May 2018 Itinerary suggestion

tampacb · Veteran Member

May 2018 Itinerary suggestion

Michele Erdvig · Host

Whiskey Distilleries on the way from Dublin to Killarney:

Tullamore Dew

Kilbeggan

Jameson (in Middleton)

Kilkenny is my favorite city in Ireland. There is Smithwicks Brewery there but beer not whiskey.

Larkinley Lodge is very nice. I have toured and inspected it. If they are full try Killarney Lodge and Earl's Court.

Toward the end of the trip you could certainly do Dingle and Doolin. Ennis is always a good spot for your last night. Have you been to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and/or the banquet? When I have an early flight I stay in Bunratty but you don't leave till noon so don't need to be as close. Another option might be Adare. Lovely little village and the atmosphere is quite different after the day-trippers depart.

tampacb · Veteran Member

Thanks Michele,
We have been to Adare on our last trip and it was lovely. We also stayed in Bunratty at Headley court and did the Castle and dinner. We will head to that little town to have breakfast upstairs in that cafeteria and shop the woolens to send back to the US upon arrival. They ship for free if you purchase over $200( at least they did in 2014) I'm also shopping for sweaters to wear while I am in Ireland on this trip! Then head to Galway with stop in Ennis along the way for a bite to eat on the way to Galway.

I think I can squeeze my favorite places I've read about in this way in this way:
Visit Tullamore on the way from Roscommon to Dublin on 5-19
5-19 and 5-20 stay in Dublin

5-21 head to Kilkenny stay overnight...love Smithwicks

5-22, 23 Killarney

5-24, 5-25 Kinsale

5-26, Dingle (cooking school for a lunch class)

5/28 5/29 Doolin....( Cliff Walk)

can we head from Doolin to Shannon on 5-29 for a noon flight? I guess we'd need to leave Doolin at 8 am?

I know it looks packed but these are very important places to me...what do you think?

-- Edited by tampacb on Friday 13th of April 2018 08:31:50 AM

-- Edited by tampacb on Friday 13th of April 2018 08:32:17 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Kinsale would make more sense if visited immediately after Kilkenny and just before Killarney, as it's more-or-less, 'along the way'. It also makes Dingle an easier transition from Killarney, rather than Kinsale.

Were it me, I would need to leave Doolin no later than 7 AM to make car hire return and clear US Preclearance -- since the want you to be AT the check-in counter three hours prior to scheduled departure.

Actually, if it WERE me, I would over-night in either Ennis, or Bunratty. biggrin biggrin

Michele Erdvig · Host

I agree with Bob, that with your new plan you should do Kinsale between Kilkenny and Killarney. Personally, I would not stay in Doolin the night before my flight. I would want to be closer.

tampacb · Veteran Member

Thank you! I like that plan.. And we will stay in Ennis the night before we leave Ireland. Family will be in Killarney while we are in Kinsale, but that's okay...
Can you recommend a B&B in Kinsale, Doolin, and Dingle.. In Ennis I prefer a hotel without breakfast since we'll have to grab breakfast Earlier than they will serve it in a b&b.
A thatched roof b&b would be lovely in one place if available. We loved the one we stayed in Spiddal in 2014.
Michele, you mentioned that Kilkenny is your favorite place can you share why and top couple things to see there? We will definitely see the brewery.
Also, I have a Verizon I phone and Droid.. What do you mean get a sym card for it? In Ireland? Where? We land in Shannon. Do I set something up with Verizon here before we leave.?
Thanks so much!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I just posted this on Marie's Phone Thread:

You are looking for a SIM card -- 'Subscriber Identity Module' . It identifies your phone to the Network and allows it to connect.

It depends on which service company (provider) that you want, how quickly you want to have it and how much of a detour you are willing to make.

3 Mobile and Tesco have stores in Ennis, Limerick and Galway: https://www.storelocate.ie/tesco/tesco.html http://www.three.ie/stores/

Another option (for multi-choice) is Carphone Warehouse: http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/shop/phones-plans/all-plans

In Shannon Town (at the Skycourt Shopping Center), there is a Vodafone Store: https://skycourtshannon.com/store/vodafone/

Other Vodafone Locations: https://n.vodafone.ie/stores.html#

If you have family to meet in Killarney, that might justify your original routing. I made the suggestion to change based on the fact that it is a 2 - 2 1/2 hour drive from Killarney to Kinsale-- and then, the same, when you head back there, to go to Dingle. Since family is involved, it might be worth it. confuse confuse

I suppose it all depends on the family???

