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Post Info TOPIC: 3 Day Weekend Trips from Dublin
hhanrahan


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3 Day Weekend Trips from Dublin
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Hi Michelle,

First - thank you for providing such a great forum for discussion.  I've picked up tons of great ideas and tips from reading through everyone's posts!  Now I'm ready to ask a few questions of my own.  My husband is working from Dublin for the month of October - 2 weeks from now! I"m going to join him for 3 weeks, 2 of which I have to work M-Th.  I'll have a few days my first week to explore Dublin and plan to check out places close by/easy to get to via DART.  Then we plan to do 2 weekend trips Fri-Sun. I would like your advice on the weekend trips.  I would like to see as much as possible but at the same time be able to relax a bit.  Below are my thoughts:

 

1st Weekend: Burren, Aran Islands, Galway, Connomara (Is this too much to do in 3 days?)

Friday: The Burren - from Dublin make a stop in Athenry (check out the Abbey, Castle, and Townwalls), head south towards The Burren.  Stop at Kinvarra and check out Dunguaire Castle.  Check in at Gregans Castle hotel then explore the Burren, Cliffs of Moher and maybe Doolin for dinner/pubs.

Saturday: From Doolin take a ferry to the Aran Islands for the day.  Stay at Gregans Castle hotel one more night.

Sunday: Head out early to Galway for brunch and check out Kirwans Lane area.  Then do a short Connomara Loop - Clifden, Kylemoore, Cong, head back to Dublin.

 

2nd Weekend:  I haven't planned this weekend out as well - there is so much to do I'm having a hard time narrowing it down!

Option 1: Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Cork (Blarney Castle - maybe?), Lakes of Killarney - stay here a day or 2 then head back

Option 2: Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Cork, then head back up the coast via Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow

Question - Should we try to do County Kerry or is it just too much to squeeze in?  For either option what cities would you suggest staying overnight?  Do you have other better ideas that are completely different?

 

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!

Thanks,

Hannah

 

 

 



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tony2phones


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There are some small problems in the plan 1. Doolin in October will be highly unlikely to have boats to the Arans, The castles will be closed and Doolin has only 4 bars and food might be hard to come by out of season. Galway would be a better option with ferries from Rossaveal a good selection of evening eat/drink/entertainment options.

The 2nd weekend should be fine for either Cork or Killarney no need to book too far ahead in October so just see what the weather brings and decide then.

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hhanrahan


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Thanks Tony! We can use the Aran Island day to spend more time in Galway and Connemara.  



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tony2phones


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If you stay in the Galway/Salthill/Spiddal area rather than Greggans then you could more than likely see Inis Mor from Rossaveal just west of those. You can see the outsides of the castles and for Athenry, give Sheamus a call (0867361257) and possibly get a guided tour of Athenry Abbey, think the Heritage Centre might be open?

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Michele Erdvig


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I agree with Tony that Galway is a better base in Oct. Choose either Connemara or Aran Islands. Both would be too much for a weekend. The Connemara loop is not "short".

There are also some options closer to Dublin like Co. Wicklow, Co. Meath and Kilkenny. If I were doing Kerry I would want more than a two-night stay. Perhaps do Cashel, Cahir and Blarney, overnighting in Blarney or Kinsale.

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hhanrahan


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Thanks! It sounds like the Aran Islands are not the best idea so I think we'll spend more time in Galway and Connemara. I agree - it would be much nicer to spend more than a few days in Kerry so I'm going to look into the areas you suggested. I haven't even left and already feel the need to go back so we can explore the country more :)

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Michele Erdvig


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Happy to help. When you are in Dublin go into the tourist office and they will have brochures, maps and suggestions for you too.



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