Trip for April 2018

pandio · Veteran Member

Trip for April 2018

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Some brief notes: Traveling with 5 will be MUCH more costly and require careful pre-planning, as opposed to four -- due to vehicle requirements and accommodation issues -- so you really need to 'Lock Down' that decision early-on.

With little ones, I wouldn't consider driving back-and-forth from Killarney to Limerick two days in a row (and to Limerick, again, on Day 3.

I would look at the routing options that make the most sense, time and distance wise, in regards to Wexford and Waterford, before committing, as well.

tony2phones · Guru

Have you a Tall 8 yr old or a short one? there are strict rules on child safety seats that may impact on the choice of vehicle as well as the extra body. http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Campaigns/Current-road-safety-campaigns/No-Child-Car-Seat---No-Excuse/The-Law/ Remember that most 6 seat rental vehicles have seats 5 & 6 in the rear baggage area.

As to the day trips you can plan these out using google maps to obtain the distances you will cover but the distance in miles divided by 35 is averaging how many hours you will have behind the wheel not accounting for stops

pandio · Veteran Member

Right now he is 6, Birthday is in April, so he'll be 7 soon. He'll be almost 8 when we go. I think he will fall in the booster cushion size range unless he has a major growth spurt. I was using Google maps, I'll try it with your formula, thanks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

For the 13th, I suggest you spend the night in Kinsale. If the next day is nice you could go to Killarney via west Cork coast road. It would be a longish driving day but a beautiful drive.

Woodlands House (walking distance to town): http://www.woodlandskinsale.com/

Rivermount (couple of miles from town): http://bit.ly/rivermount

Landfall House (walking distance to town): http://www.landfallhouse.com/

Old Bank House (in town): http://bit.ly/oldbankkinsale

Actons Hotel (in town): http://bit.ly/actonskinsale

pandio · Veteran Member

Thanks for the suggestions Michele! I think staying in Kinsale is a great idea. I realized I forgot to add a few places. I'm thinking i can also add an extra day by arriving on Thursday instead of Friday possibly. Our itinerary is still a work in progress for sure. :)
How many days do you think Killarney area would take? I may cut the Gap of Dunloe tour, I'm not sure the kids would like it as much, but I don't know. I could spend the extra day in Limerick area.

Michele Erdvig · Host

There is plenty to keep you busy in Killarney for the week. Take a look at Star Outdoors and Seafari in Kenmare for the kids. I also highly recommend the Beara Peninsula - Ireland's only cable car is at its tip. Gleninchaquin might be of interest for hiking and picnic.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

In 2013, we took our then 5 and 8 year old granddaughters on the Gap of Dunloe tour and it was a high-light of their trip. In 2014, we took our then 9 year old grandson -- and he reacted the same way. It's a lot more than JUST pretty scenery. biggrin biggrin

pandio · Veteran Member

I checked out those links Michele, thank you! Looks like some fun day tours. Now to decide which one to do lol. Thanks Bob I'll reconsider the Gap tour. I wasn't sure how fun it would be for them. I think the ones with the boat tour and then pony cart would be fun. What do you all think about Wexford- see the twin churches, Selskar Abbey, our lady's island lakes area and sigginstown OR New Ross down to Tintern Abbey, Duncannon Fort, Ballyhack castle, and possibly Hook lighthouse/Slade castle trips from Kilkenny? Worth it or maybe skip it this time? or is one trip better then the other? Thanks for all the input!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Why not play it by ear while you are at your self-catering rental? If you put Wexford on the agenda I would suggest the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross and going down the Hook peninsula to the lighthouse and whatever else you can fit into that day such as Tintern Abbey, etc.

In the Kilkenny area you might look into Jerpoint Abbey, Castlecomber Discovery Park and Dunmore Cave.

pandio · Veteran Member

I think I will add it as a possibility and we'll go from there depending on how everyone is doing that day. Thanks for all the suggestions :)

So what do you all think about the hop on hop off for Dublin? Is it worth it or is it better to just take public transportation? The hop on hop off has one that combines Dublin city with a trip to Malahide. That might be fun depending on how we do with jet leg lol.

I cant actually start booking anything because its too far in advance but I've enjoyed looking at B&B's and other sites, going through maps and what not. It's been fun reading through the trip reports from others too! Of course I keep redoing my itinerary lol. It's probably a good thing that i have so much time to plan!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I'm a big fan of the Hop On / Hop Off bus. It gives a great 'overview' of the city (about 1 hour, full circle) PLUS, the children will likely enjoy the open top, double decker bus ride -- Shades of Harry Potter's Night Bus! biggrin biggrin

pandio · Veteran Member

Lol, that sounds good, we all love Harry Potter!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Hopper bus is excellent.

pandio · Veteran Member

I'm so excited! We just booked our flights!!!!! We arrive in Dublin 5:30 pm on March 22, 2018 and fly back out on April 8th at 6:50 am. Can't wait! There are 6 of us traveling together. Now to tune up my itinerary :)