NOT driving direct from shannon to dublin now - thanks and suggestions?

bonniemichelle · Member

NOT driving direct from shannon to dublin now - thanks and suggestions?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sorry to hear about the mess-up with Delta. In Dublin I suggest you take the hop on hop off bus tour. It will give you a tour and access to the city's best sightseeing. Since you will be leaving Dublin in the late afternoon, you might consider going part way to Northern Ireland. Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula (just south of NI) would make a good overnight.

That is a lot to fit into Sunday so perhaps you should stay near Bushmills (Giant's Causeway). That will allow you to see in the morning anything you missed. Since the drive down to Galway is very long - plus you want to fill the day with sightseeing - you should consider an overnight along the way and proceed to Galway for Tues & Wed.

Have you thought about spending a night on the Aran Islands rather than just a day trip?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

WOW! Either that was some SEIOUS mess up by Delta, or you are VERY fortunate! confuse confuse

We fly on Delta a LOT -- and have endured NUMEROUS changes to our schedule and they have NEVER offered to let me change destination airports . . .

I'm glad that it worked out, for you, though -- as the Dublin arrival will very much SIMPLIFY your trip. biggrin biggrin

I would cut a few hours from Dublin and leave no later than mid-day -- as your trip is very Antrim-Centric, and you are going to otherwise be short of time there. It will take about 2.5 to 3 hours to get there -- NOT counting stops.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Is Tara still in the itinerary?

Geno · Guru

Noted you mentioned Carlingford to her Michele. That is a place on my list -- what I have read on the village looks really nice! Think it would be a good first day stop after a flight to Dublin.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Wednesday 14th of May 2014 02:37:24 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Geno, Carlingford is a lovely village just across the border from Northern Ireland. I stay at Beaufort House with views across the water to the Mountains of Mourne. If you are into ancient Irish literature the Cooley Peninsula is associated with The Cattle Raid of Cooley. It would be an excellent stop after arriving in Dublin.

bonniemichelle · Member

I'm fascinated with the aran islands but afraid 19 year old son will be bored. can you tell me a little more about whats there?

actually delta's screw up was a blessing!

bonniemichelle · Member

Thanks bob!

FYI - - anytime an airline changes their schedule by more han an hour you can ask to change your flight free of charge. Just tell them it messes up your ground transportation..I've changed many times after an airline has altered schedule. :>)

bonniemichelle · Member

hmm - should have read all the posts before answering..I think we will leave Dublin by about 1 latest (hopefully earlier) and do hope to go to Tara. Newgrange looked very interesting but wondered if it might be crowded..I"ve been toyingwith the idea of staying outside Carrickfergus to see the Castle early the next day. HOw close is Carlingford? After the Castle, we plan to go on along the coastal route to the Giants Causeway. I have read about the Dark Woods and would like to see them as well as the rope bridge..

Michele Erdvig · Host

Seeing Newgrange and Knowth at Bru na Boinne takes about 4 hours. You don't have time for it. You are aware that there is not a whole lot to see at the Hill of Tara? There are earthworks, a burial mound, a church and the Lia Fail (inauguration stone).

You can make it to Carrickfergus. However, if running late be sure to let your accommodations know in advance if you will arrive after 6 pm. Here is info about the Dark Hedges:

http://irelandyes.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/ireland-friday-freebie-the-dark-hedges/

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

As Michele has said, due to the structured tours, a visit to Newgrange takes a couple of hours -- at the BEST of times. If you are determined to visit it, you would need to leave Dublin early ( 9 or 10 AM - at the latest) to try and beat the Buses (and Bus-loads of people!).

Tara info: http://www.megalithicireland.com/Hill%20of%20Tara.htm

DRIVE time from Dublin Airport to Carlingford is about 1.5 hours. If you go by way of Tara, it is about 2 hours of DRIVE time.

Just NW of Drougheda is a VERY worth-while stop, at Monasterboice. It is just off the M1, well-signposted and a minimal detour. The Round Tower and High Crosses are UNIQUELY Irish and worth 30 minutes or so. http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Monasterboice.htm

Another worth-while stop (though it IS a bit of a walk from the Car Park!) is Proleek Dolmen, on the grounds of Ballyscanlan Hotel, which is also an easy turn off, right along the R173, just after you exit the M1, to head to Carlingford. http://www.megalithicireland.com/proleek.htm

Carlingford is a striking Medieval Town and her B&B rec has STUNNING views of the Lough -- and the Mourne Mountains, beyond.

