My husband and I will be taking his parents to Ireland for about a week sometime in the next few months. We will be flying in to Dublin. His parents are mobile, but not very active. We were thinking that it might be easiest to base ourselves at an Airbnb and do day trips (or one overnight) from there.
We were looking at the Birr/Roscrea area based on a friend's suggestion for my husband and I to get in some horseback riding while there! That appears to be only about a 2 hour drive from Dublin. Looking at daytrips from there. I am thinking maybe one overnight in Galway to also see the Aran Islands. Does this seem reasonable? Any good daytrip suggestions from the central region? Thanks!
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1836 posts
There is of course Birr Castle with its gardens and science centre
Roscrea has Roscrea Castle and Damer House along with a heritage centre.
Leap Castle is reputedly the mosty haiunted castle in Ireland...
The lovely early Christian site of Clonmacnoise with its round towers, ruined churches and carved stones, is about 45 minute drive from Birr.
A bit further to drive is Strokestown Park House with the famine muserum.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you! Those are very helpful suggestions!
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Would the Aran Islands be a doable day trip or should me plan an overnight in/near Galway?
And/or suggestions on places to stay a night in that area?
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1836 posts
Don't try an d do an Aran island trip from Birr or Roscrae. The ferry sails from Rossaveel which is 23 miles west of Galway. It is going to take at least 2.5 hours to drive from Birr/Roscrae to Rossaveel and you have to check in at least 30 minutes before the ferry sails. Do it from Galway. You may need to spend a night on either side in Galway too.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2827 posts
Good advice from Wasleys as always.
I would only add that Aran Island Ferries runs seasonal trips to Inismore directly from Galway city itself starting at the end of March I believe ... so no need to go all the way out to Rossaveal. At least some of their trips include a detour to see the Cliffs of Moher on the way. Might be a nice excursion for your in-laws.
There's also a flight option via Air Aran Islands that would get you over and back a lot quicker, add a scenic flight into the mix, and remove the risk of ferry cancellation for bad weather and/or high sea states ... which does happen occasionally. Might add that since the ferries themselves are relatively small vessels they tend to rock and roll a bit in even moderate sea states, making the ride over to the island potentially unpleasant for anyone sensitive to motion sickness.
I second his suggestion regarding a visit to the monastic site at Clonmacnoise - it's one of the most evocative places in Ireland.
And I agree that overnighting in or near Galway is the way to go whether you're flying or taking the ferry.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
The flight on Aer Arann Islands looks fun! We might do that instead of the ferry.
Any hotel or BnB suggestions in/near Galway or the Connemara airport?
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2827 posts
We always base ourselves near the village of Clifden NW of Galway in order to be close to scenic drives around Connemara - our favorite part of Ireland. If you're up for another night in the area you might consider it as a base with your folks. It's about an hour from there down to the airport or the ferry landing at Rossaveel, and is central to some very pleasant excursions by car around some of the prettiest scenery in the country. The Sky Road just west of Clifden, in particular, is one of the most scenic in all of Ireland.
We've always had good luck using booking.com as our search engine for accommodations. The general advice here on the forum, which we've generally found to be true, is to narrow down your choices using the search engine first and then trying to contact the property directly to see of a better deal (or better amenities) can be had with a direct booking.