helped me solve that. Definitely a work in progress! Thanks again.

Geno · Guru

What I like about Kilkenny is that it really is a great city to walk in. There is a wonderful walking tour available here, courtesy of the guys at Irish Fireside. I have used this as a guide, and it is great. The links are the bottom of the page.

Geno

tony2phones · Guru

Kenmare for 2 nights would make more sense than Dingle for 2 nights purely based on the area which can be explored as a base. If you do not want to pinch a night from Dingle then pinch a night from Kinsale, Having said that I have to put in a shout for Clare and you could break the journey from Kerry to Galway either in Ennis having stopped off at Bunratty or Ennistymon/Lahinch for an early start on the coast.

Maggie117 · Guru

Congratulations on your daughter's teaching experience opportunity in Ireland! That's fantastic. If you decide on Kinsale I would recommend Charles Fort. :) No matter where you go and what you do it's all awesome!

llktraveler · Member

Thanks so much to everyone for responding. I am trying hard to see all that we can and not be in a car too much which is a challenge! Does this look any better?
DUBLIN 2 nights
Kilkenny 1 night
Kinsale 1 night
Kenmare 2 nights
Dingle 1 night
Ennis 1 night
Galway 3 nights

tony2phones · Guru

Looks workable without being too rushed. The secret is not to try and fit in more than manageable, now all you need is accommodation..

Michele Erdvig · Host

Looks much better. Don't forget to look at my Lodgings page for some accommodation suggestions.

Maggie117 · Guru

I stayed at Abbey Court in Kinsale. 10 minute walk to town. Great owners...stayed for three nights in an apartment. My preference is to be closer to town,due to walking issues...but it's a lovely place. Good choice with Park House!

-- Edited by Maggie117 on Tuesday 26th of February 2013 05:21:43 PM

Maggie117 · Guru

I'm staying at Park House Hotel in Galway (a Michele recommendation) and it has great Tripadvisor reviews too. In Kinsale I stayed at Tierney's Guesthouse (a Bit recommedation) and the location was amazing. Small rooms, it doesn't have a lobby...fabulous breakfast and great customer service. In Dublin I've stayed at O'Callaghan's Davenport (Michele again) and O'Callaghan's Monte Clare. They are across the street from one another, and within walking distance to a lot of touristy things. Davenport is a notch above Monte Clare. Depending on ones budget either would be fine in my opinion. This time we're staying at Eliza Lodge (Bit again) in the Temple Bar area.

Well, that my !

Have fun planning!

tony2phones · Guru

For Kilkenny Rosquil House is a good option http://www.kilkennycityonline.com/rosquil-house-guest-accommodation.html , Kenmare the Abbey Court http://www.abbeycourtkenmare.com/ or Tara Farm http://www.tara-farm.com/ For Ennis We use Gray Gables but if you can get a good deal at the Old Ground or Temple Gate Hotels then they may suit better. Galway Prauge House on the Galway/Salthill border http://www.praguehousegalway.com/ or Petra House on College Road http://www.petrahousegalway.net/

llktraveler · Member

Oh My Gosh I cannot tell you how helpful you all are. I was a bit in panic mode when I posted initially. I am feeling much better about planning this trip on short notice and more excited to execute those plans. I have a copy of Michele's book which just arrived like a little gift. I have made one reservation so far which oddly enough is the Park House in Galway! I plan to put my nose to the grindstone and consider all requests you passionate Ireland travelers have passed along. Cheers and Blessings.

Michele Erdvig · Host

If you want to be right smack in Kenmare try O'Donnabhain's. Very nice, comfy rooms with private parking out back. If you don't mind a 5 minute walk and adding to your budget a bit, Arthur's Lodge Wood, The Lodge and Sallyport House (10 minutes) are great. They are a little more upscale than a typical B&B.

squigoh · Veteran Member

For Kilkenny, I too recommend the Rosquil House. The place was lovely, had the best breakfast of any of the places we stayed, and Phil, the owner, was a font of information.

In Kinsale we stayed at The Woodlands House, a lovely place. It was a bit of a walk from town, but nothing to bad. And Michelle is right, Charles Fort is a do not miss.