The most direct route from Carlingford to Carrickfergus Castle is a DRIVE time of 1 3/4 hours, but there are LOTS of potential detours along the way.

bonniemichelle · Member

thanks for the suggestions Michelle and Bob !!!!Looks like Carlingford will be it.drop Newgrange and see the round tower and high crosses at Monasterboice. So here's how the itinerary is looking now:arrive Friday 9am - Dublin - stay in Dublin

Sat. - Dublin til early afternoon; pick up car - drive to Tara then beyond. Sat. night near Carrickfergus somewhere (recommend b and b?) -

Sun. - Carrickfergus, ushendon, Torr head Scenic Drive, Dark Hedges - stay near Giant's Causeway (stay Ballycastle)

Mon. - giants causeway, rope bridge, bushmills - stay near Derry (know a good b and b?) Dunluce Castle sunday or monday?

Tues - Derry Walls, Bogs artists murals , south and west around County Donegal. Stay Sligo area

Wed - sligo-westport-clifden-Galway stay Galway

Thursday Dunguire Castle, maybe Aran islands - 1 what else? stay Doolin

Friday - Burren, Cliffs of Moher, maybe Bunratty castle (but we will have seen several castles - should we see bunratty also?)more in county Claire? suggestions please! (B and B already reserved)

Saturday - turn in car at 10 - out at 12:30 from Shannon home

Thanks for so much help alreay - looking forward to your comments! :>)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

bonniemichelle wrote:
thanks for the suggestions Michelle and Bob !!!!Looks like Carlingford will be it.drop Newgrange and see the round tower and high crosses at Monasterboice. So here's how the itinerary is looking now:arrive Friday 9am - Dublin - stay in Dublin
My Comments are in GREEN!

Sat. - Dublin til early afternoon; pick up car - drive to Tara then beyond. Sat. night near Carrickfergus somewhere (recommend b and b?) -   Michele's pick for Carlingford: http://www.beauforthouse.net/
Sun. - Carrickfergus, Cushendon, Torr head Scenic Drive, Dark Hedges - stay near Giant's Causeway (stay Ballycastle) This might be weather-dependent -- the Torr Road is a fair-weather trip! Depending on timing, you MAY be able to visit one of Monday's destinations.
Mon. - giants causeway, rope bridge, bushmills - stay near Derry (know a good b and b?) Dunluce Castle Sunday or Monday?
Tues - Derry Walls, Bogs artists murals , south and west around County Donegal. Enroute:   http://www.megalithicireland.com/Grianan%20of%20Aileach.html Also a Fair-Weather diversion -- but you may NOT have the time.
Stay Sligo area
Wed - sligo-westport-clifden-Galway   stay Galway
Thursday Dunguire Castle, maybe Aran islands - 1         what else? stay Doolin Trip to Inis Mor is an All Day, event. Better to visit some of Connemara, instead. See Tony's Guide Map: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/
Friday - Burren, Cliffs of Moher, maybe Bunratty castle (but we will have seen several castles - should we see bunratty also?)more in county Claire? suggestions please! (B and B already reserved)
Saturday - turn in car at 10 - out at 12:30 from Shannon home That's cutting it a bit too close. Recommend three hours before flight, as you need to clear US Customs and Immigration AT Shannon.
Thanks for so much help alreay - looking forward to your comments! :>)

bonniemichelle · Member

Hi again?.Here's the adjusted itinerary - changes are in bold - I'm feeling like it's coming together but still needs work and the trip is so close! - would be nice if i didn't have to go to work this week??.

Sat. - Dublin til midmorning; pick up car - drive to Tara then stop by Monasterboice to see The Round Tower and High Crosses. Staying in Carlingford - looks wonderful, but Michelle's Beaufort b and b was booked out. Have emailed Highlands b and b - they showed availability. Other suggestions for the night? Especially good pubs?

