I could really use some help in planning our itinerary for our first trip to Ireland. We are flying into Kerry the 3rd week of Sept. We will rent a car and drive to Dingle for two nights. We are interested in spending time in and around towns, meeting the locals and doing a little sightseeing. I've allocated 6 days to touring the south and west parts of Ireland and 2 nights in Dublin. Days 1-2 we will be in Dingle, not sure how to allocate Days 3-6. We want to see Ciffs of Moher, The Burren, Aran Island and Connemara. If possible we would like to spent a little time in Killarney.
My tentative itinerary is to leave Dingle on Day 3 and drive to Killarney and spend the night. Day 4 drive to Doolin, see the Cliffs of Moher and sleep overnight. The next day we would do the Aran Island by ferry from Doolin, drive through the Burren and drive to Galway. Days 5-6 we would tour Galway, see Connemara and surrounding area. Day 7 we would drive back to Dublin for 2 nights. Day 9 we fly from Dublin back to the states. Is 1 day in Killarney worth the trouble? I know we would back track a little to make the stop there overnight. Otherwise, we would drive straight to Doolin for 2 nights. In which case we would do a day trip to Bunratty Castle, or we could add an extra day to the Dublin area to see Trim Castle and spend only 1 night in Doolin. I don't feel the need to plan every second of the day, but I would like to finish booking our accommodations. One minute I think I've got it worked out and then I throw another variable into the mix. TIA!
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Doolin's pubs have wonderful trad music every night. Which ever way you choose to go, be sure to make time to pub crawl in Doolin. There were 4 or 5 pubs when I was there. There was no ATM machines in Doolin when we were there. Take cash.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
John, thank you for the travel trip for Doolin. It sounds like there is enough to keep busy for one night. The next day we will do the Aran Is. is better to take the ferry from Galway rather Doolin? Did your trip take you to the Connemara, do you have any recommendations for accommodations? TIA
Posted by
11 posts
We loved Doolin also. Try and find Blackie O'Connell. He is amazing!
The food at the Roadford was wonderful - we stayed there and had a view of the Cliffs from our room. There aren't many B&Bs up high (with a view) and also within walking distance of the 3 pubs. So, you might book now.
Galway was a great base for us, to see Connemara (and, if we could have, the Aran). My advice (being a planner and having just returned) is to build a little flexibility into your schedule (i.e.: don't do the Aran if it's raining - no point and some boats won't go in bad weather, so you want to have a substitute plan for that day). But, you will have rain, so you might as well go. We drove the Connemara loop; it's a full day and get an early start. All of the hotels have tours; just get a brochure and follow the map. Our GPS worked really well. We loved Ashford Castle and the neighboring town of Cong. We loved Kylemore Abbey. And frankly, the Wild Atlantic Way beach towns in Connemara were a little disappointing. I much preferred the WAW in the Burren/Cliffs area myself.
We did not get to Killanary, so I cannot add anything to that. We did go down to Dingle (from Doolin) and then headed over to Dublin and it was a lot of driving!
Posted by
Michigan, United States
703 posts
We spent two nights in Killarney when we visited Ireland earlier this year. The Killarney National Park is beautiful, so much to see. We stopped quite a few times for photo ops. Loved it. Stayed at the International Hotel which was very pretty and convenient to walk in the evening for a meal and some music. We also saw a show called Celtic Roots, I think it was, which was very good.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Jennifer Roger and Diana thanks for the suggestions. Jennifer, I think you're right that it's a lot of driving so I plan on focusing on the west side for our trip. We have heard good things about Dingle. Who is Blackie O'Connor?
Posted by
11 posts
Blackie O'Connell is a highly respected uilleann piper who is often in Doolin. He is amazing!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Jennifercreger, I expect we will do a pub crawl and hope we get the chance to hear him. Thanks for tip!
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
If you are in Doolin on a night they are playing be sure to go out to the Doolin Music House, it was awesome. We stayed at Daley's B&B which was wonderful and a short walk to OConner that had great trad music. https://www.doolinmusichouse.com/ http://www.dalys-doolin.com/