Overwhelmed! We leave for Ireland in 12 days!

caprise · Newbie

Overwhelmed! We leave for Ireland in 12 days!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Are you also flying OUT of Kerry? Will you be renting a car?
As you said -- 6 days will NOT allow you to see ALL of Ireland -- Not even close -- BUT, six days will give you a nice TASTE.

What are your interests? Scenery, ruins, architecture, walking/hiking?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum. As Bob suggested, we will need more info in order to help you. Perhaps you can post the itinerary you have come up with for us to look at.

caprise · Newbie

We fly in and out of Kerry, and we'll have a rental car the entire time.

I am thinking arriving mid-day Sunday, driving to the cliffs, then to Galway.

Spend the evening and half day next day in Galway (possibly Connemara instead), head to Dublin.

Dublin for 2 nights, then head to Kenmare for 2 nights. Hit up Cashel Rock on the way, possibly Blarney. Do ROK while in Kenmare.

Fly out mid afternoon Friday.

Apologies for the quick response, I am running late this morning! Thanks for the help! :)

Geno · Guru

Christy:

I agree -- you are trying to move around much more than is advisable in a short amount of time with three children. Landing in Kerry is a wonderful option -- if you dedicate meaningful time to the west coast (which is what I enjoy doing), but trying to go to Cliffs, then Galway, bounce over to Dublin, bounce back to Kenmare, and stop at other meaningful sites along the way is a stretch. If you are flying in on the afternoon of the 11th and flying out on the 16th, you basically have four actual days to see things.

Consider just staying on the west coast and do Dublin again someday would be my first thought. Then a good plan could be put together! I have been to Ireland many times and am still amazed at how long it takes to get around. If a map tells you that something is four hours away, figure that it's going to take you six -- and that is if you don't get turned around. Being lost is part of the charm of Irish travel, but not with three young kids in the car...

What are you plans for staying? B&Bs? Hotels? Are reservations made? If not you should make sure and have your first and last nights in place before you arrive.

Many are here to help, and most of us have battle scars from making some of the mistakes we will try to keep you from making. smile

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 1st of May 2014 11:33:40 AM

Judy · Guru

What a great opportunity for your family to visit many places in Europe while living there. However, I agree with Geno and think your itinerary is much too fast paced. What you and your husband, but mostly the children, will probably remember most is the inside of the rental car. For example the driving times for your first day from the Kerry airport to the Cliffs of Moher is about 3 hours, then another 1½ hours to Galway. The drive Galway to Dublin in one day is not bad, 3½+ hours. Heading back from Dublin is 3 hours to Rock of Cashel, then about 2 hours more to Blarney and 2½ hours more to Kenmare. That is 7½ hours of time spent in the car that day without stops to enjoy the sights. My estimated driving times may be a little off, but no by much.

Here is my suggestion for a more relaxed trip while getting a true taste of Ireland. Since you will be flying into and out of the Kerry airport, I would use Killarney or Kenmare for a base the whole 6 days. Of the two towns, Killarney would be most centralized to the southwest sights.

You could replace the Cliffs of Moher with the cliffs at Loop Head in County Clare and use the Tarbert to Killimer car ferry to get there. Replace the hills of Connemara with the mountains of Kerry. Replace the coast of Galway with the Dingle Peninsula. Replace Dublin Castle, if that was on your list, with Ross Castle in Killarney. You can still do a day trip to Blarney and instead of the ROK do the Ring of Beara, which is a much shorter drive and better.

Additionally, fun things for the kids and the parents, a pony and trap ride through Muckross Estates and a visit to Muckross Traditional Farms in Killarney.

You may not want to give up Galway, but a trip across the country to Dublin seems like a lot of driving when you will want to stop along the way. Ireland looks like small country on the map, but driving from place to place will take longer than you think.

For more of things to do and see in County Kerry I would suggest, www.kerrygems.com

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I have to agree with Geno. Dublin is definitely 'A Bridge, Too Far', in MY opinion. In fact, were it ME, I would probably drop Galway, too.

THAT said, it is YOUR holiday and you know how well your children will fare with HOURS in the car . . .

Let's assume, however, that you follow your itinerary -- and see where it goes.

" I am thinking arriving mid-day Sunday, driving to the cliffs, then to Galway."

If you land at Noon, by the time you collect the car and pack up the car seats, luggage and children, it will be close to 1 PM. The drive from the Airport to the Cliffs of Moher via Limerick is 170 kilometers and will take about 2.5 - 3 hours. The drive from there to Galway town center is an additional 78 kilometers and will take 1.5 - 2 hours. Those are MINIMUM drive times -- Traffic, particularly into Galway, can easily make them longer. Add to THAT, any stops (bathroom, food, sightseeing) and you have a VERY long day.

"Spend the evening and half day next day in Galway (possibly Connemara instead), head to Dublin."

You will likely get a late start, which will preclude any travel West, into Connemara. Galway to Dublin is 207 Kilometers. If you drive it non-stop, like a Local, it will take a MINIMUM of two hours and 15 minutes. I predict that it will be more like 3 hours and traffic at BOTH ends can EASILY add another hour (or more)! Near Athlone is Clonmacnoise, which would be a good place to let the kids run off any 'pent up' energy -- Plus, it is a TERRIFIC visit! That would add 1-2 hours to the trip, though.

"Dublin for 2 nights, then head to Kenmare for 2 nights. Hit up Cashel Rock on the way, possibly Blarney. Do ROK while in Kenmare."
Driving in Dublin is a nightmare. Parking is difficult to find and VERY pricey. Lots to see and do for adults and children, but Public Transport is the way to go.

