Judge my itinerary!

uncleezno · Member

Judge my itinerary!

Michele Erdvig · Host

If you plan on seeing Newgrange, Knowth and the visitor's center at Bru na Boinne you will need a minimum of 3 - 4 hours. If you are spending the morning in Dublin then picking up a car (takes time) and spending the afternoon at Bru na Boinne I don't think you have time for Clonmacnoise. Maybe overnight in Athlone and see Clonmac next morning?

Seems like Galway is just an overnight stop because you don't really have time to see much there.

Ennis or Adare might be a better overnight than Limerick unless you have particular things you want to see in the city.

I am confused as to why you are doing two day trips to Dingle from Killarney?

I prefer Kinsale to Cork City.

tony2phones · Guru

I would consider Birr over Athlone over Galway to see Clonmacnoise.

You can then take the route via Portumna /Gort to the Burren and Cliffs spend the night in Ennistymon or Ennis..

Drive round Dingle which is only a small peninsula to Killarney and from There explore the rest of west Kerry don't go traipsing back to Dingle you will already have seen it.

For Cork I personally prefer Cobh or Blarney

Judy · Guru

From what you said about your objectives, that you didn't feel the need to spend a lot of time in Dublin, but rather out in the country, yet you mentioned three of the larger cities, Galway, Limerick and Cork.

Skip those three and the 2nd morning in Dublin. Work your itinerary around Michele and Tony's suggestions of the towns Ennis, Adare, Killarney, Kinsale and Cobh. By doing that you will better meet your objectives. Don't need to tear it apart, just rework it.

I agree the one day is enough for the Dingle Peninsula and the other exploring around Kerry or West Cork with the 2 nights in Killarney.

Geno · Guru

It is a personal choice, but there are so many places I would rather stay than spending a night in either Cork or Limerick. Many gorgeous areas close to both would provide better options to enjoy the scenery.

Villages in West Cork would be great (Kenmare/Bantry), and near Limerick, why not any of the towns along Lough Derg (Killaloe)?

Just some other things to consider!

Geno

uncleezno · Member

Thank you all for your advice! I will talk with my wife and make some changes!

uncleezno · Member

Hi all, I wanted to share with you the updated itinerary. We've booked hotels, but haven't ironed out 100% what sights we'll see, so advice is still welcome! And in case I really messed something up with the itinerary, all the reservations are refundable, so let me know about that too!

Based on feedback here and elsewhere I tried to cut down on the driving between places by adding more multi-night stops and positioning some of them closer to each other. Here goes -

Saturday, 5/17 - Leave US for Dublin

Sunday, 5/18 - Arrive in Dublin, see Dublin sights. Overnight in Dublin

Monday, 5/19 - See Dublin sights. Overnight in Dublin

Tuesday, 5/20 - Head to Galway, see sights on the way, overnight in Galway

Wednesday, 5/21 - Connemara. Overnight in Galway

Thursday, 5/22 - Drive to Limerick. See sights either between G & L, or in and around L. Overnight in Limerick

Friday, 5/23 - Drive to Killarney. Sights along the way. Overnight in Killarney

Saturday, 5/24 - Drive to Kinsale. See sights around Cork/Kinsale. Overnight in Kinsale

Sunday, 5/25 - See sights around Cork/Kinsale. Overnight in Kinsale

Monday, 5/26 - Up early to drive back to Dublin, drop off car at airport and fly home

Hopefully you'll find this itinerary less crazy!

-- Edited by uncleezno on Monday 21st of April 2014 02:36:35 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I would rather have two nights in Killarney than two in Kinsale. You are giving short shrift to one of Ireland's most scenic areas.

uncleezno · Member

Hi Michele, Thank you for your reply! Between the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, you think we're better off with two nights on the West Coast?

tony2phones · Guru

22nd May I would have seen if there was accommodation in Ennis for the Fledh Nua. Killarney would have been a better base than Kinsale but as you have booked your hotels its just down to the sights you want between your bases.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I just think there is more to see and do in the SW Killarney area. Also, you could easily spend a whole day in Killarney itself seeing Muckross House, Gardens and traditional farms, Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park, Jaunting car ride, Cherry Tree Walk, etc.