12 day countdown

lighthousefan · Member

12 day countdown

Susan in Wi · Member

Heidi,

There are no problems crossing the border between NI & the Republic. You can freely go back and forth as often as you like. The days of the checkpoints are long over. In fact, you usually don't even realize you have gone from one side to the other. Sorry, I cannot help you with your other ???'s, but Michele and others will jump in.

Have a great trip,

Susan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Heidi,

Let the countdown begin! Susan is correct that there is no problem with crossing the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. You won't even know it.

You can see the Aran Islands in one day as a day trip from Doolin, Galway or Rossaveal.

There are antique shops scattered all around Ireland. Just ask in any town and they will tell you where they are. In Galway try Cobwebs.

Going from Kilrush to Galway and back is a pretty full day trip. How much farther did you want to go and what did you want to see?

Michele

lighthousefan · Member

Michele~

We would not go back to Killrush from Galway. We want to go from Killrush to Galway area and stay there for a night or 2. Why don't i give you a possible route for our trip. We are open to ANY and all suggestions from those of you who have travelled before in Ireland.

Day1: Arrive at Shannon, go to Hilcrest B&B, if not too tired, go to Loop Head.

Day 2: Either: HIllcrest to Adare via ferry and Loop Head (if we did not see on Sat) OR see stuff in Co. Clare

Day 3: Either Leave hillcrest and head to Salthill for the night-stopping along the way OR take the ferry across and head to Tralee/Dingle.

Day 4: If we went North: See Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, and possibley take a boat trip on the fjord- Stay in Westport area?. If we went south-Dingle all day.

Day 5: If North: Finish what we did not see yesterday-head towards Achill-stay in Westport again. IF south: Finish Dingle and head up the middle to Northern Ireland-stay somewhere.

Day 6: If North: Leave Westport and head to Belleek or Enniskillen area-find a base. If coming from Dingle- get a base near either Belleek/Enniskillen or near Tyrone Crystal-or somewhere in between.

Day 7: Either see Belleek, Enniskillen, or Tyrone Crystal-possibly some family history this day.

Day 8: See the Ulster Folk Park, some family history stuff, possibly go to Derry and walk the walls- Stay in Lifford

Day 9: Maybe Giants Causeway or whatever we feel like. Stay in Lifford.

Day 10: If we did not get to Ardstraw on one of the family history days do this now. Possibly stay in Lifford again tonight. Or if came from Dingle-head towards Sligo area.

Day11: If we came from the west- head south thru the middle towards Dingle- stay middle somewhere. If came from Dingle to the North-then head towards Sligo area or if we already made it there-head towards-Kylemore Abbey area.

Day 12: If coming from the North- get to Dingle. If coming from Abbey- finish that area and stay near Galway somewhere.

Day 13: Finish Dingle or see stuff around Galway.

Day 14: Either way heads towards Shannon and stay near airport.

Day 15: Leave from Shannon

While I know this is a lot of driving, we are also planning to see what we see and just go at our own pace. no matter which way we go we Must see DIngle, Kylemore Abbey and get to Tyrone Crystal and Ardstraw in Northern Ireland. The rest is frosting. Thanks for your feedback!

Heidi

Michele Erdvig · Host

Heidi,

My head is spinning a bit and for once the only thing I can say is that I wish you success with whatever plan you finally decide on. You are obviously happy with your plan to wing it and we will look forward to hearing about it when you return.

As for your original question about going from Kilrush to Galway, that is fine. Thanks for the clarification.

Michele

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Dear Lighthousefan,

Glad too see you've got everything so nailed down!

Have a great time--I'm sure you, whichever path you choose.

Kevin