Two week August itinerary update-suggestions?

tampacb · Veteran Member

Two week August itinerary update-suggestions?

Judy · Guru

Welcome back...it sounds like your plans are coming together. Just a few thoughts on Day 1 & 2. I really would suggest you rent a car/van when you arrive on Day 1. Although Bunratty Meadows is a lovely B&B, it is not so near Bunratty Castle for the Corn Barn Show and Folk Park. You would need transportation from the airport to Bunratty Meadows, then more transportation to the Castle grounds and back, then back to the airport on Day 3.

I would stay closer to Bunratty Castle if you are not picking up the car/van on Day 1. There are lots of choice hotels just across the road from Bunratty Castle and also shops that you could walk to from there. That way you would only need transportation from the airport and back.

tampacb · Veteran Member

Michelle,
I would like to use your itinerary planning service to have you plan my itinerary with me, your rates are great- your advice and experience superb... Not even a countryman could do better...how do I start that with you to get everything just right? I want the maps for directions also .
Cindi

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cindi,

You can contact me: michele (at) IrelandYes.com. I agree with Judy that you either need to rent a car on arrival or else stay closer to Bunratty village. By the time you figure in all the taxis back and forth it would more than pay for a day's car rental. Plus then you will be free to do a little sightseeing if you want.

Michele

tampacb · Veteran Member

Thanks Judy and Michele. I agree and renting the van sooner sounds great. I know we won't need it in Dublin on August 29 or 30 and maybe not even until we leave on September 4 depending on what itinerary Michele helps us plan after Dublin. So I thought the best rate would be given for a week, but I'm sure they won't mind adding a couple extra days on and I don't mind either.

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 27th of March 2014 06:08:04 AM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 27th of March 2014 06:08:31 AM

Geno · Guru

Another option to renting bikes on the Aran Islands, is if you get up in County Mayo, there is a wonderful route of bike paths along the ocean that connects some of the villages and serves as a green initiative. We stayed in Westport recently and really were impressed with what they are doing. If we had more time there, we were going to rent bikes and do a day or so on the paths.

You can find out more here if interested.

Geno

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Vans being rather 'pricey', it might suit you to rent a smaller vehicle for the first, few days and then 'upgrade' to the van once everyone is 'onboard'. Logistics of doing so shouldn't be too difficult -- as you are staying SO close to Shannon at first.

Some basic thoughts:

What TYPE of sites interest YOU and YOURS -- Castles, pre-Christian, monastic ruins, scenery? ? ?

Does the Doolin Cliffwalk require ALL the travelers, or is that something you could do before the final arrival?

Kilkenny is the 'Odd Man Out'. It would probably be best suited as an overnight, on August 28. That way, arriving in Dublin mid-day on the 29th is a reasonable possibility.

You are in good hands with having Michele plot out your route! Enjoy! biggrin biggrin

tampacb · Veteran Member

I am really looking forward to working with Michele. I will have her plan our trip at least from Shannon to Dublin if not all the way to our day of departure.
We arrive in Dublin on 8-29 and have lodging already at the Morgan for 8-29 and 8-30 with lots of activities planned in the temple bar area and Croke park for those days and nights.
Im taking a whirl at planning 8-31 until 9-4 Myself because I had this in mind:
8-31- a Sunday , one option is to go to Swords and check into AbbeyGlenn cottage for two nights in Swords while we see the boys off on 9-1 and 9-2. We can use the cottage as a base and be near the Dublin airport but still do some exploring. On 8-31 or 9-1 I'm thinking of the folklore and Fairies dinner that is famous in Dublin.

Has anyone been to it?

Is Swords a place you might recommend after having spent the last 2 days in Dublin? or would you recommend someplace else.We could stay a little closer to Dublin on 8-31 but I'm not sure where? Then we could stay in Swords at Abbeyglenn on 9-1... Thoughts? at here is a nice discount if I stay in Swords both nights.

Im still hoping we have a farm stay at some point in the trip. I'll work with Michele on that.

Explore Dublin and near Dublin on 8-31 and 9-1 ( a short jaunt -25 minute bus ride -I believe from Swords)
Then on 9-2 last two sons leave and my husband and I can go to a castle, just the two of us and relax and explore a little . I'm thinking of Smarmore Castle it sounds lovely, affordable, and has some historical things around to see that my husband would like. It may or may not be available.
There is also Clontarf castle ...
Any thoughts..it's our last two days...we'll probably be a little tired..

Quick update: The Smarmore is available as is their Viscount room so I booked it. It sounds lovely and I can cancel with no problem if I decide to do something different.

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 27th of March 2014 11:45:05 AM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 27th of March 2014 11:57:34 AM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 27th of March 2014 12:01:15 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, I have done Food, Folklore and Fairies at the Brazen Head. It was very enjoyable and the food was decent. It got quite warm upstairs so don't wear your Aran sweater.

I actually prefer Malahide village as opposed to Swords. Love Beechwood House and the owner Joe. You can get a bus or DART into Dublin from Malahide.

Glad you got your reservations for Smarmore. It is a nice little castle. They give my readers a 10% discount.