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First trip - 14-night itinerary

Posted by (Florida) on

My wife and I are planning on heading to Ireland for our 25th anniversary this fall. Here is our initial plan in a nutshell.

Planned travel – Late September/early October. Self drive (“Stay LEFT!”, learn to shift with left hand). Of course, enjoy as many pubs as possible. It would be nice to get an evening or two of stargazing in. B&Bs everywhere except for the two nights in Dromoland Castle.

Day 1 – Arrive Dublin, pick up rental car and beat tracks down to Kilkenny; maybe hit Powers Court on the way if we aren’t too jetlagged.

Nights 1-3 – Kilkenny. Rock of Cashel, Hookhead Lighthouse in Wexford, shopping, light hiking, biking.

Nights 4-5 – Kinsale. Stop by the Old Middleton Distillery on the way there. Harbor cruise, Ghost tour, maybe Desmond Castle, probably not Blarney, kayaking.

Nights 6-7 – Kenmare. Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park,

Nights 8-10 – Dingle. Cliffs of Mohr, aquarium, light hiking, Dingle Peninsula Loop

Nights 11-12 – Dromoland Castle. Relax, enjoy what the hotel has to offer

Nights 13-14 – Galway. Dunguaire Castle Medieval Banquet, Salthill

On day 15, drive back to Dublin and fly home

We've read through Rick's book a few times but wanted to run this by some experts. I'm a little concerned about staying at 6 different locations in 14 days. Is that excessive? Should we consider staying longer in fewer locations with more day trips?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Posted by
11507 posts

Yes six places in 13 days is excessive , and driving the first day after an international flight should be limited to an hour or so .

Posted by
228 posts

Absolutely too many destinations, especially given your desire to "visit as many pubs as possible" and "get an evening or two of stargazing in" (which suggests to me you're hoping to relax!).

Posted by
1172 posts

We did 7 stops in 14 days. It was busy but we actually did take the time to visit pubs and stargaze. I think it depends on how many things you schedule in a day.

The only thing I would change is not driving the day you land and unless you are used to driving a standard car at ho,e, I would spring for the upgrade o an automatic

Posted by
359 posts

That many stops can be done in the time allowed but you would enjoy your trip more, far more, if you cut those in half. Also too much scheduled for each stop. For example why drive 4 hours between Dingle and the Cliffs of Moher ? Moher is nice and all but you'll see far better cliffs at Kerry on the ROK....and light years better scenery out Dingle peninsula at Slea Head and Dunquin areas. Heck on a scale of 1 to 10 I'd rate a trip out to the Blaskets from Dingle a 10 and Moher maybe......maybe a 2.

Anyway.....Not trying to nitpick but.....can it be done and should it be done - two very different questions. It's a lot better than many insane itineraries I've seen but personally I'd cut it back and soak in Ireland more. Each area has SO much more to offer than the so called must sees.

Have a great time - you will - but exponentially increase the enjoyment by cutting back a fair amount. At least consider.

Posted by
2 posts

Great information folks. Thanks for the pointers. My wife and I will start working on itinerary #2, I think I'd like to get it down to maybe 4 different B&Bs/hotels total.

I've listed "things to do" but not necessarily things we "are going to do." We don't want to be bored, so we'll have a list of options available to us. We absolutely want to relax and take in the experience - I have no doubt we won't hit everything on the list.

We both have no problem driving a manual transmission - in fact, we bought one a couple of years ago so our kids would have to learn how to do it also. Of course, shifting with the wrong hand and driving on the left will still take getting used to, so we will be getting all of the insurance recommended on these fine forums.

Thanks again!

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