7 days Shannon to Shannon 11/18-25 First Visit

Jsheri20 · Newbie

7 days Shannon to Shannon 11/18-25 First Visit

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum! biggrin biggrin

With only 7 days, you might need to pare down your list, if the goal is minimal 'Car Time'. hmm hmm If you haven't already booked airfare, consider an Into SNN and Out of DUB.

Just so you know -- The trip to Skellig Michael is available in two options -- a cruise around the islands, or a trip that actually lands you ON the island. The number of allowable landings are strictly regulated -- making reservations necessary, WELL in advance -- AND, they are also VERY weather-dependent. They depart from Portmagee, or Ballinskellig -- both of which are about 1/2 way around the traditional, Ring of Kerry drive. In any case, many providers only operate between mid-April and early-October. You can check the following links to see if there are any exceptions. confuse confuse

Details: http://skelligislands.com/

http://www.skelligexperience.com/other-sea-tours/

http://skelligboats.com/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfUySDEACEU

Jameson's is in Midelton (near Cork city) and Smithwicks is located in Kilkenny.

Jsheri20 · Newbie

Thanks Bob, I can take that part out, our flights are booked so changing that is not an option. Please let me know your thoughts about how best to arrange the week in terms of where we should stay at night to make this work. I am ready to start booking lodging. Would KIllarney area for first two nights, then Dublin them back to go away area makes sense. Thank you

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

What time is your Departure from SNN? That determines where you need to spend your final night.

Where is your Originating (starting) airport, departure time -- and arrival time, in SNN? That informs as to how far you can safely drive on the first day.

Please rank the following, in order of importance to you as 1- 10, with #1 being MOST and #10 being LEAST important:

Galway, Cliffs, Burren, Ring of Kerry, Dublin, Blarney, English Market, Bunratty Banquet, Jamesons and Smithwicks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

With only 7 days I would cut out Dublin entirely. Almost everything else on your list is in the west. I assume you will have one car and - if so - you need to be in the vicinity of Shannon for your last two nights because one departure is on Friday and the other on Saturday. If you arrive at a decent time you should consider overnighting elsewhere and save the Shannon/Bunratty/Clare stay for the end of the trip.

Keep in mind that Ireland will be getting off Daylight Savings Time at the end of October. It will get dark by 5-ish even sooner if it is a rainy dull day. You will want to check into your lodgings by dusk and that means less sightseeing hours per day.

Do you plan on staying at hotels or B&Bs? Are you using vouchers?

I would also eliminate Skellig Michael. Too problematic at that time of year and - even if you can visit - it will take up a whole day of your trip. You could instead visit the Skellig Center and Fogher Cliffs (on Valentia Island) during your trip around the Ring of Kerry. You can see Skellig Michael from there.

Jsheri20 · Newbie

Hi All
Our flight gets into Shannon at 8 am on Saturday, niece getting in at 3:45. They leave 1 on Friday we leave at 3 on Saturday.
We will either need to do pickup at airport or be at a location they can use public transportation to get to

Group consensus for priorities is:
Cliffs, Dublin, Ring of Kerry(is dingle a better option), jameison, Galway, English market and smithwicks .

I assume we first two nights central to Killarney, next two in Dublin final two as a group in Galway. And someplace special for hubby and I on Friday night (castle or Aran islands?)

Would love suggestions for locations to stay if plan makes sense. I am assuming we will do Airbnbs if possible

Thank you again for your help on this, jeanne

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

It would still help to know your Originating airports, in order to ascertain how affect by jet lag you and the other couple are apt to be. confuse confuse

Still, I'll make a stab at a POSSIBLE routing:

Saturday -- Arrive in SNN at 8 AM and collect your rental car. It will likely be 9 or 9:30 by this time. Drive to Galway and stay near the train and Bus Stations (which is just off Eyre Square). Park the car and spend a couple hours wandering the city. When your companions arrive at 3:45, they can take the Bus Eireann Expressway Bus (#51) that departs the Arrivals Gate / Stop B at 16:40 and arrive at the Galway Bus Station about 17:50. Tickets are 19 Euro per person and can be purchased from the driver.

https://national.buseireann.ie/?originStop=60952&destinationstop=55504&ticketType=1&departdate=18-nov-2017&departtime=1600&returndate=&returntime=&adult=2&child=0&student=0&family=0

Sunday: After breakfast, check out and drive to the Cliffs via the Burren, then head via Ennis and the Limerick Tunnel (1 Euro 90 Toll) to Killarney. You might enjoy a brief stop in Adare, shortly after Limerick. Long day, but LOTS of stops to make it enjoyable.

Monday: Drive the Ring of Kerry, or take a day trip to Dingle -- returning to Killarney.

Tuesday: Drive via Cork (Blarney Castle or English Market), Cashel (Rock of Cashel) and stay two nights in Dublin. Parking will be an issue and city center traffic can be overwhelming.

Wednesday: Tour Dublin. In addition to Midelton, Jameson also has a distillery tour in Dublin: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/ie/visit-us/jameson-distillery-bow-st

You can also tour the Guiness Storehouse and Gravity Bar, in lieu of Smithwick's: https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en

Thursday: Drive to Ennis or Bunratty (If the Banquet appeals), via Limerick.

Friday: Drop off you companions about 10:30 for their 1 PM flight, if they have a Direct to US flight, as they will undergo US Customs & Immigration Pre-Clearance, which CAN be a lengthy process. If they are landing elsewhere in Europe (or Canada) before the US, they can arrive a BIT later. After dropping the, visit Limerick (King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Hunt Museum are all worthy destinations) or Bunratty Folk park, if you haven't yet seen it. Spend the night in either Limerick, Bunratty or Ennis.

Michele has a number of Accommodation recommendations: http://www.irelandyes.com/lodgings.html

As you can see, this will involve a LOT of 'Car Time' -- but I think it manages to 'Tick' most of your 'Wish List' boxes. Dropping Dublin, as Michele suggested, would CERTAINLY reduce the driving load.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just a "head's up" on your plan. Ireland looks like a small country when you look at a map but the reality is it takes time to get from place to place especially since there are so many sightseeing stops along the way. Many people forget to budget time at each stop - anywhere from an hour to a day, depending on the site. You need to balance your desire for minimal car time with wanting to see it all. Especially in November. In your first post it seemed you wanted a leisurely pace but now it seems you will be doing a "green blur tour". The choice is yours and any way of seeing Ireland is doable.

For a castle stay at the end of your trip try Dromoland Castle.