latest version of itinerary--May

oopsy · Senior Member

latest version of itinerary--May

Michele Erdvig · Host

oopsy,

It sounds like a great trip. See my comments below.

Day 1: arrive Shannon about 8:00 am. We have a 3 hour drive to Ballinamore, though it should not be as rough as if we were headed to the coast. We are considering breaking the drive up with stops at Clonmacnoise and/or Carrick-on-Shannon. My partner is worried we'll be too tired to stop, but I actually think stopping once or twice will help us drive. * Provided the weather is good I think that stopping and walking around will be a big help. There is nothing like fresh air (and hopefully a bit of sunshine) to combat jet-lag. There is a a/v theater at Clonmacnoise but it might put you to sleep. Head outside for a walk around instead.

Days 2 and 3: Sites around Ballinamore, including Fenagh, Leitrim drive that potentially includes Glencar, Parkes castle, possibly up into Enniskillen, possibly a few sites into Cavan. This will depend in part on whether or not we find more information about my great grandfather's family from southeast of Ballinamore. * Sounds good. I can recommend Enniskillen Castle, Marble Arch Caves and Castle Coole.

Day 4: Leave Ballinamore for Galway. Get an eary start if we do mass on Saturday night in Ballinamore. Go to farmers' market in Galway (yum). Galway strolls. Need to check on which sites are open on Sunday. Possibly attend late afternoon mass at Cathedral. * Fine.

Day 5: Galway sites and shopping. Cheesemonger (have name in notes but not handy), Kenny's, historic sites, Galway Crystal. * What a pity but Kenny's has closed. It has been a Galway institution for many decades. They now do all their bookselling online.

Day 6: Leave Galway for a long day's drive to Castlegregory, detouring to Cliffs of Moher if weather is good. * Are you staying at the Shores Country House? If so you are in for a treat. If Annette is serving dinner by all means indulge. And tell her hello from me.

Day 7: Tour Dingle peninsula. Combination of artisan shops, scenic drives, scenic walks, archaelogical sites. * Don't miss Louis Mulcahy Pottery.

Day 8: Leave Castlegregory early. Drive to Killarney National Park and see as many sites as we feel like fitting in...short hikes and/or Ross Castle and/or Muckross House and/or lake tour. Drive to Kenmare. * A fun and full day.

Day 9 and 10: One day Beara peninsula tour. One day explore Kenmare and possibly Black Valley Drive. * I also like Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island near Glengarriff.

Day 11: Leave Kenmare and drive to Bunratty. Possibly take slight detour to see Lough Gur area. That evening, probably low key. We will probably pass on Medeival Banquest and Traditional Irish Night events in favor of a pint and a toastie at a pub and early to bed. * Sounds good. Try The Creamery for your toasted special and pint. I like Mac's Pub in the folk park but they only serve lunch.

You must be getting anxious to get to Ireland. I hope you find out more about your ancestry while you are there. We would love to hear about your trip when you return.

Michele

oopsy · Senior Member

Thanks for your feedback Michele.

Day 1:Shannon to Ballinamore: * Provided the weather is good I think that stopping and walking around will be a big help. There is nothing like fresh air (and hopefully a bit of sunshine) to combat jet-lag. There is a a/v theater at Clonmacnoise but it might put you to sleep. Head outside for a walk around instead. Thanks for the tip on the AV. Makes perfect sense, but I would have not thought of it.

Days 2 and 3: Leitrim area: * Sounds good. I can recommend Enniskillen Castle, Marble Arch Caves and Castle Coole. Thanks! Have you been to Florence Court House? Is that also worth putting on the possibilities list?

Day 5:Galway: * What a pity but Kenny's has closed. It has been a Galway institution for many decades. They now do all their bookselling online. Oops...I do remember reading that now.

Day 6:Galway to Castlegregory: * Are you staying at the Shores Country House? If so you are in for a treat. If Annette is serving dinner by all means indulge. And tell her hello from me. Leave We are staying at the Shores, and I'm so looking forward to it. We will pass on your hello, and hopefully indulge in one of her famous dinners.

Day 7:Dingle: * Don't miss Louis Mulcahy Pottery. dinners We won't. I'm also interested in Lisbeth Mulcahy weavers and Mom will probably be interested in Dingle Crystal.

Day 9 and 10: Kenmare area... * I also like Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island near Glengarriff. Oh that's right! Mom will be in heaven there. Thanks.

Day 11:Bunratty: * Sounds good. Try The Creamery for your toasted special and pint. I like Mac's Pub in the folk park but they only serve lunch. Thanks for the recommendation.

You must be getting anxious to get to Ireland. I hope you find out more about your ancestry while you are there. We would love to hear about your trip when you return.

We are getting excited, and I'll be horrendously busy with grading for the month before we leave, so I feel like I need to have my trip folders and maps organized in the next couple of weeks. I'll definitely post a trip report. Thanks for all of your help, through both your responses to my posts and the cumulative wealth of infomration from your posts to so many others.

Debbie

Michele Erdvig · Host

oopsy,

Always happy to add my 2 cents to any conversation. I can definitely understand the "busy" portion of your life. I haven't had a day off in months myself!

I have not been to Florence Court since it has always been closed when I was there. Many things in No. Ireland are only open on weekends in the shoulder season. It is July and August when everything is open. I think if they want to attract more tourists they should open things from May - Sept. Do put it on your list. Maybe you will let us all know what you think.

The Shores is gorgeous! If you can get the balcony room go for it. As I understand it Annette does not serve dinner on weekends (after all she must have a life with her family). The dining room was full the night I was there and boy was she cooking up a storm. She told me she is a self-taught cook (although her sister owns Gaby's Restaurant in Killarney). Perhaps her sister has given her some pointers. Or maybe she is just a prodigy in the kitchen. Whatever it is, the food is fabulous!

Michele