Trip advice for a 15 day Itiniery?

TurtleKing · Member

Trip advice for a 15 day Itiniery?

wckc · Guru

Personally I would NOT recommend a first day directly off the plane as you have suggested. Keep in mind, clearing immigration in Ireland can take time, as can picking us the rental car. Our first trip it was only about an hour, with each trip since taking longer. April of 2012 took nearly an hour to just to clear customs. By the time we got in our rental car and hit the road it was 11 am, and we landed at 8!

Our first trip we got off and went to our B&B in Dublin, where we took a nap. Our second trip we got our rental car, went to Newgrange, and then had a horrible time staying awake while driving up to Newtownards, NI. Our last two trips we picked up our rental care and drove to our self catering in Fuerty, Rosscommon where we took a break to rest up.

If it were me, I would consider moving some of that Dublin time to the start of the trip rather than the end...

-- Edited by wckc on Sunday 9th of March 2014 04:01:30 PM

wckc · Guru

I just read through your entire itinerary. We live in NM and have spent many an hour driving on the open roads in TX. Trust me, Ireland roads are not like those you are used to. The roads in Ireland are narrow and winding, unless you spend all of your time on the motorways. Plan on speeds of around 35 mph.

You are trying to pack way too much into way too little time. We have always visited just before or just after high season so we have never dealt much with crowds. We did visit the Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede on one day, but didn't see much else that day. Even though it was mid April, both attractions were quite busy, and it slowed down our visit and picture taking. You really need to allow time for driving as well as seeing the sites. If you check the AA Route Planner website, you will see this day alone is at 5 hours drive time, not to mention the time at each attraction.

I will leave the trip suggestions to those on the forum who are good at laying out plans. Trust me, by taking their advice, you will be happy, and have a much more enjoyable experience.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

First off -- Welcome to Michele's Forum -- and Congrats on your upcoming Anniversary Trip!

We did a Scotland/Ireland combo trip, back in 2007, that covered MUCH of your proposed route. Be warned though, that it is REALLY long! biggrin biggrin

http://ireland.activeboard.com/t12825158/ics-07-voyage-of-discovery-tour/

A quick look at your plan raises a few concerns -- Your driving estimates are slightly optimistic AND you don't seem to be factoring in enough time for your proposed stops. Please bear in mind that Travel in Ireland (and, Scotland, too, for that matter) is MUCH Slower Going than it is, in the States. Michele suggests figuring driving times by dividing miles by 35 (as in, an average of 35 MPH) and I usually suggest to First Timers that your ACTUAL average will be closer to 30! There is SO much to see and SO many 'distractions' (as in Scenic vistas and Photo Ops) that it is often difficult to even begin to match the 'Suggested' driving Times estimated by Google Maps, or www.theaa.ie/routes

Consensus opinion is that you should NOT drive more than 2 hours, or so, on Arrival Day, after an over-night flight. I would spend the night in Glendalough.

Lismore Castle is NOT open to the Public -- only their Garden and Stable Yard (which contains Art Displays).

Kissane Sheep Farm takes a couple of hours to visit, with the demonstrations and tour. Likewise, Muckross House, Gardens and traditional Farms would require at least TWICE as much time -- and NEITHER are IN Kenmare. The drive from Kenmare to Dingle would likely take as much as 3 hours -- and with stops for Ladies' View, Torc Falls, Killarney, and Inch Strand, could EASILY take the better part of a LONG day.

With a visit to the Cliffs, the drive from Dingle to Galway will be 6-8 hours.

The ferry to the Arans would be best from Rossaveal (Galway). It's a shorter drive, shorter sail time and much LESS weather-dependent, then the boats from Doolin.

The drive from Ashford to Derry won't leave much time to SEE Derry -- and you won't have any to spare the following day! Giant's Causeway and the Rope Bridge EACH take a couple of hours, so you wouldn't arrive in Dublin until VERY late!

Derry seems to be the 'Odd Man Out' -- Do you have links to the area? It is my Favorite NI city, but I think you would be better served to drop it (and NI) from your plans. If you DO, you can add that time into either Waterford, or (MY choice) Kenmare. If NI is a MUST, then consider dropping Wicklow and Waterford, in order to 'Free Up' the time you need.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on your upcoming 20th! I know you want your trip to be special. I think that with a reality check and some tweaking you can come up with a good itinerary. Keep in mind that it takes trial and error to get it right so it may demand some of your time for re-thinking what is actually possible in Ireland.

First off, Ireland is not Texas. A lot of the places you will go don't have super highways where you can flip on the cruise control and breeze through the country without thought or effort. A two hour drive in Ireland on rural roads will take time (think 35 mph or less) and require the driver to concentrate. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to "zone out" while driving in Ireland. You have to be alert at all times. You will not want to drive at night as you will definitely get lost.

I agree with wckc and Bob about your first day. If saving Dublin for the end of your trip it is probably better to stay in Glendalough as an overnight. Driving jet-lagged on your first day is the equivalent of "driving impaired". So best not to travel too far.

With your schedule I don't see how you would fit the Bunratty banquet in.

Ashford is one of many castles in Ireland. Have you looked at my Castle Page? One I really enjoyed was Kilronan Castle. Ashford is in a gorgeous setting. It was recently sold so I don't know what the new owners are doing with it at the moment. I understand some refurbishment it in the offing.

