Picking up friends in Shannon, 4.5 days to see south coast, pubs, few castles

mikeandjulieroll · Newbie

Picking up friends in Shannon, 4.5 days to see south coast, pubs, few castles

tony2phones · Guru

Hi, welcome.. Yes looks like a plan..

I might not chose Bunratty for the night maybe Adare which is on the way and has more than the 2 pubs and eateries (Excluding Hotel based) Bunratty has. Ennis would be a suggestion but in the wrong direction unless they want to pop up and see Moher in the evening?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I like the Shannon area and I LOVE Headley Court, (and a stay there gives access to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park), but you MIGHT want to move further afield. I like Tony's idea if the Cliffs ARE a priority. Since an Early Night will likely be in the works, anyway, you COULD still stay at Headley Court. Ennis has better/more Music and Pub options, but they will likely be wasted on First-Nighters . . . confuse confuse

If NOT intent on seeing the Cliffs -- Since YOU will be rested, you could consider making the drive to Killarney -- with a break stop, in Adare. This will give you a 'Jump' on seeing all the sights in the area. The Restored Ross Castle has an excellent tour and the scenery there makes it a memorable stop. http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-west/rosscastle/

If the weather is co-operative, a tour through the Gap of Dunloe (on a Fine Day) can be a 'Life Changing' experience. biggrin biggrin

http://derostours.com/new/all-tours/gap-of-dunloe-tour/

Near Cork/Cohb, Barryscourt Castle is another nice Castle choice: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/

A stop at the Rock of Cashel, between Cork and Dublin is another 'Ah-Ha' Moment. Another excellent option along this route is the Rock of Dunamase, near Port Laoise. You could also stop in Kildare and climb a genuine Irish Round Tower! Nearby to the Round Tower is the Silken Thomas Pub, which would offer a nice meal break -- Be sure to check out the Tower House in the Parking Lot, out back!

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/rockofcashel/

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Dunamase.html

http://www.kildare.ie/community/easysites/kildareheritage/?page_id=41

LOTS of options -- even with only 4 1/2 days! -- Let us know what your plans and wishes include -- we'll be happy to help! biggrin

mikeandjulieroll · Newbie

Thank you both for the suggestions! Personally, I think the Cliffs SHOULD be a priority, and I am definitely taking my husband there along the way...so VERY good to know that Ennis has better pub and music options. How much time would it take to drive from Shannon to Ennis if our friends arrive exhausted? Is there a good place to stay in Ennis, or would/should we still stay at Headley Court? The more I think about it, while I think Bunratty Castle and Folk Park could be wonderful, but it sounds a little too touristy for a starting point the next day, and not so much the style of the group. The couple joining us says they DO want to see some cliffs...but they don't particularly care if they make it to THE cliffs. (I don't know what other cliffs to show them along the coastline - are there options?) What if we stayed in Ennis instead of at Headley Court and then headed to Killmer for the ferry to cross the Shannon the next morning? Would I be adding more time to our drive to Dingle or Killarney? Seems like maybe we'd get to the coast a bit faster? Also seems like if we stayed in Ennis then we could drop them off for sleep if they needed while we enjoyed the pub/music. ?

Again, thank you SO much!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

As an option, to The Cliffs, if you take the Ferry, is Loop Head. http://www.loophead.ie/irish-attractions-to-do-see/

Ennis is less than 30 minutes from Shannon. From Ennis, the Tunnel (around Limerick) is quicker than the Ferry -- but NOT if you are visiting Loop Head. I'm not sure which route is best from the Cliffs of Moher, though.

Grey Gables B&B gets a lot of Good Comments, in Ennis. http://www.loophead.ie/irish-attractions-to-do-see/

As far as location goes, you can't beat either the Old Ground or the Temple Gate hotels.

http://www.flynnhotels.com/Old_Ground_Hotel_Ennis

http://www.templegatehotel.com/

The Queen's Hotel is also well located, but tends to be rather noisy, from MY experience! http://www.queenshotelennis.com/

tony2phones · Guru

Thing is the Cliffs dont close, the visitors centre ect does but they are part of a public right of way so no harm staying in Ennis, grab a meal in Brogans or Poets Corner (Old Ground front bar) then head up to the cliffs so eat 6.30 -7.30pm (7pm being the change time to more expensive evening menu) then head for the Cliffs 40 minutes there 30 minutes wander 40 minutes back and bed or music as the mood takes.

http://goo.gl/maps/MyLXf Doolin to Dingle options, for Ennis to Ferry just run down the N68 well signposted.

Other points between SNN up to Galway city http://goo.gl/maps/e4gVk has the loop head points on there.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 14th of March 2014 08:20:39 AM

mikeandjulieroll · Newbie

Thank you very much; I'm inquiring about availability at Grey Gables. It does seem like for only a few miles away, Ennis will give us more options, depending on our friends fatigue level. And my husband and I can stay out and play either way without extra driving.
My husband and I are arriving DUB, separately, on St. Patrick's day. I will be working a conference that is to be held at the RDS from 19-23rd. My flight arrives at 8am and his at noon. Do you have thoughts on how to safely best enjoy/experience this special day? Is the parade a MUST, as well as wearing green? As for time in Dublin in general, do you have favorite pubs and restaurants and things to do in Dublin 4? We are always looking for good budget friendly food; I am usually hoping for a great salad, but my husband is a meat and potatoes rugby player/firefighter guy. Finding a great friendly pub or two seems key. I know there are TONS of options, and we can get information from our concierge, but would love your opinions too.

