Hello All -
We are planning a (relatively) last minute trip in August for 9 days with our boys, ages 10, 12 and 14; We will rent a house for the majority (7 nights) and then may do a castle stay (for the boys) for the last 2. My question is...what area to rent a house? I know it’s peak season, and we tend to enjoy fewer crowds if possible...I’m worried Co. Clare will be too busy for our tastes at this time of year, and are thinking Co. Kerry? We are looking to stay very near the water and just do day trips from the house, very relaxed and not super scheduled (unlike most of my trips!). I just don’t want to pick a place that is just too far removed where we can’t see anything at all without driving hours and hours. Advice? Thanks in advance!
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11 posts
My family of 5 (kids ages 15, 15 and 12) is going to Ireland next month. We are really excited for Connemara and are staying in Clifden for 4 nights in an Air B&B. There is tons to do....or not do...with castles, beaches, boat rides, sheep farms, bogs, biking, hikes, etc. very near by. I have a reservation for the Hawk Walk and archery at Ashford Castle in Cong and we can't wait.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7357 posts
Are you flying in to and/or out of Shannon Airport? Planning on sticking to the western side of Ireland?
On our June 2011 trip we bike toured in counties Clare and Kerry. Maybe we weren't that far from the water, but we stayed a bit inland, and neither county seemed jam-packed, although much of western Kerry seemed more rural and remote. Rick Steves’ “backdoor” destination in County Kerry, delightful Dingle, is probably busier in August, but we stayed in a small house about 3 miles out of town for several nights and that was a great base.
Our trip this past September ventured north of Galway, and we had a few nights in Clifden, in County Galway, although, again, not right on the water. We had a car instead of bikes this trip, and after doing the Hawk Walk at Ashford Castle (do the extended version, so you get to meet their owl, too), we headed to Achill Island for a couple nights. It’s connected to the mainland by a causeway bridge, so no ferries needed, but it was a waterside spot, close to a very nice beach, and with a remote feeling despite being drivable to places on the island and nearby in County Mayo. That’s farther north, not south, so not sure how that would affect your castle stay or departure at the end of your trip.