Planning a Trip with Parents in May and June to Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Planning a Trip with Parents in May and June to Ireland

NCOkie · Newbie

Hello everyone, I am in the process of planning our trip to Ireland from May 12 to June 5 with my parents. When they depart we will take 2 weeks to revisit England and make a quick trip to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

My parents are in their early 80's and Mom has always wanted to go to Ireland. So we are going to take them. We are in our 50's and normally travel at a different pace than they do. We would normally stay at a different B&B every other night and not do a lot of pre-planning. With the parents, we are going to need to use different towns as a base to work out of to see the sights. That way if one is not feeling up to it, then they can stay at the rental or B&B, walk around town at their leisure or rest up and the others can go ahead and see the sights.

We are interested in seeing the normal tourist sights, cathedrals, castles, etc and the country side. Dad likes to take short hikes in the countryside and see the scenery. Otherwise he will sit outside of most sights, rest and people watch.

I have ordered Michelle's book and have several other guide books to plan the sights to see.

Mom really wants to stay a night or two in a castle. I am going through the ones on this website, now. Also, reading trip reports as to what others have done and where they have stayed.

Here is what we have come up with so far:

May 12 to June 5--

Sun Day 01: Fly to Ireland (Wife & I)

Mon Day 02: Dublin - Arrive in Dublin @ 2:45pm (Dublin)

Tue Day 03: Dublin - Parents arrive Dublin @ 7:20pm (Dublin)

Wed Day 04: Tour around Dublin w/ parents (Dublin)

Thu Day 05: Pick up Rental car and head South (Avoca or

Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow Mtn Enniscorthy)

Fri Day 06: Irish national Park, Famine Ship, Waterford (Kilkenny)

Sat Day 07: Jerpoint Abby, Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel (Kilkenny)

Sun Day 08: Planning (Kenmare/Killarney)

Mon Day 09: " (Kenmare/Killarney)

Tue Day 10: " (Kenmare/Killarney)

Wed Day 11: Drive toward Galway (Salthill in Galway)

Thu Day 12: Planning (Salthill in Galway)

Fri Day 13: " (Salthill in Galway)

Sat Day 14: Drive toward Sligo (Sligo)

Sun Day 15: Planning (Sligo)

Mon Day 16: " (Sligo)

Tue Day 17: Open

Wed Day 18: Open

Thu Day 19: Planning (Derry or Portrush area)

Fri Day 20: " (Derry or Portrush area)

Sat Day 21: " (Belfast area)

Sun Day 22: " (Belfast area)

Mon Day 23: " (Navan area)

Tue Day 24: " (Navan area)

Wed Day 25: Drive to Airport, Drop off car, Parents fly back to the states, we

Fly to London and continue our vacation.

That is what we have come up with and a lot of open spaces.

I am shopping for the best deal on a rental car that all of us would be comfortable riding in.

Does anyone take out travel insurance for self-drive vacations?

I know this is long, but I tried to lay out as much as I could for such a long trip and need the advice as to places to stay and short hikes for Dad.

Thanks for everyone's help in advance.

Tom smile

Judy · Guru

I would definitely look into trip insurance. Assuming your parents are on Medicare, it does not cover them while they are in Ireland.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Congrats for begining a well-paced plan!

I'm hesitant to chime in with any suggestions, yet, as I have a tendancy to 'Push' my PERSONAL wish list ... cry biggrin cry

Some THOUGHTS, though:

My wife's Paternal Grandparents were both born in Ireland. No one in her family (including her father) had ever been, though. In October of 1998, my wife 'suggested' that it was time to quit TALKING about visiting Ireland -- and actually DO it. The following April, a brother, a sister, a friend, herself and I stepped off the plane in Shannon. My 81 year old Father-in-law,after MUCH cajoling -- He was too old; his eyesight was failing; he would slow us down .... and numerous other excuses --- finally relented and traveled with us, as well. We spent 8 days, divided between connecting with family and scurring madly, from tourist site to tourist site.

The following June, my wife and I returned, for two weeks, spent for the most part, ensconced in a rental house in the country, just outside of Cork city and we brought FIL and MIL along for the ride. At times, it was frustrating and annoying, dealing with their quirks, infirmities and pace. Since then, my wife and I have returned, NUMEROUS times -- as of last October, the count now includes 16 visits ( ranging from 8 - 28 days ). Those visits encompass some of the best memories of my life.

And yet --- Were I allowed to do it all over again, the only change that I would make would be to have brought the In Laws along -- at LEAST one more time!

Our visit with them, in 2000,is a most cherished memory, for us.

Some details: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t39273722/rip-to-a-great-irish-american/

I envy you, for what you are about to do. I trust you will cherish it, as well.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

You mentioned a night or two in a castle. By adjusting your itinerary you could do:

Dromoland Castle (north of Shannon)
Ashford Castle (north of Galway)
Smarmore Castle (north of Dublin)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Another thought. Can your parents handle stairs? If not you need to choose accommodations carefully to include either ground floor rooms (note that in Ireland the 1st floor is what we call the second) or an elevator.

NCOkie · Newbie

Michele, Bob,

Thanks for your input and ideas. I will look at them, certainly the castles. We are going to scrub the Irish National Park and find something else in the area or get up to Kilkenny area sooner.

I have thought about the 2nd floor situation. Glad to know about the 1st floor being our second as Dad has a bum knee. He can take stairs but slowly.

Bob, I am looking forward to the trip with them. They bailed on the last trip we planned with them, but they are going on this. I don't see much of them, living half way across the nation from them. Looking forward to catching up and spending the time with them.