Kenmare was probably my favorite spot. Near to a whole lot of things to do. The Beara Peninsula was actually my favorite of the three peninsulas. We stayed at the Rivercrest which was just a short walk to town. It was lovely with large rooms which were beautifully furnished and David and Marion were most helpful with suggestions on things to do and places to eat.

At Dingle we stayed at Tower View. Just a short walk from town, Tower View was one of my favorite places to stay. Mary, the owner was most informative and made us feel very special and very much at home.

Michele Erdvig · Host

There are so many great places to stay in Ireland. Thanks everyone for adding your favorites here.

llktraveler · Member

To my new very best friends and lovers of Ireland travel. I too have fallen in love without ever being there! I have been diligently working on our IT and accommodations. Here goes...

Dublin 2 nights Eliza Lounge (thanks Maggie117)
Kilkenny 1 night (thanks Geno) Butler House
Kinsale 1 night (most difficult to book but on one of my daughters TO DO lists) Desmond House
Kenmare 2 nights (thanks tony2phones) Arthurs Lodge Wood (Thanks Michele for that and SO much more!)
Dingle 1 night Tower View
Ennis 1 night Old Ground Hotel
Galway 3 nights Parkhouse Hotel

whew! not easy but done! Now what are my must see's from you seasoned Ireland travelers? (Actually any advice at all will be noted and appreciated). And once again I cannot tell you how helpful you have been in shaping our plans. Cheers and Blessings!

llktraveler · Member

i forgot to thank squigoh for the Tower View recommendation!

CowboyCraic · Guru

I would have to say that in Galway my favorite lodging has become Adare Guesthouse. It is right in the thick of things and just recently refurbished.

Eliza Lodge is one of my home-away-from-home spots. I hope you were able to get the Penthouse rooms...the view is fantastic!

Maggie117 · Guru

This is a review of Eliza Lodge on Tripadvisor. It was one of my favorites. I gives great information and leaves out any potential "surprises" about accessing the front desk. Also, this guy stayed in the room we booked so I was happy to hear how pleased he was with it! :)

Great Location with Great Views
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 January 2013
1
person found this review helpful

The Airlink Bus dropped me off at OConnell Street, just a short walk to Eliza Lodge, a block from the popular Temple Bar area of Dublin. I booked Eliza Lodge mainly for the location, but also for the upgraded penthouse superior room, which only cost about 10 more than the regular double rooms. These four rooms are on the top floor, and from the Tripadvisor reviews, offered great views of Dublin and the River Liffey.

The Eliza Lodge partners with the attached restaurant, The Italian Corner, and for the initial check-in one must go through the restaurant to access the front desk. Yes, the Eliza has a separate entrance, but one must have an access code to enter, which is given to you at check-in. The area around this hotel, although quite safe, is located one block from the party area of Temple Bar, so having access by hotel guests only is worth the small price to pay of going through the restaurant for initially.

The top floor hall entrance and room entrance are both accessed by a key card, another buffer from a wandering inebriated tourist or local. Ive seen pics on Tripadvisor of the upper rooms, but did not expect the views I found when entering the room. I was given room #400, a corner room with all glass, top to bottom windows the length of two sides of my room. Between them was a door leading out to a small balcony which wrapped around those two walls. The other three penthouse rooms also had balconies, but to my knowledge, windows on just one side of the room. Huge planters separated the balconies on the outside, giving guests a little more privacy.

The Eliza Lodge filled my needs. The front desk staff was very nice and helpful and even though I was only one block from Temple Bar, the noise from the street was negligible. The breakfast offered at the Italian Corner was sufficient, but I do wish they would include blood sausage in their Traditional Irish Breakfast choice. My only negative remark, which I knew going in from Tripadvisor reviews, was the weak to no WiFi signal on the top floor. Access was very sporadic and more often than not I had to go down the stairwell to the 2nd floor to access the internet. Still, I wouldnt let that stand in the way of me booking this wonderful little hotel again. If I do return, you can bet Im going to book room #400.
Room Tip: Upgrade to a room on the top floor

Maggie117 · Guru

And I have to give credit to Cowboy for the recommendation regarding Eliza! ;)