I am trying to hone in on different areas and things to see for our August trip. Here is a rundown of what we have currently booked and scheduled:
Sunday afternoon - land in Dublin. Drop our stuff, head out and explore Dublin on either a hop on/off bus tour or the Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl.
Monday - Take the train to either Castlebar, get a car, and drive down to Galway along the coast and Connemara, or take the train straight to Galway and then the Aran Islands for the day. Do you have a preference on either? Then we are in Galway for the night.
Tuesday - Cliffs of Moher and The Burren Bus tour has been booked. Stay in Galway for the night. I want to 100% do the Cliffs of Moher - thoughts on keep the Bus tour or go at it ourselves?
Wednesday - Travel to Killarney - any route recommendations? I was thinking down along to Loop Head Lighthouse, then across on the Shannon Ferry, to wherever the day takes us next.
Thursday - Ring of Kerry Bus Tour ... my question here is a) should we skip the bus tour and do a self-drive tour of Dingle? Or skip Kerry altogether and stay north of Galway and focus more on Aran Islands, Connemara, north of Limerick, etc.?
Friday - Drive back to Dublin to go home Saturday :( ... do you have any route suggestions from the west coast?
I am open to any and all suggestions to our itinerary as we still have some time to move things around.
Car hire will be much more limited in Castlebar -- If it's even available. I'm a huge fan of both locations. Even though Inis Mor is quite nice, an well worth a visit, I don't see how you would have time for a suitable visit, if first coming from Dublin. Have you considered taking the Express Bus DIRECTLY to Galway on Arrival? Then, you could visit Inis Mor on day 2 and the Burren / Cliffs on Day 3.
Were it ME, I would self-drive and spend Night 3 in Ennis -- which would have the added benefit of shortening the onward trip to Killarney. If you are planning to remain in the NW, then a return to Galway MIGHT make more sense.
If you are willing to forgo Killarney, there's plenty to see and do in Galway and Mayo -- Connemara, Roundstone & Clifden, Kylemore Abbey, the Doo Lough Valley Drive, Westport and Castlebar . . .
The drive back to Dublin from Galway along the M6 has LOTS of potential stops -- Athlone, Clonmacnoise, Tullamore & Kilbeggan, Tyrellspass Castle (a restaurant I'm quite fond of!) -- and more.
There are plenty of other route options, as well -- even if departing via Killarney -- but, it would help to know your interests and expectations.
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Bob
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Hi there! I am still having doubts about my itinerary.
The first night, as I mentioned, is in Dublin. I would like to keep this as we get in late afternoon, can check in, and do some sightseeing before getting too adventurous as I know we will be jet-lagged.
For the second day ... I looked, and there is an Enterprise in Castlebar if we take the train there, then drive down through Connemara, or we could train to Galway (shorter train trip, and easier access to transportation to the rental car place) and drive north and around Connemara that way.
The rest is what I am having an issue with deciding; I just wish I could do it all!
Right now, here is how I have it:
Day 3 - Bus Tour of the Cliffs of Moher
Day 4 - Travel south to Killarney, seeing the Loop Head Lighthouse, crossing on the Shannon Ferry
Day 5 - I have since canceled the Ring of Kerry tour, and am planning on the Killarney National Park, Gap of Dunloe, and all that is around there.
Day 6 - Is the travel day back to Dublin. What would be a good route/stops from Killarney to Dublin?
If I were to change the plan completely, would this be a good plan? Better than above? Changes?
Day 1 - Dublin as mentioned
Day 2 - Connemara as mentioned, Galway stay
Day 3 - Aran Islands, Galway stay
Day 4 - Cliffs of Moher self-drive tour, stay near Doolin or another city?
Day 5 - Loop Head Drive, stay in Ennis
Day 6 - Drive from Galway to Dublin as you mentioned
I am trying to make this trip not so Americanised and touristy, even though it's during the high season. Mainly focus on seeing the natural landscape wonders, take in the culture of the pubs, music, and Irish life, and do some authentic shopping.
I am willing to forego Killarney, but I need to have my itinerary locked in before making yet another change with my travel agent.
Just so you know -- You can catch an Express bus directly from the Airport to Galway on arrival and save Dublin for the end.
If you opt for the second choice, I would 'do' the Aran Tour first, and then, rent the car. Doolin might suffice for the over-night, but I would prefer Kilkee. It bigger / has more to offer and also gives you better placement for Loop Head.
__________________
Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
