8 night itinerary advice

alysheeba · Member

8 night itinerary advice

tony2phones · Guru

Route planning on Google Maps and adding about 15 or 20% might be a good start...First 3 plans might have you calling the wrecking truck and ambulance..The sort of plans that explain why transatlantic visitors pay soooo much more for car rental insurance. that's just the First day..

Consider halving your expectations or doubling the length of your stay

Sorry but better honest than have you going home by medivac.

Make a list of Must see/do out of the want to see/do then check them on a map and see what is "Comfortably" possible for all on the trip.

alysheeba · Member

I tend to agree with you. We've got friends we are meeting from there and they seem to believe we can do it, I'm nervous. The first 2 days are what concern me and am looking for guidance on what to skip or other options. I'm to the point where I'm just going to make reservations and tell them the route so whatever path you could point me in or suggest would be appreciated.

tony2phones · Guru

If I slip out of this forum and into TA mode you have 8 nights, 7 days. You aim to see as much as possible in 50% of the island starting at a mad dash then spending 2 nights 1 1/2 days in on Dingle then another mad dash for 3 days.. The Tour bus takes 4 hours to cover the whole peninsula 2 hours if you only do Slea Head.

You have a lot in there and whilst your friends who live here might be able to drive the route that would make UPS happy as visitors wanting to see and experience things then you need to divide things in an even spread. I am just off out now but will look at possibilities mapping later on today.

alysheeba · Member

Given that I haven't worked for UPS for forever, I'd rather not don the brown uniform on this journey. I spent last night tweeking things a bit.... Does this look any better?

Saturday - arrive Dublin 6am, grab rental car and head south Kilkenny or Cashel ROC. Overnight Kilkenny or Cashel

Sunday - ROC(?) Head towards Cobh, Cork and Blarney. Overnight Blarney

Monday - Day of sights, either southern tip with overnight in Kenmare or Killarney area with an overnight possibly at Ballyseede outside Tralee

Tuesday - Dingle Peninsula. Overnight Dingle

Wednesday - Drive up the coast, Shannon, Bunratty Folk Park. Overnight Bunratty

Thursday - Cliffs of Moher. Overnight Galway

Friday - Wander back to Dublin. Overnight Dublin Friday and Saturday

depart Sunday.

tony2phones · Guru

Far better...I might swap Ennis for Bunratty as I like more than two bar/food options and life after tour bus curfew.. take the option to call into Listowel perhaps and unless you need to explore loop head great as the area is use the Shannon Tunnel and call into Bunratty on the way 1/2 hour up the road. Apologies for bluntness and failing to welcome you to the forum..

alysheeba · Member

I appreciate your honesty! I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the previous plans.

We are committed to Bunratty Wednesday night as we are staying at a friends B&B and meeting other friends staying there as well. I wouldn't be surprised if we end up in Ennis for a part of that evening.

Are you familiar with B&B's in various areas? Here is what I have booked so far:

Butler Court - Kilkenny
White House Inn - Blarney
Lantern Townhouse or Emlagh Lodge- Dingle

tony2phones · Guru

Buttler Court is well regarded and often recommended on a couple of forums given the location I am not sure about parking but it is an easy walk into the centre.

White House Inn don't know other than just looking, you will have to come back and let us know.

Lantern in Dingle is right in the centre of town, car parking again could be a problem? was a place I used more than once a while ago (but I mean a while)

If you have company then Bunratty is going to be fine. Newmarket on Furgus is handy as is Sixmilebridge if you want a few more options,

alysheeba · Member

Thank you so much for your advice! I will definitely report back on White House Inn.

CowboyCraic · Guru

If your main goal in the south is to focus on Cobh & Cork, I would aim to stay in either of those two and not in Blarney.

Kilkenny is a good first stop. You could drop your luggage and explore the town on foot.

An early start the next morning would take you through Cashel and Cahir...then you could point towards Cobh...

The next day do Cork and Blarney and on in to Killarney. I would probably overnight there two nights just to catch breathe. You can day trip to Dingle from there instead of an overnight.

Just far too much rushing for my taste, to be sure...too many one nighters...too much distance covered... I did much the same on my first visit...at least the first week...and looking back...it was all a blur...

Butler Court is a great place to stay...but it books quickly...

You might also check out Kenmur House in Kilkenny... my clients have enjoyed their time spent there

If you go ahead with Dingle, I would choose Emlagh House over Lantern Townhouse

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Wednesday 10th of July 2013 06:52:29 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Take a look at my Lodgings page for good places to stay. In Blarney I like Blarney Vale and Ashlee Lodge.

Geno · Guru

The Emlagh Lodge is my favorite B&B in Ireland -- great views of Dingle Bay and a wonderful place.