First Time Ireland-questions!

dot · Member

First Time Ireland-questions!

oopsy · Senior Member

Hi Dot,

I have only made two trips, so I am in no way an expert. Here are my general recs anyway. I like to stay at least a couple of nights in each place, so this will look different than recs from folks who like to move each night and stay in more towns.

I would do two nights in Dingle, three in Kenmare, and two in Ennis or another town near Shannon. Depending on (a) how long you feel you'll be able to drive upon arrival and (b) what time your departure flight is from Shannon, you may want to spend your first and last night near Shannon. Otherwise, I would suggest heading to Dingle first, then Kenmare, and then Ennis/Ennis alternative.

We spent two nights on the Dingle peninsula, really giving us just one day to explore. I can see how you could spend much, much more time there but we were satisfied with the timei we had. We spent three nights in Kenmare, and I really wish we had found a way to spend at least 2 more. There's an awful lot to enjoy in both areas.

Michele and others with more experience will chime in as well. Happy planning! --oopsy

dot · Member

Thank you for responding - the towns that you mentioned seem to come up a lot in the messages. Those are one's that I have been thinking about. So, first I have to book a flight/then find b&b's in those towns/and area's to see near the various towns..I know that there are a lot of good advise on where to stay on this site. If anyone can help - I would appreciate it. I am a little nervous about driving - and I'll have to do some map checking. thank you for responding. I like the towns that you suggested.

dot · Member

Can anyone suggest places to stay in: Dingle/Kenmare/Ennis? and pubs that are in near the towns?

How about staying over or having dinner in a castle???

Dude · Guru

Dot (my mom's nickname, BTW), on the main IrelandYes website (up above the forum click on IrelandYes! Ireland Dream Trips) scroll down until you get to a whole bunch of clickable sites and choose Castle Hotels. Then you can click on each one and go to its webpage. In the South there is Ballyseede Castle in Tralee and Carrigeen Castle in Cahir. We are thinking about staying at Ballyseede as our castle splurge on next year's trip.

There is also the prospect of going to the Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle north of Bunratty near Kilmurry. The Bunratty Castle is open for tours and you can also visit the Folk Park. That would make a good final day; check out the Castle and Folk Park and then attend the first sitting at the Banquet. You can then spend the night in Bunratty (Michele has several recommendations) and leave for Shannon in the morning. We stayed in Ennis and did somewhat the same thing. Left Fanore, visited Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher and then on to Ennis, Bunratty for lunch and the Folk Park, back to Ennis to rest up and change, then to the Banquet, back to Ennis for the night and up and away to Shannon next morning. If you choose Ennis, I recommend Eden Hill House. It's a lovely farmhouse just outside of town toward Shannon and Bunratty.

For more B&B recommendations, order Michele's book if you have time; if not, go back to those clickable links and choose Lodgings. The Shores in Castlegregory (Dingle peninsula) comes highly recommended on this forum. Virginia's Guest House and The Lodge are recommendations for Kenmare.

I have to agree with Oopsy. If I had 8 days to spend I think hers would be the route I would take. Maybe 3 nights in Dingle, 3 in Kenmare, and one full day and night in Ennis or Bunratty. You didn't say how long you have until you go, but the planning will take up what amount you have! I'm not looking to go until September '07 and I'm still fussing about like we were going next week.

Now after all this help, you have to promise to post a trip report when you get back! Don't worry; we don't check to see if you followed our advice; we just live vicariously between our own trips by reading about others' adventures.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dot,

You have already received excellent info from oopsy & Dude. I would suggest you fly into and out of Shannon and skip Dublin on this short trip. Shannon is very rural and you can get accustomed to driving there. What time of year are you planning on going? That can make a difference as to the advice we might give you.

The southwest of Ireland is very scenic and once you have your exact dates you can plan things out better. I have quite a few lodgings recommended on my "Lodgings" page. Just click on IrelandYes Index and then on the link. If you decide to get my book you will have even more lodgings to choose from plus complete reviews of them. If you want more info about castle banquets go to my "Dining" page. As Dude mentioned you can click on "Castle Hotels" to find out more about staying at a castle. However, most are extremely expensive. If you are on a budget you may want to skip staying overnight in a castle.

That should get you started. Let us know if you need more help.

Michele

dot · Member

We are planning on going to Ireland the first week of September -06. For 10 days (8 on ground). Does my itinary seem to be o.k. as far as driving to places and visiting the area?

Shannon/3 nights Dingle/2 nights Kenmare and 1-Ennis 1-Bunratty. We would like to stay in B&B's and also do a castle (either stay in one or just feast)..also would like to horseback ride near Dingle - is this possible? Or would you change any nights?

Should I do the booking on my own or go thru an agency to handle the B&B's and car w/directions? thank you

wojazz3 · Guru

No need to use an agency for car rental and B&Bs. You'll pay more and get less usually.

There are a number of companies that provide pony trekking options on Dingle. I have never used on there, but here is a link to one:

http://www.longsriding.com/

It sounds like they have some nice options for some shorter rides. Longer rides would probably require more time.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dot,

As I mentioned before I would do 2 nights in Dingle and 3 in Kenmare, but I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you decide on. Bunratty and Ennis are very close. I think you should decide on one or the other and spend two nights at one B&B. Why pack up and move on to another one?

The following link for horseback riding was higly recommended by some of my clients: http://www.dinglehorseriding.com/ Since I don't ride I will have to take their word for it.

I agree with Bill that once you have settled on an itinerary, you can make the reservations yourself. It is very easy to do; just email the places you are interested in.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 22:37, 2006-06-27