It's been almost five years since our last trip to Ireland and this time we're venturing into new territory. I welcome any advice/tips on the itinerary including things to do/places to stay, and timing as far as how long to stay in each place. We arrive and depart from Dublin and will have 13 full days in Ireland:
Arrive Dublin, drive to Carlingford for overnight (maybe two?) thanks to Bob's earlier suggestion.
Drive on to Giant's Causeway, then to Donegal, and then Ballyvaughan/Clare before returning to Dublin for the last three days.
Carlingford is definitely worth two nights -- particularly if the first is on arrival day. As Michele said, my wife and I loved Beaufort House for the start of our grand, month-long "Retirement Tour"!
Thanks for the quick and helpful reply Bob. Our three days in Dublin will take care of our city interests, so for the rest of the trip we're interested in scenery, monastic sites and history, music/pub life.
We're thinking about Ballyvaughan because this is our friends' first trip to Ireland and they'd like to see the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and we'd like to take the ferry from Doolin to Aran Islands.
I'll check out past postings in the trip reports section.
Very good to hear from you Geno. It's a been a long since we chatted on Pat's forum. We still need to meet at Dick Mack's!!
The more I hear about Carlingford, the more it sounds like two nights there would be worthwhile.
Also, I'm thinking that rather than go from Donegal to Ballyvaughan/Clare, it might be wiser to limit ourselves to Sligo/Mayo, maybe Galway and then back to Dublin for the last three days.
See my private message. One suggestion I made was to go stay in Westport, as that is a good option after Donegal, and you do go straight through Sligo on that route. I really like Mayo a great deal. Go to Kylemore Abbey if you get in that area, and consider taking the Doolough Pass road from Westport to Galway as you start making your way back to Dublin.
My best,
Geno
P.S. -- Having a Guinness with you at Mack's is still on my list! One of these days.
Sligo is a place that many tourists just pass through. However, there is much to see and do in the area. One of my favorite drives in Ireland is Gleniff Horseshoe a little north of Sligo. If you are considering a stay there let me know and I will tell you more of what to see in Sligo.
If you like hiking you could climb Knocknarea. Glencar Lake & Waterfall are gorgeous. Parkes Castle (although nearby Sligo is officially in Leitrim) & there are boat rides on the lake. Strandhill beach and seaweed baths. Rosses Point has many associations with WB Yeats as does Drumcliff and Inishfree. Creevykeel and Carrowmore for those who like ancient history.
We've booked our first at Beaufort House in Carlingford.....thanks for that suggestion!
Now....any recommendations for B&B or hotel near Giant's Causeway. We're thinking about staying there for two nights, and welcome suggetions for places to visit.
I've stayed at both Boulevard Guesthouse and Linden Hall in Westport, and both are nice and well located to walking to all pubs and restaurants in town. Between the two, I thought the breakfasts were much better at Linden Hall and the rooms were really big. Either place is fine, and the Boulevard Guesthouse is an interesting property right on the canal. I would stay at either again.
In Doolin there is no decision for me -- we always stay at Daly's House, an incredible place with perhaps the best host we have on our trips.
Geno
-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 26th of May 2015 08:38:11 AM
I have stayed at both Boulevard and St Anthony's in Westport and loved both of them. Great location, good food and wonderful hosts. In Donegal we stayed at The Arches. It's located about 10 minutes outside of Donegal town on Lough Eske. It's a little tricky to find the first time but once you do it is so worth it. The setting is beautiful, the rooms are lovely and Noreen is a delightful hostess. Hope that helps!