I will post again as I add more to the itinerary.

Thanks.

Tom

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scratch Smarmore Castle. Lots of stairs and no lift. Another one to look at is Kilronan Castle.

NCOkie · Newbie

We are getting close to leaving. (this sunday on Mothers Day).

We have revised a few things on our trip plan and have left some open time from Galway- North to Portrush. We have not scheduled any lodging or specific areas to see along that section of the trip.

We are open to any suggestions. And I know everyone has personal preferences. We like History and Nature. I have printed out Tony's N59 route from Galway and there are plenty of things to see in that area.

Being this time of the year, are there any areas that we need to set up advance lodging? (Derry or Portrush)? I have been surprised that our 1st choices are normally booked and we end up with our 3rd or 4th. But we are booking 2 rooms, also, instead of 1.

My parents are flying in a day later than we do and would prefer not to take the bus from the airport to the hotel. The Roxford Lodge in Ballsbridge area. Is there another option besides a taxi?

Last question: My mother is really wanting to stay in a castle for a night. Any suggestions between Galway and Portrush?

Our Itineray, still in the making:

Day 01 Sun, 5/12 Fly to Ireland

Day 02 Mon, 5/13 Dublin - Arrive in Dublin @ 2:45pm Dublin

(Roxford Lodge in Ballsbridge 2 nt)

Day 03 Tue, 5/14 Dublin Parents arrive Dublin @ 7:20pm Dublin

Day 04 Wed, 5/15 Tour around Dublin w/ parents Dublin

Day 05 Thu, 5/16 Pick up Rental car and head South

Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow Mt. Gorey

(Hillside House B&B 1 nt)

Day 06 Fri, 5/17 Wexford, Famine Ship, Waterford Kilkenny

(Hillgrove House B&B 2 nts)

Day 07 Sat, 5/18 Jerpoint Abby, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny

Day 08 Sun, 5/19 Rock of Cashel, Cahir, Athassel Priory Cork

(Gabriel House B&B 1 nt)

Day 09 Mon, 5/20 Blarney Castle, Kinsdale,Cobh Kenmare

Titanic Trail & Gaol

(Davitts Self-Catering in Kenmare 3 nts)

Day 10 Tue, 5/21 Dromberg Stone Circle, Ballydehob Kenmare

Day 11 Wed, 5/22 Ring of Kerry Kenmare

Day 12 Thu, 5/23 Adare, Bunratty Castle, Folk Park, & Banquet Bunratty

(Dunaree B&B 1 nt)

Day 13 Fri, 5/24 Drive toward Galway Galway area East

Day 14 Sat, 5/25 Cliffs of Moher Galway area East

Day 15 Sun,5/26 Slieve League Westport

Day 16 Mon, 5/27 Beleek

Day 17 Tue, 5/28 Open

Day 18 Wed, 5/29 Open

Day 19 Thu, 5/30 (Derry or Portrush area)

Day 20 Fri, 5/31 Giants Causeway, Rope Bridge (Derry or Portrush area)

Day 21 Sat, 6/1 Glens of Antrim

Day 22 Sun, 6/2 Titanic Exhibit Belfast

(Benedicts Hotel 1 nt)

Day 23 Mon, 6/3 Newgrange, Knowth Navan area

(Ma Dwyers Guesthouse 2 nts)

Day 24 Tue, 6/4 Navan area

Day 25 Wed, 6/5 Drive to Airport, Drop off car, Parents fly back to the

states, we fly to London and continue our vacation.

That's it. If anyone have suggestions or advice. we are open to it.

Thanks, everyone for the help.

Tom

Geno · Guru

Hi Tom:

Sounds like a wonderful trip! The only sequence that I don't understand is:

Day 14 Sat, 5/25 Cliffs of Moher Galway area East

Day 15 Sun,5/26 Slieve League Westport

If you are going to be seeing Slieve League, you would be staying in Donegal Town area and not Westport. Maybe I am not reading it correctly, but that seemed out of place. Everything else looks like it is coming together great.

Enjoy the planning.

Geno

murphy · Guru

Another thought, Last Oct we visited Beleek, backtracked to Sligo town and stayed over night there; (we thought there would be a better chance to find Trad music in Sligo rather than Donegal town). Left Sligo the next day about 9 AM then easily made it on to Slieve league by early afternoon....after an hour stop/coffee break at a craft village outside of Donegal, town AND a 75 minute stop in Donegal Town for our travel companions to visit the Castle. Was then able to spend the warmiest, sunniest part of the day at the Cliffs. Like Geno said, Westport might be a little too far south, to be within easy striking distance of Slieve League.

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Castles north of Galway:

Ashford
Kilronan
Markree
Belleek
Dungiven
Solis Lough Eske

All are linked on my Castle page: http://www.irelandyes.com/castles.html

tony2phones · Guru

The Cliffs fit into Day 14 between Bunratty and Galway. Then you have a whole area of Connemara and North Mayo before hitting Sligo and seeing Beleek before hitting Donegal and seeing the League

So Maybe Donegal for the night of the 17th and see some of Connaught on the way up to Ulster.

http://goo.gl/maps/L5ihu

WonderfulIreland · Newbie

Tom,

Thats a very well planned trip, but I do understand Geno's question about routing from the Cliffs of Moher directly to Slieve League, both beautiful stopovers on any journey through Ireland.

If you visit the route planner, WWW.WONDERFULIRELAND.IE you can navigate from destination to destination around all four coasts of Ireland, and so work out the most efficient route possible.

Enjoy, and very best of luck,

Fia @
WWW.WONDERFULIRELAND.IE