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| Posted: 21 Mar 2008 16:52 | ||
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Our first trip to Ireland and would appreciate honest thoughts on our preliminary itinerary. So much we want to do, but know we can't do it all....
We will be arriving in Dublin around 8:00a on the morning of April 17th from Boston, USA. Staying at the Regency Hotel in Dublin. Plans are to pick up the rental car, check in at the airport and use the bus to go into Dublin. We'll tour Dublin till early evening, go back to the hotel and get a good nights sleep. The next morning we plan to drive to Kilkenny and spend the day in Kilkenny and surrounds. Overnight in Kilkenny. Next morning drive to Kenmare, where this day we would concentrate on the Beara Pennisula & surrounds. The next day we would like to do the Skellig trip, where we would drive the first half of the Ring of Kerry, take the trip and drive the second half of the Ring back to Kenmare. If the weather is not conducive to the boat trip we would take this day to do the ring and perhaps the Dingle Pennisula. Next day, morning at Killarny Nat'l Park, drive onto Tarbert, cross ferry to Doolin. Overnight Doolin. Next day, Cliffs of Mohar, driving to Burren's region. Afternoon drive to Bunratty, possibly dinner at the castle. Overnight Bunratty, departure next afternoon Shannon airport. Thanks Mary |
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| Posted: 22 Mar 2008 15:14 | ||
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We will be arriving in Dublin around 8:00a on the morning of April 17th from Boston, USA. Staying at the Regency Hotel in Dublin. Plans are to pick up the rental car, check in at the airport and use the bus to go into Dublin. We'll tour Dublin till early evening, go back to the hotel and get a good nights sleep.
Mary, Based on your post, I am assuming you will be staying at the Regency Airport Hotel outside of Dublin and not in Dublin, yes? If so, the reviews for that place run a bit hot and cold though I myself have never stayed there.TripAdvisor.com It's only for the one night and I hope that you are one of the ones who get a good night's sleep. (Just wanted to give you a heads up on the hotel.) The rest of your trip is OK though a bit rushed, IMO. Kilkenny is not that far from Dublin (less than 2 hour drive) so you will be able to really explore the town and a few places around it as you like. See Katherine's Walking Tour of Kilkenny and other information she has here on the web site. The drive from Kikenny to Kenmare is a half a day (about 4 hours) on the main roads. Since you wish to include Beara I would try to head straight to Kenmare, check into your B&B if at all possible then drive the peninsula for the rest of the day. A trip out to the Skellig Michael is certainly worthwhile but know that it's a bit of drive just to get out to Portmagee from Kenmare, about 2 hours. I believe the boats start running at 9 or 9:30 and the trip out and back will take a good 4 hours as well. It's better to go as early as you can so that you still have some time left in the day to get back home or see anaother sight along the way. When my husband and I did this we stayed very close to Portmagee, caught a 10am boat and made it to Dingle for the night. If you manage to get in Beara I'm not sure that traveling the Ring of Kerry is a Must for you. The scenery of the two peninsulas is about the same with the Ring being much fuller and with more touristy type stops. Visiting a sight or two in Killarney is worthwhile, however, as is heading out to Dingle for a night. You just won't be able to fit in both the Ring and Dingle on the same day. To simply drive the Ring of Kerry without stops will take about 4 hours; it's 110 miles around but you only move at about 30mph for the most part. Add any stops along the way and it's an all day affair. You may get to move a bit quicker because of the time of year you will there but it's still not something to be rushed, IMO. The day you drive to Doolin would be a great day to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Sunset or near it at the Cliffs and you will practically have the place to yourselves. You may not make it in time to do the Visitor Center but you can always go back the next day as well. If you have good weather for it, the photos you can get at sunset at the Cliffs can be spectacular. Overall your itinerary is decent and with a few tweaks it I think it will be what you want out of your trip. Safe travels, Wendy |
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| Posted: 24 Mar 2008 14:56 | ||
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Wendy,
Thank you so much for your reply. The information is very helpful. You are correct in the Regency, it will be the one by the airport and I appreciate the heads up on the conditions. We booked our vacation through Aer Lingus, so this hotel was prebooked, but as you said, is only for 1 night. Sounds like my "rushed" spots are just what I thought. Initially we were planning on spending two nights in Kenmare, but if the Skellig trip works out, we may want to consider being closer to Portmagee as you indicated. Perhaps one night in Kenmare and then the next in Portmagee or surrounding towns? We would definitley like to work into our trip the scenery within Killarney National Park. I'm also thinking a drive to Doolin is a bit far (leaving us driving all day) and maybe a stop in Kilkee instead and then driving toward Doolin the next day. The highlights being the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren region. Although I do like the sound of the Cliffs at sunset! Any thoughts on this? Mary |
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| Posted: 24 Mar 2008 20:11 | ||
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Mary,
I think that, for the most part, you can leave your itinerary pretty much the way it is now. Stay in Kenmare for the two nights but make the day you do the Skellig trip an early one - you will have the Ring to yourself if you can get on the road by 7am  and be out to Portmagee around 9 or 9:30. That means you get to do half the Ring then the islands trip. On your way back take the long road around the rest of the Ring and stop in to Killarney for a sight or dinner. Back to Kenmare for your second night and a good lie in in the morning. The next day you can fit in KNP, the ferry to Clare, up to Doolin and the Cliffs at sunset. You will have to skip Dingle but you will have seen both the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry) and the Beara Peninsula, plus it's a good reason to make a return trip to Ireland.
Doolin, IMO, has some nice shops but is not a huge destination in and of itself. It's a place to get to the Aran Islands; to spend the night near the Cliffs of Moher; to get great food and hear some music.... but not a town to spend all day in. So head for Doolin, enjoying the drive along the way and perhaps a site or two as well. Hope this helps, Wendy |
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| Posted: 25 Mar 2008 21:46 | ||
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Wendy,
Your advice is very much appreciated! I'm sure our trip will be fantastic and it is so much easier when you can know a bit more about what to expect! Many thanks for all your great advice. 
Mary |
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| Posted: 26 Mar 2008 05:32 | ||
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My pleasure! 
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