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Post Info TOPIC: Planning a trip above the fold
bdokeefe


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Planning a trip above the fold
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Hello-  Returning to Ireland for my 4th trip. Very excited.  I have a map from our first trip, where I jot down each trip's route (all with rental car).  Each trip has been south of a line drawn from Clifden to Galway.  This trip we will stay north of that line, exploring new places.

I'll have 13 nights, arriving 19 September.  Flights are in and out of Dublin.  My wife and 25 yr old daughter will accompany me; they'll arrive 3 days early and spend the time in Dublin.  I had an award ticket, and to move the dates would cost more points then I have, so this is what we have.  My wife's 4th trip also, 2nd for daughter...2 yrs ago I was able to travel with just my 3 daughters to Ireland, amazing time seeing their eyes light up.

The plan is for the girls to meet me at airport when I fly in, pick up the rental car and head out.  This is my rough plan:

Kells- 1 night, not to far from airport for me to drive, looks like there are interesting things to do.

Enniskillen- 2 nights.  Family is from here, although other than the church where my great-great grandparents where married, nothing is known.  So, we'll visit there, drive around the Lake, etc.

Londonderry/Derry- 3 nights.  I enjoy checking out walled cities.  A day trip somewhere.

Donegal/Sligo-  3 nights between them, if the weather is right, stop at Slieve cliffs on way from Derry.  Maybe stop in Letterkenny as well.

Westport- 3 nights, our only accomadations booked so far, we have an AIr B&B, an apartment near city center for pubs.  My wife stayed her on here trip with quilting buddies and enjoyed it.

Dublin Airport for the last night.

My goals were a nice loop, not rushed.  We try and avoid 1 night stays.  We enjoy walks in the woods (not hikes).  The Donkey Sanctuary, Ewe Experience in Glengarriff  http://www.theewe.com/ , wandering around a ruined castle or fort, outdoor markets, trad music w/ pints, Muckross Farms....those are our best memories that we'd like to build on.  Seafood soup with black bread and a pint is a great meal for me.

So I'd appreciate suggestions for nice walks, or towns we should stop in along the way. Any quirky gardens, like the Ewe place with statues or fountains.  I woudn't mind shifting days here or there, possible adding a night in Westport to make it 4 nights there.  One of my trips we rented a cottage outside of Bantry for a week and that was great, getting to settle into a place.

Thanks in advance.  Heading to Scotland with the wife and 2 of the daughters in Spring for the first time, so this Ireland trip was unexpected.  And promises to be a blast!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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Itallian Chauffeur


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Congrats!  biggrin  You will LOVE the 'Uncharted Territory'!  biggrin  biggrin  We covered some of these areas in June of 2009, Oct of 2010 and June of 2013.

Michele has TWO excellent choices for Enniskillen  --  One on the East of town (  http://dromardhouse.com/  )   and one on the West  (  http://www.abocurragh.com/cms/  )  .  Both are delightful, but I would give a slight, 'The West is the Best' nod.  No matter which choice you make, be sure to visit Devenish Island while there -- It has a number of church ruins and perhaps the nicest 'Climbable' Round Tower (there are only THREE in the world!) and on a clear day, the views are phenomenal.  aww 

Around the area are half a dozen ruined 'Plantation' castles, the striking church ruins on White Island (accessable via the marina at Castle Archdale -  an important WWII airbase and now a Country Park) and the pre-Christian Janus and lusty Man statues on Boa island.  I'm sure any shoppers will also enjoy stopping by Beleek.  Quite close to Abocurragh is Marble Arch Caves and Florence Court.

