We are three ladies traveling from the Los Angeles area to Ireland for a month beginning April 2018. We like history, art, beautiful scenery and people. We do like to visit smaller quaint towns. The following is a tentative itinerary and suggestions are so needed and welcomed.
We will have an automatic diesel and wondering what kind of gas mileage and gas prices we should expect.
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin early afternoon. We will be picking up a car at the airport. We then will drive to Trim and stay at Highfield House for three nights. I understand that the drive from the airport to Trim is about 45 minutes, so we are hoping that we can get some sleep on the nonstop flight so that 45 minute drive is safe.
Day 2: Spend the day adjusting our jet lag, practice driving on the "other side of the road," and just wandering in Trim.
Day 3: Explore Hills of Tara and Newgrange
Day 4: Drive to Belfast and check into the Gregory Hotel for 2 nights. It is near a hop-on-hop off stop
Day 5: Explore Belfast
Day 6: Leave Belfast and go north to the Dark Hedges, Giant Causeway and then on to Derry. Check into Shipquay hotel in the walled city. Still need to find out is there will be parking available.
Day 7: Drive to Omaha to visit American Ulsher Folk Park and then on to Belleek for tea. Will stay in small apartment n Belleek for one night.
Day 8: Drive to Ballyforan to stay at Kilronan Castle for 2 nights.
Day 9; Explore Ballyforan area
Day 10: This is where there are so many decisions to be made. We can drive from Ballyforan to Cong or Westport. So will stay one night in either place or open to more ideas.
Day 11: Then on through Connemara to Clifden. Stay in Clifden 2 nights
Day 12: Enjoy Clifden
Day 13: Drive from Clifden to Galway and stay in Galway for 3 nights. We are trying to watch our budget so need ideas of where to stay in Galway. Have made a reservation at Jameson Court which is a 2-bedroom apartment
Day 14: Galway
Day 15: Galway (Perhaps do a day trip to Aran Islands?
Day 16: Drive from Galway to Doolin for lunch and stop by the Cliffs of Mohr on the way to Ennis. Will stay in Ennis for one night at Glencove
Day 17: From Ennis we will be going to Killarney to stay 4 nights so we can explore the Dingle peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Skellig Michael. Staying at Park Place Apt
Day 18: Killarney
Day 19: Killarney (would like to go somewhere near by for a medieval dinner event?
Day 20: Killarney
Day 21: Drive to Kinsale and spend 2 nights at Rocklands House
Day 20: Day trip to Cork and Cobh - or ideas?
Day 21: Leave Kinsale and visit the Rocks of Cashel on the way to Thules, Thomastown, Inistioge, Mullinavat or Kilkenny. Want to stay in one of these place, or somewhere recommended, for 4 days.
Day 22:
Day 23:
Day 24:
Day 25: Have booked a place in Naas which is only a 30 minute drive to Dublin airport
Day 26: Have to be at Dublin airport by 3 pm to return the car. Take a cab to a B&B or hotel in Dublin where we will spend 3 nights exploring Dublin. What is an economical way to get from airport to hotel for 3 ladies in Dublin? Do they have uber or Lyft?
Day 27: Dublin
Day 28: Dublin
Day 29: Return to the US
Well, this is what is on the agenda, but would love some input. We would really like to be able to stay at a farm house somewhere in Ireland.