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August Ireland trip

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We are flying into Cork around 10 am from a few days in Scotland, and have 10 days planned in Ireland. We will rent a car in Cork and head toward Dingle. 1 night on the way, 2 nights in Dingle, 2 in Ballybunion so my husband can golf, 3 nights in Doolin, (Cliffs of Mohr, Aran Islands), lunch in Athlone to visit the town my great grandfather left behind, on the way to Dublin and 2 nights in Dublin before we turn in the car and fly home. (Great grandmother was from Sligo but couldn't fit it in)

Here are my questions. We have one night we haven't booked yet, between Cork and Dingle. Should we spend the night in Killarney or Tralee on our way to Dingle? Recommendations? The Lake Hotel at Killarney is all booked up.

What are "must-see" on the way from Cork to Dingle? On the way from Dingle to Ballybunion and from there to Doolin?
Suggestions for hotels in Dublin?

Any hints, suggestions or advice are warmly welcomed. This is our first European adventure! I am 65 with bad knees, hubby is 69 so we won't be doing a great deal of hiking, but want to really get a feel for my Irish roots. Views, back roads, music, pub food and just getting a feel for Ireland and meeting its people is the goal.

bt

Posted by
11 posts

I really like Kenmare. It is near the sea and between two beautiful peninsula, has stone circles in town and many ancient sites nearby and pubs rocking with music. Kinsale is a beautiful town on the ocean closer to Cork and famous for food. I'd take N71 and the little roads off it for amazing views. I feel Killarney and Tralee are large towns missing some of the charm of Ireland. Just a personal opinion. I'm going again in July so maybe I'll report back. Have fun!

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks for the suggestions. We are interested in the Killarney National Park so will probably go straight to that area from Cork, since we will only have part of a day. It is also our first experience driving on the "wrong" side of the road so we figured we should stick to a main highway to begin with.

Posted by
1172 posts

We really enjoyed Killarney National Park. We rented bikes just outside the park and biked to Muckross farms and house and then to Torc fall. We stayed at the Lake Hotel which is right next to the park and absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by
459 posts

Up in Doolin we loved Daly's B&B, you may already be booked for your room it appears. Be sure to try and spend an early evening at the Doolin Music House just outside of Doolin. They host 20 or so persons for a couple of hours of music and story telling in their home. They start at 7 PM so you get an early start for music and still have time to hit O'Connor's Pub for more music and fun later in the evening. Here is the Doolin Music House link, you need to reserve and hope you are there on a night they are hosting.
www.doolinmusichouse.com

Posted by
703 posts

Killarney National Park is beautiful. We stayed two nights at the International Hotel in Killarney. Very nice hotel, right in the city so walking in the evening was very nice. Lots of little pubs, restaurants & shops plus an ice cream shop too. There's a show called Celtic Fire at a nearby hotel if you are interested in Irish music & dance. We enjoyed that very much.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks for your replies. Sharon, I like the idea of biking to the falls, I will check it out.

Jarradd we are staying at Dalys, and Susan sent me the info on Doolin Music House. I emailed them Sunday and have not yet heard back. Fingers crossed!

I checked out the iInternational Hotel but it too was full. I did decide to stay in Killarney, and found a hotel. Thank you all for the help.

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