From the comments posted already I think you understand that you are trying to do too much. This is entirely understandable. All first-time visitors to Ireland have the same mind set. But please take the advice from us - who are veterans of travel in Ireland. We know what we are talking about. Another thing (that Bob touched on) is that each sightseeing stop takes time. Many forget to budget for that time in their plans.

Try a trip back to the drawing board to iron out the itinerary. It will pay off in the long run and make for a better trip.

TurtleKing · Member

Thanks for the advice. A lot to think about and its back to the drawing board for me. If we skipped Derry and just drove back to Dublin we could spend one of our days in Dublin doing a Bus Tour to the Giants Causeway. Are these any good?

tony2phones · Guru

There is a reason why Transatlantic visitors pay soo sooo much more for Hire car insurance over here, Sorry but your itinerary starting from day One is a prime example of why. I am a native and would not get up at 6am pick up a strange car from Dublin Airport, tackle the M50 to Powerscourt, Walk a couple of hours to the falls and back then embark on narrow winding unlined roads to Glendalough. presumably another couple of hours walking around then onto similar roads to hit the M9 and the run down to Waterford. Probably over 4 hours driving + 4 hours walking + food and toilet breaks.. 10 hours straight off a long flight??

Sorry but if you want to come here and enjoy the experience then you need to rethink some of your plans.. Waterford even direct is too far day One.. Kilkenny direct perhaps, reversing the trip and 1st night Belfast, perhaps.

Do Not spend 14 hours doing a "Day" trip from Dublin to the Causeway decide on Priorities and what are must see places rather than "fancy seeing that" places..

-- Edited by tony2phones on Sunday 9th of March 2014 04:53:17 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I haven't done the actual tour from Dublin to the GC. I always have a car. It is an extremely long day. You start early in the morning and get back late. Just so you know.

Michele Erdvig · Host

When first planning a trip most people want to "pack in" as much as humanly possible...or even more! What veterans realize is that you won't miss what you did not see. Instead you will enjoy what you were able to fit in much more because you have time to actually "see" it.

My blog article may be of some help.

wckc · Guru

To add to Michelle's last comment...you WILL miss virtually everything if you try to pack it all in. By the time you get back home, you won't have a clue what you saw!

We tried that on our first trip in 2007. I was just looking back at our itinerary from that trip - I don't remember half of what we saw, and we heeded the advice from this forum and cut out ALOT. Even when looking at some of the pictures we took from that trip, we can't remember where they were taken! We have learned from the next three trips to slow down and enjoy what we are able to see. We remember those sites easily, and enjoy the memories.

Ireland isn't a one trip country. We are now planning visit number five, and still won't have seen it all!

TurtleKing · Member

Ok,a little modifying here.. Cut off the NI leg and instead cut across at Galloway to Dublin and shortened our 1st day.

June 11 Fly out, arrive June 12 Dublin
June 12 1 night in Wicklow
June 13 1 night in Waterford
June 14 1 night in Kinsale/Cork
June 15 1 night in Kenmare
June 16-17 2 night in Dingle (Dunguarie banquet)
June 18-19 2 nights Galway (Aran island day trip)
June 20 1 night Ashford Castle
June 21 24 3 nights Dublin (Clontarf Castle Hotel)
June 24 Fly to Edinburgh
June 24 30 Scotland
June 30 Fly Home

Look better?
Thanks for the advice!

We Bought Michelle's book and trying to get to where we can start booking lodging.

-- Edited by TurtleKing on Sunday 9th of March 2014 06:41:47 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Looking better. Have you looked at Waterford Castle in place of Ashford? It is a great little castle on a private island in the river in Waterford. If at all possible try for 2 nights in Kenmare.

You are aware that Clontarf Castle Hotel is not city center?

Dunguaire Castle is no where near Dingle. It is south of Galway in Kinvara.

TurtleKing · Member

Ashford Castle is full for the time we wanted so we now have an extra day. So we have the time for that extra day in Kenmare. Thanks for the tip. We will look into the Waterford Castle, sounds neat. We booked Clontarf Castle from a recommendation from a friend of my sister, who has made several trips to Dublin. We got a discount on the room for booking it with our flight.

Dunguaire Castle was a typo and meant to go with Galloway. :)

-- Edited by TurtleKing on Sunday 9th of March 2014 07:15:39 PM

tony2phones · Guru

Dunguarie banquet -- Dingle??

Can I make a suggestion..

Start with 2 days in Dublin 12/13th (night of)
Then head to Waterford 14th
Kinsale 15th
Kenmare or Killarney 16th/17th
Dingle 18th
Kinvara for Dunguarie banquet on the 19th
Ashford 20th.

Assuming you fly to EDI from SNN Shannon on the 24th you have 3 nights to put into the mix and either slow things down using the 2 free (+1 by the airport) or add one/two more option/s

TurtleKing · Member

Tony our Dublin dates hard dates, lodging is booked, as is the trip to EDI which departs from Dublin. Looking into Waterford castle for our night in Waterford (thanks Michelle).

Is Wicklow a realistic target to sleep after the 645am arrival flight into Dublin, or am I stretching it?

So, a good use for the extra day gained by Ashford Castle being full, Kenmare?

Thanks everyone for the great ideas and suggestions.

-- Edited by TurtleKing on Sunday 9th of March 2014 08:18:41 PM

TurtleKing · Member

I believe the omission of Derry/NI gave us the breathing room we needed, and the extra day from the castle being full! Thanks Itallian Chauffeur.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kenmare is my favorite small town in Ireland. You can't go wrong there.