Hi, I'm traveling to Ireland with my siblings and 89 year old mom. We have a lot of overnight destinations on our list, and thinking of clumping some togeather for less time moving around. Our must see list: Dublin visiting friend (3-4 nights), Thurles (for family) could drive through, Waterford Crystal, Cathedral in Cobh, Killarney, Galway Bay, Knock holy site in county Mayo, and Dingle has been on the must see list, but wondering how Dunmore East compares to it????
We have 16 nights there thinking Dublin (3-4nights to see friend, and mom is from there), Kilkenny because it is cool (2-3 nights) was initially thinking 2 nights there, and then we found family) could day trip to Thurles to see family from there, and when we leave Kilkenny drive down to Waterford- drive through to stay in Cork ( 2nights), Killarney (2 nights), Dingle (2nights), Galway(3 nights) loop up to Clifden, see Cong and maybe Westport on way to Knock, and then spend (1 night by Dublin airport).
Some of us like small cute towns, and some like cities.
We're covering a lot of ground, but my Irish mom wants to see a lot of things. :)
Guess one big question is, is there another town as cute and fun with nature as beautiful as Dingle has (with beautiful mountains and ocean by it)...that is close to our must do loop. (we may not be doing the Slea head Drive, just enjoying closer to town nature)...maybe less touristy with friendly locals in a gorgeous ocean or bay setting...
I think even Belmullet might be a possibility...a little out of our route, so kind of thinking not, but curious how it compares to Dingle?
Does Belmullet or Dunmore East have nightly trad music? Just curious, maybe more small and quaint and Irish w/o nightly music better...Hmmm....looks like in 2020 the road to Belmullet from the Knock/Westport area was really bad...any road updates?Thanks much in advance for your insight and advice!
Also Kilkenny vs. Cashel...vs. Thurles...Think Kilkenny seems more lively, and has all the medieval stuff...but could see that and stay in Cashel which seems cute (closer to our relative in Thurles). Also maybe since we have to go to Thurles for family, maybe even stay there for more authentic not tourist Ireland?....just seems like Thurles is not very pretty, with a lot of big box stores.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
What are your proposed travel dates, and where are you traveling from?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Landing in Dublin Aug 14th at noon, flying out of Dublin August 30th morning. Traveling from California.