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First time overseas and want to do it all in a week

We are heading to Ireland and then onto london in June 2015. Other than the flight To Ireland nothing else has been booked yet so I am looking for some help with the itinerary.

We will be flying into Dublin on June 5 2015 and renting a car.

Possible itinerary:

June 5:
arrive & pick up car
drive to Kilkenny,
stay overnight

June 6:
Drive to Kinsale,
possibly do a walking tour or ghost tour,
stay overnight

June 7
drive to killarney or maybe kenmare,
killarney national park,
stay overnight

June 8
Drive to dingle,
stay overnight

June 9
Dingle loop

Jun 10
drive back to Dublin,
stay overnight

Jun 11 fly to london

Jun18 Fly back to US

I would love to break up the drive back to Dublin some way. Possibly on the 9th drive to Limerick and stay overnight and then drive onto Dublin (maybe adding a bit to go to Newgrange).

I would love to hear of some places to stay (accommodate 3) that won't break the bank. I'm thinking of mixing B&B's and hotels to help with price.

We are an outdoorsy kinda family and would love to do some exploring, hiking, horseback riding,boating trips, etc. I'm pretty sure I can only get my 13yr old to look at so many old churches and stained glass.

I'm would also love to hear any feedback for London

Posted by
7277 posts

You said only your flight to Ireland has been booked. You could consider flying on to England out of Shannon, saving a drive back across Ireland, unless you wanted or needed to fly out of Dublin.

Limerick is pretty close to the Shannon airport, or you could stay instead in Shannon or (like us) in Sixmilebridge. Bunratty castle is close to Shannon, too.

In London, consider visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, the V&A. It's packed with something for everyone.

Posted by
9363 posts
  1. B&Bs will probably be your best cost option, unless you stay in hostels.
  2. To break up the drive back to Dublin, I would suggest Cashel rather than Limerick.
  3. Flying out of Shannon makes more sense and would give you time to see the Cliffs of Moher. If you did that, you could see the Rock of Cashel on the way to Kinsale.
  4. Not sure you have time for any horseback riding or hiking. Moving every day means a lot of time driving (and driving in Ireland can be very slow in the areas you are visiting).
Posted by
16893 posts

Hopefully, the suggestion of flying from Shannon to London will help reduce the number of one-night stays on the itinerary. Even if your daily drives are just a few hours, picking up and moving every day can be tiresome, and B&B owners are grateful for people who stay more than one night. Rick's Ireland book lists his selection of tested accommodations for booking ahead.

Ireland fits the bill for an outdoorsy trip and London offers so much variety that you'll probably only have time for one or two churches.

Posted by
3 posts

I had actually looked at flying out of Shannon when heading to London. I think we will do that. Which place would be best to add another night?

We are already planning on 2 nights at Dingle.

Posted by
8565 posts

Dingle. Seriously the drive around Slea Head is stunning, you could also do the Gap of Dunlop, Killarney National Park, etc. if you give Dingle 3 nights. Angela's and John's http://www.cillbhreachouse.com B and B is a wonderful spot to nest. Lovely couple and the brown bread John makes each morning. Yum. Be sure to visit Glendalough once you leave Dublin. Enjoy your visit.

Posted by
81 posts

I am with Nancy. From Dingle go to Cashel and see the Rock of Cashel & Hore Abbey. In my opinion, you can completely bypass Limerick.

Also, B&B's are the best places to stay. We've only stayed at them in Ireland. In Dingle, our favorite is the Lighthouse. http://www.lighthousedingle.com/

You can find them all on Trip Advisor. To quote the English, the ratings are usually "spot on".

Finally, if you do fly out of Shannon, you can squeeze a trip over to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Must see sights that close to Shannon.

Posted by
2347 posts

Dingle is fantastic, stayed at the Lighthouse once several years ago and last October at Angela and John's B&B, Celli Brech (sorry about the spelling) and much prefer Angela's, loved breakfast and the lovely second floor outdoor balcony for the view over the harbor. They are wonderful people. They do have a triple room and rates are very good. In Kinsale, try the Presbytery B&B, they have triple room and it is lovely.

Posted by
1167 posts

You should also consider flying from Kerry Airport to London. It is farther south and closer to Dingle and the Ring of Kerry.

Posted by
1167 posts

You should also consider flying from Kerry Airport to London. It is farther south and closer to Dingle and the Ring of Kerry.