Driving Dublin to Kenmare is 348 kilometers and will take a MINIMUM of 5 hours of drive time. If you add in a stop at the Rock of Cashel (an hour, or so) and Blarney (another hour, or more), that's a VERY long day, too.

The BASIC, Ring of Kerry usually takes between 5 and 7 hours, depending upon stops -- and there are LOTS of temptations along the way.

"Fly out mid afternoon Friday."

It will take about an hour (or more) to drive from Kenmare to Kerry Airport (passing through Killarney -- which you will NOT have visited, at all).

SOME OPTIONS:

You could EASILY spend all six days, based in either Killarney, or Killarney and ONE other location -- Dublin OR Galway.

Day 1 - 3: Killarney (or Kenmare):

Day 1: Spend the afternoon / evening visiting SOME of Killarney -- CHOOSING from: Town, Torc Falls, the National Park, Ross Castle, Muckross House, Gardens, Traditional Farms.

Day 2: Drive the Ring of Kerry (Or, perhaps even BETTER -- Beara and Healey Pass!) Another alternate could be Dingle.

Day 3: With an EARLY start, drive to Galway, via the Cliffs.

Day 4: Wander around Galway town, visiting the sights.

Day 5: Drive around SOME of the Connemara 'Loop' SEE: Tony2phone's EXCELLENT map: https://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?msid=215571892271980732006.0004d05696132a1b924df&msa=0 A post explaining same: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/

Day 6: Drive back to Killarney -- Maybe visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and Adare. Spend the night and fly out in the next day.

If Dublin is more important, stay Day 3 and 4 in Killarney, picking up whatever you haven' seen. This will also give you a day to travel to Blarney OR Dingle, or take the Gap of Dunloe Tour.

Day 5, drive to Dublin, via Cashel (5 hours) and drop the car. Day 7, take the train from Dublin to the Kerry Airport, to arrive in time for your departure. If you pre-purchase the tickets, on line, there are some GREAT bargains!

Geno · Guru

Many options, and Bob my first thought was also that Galway needed to go.

Since you have small children, I do really like using Killarney as a base. Having the same place to lay your head at night would make things tolerable even if you did several day trips.

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 1st of May 2014 12:42:36 PM

caprise · Newbie

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

We've decided to make Kenmare our base for the entire time we are there. I think we may do the Beara Peninsula instead of ROK. I really want to get to the cliffs so that will stay on the itinerary, but we may not head up to Galway. We will hit up Adare and possibly Bunratty on the way to the cliffs.

I'd like to day trip to Blarney and Rock of Cashel as well.

Still playing around with the exact itinerary, but it looks like we'll be saving Dublin for another trip. It gives us a reason to come back!

Thanks again!

Geno · Guru

Great choices! Have a wonderful time.

Geno

markan · Senior Member

caprise, I think you made a very wise decision. Enjoy!

Mark

Geno · Guru

If you do stay in Kenmare, consider a trip to Loop Head if you get up to County Clare . That is a wonderful off the beaten path experience with tremendous scenery.

-- Edited by Geno on Wednesday 7th of May 2014 09:34:51 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Hope you have an enjoyable and memorable trip -- That's our goal here, after all! biggrin biggrin

The ONE thing that first timers realize after their first visit is just how MUCH Ireland has to offer. I am sure that you will find more to do in and around Kenmare then you will have time for. As a bonus -- kids and parents won't need to spend interminable 'car time' this way.

Please let us know how it all went, once you get back.

caprise · Newbie

I've been doing more mapping out, and the cliffs are a far drive to do there and back in one day.

Would it be better to drive to Limerick after arriving in Kerry? Here are my thoughts.

Sunday - Arrive 3pm, drive from Kerry airport to Limerick, stopping for a bit in Adare.

Monday - Early start from Limerick to Cliffs. Hitting up Bunratty, back to Limerick for the evening.

Tuesday - Limerick to Rock of Cashel, then to Blarney, sleep in Kenmare

Wednesday - Beara Peninsula, Muckross Estates and pony ride (my youngest is horse obsessed!)

Thursday - Suggestions? Loop Head or Dingle?

Friday - Spend 1/2 day in Killarney, fly home.

OR

Keep accomodations in Kenmare for the 5 nights, and day trip from there. May have to cut out the cliffs or cashel, as that is a lot of driving. Even though those 2 are at the top of my list!

Thanks for putting up with me!

Christy

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If you accept the fact that the Cliffs and Cashel are 'Non-Negotiable', then:

Day 1: Arrive Kerry and head toward Cliffs. Options to Limerick are Bunratty, Ennis or Ennistimon for your over-night. Stop in Adare, for a 'Look See' / break. I would select a hotel (If Available) as you may arrive 'late-ish'. Google Maps says 2 hours to Ennistimon - without stops --I would call it closer to 3.

Day 2: Visit Cliffs EARLY and then head to Cashel. Again, Google says just under 2 hours and I say 3. Visit the Rock and walk around town. Cahir Castle is just down the road IF you have any 'spare' time. Overnight in Cashel.

Day 3: Drive to Kenmare and over-night. Visit Blarney on the way. Google says 2 1/2 hours - MY guess is 3 1/2. Enjoy Kenmare and visit the Druid's Circle. Pony ride?

Day 4: Tour the Beara and the SW coast, perhaps as far as Bantry. Stay in Kenmare.

Day 5: Visit Killarney -- Options: Torc Falls, Ladies View, Muckross House, Gardens and Farms, Ross Castle, National Park -- And, YES -- Horses!

Day 6: Return to Killarney, pick up any sites previously missed and fly home.

NOT ideal, but it 'Ticks The Boxes'.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Some options for Kenmare: http://kenmare.com/attractions/