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Help with 28 day itinerary

Posted by (Martinez, CA, USA) on

We are beginning to plan a trip to Ireland, possibly in May, and although we are currently planning to spend 28 days (we could add one more) to drive around the island, it seems it might be rushed. In the past we spent 28 days driving around Sicily, slept in in 11 towns and didn't feel rushed. For this trip we have 12 towns but most have only 2 nights. In checking the driving times, if we cut a town there might be too many hours to the next night's destination. We would appreciate anyone to advise if this itinerary makes sense - is there something we should cut? Add? Too many similar sights? As you can see, we're not interested in cities but in scenic and historic sights and small towns. Also, I dislike reading this type of post where people try to cram everything into a short trip, but now here I am, trying to see all of Ireland in one trip. So, please, any advice would really be appreciated.

Land in Dublin; drive to:
Kilkenny - 3 nights: Kilkenny sights; Cashel; Wicklow Mountain NP and Glendalough
Duncannon - 2 nights: Hook Head Lighthouse, possibly Dunmore East
Kinsale - 3 nights: Dungarvan on the way; Cobh, Ballycotton; Timoleague, Seven Heads
Kenmare - 4 nights: Mizen Head; Ring of Kerry,Killarney NP, Molls Gap, Torc Waterfall; Ring of Kerry,Sneem, Caherdaniel, Portmagee, Cahersiveen, Glencar
Dingle - 2 nights: Dingle Peninsula Loop
Adare - 1 night
Galway(or Kinvara or Fermoyle) - 2 nights: Ennis on the way; Dungaire Castle, Burren, Corcomroe Abbey, Carran, Cliffs of Moher, Milmacdaugh
Westport - 2 nights: Connemara NP
Donegal - 2 nights: Fanad Head, Glenveagh NP
Portstewart - 2 nights: Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge,Ballycastle
Trim - 2 nights: Skryne, Donaghmore, Drogheda, Kells, Bru na Boinne
Dublin - 3 nights

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
75 posts

This is doable in 28 days. It looks like you are pre booking your accommodation. To reduce the driving and to get the best out of the locations you like best I suggest you only book you first 2 nights on arrival and your last nights in Dublin. In May there will be no problem getting accommodation ( June July August is different can be busy). You can also book the next night from the hotel /B&B where you stay. Have a list of options and phone numbers from your research before you get to Ireland, or go visit the Tourist office in any town and they will find accommodation for you.

Posted by
1507 posts

Thank you! I have not started looking at hotels as yet but will check soon. Thank you for your advice!

Posted by
12 posts

This seems incredibly busy. You must have researched your itinerary, but I've never heard of some of the places you want to see and I've been over 5 times.

Consider Bantry and Glengarriff on the SW coast. Between them is the road (maybe 30-45 minute drive) to Gougane Barra NP worth several hours if the weather is good and you're outdoor people.

If you drive the Ring of Kerry, go counter-clockwise, opposite the 10,000 tour buses.

If you see Torc Waterfall, walk the extra 1/2 mile to see the Muckross estate garden.

Near Shannon airport is Bunratty with the fully restored and furnished Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Across the road is the world famous Durty Nelly's pub. Limerick has King John's Castle, but it is a big, busy city.

In County Donegal, consider the Slieve League cliffs - taller than Moher, but not as sheer. Stop at the first car park if you value your life. Walk the final 15 minutes. Donegal town is very nice.

Michael

Posted by
1507 posts

Thanks Michael for your info - It might be a bit rushed but we usually end up cutting out some sights. This is a tentative itinerary which has already been changed a bit. The issue with the lesser known sites is that when reading Tripadvisor posters mention them and when googling the sites, the pictures are so interesting that they get added to the itinerary. I have read about some of the sights you mentioned and will check into them. As I said, we generally start with a tentative itinerary and then adjust as needed, spending more or less time visiting particular sites, cutting or adding as we go along. It will be interesting to see how this itinerary develops as we travel through Ireland!

Posted by
1010 posts

You might want to consider visiting Cng and staying at the Ashford Castle. It is the former summer home of the Guinness Family. The grounds and the hotel are lovely. Our TAUCK tour spent two wonderful nights there. We all wished we could have stayed longer.

Posted by
1507 posts

Thanks for the info. We pretty much have our lodging set up but will see if we have time to visit the castle.

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