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Post Info TOPIC: Planning May 2014 25th Annniversary trip
Basketmaker Amy


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Planning May 2014 25th Annniversary trip
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Hi,

I have enjoyed reading the forums and have gotten a lot of good advice already. I would now like to ask advice on the trip we are planning for May 22-June 2, 2014.  My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary.  We are active  and like to keep busy on vacations.  We chose to explore Northern Ireland for its dramatic scenery and "less touristy" feel. We would rather do walks/hikes (nothing too strenuous!) vs. museums.  I booked our plane tickets arriving Dublin on May 23 and leaving Shannon on June 2.  I would like to book hotel/B&B reservations for our first nights and our last night.  We are open to booking as we travel, but any recommendations would be appreciated!!!  Here is what I have so far.  Please feel free to comment or make suggestions.  Thanks in advance!

10 Night trip to Ireland - May 22, 2014 - June 2, 2014

May 22 - fly from Tampa to Dublin, arriving at 8:40 am on May 23.

May 23 - Dublin. HOHO bus

May 24 - Dublin.  HOHO bus.

May 25 - Pick up rental car at airport.  Drive to Belfast via Mountains of Mourne coast, Slieve Donard, Downpatrick, Black Cab tour.  Spend night in Belfast area.

May 26 - Drive Antrim Coast, with stops at Carrickfergus Castle, Glenariff, Cushendall, Torr Head.  Spend night in Ballycastle/Bushmill/Portstewart area.

May 27 - Antrim Coast with stops at Old Bushmills Disterilly, Carrick-a-rede, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges.  Spend night at Ballycastle/Bushmill/Portstewart area.

May 28 - Drive to Donegal, with stops at Derry, Grianan Aileach Ring Fort, Horn Head Loop.  Spend night in Donegal area.

May 29 - Ardara, Slieve League, Glenveagh Castle.  Spend night in Donegal area.

May 30 - Drive to Galway via Sligo, Connemara Loop.  Spend night in Galway area.

May 31 - Aran Island, Galway area.  Spend night in Galway area.

June 1 - Cliffs of Moher, Burren, (Would love to see Rock of Cashel...would it be too much?)  Spend night in Bunratty.

June 2 - Fly out of Shannon at 11:40 a.m.

 

We are looking forward to our first trip to Ireland!

Amy

 



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tony2phones


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I am with you up to Donegal.. From there via Sligo and Connemara to Galway is too much (Cashel is a bus ride option from Dublin, so possible) Bunratty wouldn't make my last night list, unless you are having the Banquet and straight to an early bed.

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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour 
Basketmaker Amy


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Thanks for your quick response.  The part after Donegal is hard for me to plan.   Would we have time to go straight from Donegal to the Connemara region and see the highlights?  Where would you suggest lodging?  Would Clifden work better than Galway?  I am not locked in on the Bunratty area (someone had mentioned a hotel near the airport that they liked) for our last night.  Would you suggest Shannon?  Ennis?  

Thanks for your help.  It is wonderful to have help from the locals!

Amy



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tony2phones


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Should have said Welcome 1st, sorry.

This is a 10 day northern loop DUB - DUB I did for someone last year and has been getting a lot of air time recently http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv  that splits Donegal to Ennis with Ballina and Clifden.  But any map I do tend to be specific to personal requirements and for ideas mainly. 

If you are aiming for an early night then Bunratty is fine (not my personal taste) Newmarket on Furgus has a choice of bars/food, The Oakwood Arms at Shannon would mean you could drop the car the night before and cab in in the morning, But Ennis is a personal favourite. 



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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour 
Michele Erdvig


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Welcome indeed! It does get hectic after Northern Ireland. I would skip Horn Head as I think it is too far out of your way. If you get good weather you could easily spend the whole day at Glenveagh as there are walks, many gardens and the castle.

May 30 is too much. You could stay in Clifden instead of Galway but you should be prepared for a long drive from Donegal to either Clifden or Galway. You will be skimming over some lovely places like Sligo, but you can't see it all.

Painful as it seems, I would cut the Aran Islands and Cashel.

Nothing wrong with Bunratty for your last night. Since you are stopping at the COM and Burren it will likely be afternoon before you arrive there anyway. It is a small village about 10 minutes from the airport with a handful of pubs, the castle and folk park, shopping, a couple of good restaurants and some nice B&Bs. Headley Court is an excellent place to stay. Ennis would be fine if you had more time. But I find that on my last night I am busy with packing and getting ready to depart. You may not have a lot of time for pub crawling, etc. So it just depends on your expectations. Many people enjoy the castle banquet for their last night in Ireland. If interested, book well in advance.



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Pic


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To me May 29th seems really packed.  We were in Donegal about 15 months ago and saw both Glenveagh and Sleive League - but we did it on two separate days.  Maybe we're a little slow and like to take in the scenery and have a cup of tea or a pint with the locals, but that seems like a lot to pack into one day.  Just my opinion......



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Roy


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Pic wrote:

To me May 29th seems really packed.  We were in Donegal about 15 months ago and saw both Glenveagh and Sleive League - but we did it on two separate days.  Maybe we're a little slow and like to take in the scenery and have a cup of tea or a pint with the locals, but that seems like a lot to pack into one day.  Just my opinion......

 We did both on separate days too.



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