Again, with sincere thanks!

tony2phones · Guru

To be honest.. The parade starting at 12 when your partner arrives then you could either see that yourself or catch it on a TV somewhere? There is a 2.30 walking tour from Suffolk St cost was about 12/14euro. Be aware that a minority will confirm the myth that all Irish are drunken fools after (in some cases before) the parade.. A lot of our Neighbours are away to Dub with Portumna playing in the All Ireland final 2.pm Croagh Park if you fancy seeing the national sport 25euro will get you a ticket.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

My 'Go To' site for Dublin Pubs -- http://publin.ie/

For 'Real' music, it's hard to beat The Cobblestone . . . http://www.cobblestonepub.ie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecobblestone

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186605-d1911003-Reviews-Cobblestone_Pub-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

It's located in Smithfield, near a Luas stop, in Dublin 7

tony2phones · Guru

Brazen Head is just over the river and another good option.

mikeandjulieroll · Newbie

Those both seem like great pub options, and we did already have Brazen Head on our list. Its great to be here; my husband's plane was delayed, so ended up spending most of St. Patrick's day at the airport. My work is off and running at the RDS and we found a nice bistro - Roley's - close by the RDS. There are pubs too; still working on finding the right fit for us. Our next question however is about the Kildare area. I want to go back to the National Stud and I have an appointment for a stud farm tour as well as the possibility for spending more time with the horses - so probably two days in the area. However, my husband is not as into the thoroughbreds as I am; in addition to golf, would you have suggestions of other things for him to do while I am filling my need for horses on the gorgeous green of Ireland? He will have a car.
If it helps, our schedule is leaving Dublin Monday, picking up a car. Thinking of heading for Glendalough area, could stay there that night or go on to Kildare. Then my day or two in Kildare...but will need to be in Galway on Thursday evening...could use ideas of things to see/do on the way between Kildare and Galway as well as where to venture from there before we head to pick up our friends in Shannon on the 29th.

Thank you!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Part of the National Stud is the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachras Garden. In Kildare is St. Brigit's Cathedral and round tower. Further afield are Russborough House and the Rock of Dunamase.

Kildare to Galway. Depends on your route.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Disclaimer: We have friends in the area of Kildare -- and visit there often -- so I MIGHT be a little biased ... confuse biggrin confuse

Of the 64 remaining, free-standing, Round Towers, there are only three that can be climbed -- the tower on Devenish Island, outside of Enniskillen, Fermanagh, the Tower at St Candice's, in Kilkenny and the Kildare Tower, in Kildare. The views from the top are quite impressive, as you might image. The Cathedral next to the Tower has a number of fascinating exhibits.

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Kildare%20Round%20Tower.html http://www.kildaretown.ie/ http://www.destinationkildaretown.ie/

Kildare town has the Silken Thomas and Cunningham's -- two terrific food/music venues, just across the street from each other.

http://www.silkenthomas.com/ http://www.cunninghamskildare.com/cms/

We like to stay at the Lord Edward which is adjacent to the Silken Thomas.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The most direct route to Galway (that runs via Shannon Airport) takes you along the M7, through Limerick. Along the way, more or less, is the Rock of Dunamase and Roscrea. If you are 'into' castles, both areas offer interesting detours.

Excluding detours, www.theaa.ie calls it 159 miles and 3 hours. I would say 4, but at least an hour and a half of THAT is SNN to Galway.

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Dunamase.html

http://www.roscreaonline.ie/content.asp?section=453

wckc · Guru

Bob - how tough of a climb it the tower in Kildare? I'm trying to determine if my old knees can handle it...

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

It's a series of ladders, set at a slight angle. I think there are 5, overall, but there is a 'landing' at each, so you can climb it at your own pace. My 8 year old granddaughter made the climb without problems. The 5 year old (supported/guarded from the rear) gave up about 1/2 way up the tower and climbed back down.

My 60+ year old legs handled it ok, though . . . biggrin biggrin

It was QUITE inexpensive (I think I only paid 10 Euro for the four of us), but it MAY have had to do with my daughter 'bragging' to the gate-keeper that I was rather, 'well-informed' about Round Towers -- He bragged about having seen 20 Towers, until daughter mentioned that I've visited over 50! biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

The Tower at Devenish (JUST reopened, by the way) was a bit easier. I'll let you know about St. Candace's Tower (in Kilkenny) after my June trip . . .

For some strange reason, I keep 'holding out' on visiting it . . . confuse confuse

wckc · Guru

I read some trip advisor reviews on St Canice's - they say it's a scary climb, especially for those who are slightly claustrophobic and afraid of heights. The height thing is the other worry I have...

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Well, that COULD be an issue. The average Round Tower is 100 feet tall, with an interior diameter of about 1o feet. They usually have 4 or 5 wooden floors -- so claustrophobia CAN be an issue.