I almost never STAY in Kinsale or Doolin, but I'm sure Michele has some good picks. If you overnight in Ennis, you should have time for an early breakfast. In Ennis, I'm quite fond of the Temple Gate Hotel and I have heard many good things about the Old Ground Hotel. A few years ago, I enjoyed a stay at Ashford Court Hotel, but it is a 5-7 minute walk from town center, in a residential area and we haven't stayed there in a while. confuse confuse

We stayed at the Queens Hotel and although the rooms and staff were great, the noise level was very much a problem -- all night long. hmm hmm

If quiet REALLY appeals, one of my personal favorite, 'Top 5 Irish B&B's' is Headley Court, in Bunratty. Once again, an overnight there would DEFINITELY allow time for one of Kathleen's 'Top Shelf' breakfasts! biggrin biggrin

tampacb · Veteran Member

Okay,
I've had to make a change in the order based on the cooking class I want to take in Dingle

So new itinerary might look like this:
5-14 thru 5/21 will be with family Arrive Shannon, Galway, Roscommon, Dublin

5/21- from Dublin to Kilkenny ( Smithwicks while here) stay 1 night

5/22,5/23 meeting family again in Killarney

5/24 Dingle ( cooking class 10 am- 2 pm ) head to Kinsale or stay 1 night in Dingle

5/25 Kinsale possibly stay on a Farm the Harbour Hill Farm b&b 1 or 2 nights depending on whether we should stay over in Dingle

5/26 Kenmare - Molly Galavins looks like a must - should I also book the dinner there?

5/27, 5/28 Ennis to take a day an go on the Doolin Cliff walk

5/29 depart Shannon
If I need to cross something completely off the list to have a 2 night stay in Kinsale or Kenmare Which would you choose and which cities are your favorites on the list above. I know 1 night stays are less relaxing...ugh!!! Need more time

Michele Erdvig · Host

I would skip Kinsale and spend two nights in Kenmare. Then you can see the Beara Peninsula and don't have so much backtracking.

tampacb · Veteran Member

I've seen on several posts that Kinsale and Dingle and doolin are not Michele's or Tony's favorite overnight places... But Kilkenny and Ken are are... Could you please elaborate... I'm trying to cut a couple places of my itinerary. And what do you love about Kenmare and Kilkenny?

Michele Erdvig · Host

I like Dingle, Doolin and Kinsale just fine. But I will never again visit Kinsale on a weekend. Too crowded.

Kenmare is perfectly charming and the people there are wonderful.

tampacb · Veteran Member

I have made a few reservations: after being with family from Shannon, Galway Roscommon and Dublin...
Leave Dublin on 5/21: travel to Kilkenny and spend the day... See the brewery and other sights.
Travel on to Killarney.. Several places I checked are already booked. Secured a reservation ( for now at least) at the Castle Lodge ( anyone been and did you like it)

5/21 and 5/22 - Killarney Castle Lodge ( I can change this)

5/23 travel to Dingle stay at Dingle Gate Hostel for 1 night. I chose this place because it has excellent reviews, private quiet double room a small on site farm, fresh hen eggs and toast for breakfast the next morning( we will then depart for the Dingle cookery school for a five hour Irish cooking class and meals so we don't want a full breakfast that morning) enjoy the evening on Dingle

5/24 Dingle cooking class-10-3 enjoy the city and head to Kenmare or stay another night

5/25- 5/26 Kenmare need place to stay and things to do besides Molly Gallivans

5/27 to Ennis at Temple Gate enjoy Ennis and possibly book Glor Music Theater Shandrum Ceili band tickets that evening

5/28 drive to Doolin for Doolin Cliff walk lunch and a pint

5/28 Headley Court stay over for

5/29 depart Ireland at noon

So.. Recommendations for staying in Kenmare. Should we stay 2 nights in Dingle or 3 in Kenmare. Recommendation on Shandrum concert at Glor theatre... See any concerns with our schedule?