3rd time to Ireland - itinerary help please!

Posted by weberjenn on 02/02/22 03:31 PM

Hello! Headed to Ennis for a clan gathering in July. We will fly into Shannon a couple of days before. This will be our third time to Ireland. We have yet to explore the Western coast north of Clare, and I would love suggestions. We will have a car and roughly 2 weeks time. We have spent some time in Derry and seen Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle and would very much appreciate where else to explore in Northern Ireland, as well.

To sum up: starting and ending in Ennis/Shannon/Co Clare (flying into and out of Shannon Airport). Focus on Counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and NI. Party of 4 including 2 teenagers.

Thanks much! Slainte!

Posted by David

Missoula, Montana

02/02/22 05:12 PM

508 posts

Absolutely, positively put the Connemara loop first on your list. Head west on N59 from Galway, dip down to lovely Roundstone, back up to Clifden, into Leenane (on Killary Harbor with Ireland's only fjord), through Oughterard and back to Galway.

Between Clifden and Leenane the scenery through the Inagh Valley along R344 is spectacular. Overnight options: Clifden, Roundstone and Leenane. In the latter, the Blackberry Restaurant (https://www.blackberryrestaurant.ie/) offers some of the freshest, finest dinners and lunches in Ireland.

There are so many attractive opportunities, so here are a few: the Aran Islands; the Sky Road in Clifden; Westport, the National Famine Memorial and Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo; Achill Island, Creevykeel and the Ceide Fields in Co. Sligo. In Northern Ireland the Bushmills Distillery tour, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Northeast Antrim Coast.

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

02/02/22 07:12 PM

2822 posts

All excellent advice from David. You can craft a very nice itinerary thru a less well known (and less hyped) part of Ireland by following his advice.
Can't add much to what he's already said except to suggest that you pick up a copy of "Backroads Ireland" to assist with your planning. It's the only other guide (besides RS) we bring with us on our own driving trips - it's a great source of off the beaten path scenic drives and excursions.
Used copies on Amazon are available for just a few dollars.

Posted by jond666

02/06/22 04:47 AM

1 posts

Make sure to check out Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula it’s very scenic and rustic.

Posted by weberjenn OP

02/17/22 03:27 PM

10 posts

Thank you all kindly for your replies! Booked our plane tickets yesterday - excited!

Posted by weberjenn OP

02/17/22 03:29 PM

10 posts

Pro trips to anyone else watching this thread: Dunluce Castle and Giants Causeway have far and away been the most spectacular sites I have seen in our travels there. Dunluce was the prettiest place I have ever been, personally.

Posted by BB

Calgary

02/17/22 07:43 PM

1650 posts

("Eavesdropping" on this thread.) Oooh. Glad to read this, weberjenn. We have a private day tour from Belfast booked that includes the Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle. :)

Posted by Katheryne

Chattanooga, TN USA

02/17/22 08:02 PM

565 posts

With the teenagers in mind, some additional suggestions you might enjoy:

Killary Sheep Farm on Killary Fjord near Leenane--sheepdog herding demonstrations, shearing and lamb feeding. https://killarysheepfarm.com/

Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, NI--open air museum showing Ulster life in the 18th and 19th centuries. We did this enroute to Portrush, allow at least a couple of hours. Lots to see..https://www.nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-american-folk-park/

Ashford Castle near Cong, County Mayo offers Hawk Walks falconry exhibitions that are really popular. https://ashfordcastle.com/experiences-and-activities/falconry

Posted by weberjenn OP

02/21/22 12:35 AM

10 posts

@Katheryne - thanks so much for the suggestions for teens! In fact, they did a falconry walk the last time we went in 2018 and LOVED it! Someone else on this site had suggested it to us and what a utter gem it turned out to be! Loveliest experience all around at the Castle (we booked a high tea there as well).