Arriving in Cork August 24, 2013

suse · Member

Arriving in Cork August 24, 2013

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum. That is quiet a list. Use this tool for approximate driving times: http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/ Get miles and divide by 35 for more accurate times.

Get your calendar and a map of Ireland. See where various sightseeing is clustered. Those will probably be good bases for multiple-night stays.

If you don't want to see anything in the Cork area, you could make it to Kenmare or Killarney in a couple of hours. That might be far enough on your first day.

We will be happy to help you fine-tune your itinerary.

tony2phones · Guru

Problem One. Car hire.. Cork is Ireland. Belfast is UK. I recommend you end and fly from Dublin Airport or have the driver drop the car at DUB and bus back to Belfast. Even if your rental company says there is no charge for dropping in another country you will probably find the base more expensive, (someone has to pay to get the car back into Ireland).

Good Point.. I say 14 days for 75% of the coastal route and you are only doing 50 or 60% Flying into Cork suggests an EU arrival so no Jet lag. Kenmare or Killarney are easy reach night one.

suse · Member

okay, I must admit that working full-time is really cramping my planning time. So initially our trip was to do Northern Ireland only. It was on the advice that we see Southern Ireland that I decided to fly into Cork. So, let me hone in on Northern Ireland first. Would a week be enough for: Donegal (Glenveigh Castle) as family members worked there. Londonderry (Derry) for history, Omagh and the Ulster Folk and Transportation (friend in Omagh) Antrim Coast - Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge and Belfast. As we fly out of Belfast maybe 2 nights there (for the history)? Have I missed anything big?

Southern Ireland - I read about an outdoor market in Cork - for some reason it really appeals to me. Recommended Castles? Ireland's School of Falconry - Ashford Castle - not sure if we could stay there. Pretty expensive - we are pretty casual - dress code? Definitely want to do the walk with the instructor though. Dingle Peninsula as we love the ocean. Not sure what else in the Southwest. Ideas?

Thank you so much in advance! I do have Michele's book and am marking it up like crazy!

Suse

tony2phones · Guru

So to get from Kinsale (south of Cork Airport and popular with tourists) your first day, up to Donegal.

Kinsale and Charles Fort just a gentle unwind, maybe drive over on the Passage West/Monkstown Ferry to Cobh,
Have a look at Blarney Castle (worth a look for the grounds no obligation to snog the rock) and make your way to Kenmare for night 2
Drive Beara and explore a little back to Kenmare for night 3.
Compulsory drive round the Dingle peninsula on the way to Adare or maybe Ennis for Night 4
Day 5 drive the Burren and Cliffs of Moher to Galway and either Oughterard or Spiddal for night 5
Between there and Donegal you have the Connemara, North Mayo and Sligo. Westport could make a good 2 night stay having driven the N59 to Leenane past Kylemore then the Doonlough valley route past Louisburgh. Have a look at Achill Island and North Mayo day 7. before Donegal for night 8.

Donegal to Belfast (and Dublin)
Day 9 over to Omagh for nights 9and 10
Aim to end in Portrush for night 11 (possibly night 10 as well) and Good base for the whole of the north coast.
Now I personally would drop down to a Dublin Airport hotel via the west of Lough Neagh and maybe Newgrange Drop the car and have the evening in Dublin night 12. The next day up to Belfast by public transport,

Just suggestions.