Hello!
My self, 2 sisters (in 30s) and mother are traveling to Ireland 6/29-7/7 from Chicago. It is her 60th birthday surprise present! Her cousins live in Cork City so we will be visiting them. I know that given the small time frame we should focus on one region vs trying to hit up everything I ideally would like to do. I mapped everything out and is dispersed so trying to figure out how to make the most out of a short trip. I have read about 80 of the most recent posts on this forum so appreciate the good advice out there! So many say to skip Cork, but since we must go I want to get some help
Below is tentative itinerary, feel free to dissect as necessary!
Sat 6/29 - Arrive Dublin 10am
Sun 6/30 - Dublin
Mon 7/1 - Leave for Cork in the morning, stop at Kilkenny Castle along the way
Tues 7/2 -Mom's 60th :) bday, Blarney Castle, hang with family
Wed 7/3 - Cork - maybe day trip to Cobh and/ or Kinsale
Thurs 7/4 - Leave for Dingle? Do ROK? Cliffs of Kerry (too ambitious)
Fri 7/5 - Dingle
Sat 7/6 - Aran Islands? Cliffs of Mohr? drive back to Dublin
Sun 7/7 - Flight back to Chicago 4pm
A few specific things...
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Are there any known street art tours in Dublin? This is something my sister and I are really curious about
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I am thinking about staying near airport in Dublin... easier to get out of town and maybe cheaper? We don't mind taking public transportation into the city and esp since it is the weekend in high season looks like it could be pricy downtown. Is this reasonable thinking?
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I am worried about driving in Ireland in general - so I thought get acclimated in Dublin right when we land and not be jet lagged and start driving on the wrong side of the road. But... is it worth spending the first 2 days there or should we try and make up with them at the end?
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I wouldn't mind having one nighters ;) along the trip, however my middle sister can be a pain to travel with, she doesn't ever want to do anything, complains, etc etc which is why I am trying to stay a few nights in one place. If she wants to stay with our family and watch netflix or sleep she can do that while my other sister mom and I go do stuff without her. So any recommendations for "day trips" from one main point of interest could be helpful in our travels...
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Everything I read says that driving Ring of Kerry is a must, but in high season will driving be too ambitious in our time schedule?
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Not sure what to do between Dingle / Aran Islands and heading back to Dublin. Or just travel in general the day before we leave. I don't think good idea to drive back to Dublin the day we are flying back even though it is at 4pm.
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Have read that there are other cliffs more worthwhile than Moher, if stay down by Kerry or Dingle?
I received great feedback on the RS forum from my 14 day Greece trip last fall - they butchered my original itinerary, but it saved me with their travel expertise & advice and the adjustments made it the best trip ever!
Thank you in advance!