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Post Info TOPIC: From Kenmore to Waterford


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From Kenmore to Waterford


Hello Everyone!

My sister and I are taking our first international trip to lovely Ireland in September.  Yay!  I have my bed and breakfasts situated, car rental handled, credit cards with no fees ready... now just to try to fit every site seeing location into two weeks.  I know I won't be able to see everything (especially since I promised my sister after Dublin we'd take a more leisurely pace...) so I'm asking you wonderful experts for help~

We will be traveling from Kenmare to Waterford and I was looking for some advise of what to pursue on the journey.  We are looking forward to the architecture and historical sites and definitely food.  I heard the English Market in Cork is interesting, and we want to see Blarney castle and Rock of Cashel.  I was thinking of getting the Heritage Card when we get there (is it worth it?) and it has so many different castles and historical churches along the way it's hard to pick which ones!

Thank you!

Cano



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Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have everything in order for your trip. How many days do you have to get from Kenmare to Waterford? What other parts of Ireland are you planing on seeing? The Heritage Card will be good value on a two week trip and once purchased will give you admission to many sightseeing venues all over Ireland. Give us a little more info and we will be happy to help.

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Well that was a super fast reply~

The total trip will be 2 weeks (including our flying days)

We will fly into Dublin landing around 7:55 on day 2. Spending three nights in a hotel and have bought a Dublin pass to keep us busy. Planning on walking the first day to try to stem off jet lag with some fresh air and exercise, using the hop on hop off the second day for the furthest places, and the little Dublin bikes the third day once I'm sure I'm not jet lagged enough to ride off into the road! It's not set in stone of course, we'll wing it once we get there but I'm sure I'll be jet lagged after 8 hour time difference. (still researching the best jet lag cures)

After the third night I will go up by bus to collect the rental car and go back to collect our bags and check out. Then it's onto County Meath where we definitely will want to see Newgrange and Knowth, Hill of Tara, maybe an abbey or two if we have the time. We have a B+B in County Meath for one night; I wanted the first place somewhat near so if I'm having trouble driving I don't feel too pressured to drive several hours driving on the left side of the road. The next morning catch up on anything we feel we've missed (which I'm sure is going to be a lot), then drive over to Galway.

We have three nights in a B+B in Galway right off the bay. That first night we'll talk around the city for a bit. Second day drive up to Connemara which I hear is just beautiful, look at the marble they make, Aughnanure Castle, enjoy the scenery. Next day travel the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. The next morning check out and travel down to Kenmare, seeing Adare castle, Listowel castle, Ardfert Cathedral if we can on the way.

We have three nights in Kenmare. Most likely a day out to the Dingle Peninsula, a day to brave the fellow tourists in the Ring of Kerry. I hear there is going to be a food festival in the area during that time but the website really isn't updated yet. Depending on the price, might want to do that. Love food. After the third night we'll head over to Waterford. So to answer your one question about how long, it's not going to be a full day between Kenmore and Waterford. Maybe only enough time to head to Blarney and spend lunch in the city of Cork? Or is it enough time to head north to the Rock and the castles along N24?

Two nights in Waterford. Once in Waterford, see the crystal factory if we've arrived in time, otherwise the next morning. Attempt to not fill my suitcase with the entire glittering store. Then probably drive up to the Rock at that point see Ormond and/or Cahir Castles, loop over to Kilkenny. The last morning either travel straight north back to Dublin to see places we've missed the previous day that we're still interested in or head along the coast north east. It'll be our last day so it's going to be the "wing it" day and whatever will strike our fancy. I'll have a bunch of options written out by then most likely so we aren't completely lost. (I have five more months of crazy planner mode in my excitement!)

We have a hotel room in one of the hotels right next to the airport and I'll drop off the car that night. I'll plan on organizing all of the recipes and reimbursement cards that night since I'm not really the best thinker in the morning, have my customs forms already filled out (is it strange I already have some forms printed out?). We have a flight at 9:25am so I'm figuring wake up at 5:45, douse my sister up with a bunch of coffee, get to the airport by 6:30 so we have enough time to turn in the reimbursement cards, go through security, go through US Pre-clearance. Is that enough time? Are you able to handle the reimbursement the night before? I was planning on making this another thread so other people could find it easier (still can, if you think it's best). It's a pity you can't take food through to the pre-clearance area because I want to make sure we are early enough to make it through then be bored in the waiting room.

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Sounds like a great trip you have lined up. You mentioned a visit to Ormond Castle however I heard it is closed for all of 2016 for refurbishments.



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If you are in Moycullen for Connemara Marble then cros the road down the hill over the disused railway line and right turn into the last all Irish Crystal manufacturer http://www.celticcrystalireland.com/visitor-centre



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On your drive to Galway I recommend stopping at Belvedere House & Gardens (south of Mullingar) and Clonmacnoise Monastic Site (south of Athlone).

From Kenmare you might consider the Beara Peninsula instead of the Ring of Kerry. Dingle is a bit of a stretch from Kenmare but can be done if you make an early start. Have you thought of doing the Killarney area instead? A lot to do and see right around Killarney. Beara: Tea at Josies & Gleninchaquin. 

Provided you take the main road to Blarney you should do it in a couple of hours. The scenic West Cork coastal route would take all day and you don't have time for that. I would skip going into Cork as it is a confusing city to find your way around and you could end up stuck in a black hole of traffic. Depending on how early you start you could squeeze in Cahir and Cashel and then drop down to Waterford. See what time it is after your lunch in Blarney.

On your last full day on the drive to Dublin you could route through Wicklow and see the Dunbordy Famine Ship in New Ross, Glendalough and Powerscourt. But that will be a very full day of sightseeing.

They don't let you through pre-clearance immediately on arrival at the airport. You have to wait till they call your flight and then proceed through. At least that's how they do it in Shannon. I haven't been through Dublin Airport lately. There is always duty-free shopping and Guinness at the bar to pass the time. biggrin



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.

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