Hello All - I am planning a trip for my parents to Ireland in early May of 2017. My mother will be turning 70 in 2017, so my brothers and I are thinking of giving she & my father the trip as a surprise Christmas gift....kind of a great way to send off 2016 and really kick in 2017. I've got a tentative itinerary sketched out and wondered what you guys might think of it. Flying from JFK to Dublin, arriving May 1. I understand that this is Banking Day - should I be concerned about any closings in Dublin or is this just mainly a day off of work for most? I am thinking they will really only want to spend 1 night in Dublin - I know they will want to experience more of the beautiful scenery, villages, castles, and music that the rest of Ireland has to offer. I have heard stories of the terrible Dublin traffic, so I am thinking about reserving the car for them to pick up the next day and then set off to the Waterford/Kilkenny area for 2 nights. Then off to the Cork//Kinsale area for 1 night. Stopping next in the Killarney area for 2 nights, and then up to the Bunratty area for 2 nights. I did not want them to feel as if they are in the car all day long and don't want them to end each day completely exhausted, either. Flying out of Shannon back to JFK. I thought maybe I should book them a couple of additional nights in the Galway area instead of Bunratty, but I'm not sure if the drive from Killarney to Galway would be too long of a slug to do in one shot if I omitted staying in Bunratty. I know that they would love to see the Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, etc. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! I found this forum through a link on Trip Advisor - you guys are very highly spoken of over there.
The Bank Holiday Monday, May 1st is also known as Labour Day in Ireland. It is the final day of a three-day weekend. On all public holidays, banks, schools and most businesses are closed and public transport is usually on a less-frequent timetable, although more and more shops are opening on public holidays now. Many of the Museums and attractions are likely to be closed.
The drive to Galway from Killarney is only about one hour further, but there are days worth of sites to see in and around Bunratty. Given US Customs & Immigration Pre-Clearance requirements, they will need to be AT Shannon Airport Check-In Counter 3 or more hours prior to their departure time, so staying in Galway their last night could be problematical. If they are into the Pub scene and Traditional Music, Ennis might be a better option. If, however they are the 'Early to Bed' type, Michele has a TERRIFIC B&B recommendation in Bunratty.
If Connemara and the Aran Island trip are 'Must Sees', you might want to forgo either Kilkenny/Waterford, or Cork. Then, you could have two nights in Galway and a final night in Bunratty.
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Bob
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