Derry is a delight.  The Diamond area has lots of nice shops and eateries and the Guild Hall is definitely worth a tour.  Whatever direction you choose for a day trip -- East for the Antrim Coast (Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway, Bushmill's, carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, etc ...) or, NW, for the Inishowen 100 -- be sure to consider a visit to Grianan of Aileach   http://www.megalithicireland.com/Grianan%20of%20Aileach.html

Michele has picks in Donegal (North, South and Central) and Sligo (Rosses Point).  I also really liked the Glasshouse Hotel, which is right IN the heart of Sligo Town, if Yeats-Related activities are of interest.  confuse  confuse  It's also VERY handy for allowing the driver to enjoy a few 'Adult' beverages on the night!  biggrin

Achill Island is a great day-trip from Westport, as is a drive through the Doo Lough Valley, with a stop in Murrisk, for a SMALL part of the Croagh Patrick climb.  We only went as far as the first cross-fence (which is relatively easy) and the views of Clew Bay were amazing.  On a bad-weather day, the Museum of Country Life near Castlebar is worth whiling away a few hours.  Close by is Turlough Round Tower and the grave (and museum) of Michael Davit.  Also in the vicinity of Westport is Balentubber Abbey  http://www.ballintubberabbey.ie/   and four of Mayo's five Round Towers:  http://tourismpurewalking.com/round-towers/  The setting of the ruined Tower at Aughagower is particularly photogenic.

Hope this helps, rather than complicates!  biggrin  confuse  biggrin

 

 

 



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Bob

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bdokeefe


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Italian Chaufeur- Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. I went to the reviews for Abocurragh Farms, wow, high praise indeed. I booked there for 2 nights.

I will be looking in town for Sligo, so will check out your recommendation there also.

Head's up to all reading, went to look at flights, and prices had dropped substantially on American and United. $570 for a one connection, Syracuse to Dublin. Never seen them that low. I did call American, tough luck for me with the ticket class I bought. The change fee would eat up most of the savings, and the rest is only a credit.

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Michele Erdvig


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How great that you are planning a 4th trip. You will love Abocurragh. Tell Bernie I sent you. Her breakfasts are incredible. There is so much to see and do in the area but I really enjoyed the gardens at Florence Court and the Sheelin Lace Museum http://sheelinlace.com/ . It has the best display of hand-made Irish lace in Ireland but the guys may not be into lace. Enniskillen Castle has been closed for renovations but should be re-opened when you are there. I had a fantastic meal at Cafe Merlot in Enniskliien. http://cafemerlot.co.uk/

Have you visited Newgrange or Trim Castle? Both are options for your first day, depending on jet-lag.

If you get decent weather for your day trip from Derry, I highly recommend the Antrim coast. One of Ireland's most scenic drives with lots to do along the way (as Bob outlined). 

Another great drive is Achill Island with its Atlantic Drive and Keem Bay. Very scenic with wonderful beaches and a famine village. There is also a Greenway if you like biking.

So much to see and so little time. You will go back!  

 



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bdokeefe


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Michele- Thanks, Trim Castle looks like a great stop on the way to Kells, not to far off the direct route.

Any ideas for Lodging in Derry? I did go with Bob's suggestion for the Glasshouse Hotel, as we wanted to be close to the center of Sligo.

Lastly, my initial post should have read, "south of a line drawn from Clifden to Dublin". South of a line from Clifden to Galway would only work with the earth tilted on it's axis, which would really change things up too much.

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Michele Erdvig


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I don't have a personal rec for lodgings in Derry. The closest one I have is Limavady but I'm sure you want to be right in Derry.

While in Sligo I highly recommend Gleniff Hourseshoe Drive (a bit north of Sligo). You can combine it with Glencar Waterfall. Parkes Castle is also interesting and there are boat tours on the lake from the castle.





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Itallian Chauffeur


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A good bit of info on the Plantation Castles near Enniskillen:  http://www.enniskillencastle.co.uk/media/6534/Plantation-of-Ulster.pdf  

 Edited to correct link.



-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Thursday 15th of December 2016 05:45:15 PM



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Bob

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bdokeefe


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Michele-  I did have the horseshoe on my radar:

http://www.discoveringireland.com/gleniff-horseshoe/

But what's great is you linking it with waterfall, which was unknown to me.  Throw in a picnic basket and we're on our way.

Bob, not sure why, but your link didn't work for me.  I googled plantation castles Fermanagh, and the .pdf came up, with the same url listed as what you had.  Weird, but if others have the issue it can be easily found.

And thanks, looks like I have some good Sunday morning reading.



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Itallian Chauffeur


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Don't know what happened in my original post, but it appears that the EDITED version now works.  confuse   confuse   confuse

Glad you were able to find it in any case.  biggrin



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Bob

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