We are leaving in a week and I just now found this site. I would like some input on our itinerary.
We arrive Shannon airport sunday morning. We are renting a car and driving to Bunratty to have a look around for a while. Then driving to Ennis staying at the Old Ground Hotel. Going to Cliffs of Moher that afternoon.
Monday: Driving to Dingle. Staying at Emlagh Lodge for 2 nights.
Tuesday: Driving Dingle Peninsula
Wednesday: driving to Blarney to kiss the stone. Time permitting I would like to go down to kinsale or Cobh. Staying at Park South BandB in Mallow.
Thursday: here is where I need the most advice. We are definitly going to Rock of Cashel. I currently have a reservation at Waterford Castle. The only reason we were going to Waterford was because I wanted to spend one night in a castle. I posted earlier about Kinnitty castle because I was thinking of staying in that general area so we could spend more time in Kilkenny on Friday. Do you think we should go ahead and stay in Waterford or is that too much driving just to stay in a castle. I am rethinking Kinnity castle because of the bad reviews and I'm not liking too much that it's also haunted. :) If you think we should stay in the Cashel/Kilkenny area what accomodations do you recommend? We would really like at least one night in a castle if that's possible.
Friday: visit Kilkenny that morning and then drive to Dublin.
Saturday-Monday: stay in Dublin. Leave on Monday morning. Do you think we should do a day trip on Sunday from Dublin? Can we pretty much see most of Dublin on Saturday? I was thinking about going to Glendalough.
Any advice is very appreciated. I only wish I had found this site sooner!
Have you checked out Michele's castle list (click Ireland Guide >> then castle hotels)? Dromoland is near Shannon and Ballyseede is near Dingle/Tralee.
If you're spending the money for a castle, you probably want to make sure you are going to be able to take the time to enjoy the service, the grounds and the amenities. Staying at Waterford Castle is doable with your itinerary, but realize that for a stop in Kilkenny to be worthwhile, you should plan to spend at least three or four hours (of course, I'd suggest a whole day or overnight in Kilkenny that includes taking in my free Walking Kilkenny tour...available at http://www.knockahopple.com/downloadkilkenny.html).
What kind of things do you want to see in Dublin? If you are thinking of Dublin-in-a-day, go for the Hop On/Off bus and choose two or three stops you want to focus in on. Then, instead of Glendalough, consider using that extra day to give yourself some more time in the area of your castle stay. Glendalough is great, but so are the sites around Dromoland, Waterford, Kilkenny, etc, so it would be worthwhile and it will make that overnight in the castle even more memorable.
I think you can accomplish your itinerary with a bit of adjustment. I suggest you skip Kinsale and Cobh. Instead go from Blarney to Cashel for an overnight stay. This will position you to drive to Waterford for your stay in the castle. I suggest you make inquiries about a room first to see if they have availabilities. No sense re-arranging everything if they are full!
The rest of your itinerary can continue as planned with a stop in Kilkenny on your way to Dublin, Saturday for doing Dublin and Sunday for a day trip to Glendalough. As Corey has suggested be sure to download his free Walking Tour of Kilkenny. Also, good advice to take the hop-on hop-off bus in Dublin.