Itinerary Help

YN · Member

Itinerary Help

Michele Erdvig · Host

YN,

Welcome to the forum. I hope you will enjoy planning your trip to Ireland here. It is inevitable that when visiting Ireland you will spend time in the car driving from place to place. The secret is to stop along the way to get out, stretch your legs, do some sightseeing and then continue on. This will break up the trip and your son won't be cooped up in the car for long periods. Little ones are filled with energy so plan times for a run on the beach or stop at a park or playground. Even an ice cream cone break will make it fun.

Your itinerary starts out fine but tends to bog down in the middle. Ideally you should plan two nights in Dingle. From there it is really too far to go to Kinsale in one day. In fact you are bypassing some of Ireland's best scenery and great things to do in Killarney.

Kinsale is a cute town and Kilkenny is my favorite city in Ireland but much as I enjoy them you might want to consider skipping them. That would give you two nights in Dingle, a couple in Killarney or Kenmare and one in Cashel. You could even add a day to Dublin. The multiple-night stays will make it easier on your son and you. It sure is nice not to have to pack up and move on every day. You will still be able to see everything on your list except for Kinsale town and Kilkenny Castle. But you will already have seen cute seaside villages and castles.

Michele

YN · Member

Michele,
Thank you very much for your suggestions. I think we are going to skip Kinsale and Cork. What do you think about this: we'll drive from Dingle to Killarney (one of the driving distance websites shows it's about half-hour drive). Spend a day and night in Killarney. Then, the next day, we'll take off for Kilkenny via Caher and Cashel. This way, we can break the trip up with 2 stops. Next day, we are off to Dublin, and will add an x-tra day there. Does this sound better?

Michele Erdvig · Host

YN,

It sounds better. You are aware that September is going to be busy in Ireland because of the Ryder Cup? The sooner you can make reservations (especially in Dublin) the better.

Michele

Maureen · Member

Just wanted to point out that it is more than a half hour drive between Dingle and Killarney. More like 1 - 1 1/2 hr. We just returned from Ireland Sat. night. Did this drive in the opposite direction. If you are planning on getting on the N22 just north of Killarney there is construction going on that is only allowing one lane total to be used for traffic in both directions (there's a traffic light set up so you sit at a red light and wait while traffic is allowed to flow in the opposite direction on a green light). Anyhow traffic was pretty backed up because of this. I don't know how extensive their road works are going to be on this road but hopefully it will be all done before you go!

Maureen

YN · Member

Thanks. We are going in the very beginning of September, so hopefully, the construction wil be over.
I have another question - did anybody stay at St. Martin's B&B in Galway recently? I have their phone number, but it's not connecting. I am wondering if they are still around, or if their number has changed.

Michele Erdvig · Host

YN,

Maureen is right that it is about 1 1/2 hours from Dingle to Killarney, depending on your route. As for St. Martin's B&B in Galway, I cannot find it listed in the 2005 or 2006 Town and Country Book or in the 2005 Family Homes book. Since the phone is not working I would safely say they are no longer in business. B&Bs do close down frequently or the owners retire. Go to my "Lodgings" page for some recommended B&Bs.

Michele

YN · Member

RE: Itinerary Help - more questions

Michele Erdvig · Host

RE: Itinerary Help

Maureen · Member

Yes, do check into the Traditional Irish Night in the Bunratty Folk Park Corn Barn. It was one of the highlights of our trip for our 11 yr. old son. He thoroughly enjoyed it. He got chosen by one of the dancers to come up on stage and participate in the Walls of Limerick dance along with 3 other males from the audience. His Dad and I were wildly pointing at him when the dancers were deciding who to pick and I guess it worked. LOL. He takes Irish step dance classes and has done the dance before but their version was slightly different and he also had on his clunky hiking boots. He had fun though.

I had been to this show 18 years ago and this time round was just as enjoyable. I had a bit of a laugh in the Bunratty Folk Park reception area (where you pick up tickets etc.) when I saw the huge ad for the Trad. Irish night on the wall behind the cashier. I recognized several of the performers in the picture from the first time I saw the show 18 yr. ago and thought surely to goodness it's not the same people in the show! LOL It wasn't of course.

Maureen

YN · Member

Well, it's a done deal - I just reserved the Traditional Irish Night. Looks like we are in good shape for now. Thanks sooooo much for your inputs.

Y

Michele Erdvig · Host

YN,

I'm glad you got reservations at Bunratty Traditional Irish Night. You will all enjoy it. If you need some suggestions of B&Bs in Galway take a look at my "Lodgings" page.

Michele

YN · Member

Thanks Michele,

With accomodations, what I've got so far is
Park Hotel in Galway - I found a great rate on Orbitz
Bunratt Courtyard - Bunratty
Emlagh Lodge - Dinge
I am waiting to hear from Earl's Court House in Killarney and got a quote from Abbey Lodge - anybody stayed there? You have Earl's Court House on your lodging page, and their website looks pretty good.

Thanks,
Y.

Michele Erdvig · Host

YN,

I'm glad to hear you got a good rate on the Park Hotel. It is a lovely hotel right in the center of things. There is a very nice staff there. Earl's Court is excellent and has wonderful hosts and fabulous breakfasts. It is also within walking distance of town.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 01:30, 2006-04-28