Upcoming planned itinerary

QuiGonJohn · Veteran Member

Upcoming planned itinerary

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I'm getting ready to head out to New England for a week, but I'll get the ball rolling with a few, quick comments.

Seems like a full and active trip. Drive times and visit times look fairly reasonable, but may be significantly impacted by weather and crowds (if any).

On the road to Northern Ireland: http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Monasterboice.htm

Drishane Castle requires pre-arrangement to be seen. SEE: http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/history/drishane-castle If you wish to view more than the exterior, you might wish to contact the Millstreet Museum. Also nearby: http://www.antaisce.org/properties/kanturk-castle http://www.megalithicireland.com/Knocknakilla%20Stone%20Circle.html http://www.castles.nl/kilmeedy-castle

I'll be curious as to what 'drew' you to Drishane -- and the route you are taking from Killarney to Kinsale, via Millstreet. My wife's grandfather was born in the vicinity and we visit Millstreet regularly.

I'll try to add more insights later.

QuiGonJohn · Veteran Member

Well I hope by early May weather won't be such an issue. I know Ireland has been getting an unusually snowy and colder than normal winter. Whilst I know there are always exceptions and any day could be nice or rain, I have found a lot of people that say/feel that in general, May is usually a relatively drier month, especially as compared to Sept (and we had very little rain overall). As to tourists and crowds, this ought ot be a good "shoulder season". We went Sept 17 to Sep 29, 2015, and most places were not crowded or "too crowded". We wanted to go in Sept this time, but Irma put me off that. This being a longer trip I did not want to go for 3 weeks, in hurricane season. I figure since we come home May 19th, we should be before summer break for almost all US schools, even colleges, usually are finishing up finals around this time, before their classes end for the summer. We are also a good bit ahead of Memorial Day travel. So hopefully we won't find many places to be too crowded.

Drishane Castle - I believe it was recommended or I saw it on Facebook "Postcards from Ireland". I was not aware of the pre-contact so thanks, I will look into this.

I found this website and it says without appointment. Is that wrong or may that have changed from your prior knowledge?

http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/history/drishane-castle

EDIT: I see this is the same link you gave me. I do not see on the page about setting an appointment ahead of time.

-- Edited by QuiGonJohn on Monday 12th of March 2018 12:40:42 PM

-- Edited by QuiGonJohn on Monday 12th of March 2018 01:55:55 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The Drishane property is now privately owned. Originally purchased to be converted into a luxury hotel, the Manor has since been converted into housing for International refugees -- originally from Kosovo, but more recently, from Africa. The Tower House (Castle) hasn't been occupied since the 1600s and the door is locked. There IS access to the Grounds during the posted dates, but if memory serves, interior access to the Tower House (IF available) requires some pre-arrangement. The museum can give you the details. They can be contacted through the web site.

I've spent weeks in the area over the years. It is MY favorite Irish small town.

Here's your basic route that day: https://goo.gl/maps/rDarFLhAhMK2 If you want to make a day of it, you MIGHT be tempted by THIS, though: https://goo.gl/maps/TCmcjxBd9q22 It adds Kanturk Castle, Knocknakilla, Gougane Barra and Bealnablath (Site of Michael Collin's death) -- all of which are Free sites.

QuiGonJohn · Veteran Member

Bob, Thanks, I just submitted a query on the website. Maybe if we finish our horseback riding at 11:30 as scheduled, we'll head off straight-away and take lunch somewhere in Millstreet. as we can take in a bit of your favorite town. Then head over to the castle.

-- Edited by QuiGonJohn on Monday 12th of March 2018 04:07:55 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The Wallis Arms is good for a full meal. Nibble's -- just West along the street, closer to the Church -- is an excellent bakery and café.

The Museum is located opposite the Church, in Carnegie Hall. There is a car park (parking lot) along side it.

Orla · Newbie

Wow, you are really trying to pack a lot in there .... could I just ask where you got the time for the distances? Because you often need longer in the summer, due to farm traffic. We don't have a lot of motorways here.

I think you might want to play it by ear and be open to dropping one or two items per day. Also, if the weather is acting the maggot, you might not get out to the Aran Islands.

You might want to book a holiday after this holiday.

QuiGonJohn · Veteran Member

Hi Orla, we did a similar itinerary on our first trip in Sept 2015 and only had to drop a couple items on one day. We got driving times from Google Maps, and we always add a little cushion. Like if it says 1h15m, we usually round up to 1h30m. However, we like to have the structure of a plan, and yes, we are open to changing or dropping items each day, if necessary.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Looks like you will be on the go in Ireland. Your days will be very full but daylight will be lasting longer in May. You mention several times departing your B&B at 8:30. You should confirm with the B&B owners that you require an early breakfast. Not all will do it but may leave you a Continental breakfast to serve yourself to. Many B&Bs start serving at 8 or 8:30. Then you need time to eat. Just be aware of that.

You are a bit all over the map. I could have planned a smoother route and transitions from place to place without much backtracking. But you will see a good amount of Ireland. Since you have almost everything booked I won't suggest any changes. Just play it by ear to see how much you can fit in each day.

Let us know if you have any questions.

QuiGonJohn · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele. I thought it mostly a CCW loop. We did this on our Sept 2015 trip. Only difference is that was all one night stays, so we were more on point at the end of each day of taking in sights. But this trip is longer and we wanted to put in some 2 night stays, which necessitated a bit of traveling around an area. And a couple items on here are still tentative (might see this or that), just not spelled out as such.

Always welcome suggestions for places to eat, dinner and maybe lunch. Although we usually just grab something quick for lunch, not a sit-down meal most days.

As to our morning departures, we will of course discuss at each place we stay. On our last trip, it was not much of a problem. If it ever is, we can just grab a pastry and coffee/tea at a convience store or such.