Sun. - Carrickfergus, Cushendon, Torr head Scenic Drive, Dark Hedges - hoping for good weather for Torr head drive and Dark hedges. Staying Ballycastle at what sounds like an amazing place for us: Teach an Cheoil bed and breakfast. (son is a musician and I'm a linguist - and they offer short lessons in both traditional Irish music and Gaeltacht!)

Mon. - giants causeway, rope bridge, bushmills - stay in Derry: City Center bed and breakfast. Dunluce Castle Sunday or Monday?

Tues - Derry Walls, Bogs artists murals , south and west around County Donegal. Already had planned stop at Grianan Aileach (seat of ONeill high kings!). Many thanks Bob for the link! http://www.megalithicireland.com/Grianan%20of%20Aileach.html Stay near or in sligo? suggestions for b and b? pub crawl?

Wed - Tony thanks for the incredible work you did posting about Connemara. Stay in Westport ?found this in a posting " Westport west to Louisburgh with Ireland's holy mountain Croagh Patrick to your left and then south past Doo Lough (a Must Stop) and along Killary Harbour. You can stop at the Aasleagh Falls"

Thursday - Westport to Cliffden to Galway. Leaving aran Islands for another trip. See Dunguire Castle. Stay in Galway or Doolin? Really would love to hear traditional music. Wondering if there's a performance of Trad on the Prom in Galway on thursday nights at 9? (haven't researched yet)

Friday - LOTS of time in the Burren. found this in a post "Poulnabrone Dolmen and the Burren Perfumery in Clare. They are all in the same area. Ailwee Caves, Doolin Cave, Burren Perfumery, Corcomroe Abbey, Kilfenora Cathedral, Burren Visitors Centre, Burren National Park. " See Cliffs of Moher at either beginning or end of the day? Staying Parkhouse B and B, Bunratty

Saturday - turn in car at 9:30 - out at 12:30 from Shannon home

So????

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

When we stayed at Beaufort, some of my wife's Cousins drove up from Cork. Beaufort was full, so the Caines suggested SHALOM -- which is almost next door. The Cousins said it was, "Very nice." and I BELIEVE it is owned by relatives/friends of the Caines. http://www.jackiewoods.com/

We ate at: Kingfisher Bistro on: 042 93 73716 or 00353 42 9373716 or email: kingfisherbistro@gmail.com The food was VERY good -- but the SERVICE was even better. The 'Downtown' of Carlingord is rather compact. Your B&B host can direct you to any Pubs that might have Music.

http://www.carlingfordandmourne.com/

Leaving from Ballycastle, closest is the Rope Bridge, then Giant's Causeway/ Bushmills and then Dunluce. They are VERY close to each other, distance-wise.

We loved the 'Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour of Derry. http://citysightseeingderry.com/tours-of-derry/derry-city-tours/ We walked the city Walls, Toured the Guild Hall and Shopped in the Diamond.

If you are interested in a Pub crawl of Sligo, it might be best to stay IN Sligo and make it a WALKING tour! biggrin http://www.theglasshouse.ie

Despite their rather 'Eclectic' décor, you can't beat the Glasshouse Hotel for location, their Parking Garage and the views -- Particularly if you get a 'River View' room with Balcony!

I think Tony also has a Map of West Clare, but I can't find the link (at the moment) -- I'll try to post it later.

Best time to see the Cliffs is EITHER early or late -- It can get a bit 'crowded' in between. Rather than Doolin, you MIGHT consider Ennis on Thursday night. More choices, more pubs and more music opportunities.

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Saturday 17th of May 2014 09:40:43 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Ah, Found It! aww

Info on the Burren: http://www.burrenbeo.com/visitor-info

Tony's County Care map: https://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?msid=215571892271980732006.0004f2ea3597a94fe2975&msa=0&dg=feature

murphy · Guru

In Sligo we stayed at Tree Tops B&B. Really nice and a short walk downtown. Pearce Lodge gets good reviews but was a little higher priced, and not available when we went. As for music, we found great music at "Shoot The Crows". You can read all about our swing thru Sligo, Derry, and the North coast region on my post in the Trip Report section of this web sight called "Fall Fling Scotland/Northern Ireland" in 2012
Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Saturday 17th of May 2014 09:30:56 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I like Iorras on the Rosses Point Road in Sligo. It is about a mile from several pubs at the tip of Rosses. Fantastic breakfast at that B&B and Ita is a gem.