Help with Ireland itinerary
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Sep 2, 2012 3:51 AM Last Post By: CharlieHolley
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Help with Ireland itinerary
Hello, my girlfriend and I are scheduling a 6 day Ireland trip, flights have been booked for November, arriving in Dublin and out of Shannon. We'll be renting a car. I've been reading lots of inquiries on here and tripadvisor, though I simply haven't figured out our plans yet. I'm trying to space the trip out as much as possible but we only have 6 days, and I'd rather not spend it all on the road as people have said. So what do we skip, and where should we stay an extra night rather than leave the next day? Or should we simply break it up and do only one half of the west/south, such as Galway/Doolin/Connamara or Cork/Killarney/Dingle?Here are a few ideas of mine, feel free to pick one and comment. These are my ambitious itineraries. Thanks!!!
Trip #1)
Day 1 - arrive 5:25 AM in Dublin, drive to Galway, spend night
Day 2 - Galway to Cliffs of Moher to Dingle
Day 3 - Dingle
Day 4 - Dingle to Ring of Kerry to Killarney
Day 5 - Killarney
Day 6 - Killarney to SHannon for 1:30 flight
Trip #2-
Day 1 - arrive 5:25 AM in Dublin, drive to Galway, spend night
Day 2 - Galway to Cliffs of Moher to Doolin
Day 3 - Doolin to Dingle
Day 4 - Dingle to Ring of Kerry to Killarney
Day 5 - Killarney
Day 6 - Killarney to SHannon for 1:30 flight
Trip #3-
Day 1 - arrive 5:25 AM in Dublin, drive to Galway, spend night
Day 2 - Galway
Day 3 - Galway to Cliffs of Moher, stay Doolin/Ennis/Ballyvaughan
Day 4 - Doolin to Killarney
Day 5 - Killarney - ROK
Day 6 - Killarney to Shannon for 1:30 flight
Trip #4-
Day 1 - arrive 5:25 AM in Dublin, drive to Cork/Kinsale, spend night
Day 2 - Cork/Kinsale to Killarney
Day 3 - Killarney to Dingle (no ROK)
Day 4 - Dingle to Cliffs of Moher to Doolin
Day 5 - Doolin to Galway
Day 6 - Galway to Shannon for 1:30 flight
Trip #5-
Day 1 - arrive 5:25 AM in Dublin, drive to Killarney
Day 2 - Killarney to Dingle (no ROK)
Day 3 - Dingle to Cliffs of Moher to Doolin
Day 4 - Doolin to Galway
Day 5 - Galway
Day 6 - Galway to Shannon for 1:30 flight
1
Eire is a small island. You can get from. Shannon to Dublin in 4.5 hours. WHAT must you see? Seriously, what is the most important thing that you wish to see? Cliffs of Moher did nothing for me. The Book of Kells, Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough, New Grange, Giant's Causeway far more intriguing. Dingle Pennisula over Ring of Kerry hands down. I saw the whole island in a week including Belfast and wasn't in the car all day. It was in October and the days were shorter as they will be for you in November. Saw everything on your lists AND mine.2
thank you Clod. Well, we really do not have anything specific, just to see as much as we can, and experience what we can, in the 6 days there without burying ourselves with driving. Would skipping Galway and the Cliffs/Aran Islands, and going the southern route from Dublin to Cork, Killarney, Dingle peninsula route be a better option? Since it's November, and the days are shorter and colder weather with less tourism, I'm also curious to see if someone has insight as to how this may effect our trip. For example, maybe the Aran Island boat is not working the day we planned.3
Wouldn't count on a trip to the Aran Islands. Possible rough seas and ferries will not run. Park in the St. Stephen's green car park if you can. Stroll over and visit the incredible Book of Kells at Trinity College. Then back on the road to drive the Sally Gap into the Wicklow mountains to visit Glendalough. From there, you can drive over to and along the coast, or drive inland visit the Rock of Cashel and onto Cork. Make Cork your first night's stay. No need to skip Galway for any reason. BTW to get a room get to a town before sunset. You'll see countless brown signs along the road. These mean the houses you are passing have rooms to rent. Find one you like, park, knock on the door. Now some in November may not be taking guests but all you need to do is ask for a recommendation from the proprietor. After day 1 you will realize how much you can see and do in a day. Slainte!5
On behalf of the road users of Ireland, may I politely request that you not get into a car and drive across the country after an overnight flight from the US? The only flights that arrive that early come across the Atlantic. It is a very foolish thing to do given that you will not be accustomed to driving on the left hand side of the road and will be very tired. Every year, a small but significant number of tourists meet their deaths and kill or injure other innocent people on Irish roads by forgetting to keep left. The risk of doing so is obviously much higher when you're tired or starting out.After that, I really can't understand why you want to skip Dublin. It's a romantic idea to want to see the 'real' Ireland but with a rich and varied history, a fine location on the coast and wonderful nightlife, doing Ireland without even spending one night in the capital is a big mistake in my opinion. And you asked for must dos...!
6
A classic six or seven day tour is to divide your time between Dublin and Galway. If you want to do Dingle then Dublin-KIllarney-Galway with a couple of night in each to allow day trips etc (Dublin/Wicklow, Galway/Aran Islands/CoM/The Burren/Doolin, KIllarney/RoK/Dingle).As Barry says, that drive is a risk straight off a long flight.
7
thanks. done a bit more research, and here's the revised itinerary-Day 1: Dublin to Galway via bus
Day 2: explore Galway, maybe Arans if open or Cliffs via bus tour
Day 3: train from Galway to Cork
Day 4: rent car, drive Cork to Dingle
Day 5: Leave Dingle for ______________(Killarney, Limerick, Tralee, Ballybunnon,?)
Day 6: _________ to Shannon for 1:30 PM flight
due to the time restraints, and jet lag, we figured bus/train would be an easier way to relax and travel to places rather than driving. Plus we can still drive from Cork to Dingle to take in more of Ireland in the car for that portion of the trip. Does this seem like a better idea? Any tips on where to stay in Cork/Dingle and where to go inbetween Dingle and Shannon the last day, since we need to fly out of Shannon? Thanks
Last, if there are any must do's in Cork the afternoon/evening, and Dingle and the other areas, I appreciate the expertise!
8
I'd suggest rent a car in Galway from day two and you can drive to Cliffs of Moher, around the Burren or whatever.
