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Slow travel itinerary - feedback appreciated

Posted by (NC, US) on

Several months ago, I found a mileage deal on R/T flights to Dublin for a month (Aug 24 - Sept 24) but I've sat on the tickets, unable to plan further, due to a longer-than-expected recovery from ankle surgery. I'm now feeling confident enough that I can go on the trip, but I'm behind the eight ball on getting things fully planned. As background, we are a couple of seasoned international travelers in their 60s who like to self-plan longer trips with multiple nights per location.

I've never used AI before to plan an itinerary, but given the time crunch, I gave it a try. After several iterations, plus some chats with friends & family who had been there, we have the following tentative plan. We have several bases from which to do day trips and/or hang out in the local town. (Nights shown in parentheses.) All places listed per home base are possibilities to see, time and weather permitting; they are not lists for us to check off.

We would appreciate your feedback and suggestions! TIA!

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Kilkenny (3) - Arrive DUB 8/25 @ 09:35, pick up rental after passing BMU. Sally Gap, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains NP, Rock of Cashel

Kinsale (3) - Cork City, the Old Head, Barry's Point, Seven Heads signal tower

Kenmare (4) - Killarney NP, Healy Pass, Beara Peninsula

Doolin (4) - Take Tarbert-Killmer ferry (schedule?). Loop Head Lighthouse, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren

Clifden (5) - Sky Road, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara NP, Inagh Valley, Downpatrick Head

Ardara (4) - Slieve League Cliffs, Glengesh Pass, Letterkenny, Fanad Head Lighthouse (closes at 5pm)

Ballycastle (4) - Derry/Londonderry, Port Stewart, Port Rush, Bushmills, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, Mussenden Temple, Carrick-a-Rede bridge (get tix)

Dublin (3) - Drive back to Dublin (visit Newgrange en route?) and return car on Sept 21. Trinity College (library, Book of Kells), St Stephen's Green. Depart DUB 9/24 @ 11:45

Posted by
3010 posts

My first comment is you are coming off a transatlantic flight. I don't know how well you will have slept, but you are likely to be tired and jet lagged... It strikes me as foolish to hire a car and then drive to Kilkenny. That is going to be 2 hour drive minimum . If you are planning to go via Sally Gap and Glendalough that is going to be more like 3.5 hour drive....

Have you thought about starting in Dublin? That would give time to recover from jet lag and then head to Kilkenny.

You would need to spend a night back in Dublin at the end of the trip to catch the 11.45 flight home. (possibly taking a day out from Doolin, Clifden or Ballycastle?)

Otherwise the rest of the itinerary is logical and givves you plenty of time in each place.

Remember to book tickets for Newgrange when they are released - they do ssell out quickly and there is only a limited number of places on each.

Posted by
8811 posts

I presume you’re renting a car. I hope your ankle recovery is complete and not too difficult, especially if you’re doing any of the driving! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

A couple things:

The Tarbert-Killimer ferry was really convenient when we were touring by bicycle in 2011, saving what would otherwise have been a long slog around the estuary, and through Limerick. Two years ago, and traveling by car, we skipped the ferry and drove around via Limerick, as the ferry wait was going to be quite a while. If you’re determined to take the ferry, learning the schedule would be helpful, but if there’s a long line of cars ahead of you, I’m not certain you’d save time.

We visited Newgrange, and other nearby Neolithic sights, while staying in Trim for a night, before go to on to Dublin.

Posted by
230 posts

@wasleys: Yes, we started out with3 nights in Dublin at the beginning and a night at the end near the airport. When allocating the rest of our nights, we realized we could cut a night from Dublin if we moved it to the end. Your comments are valid about the jet lag, so we'll definitely consider flipping Dublin to the front again. Unfortunately, we'll have to steal a day from someplace else

@cyn: Thanks for the info about the ferry. On the map it looks like a real time-saver by car, but if there's a big line it might not be. We visited several neolithic sites in the Orkneys last year and found them fascinating. And yes, my ankle is good to go now! I appreciate the kind thoughts.

Posted by
1377 posts

I would suggest looking at adding Glenveagh National Park in Donegal and Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. Good luck with your planning!

Posted by
230 posts

Thank you for the additional suggestions & info! It's so helpful. I'm working on a modified itinerary (Dublin first) and will include it here.

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