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Dana Ballentine


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beginning itinerary
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My husband and I will be in Ireland for three weeks this summer during July and August, flying in and out of Shannon. We have rented a self-catering cottage in Cooraclare, County Clare for the first week. We like the idea of traveling out and back to the same spot; yet after the first week don't want to backtrack. We will have a car.

July22 - July 29 Cooraclare - The Old Parochial House

July 29 - 31 heading north to either Galway city, Salthill, or Cliften...perhaps staying at the Marless House in Salthill. Any other suggestions?

Aug 1 (our anniversary) Drumcliff Anyone stayed at the Yeats Lodge or have any suggestions for this part of Ireland? We're flexible.

Aug 2 and Aug 3 - Heading towards Dublin but not staying in town. Perhaps Malahyde or Newgrange...Any suggestions?

Aug 4 and Aug 5 - Kilkenny...staying at The Kilbawn Country Home or Beech Lodge B&B. Anyone stayed there?

Aug 6 and Aug 7 - Cork or Kinsale...staying at Castle Salem/Clonakilty or ??? Anyone stayed at this Castle?

Aug 8 and Aug 9 - booked at the Ashgrove House

Aug 10 - Return Home

Is it better to within the week we are in Clare County to explore Ennis, Limerick, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Kenmare or the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Aran Islands.....heading north. I'm having a hard time determining distance and wonder what we can actually do in the first week and be able to keep to this basic itinerary. Hoping to fine tune things. Thanks for all of your help.




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Michele Erdvig


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Dana,


First, take a look at my "Lodgings" page for places I recommend in Ireland. It is only a partial listing and my book has the complete list of every place in Ireland I approve of.


You can do a lot from your base in west Clare however doing the Ring of Kerry as a day trip is a long hard driving day. Get an early start. I think you will become very familiar with the Shannon car ferry when traveling south to Kerry. Tip: get a "return" (roundtrip) ticket.


The rest of your trip looks okay (although you are covering a wide area) with the exception of spending two days in Bunratty at the end of your trip. You will already have seen the area and really only need one night before your departure flight there. Add the day to Sligo. It is a lovely area with much to see and do.


Of all the B&Bs you mention the only one I have stayed at is Marless House in Salthill and it is one I recommend. I was recently looking at the website for Castle Salem and am unsure if they have en suite rooms or not. If that is important to you, make an inquiry to them to find out.


For good lodgings just go to my "Lodgings" page. Make your reservations soon. This summer is shaping up to be a busy one in Ireland.


Michele


P.S. Ashgrove would not be my first choice of places to stay in Bunratty.



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