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Help...11day itinerary planning.

Need help with itinerary for Oct 4-15 2015 trip to Ireland. Flying in/out of Dublin. Plan on driving. This is our honeymoon and I am struggling with fitting everything in that we want to do. Some background about us. We are in our 50s and interested more in the scenic/countryside aspect of Ireland than some of the super touristy spots (e.g.; Blarney Castle). Here are our parameters:

  1. Want to go to Causeway of Giants and other Northern Ireland spots.
  2. At least 2 days in Dublin
  3. Other sites we want to see: Cliffs of Moher, dingle peninsula, etc.
  4. Listen to a lot of traditional Irish music.
  5. We don't want to be going non-stop for the 11 days. Want to be able to have the flexibility to have downtime if we feel like it.

Is it possible to do both Ireland and Northern Ireland in 11 days and have some downtime to relax and enjoy or will we be out straight in order to get in everything? Struggling with planning this trip. Any help is appreciated.

Neil

Posted by
75 posts

Hi I live near Killarney Ireland
I think you are trying to fit too much in

Some driving times / distances For locals who are used to the roads: Dublin city to Giants Causeway 4 hours
Giants Causeway to Dingle 7 hours via dublin and motorway for part
Giants Causeway to Dingle 9 hours via Westport scenic route

Suggest: 2 nights Dublin , 3 nights Galway, (Dublin Galway 2 hours on motorway Go via Clonmacnoise Monument)
Lots of Trad Music in Galway.
Do a easy day in Galway on arrival
Do day trip to Aran Islands from galway city or from Rossaveal village about 1 hour west of Galway
Do Day trip to Cliffs of Moher and stop at Allwee caves on way

Galway to Killarney (4 hours ) Stop at , Bunratty Castle or Adare Village on route
Stay 3 nights in killarney. Traditional music in Pubs ( see Grand Pub)
See Muckross House and Gardens & Ross Castle, Visit Gap of Dunloe. Drive through the gap, spectacular (narror roads)
Do day trip to Dingle Perhaps stay a night Traditional music in pubs
Or Do Ring of Kerry
Or Go directly to Valentia Island
Or Go to Kenmare

Killarney to Dublin 4 hours
Go via Rock of Cashel

Eat in the local pubs evening time
Go see a local Football match

Enjoy your trip

Taaffes Bar
Taaffes Bar Galway
You are sure to catch a traditional Irish music session in progress in Taaffes at any time of the day or night. The bar's location in the middle of the main shopping thoroughfare ensures a busy daytime pub where the ceol and the craic take precedence. Taaffes is a great traditional pub in the centre of the city, with live sessions at 5pm and 9pm each day. Food served until 2pm each day.
Address: Shop Street, Galway City
Tel: +353(0)91 564066
trad music bars galway
The Crane Bar
The Crane Bar Galway The Crane is a renowned Irish traditional venue situated in the West end of Galway City. Traditional music is on the menu here seven nights a week. This corner pub has a beautiful Victorian façade from the 1800’s, Consisting of two levels, the bar on the ground floor is a local favourite while upstairs comes alive every night for music sessions at 9.30pm. Even though the Crane is tucked away in the West end of the City it is the first stop for many music lovers on their visit to the City due to its reputation as a live music venue. Over the last number of years the Crane has branched out to include a wider selection of music such as roots, blues and singer songwriters.
Address: Sea Road, Galway City
Tel: +353(091)587419
Web: www.thecranebar.com
trad music pubs galway
Tigh Coili
Tigh Coili Bar Galway Tigh Coili Pub in Galway City is one of the most popular bars in Galway and is famous for its traditional Irish Music sessions. Tig Coili is at the end of the main shopping street in Galway and is full of atmosphere. Tigh Coili has no TV’s or pool tables to distract you from the excellent Irish music and craic where you are likely to see well known artists like Sharon Shannon join the session.
Address: Mainguard Street, Galway City
Tel: +353(0)91 561294
Web: www.tigcoili.com
finest trad bars galway
An Pucan
An Pucan Bar Galway
An Pucan pub features traditional Irish music every night and it is one of the main Irish language pubs in the City, The traditional Irish Bar exterior is extremely welcoming and a warm cead mile failte is to be enjoyed beyond it.
Address: Forster Street, Galway City
Tel: +353(0)91 561528
Web: www.anpucan.ie
trad bars in galway
Monroes Tavern

Posted by
676 posts

Congrats on your wedding and honeymoon!

I haven't visited Northern Ireland, so I'm not of much assistance there. When I plan a trip, I like to lay out my days and look at a map for what I want to cover. RS is helpful in giving how much time to allot per area, but as always, YMMV.

It would be helpful to know if you wish to rent a car, what time your flights depart/arrive, etc. It's hard to know if you want to hit the road immediately or spend some time in Dublin first. Same thing goes for the end of your trip. Do you have to fly out first thing in the morning or would you have enough time to stay outside of Dublin and drive in that day?

Day 1 (4th): Flight, overnight Dublin
Day 2 (5th): Northern Ireland
Day 3 (6th): Northern Ireland
Day 4 (7th): Northern Ireland
Day 5 (8th): Doolin (overnight after driving all day)
Day 6 (9th): Doolin (full day for sights, Burren and Cliffs?)
Day 7 (10th): Dingle
Day 8 (11th): Dingle
Day 9 (12th): Dingle
Day 10 (13th): Dublin
Day 11 (14th): Dublin
Day 12 (15th): Flight

Just like that, you have a starting point. This may not even be close to how you want to spend your time, but hopefully it gives you a place to start. Come back with more of your own ideas and details and it will help us help you. :)

If you cover Northern Ireland, you will miss a lot of southern Ireland. There is nothing wrong with that, it is your trip and what you want to do is what you should do. Don't underestimate drive times. You will easily lose a lot of time getting from one place to another. www.viamichelin.com is very helpful for planning drive times.