Ireland in April - help with itinerary

Posted by tessakleingeld on 02/04/18 05:56 PM

Hi Everyone. My fiancé and I are planning our first road-trip in Ireland in April. Our main interest is to experience the Irish coastline, countryside, natural beauty and historical sights (and perhaps some whiskey on the way). We know very little about the Irish sights and so it feels despite loads of research we just don't really know what we are doing. We would be really grateful for some advice!

Here is the rough itinerary:

(ON) = Overnight

Day 1: (ON) Dublin (arrive 7:30 am)
Day 2: (ON) Dublin
Day 3: (ON) Kilkenny - Stops en route: Glendalough + Powerscourt
Day 4: (ON) Kilkenny
Day 5: (ON) Dungarvan - Stops en route: Rock of Cashel + Lismore
Day 6: (ON) Cork or Kinsale?
Day 7: (ON) Kenmare - start of Ring of Kerry
Day 8: (ON) ???? - end of Ring of Kerry
Day 9: (ON) Doolin - Sights: Cliffs of Moher
Day 10: (ON) Doolin - Second day at cliffs in case of bad weather on Day 9
Day 11: (ON) Galway
Day 12: (ON) Galway - Day trip to Kylemore Abbey
Day 13: (ON)Dublin
Day 14: Dublin (depart 19:30)

We could also do the trip in reverse. Or we could stick to only the west coast, Cork and Dublin and skip Kilkenny? We are really open to anything. Only the first 2 days in Dublin are set.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by Anita

RIchmond, BC,Canada

02/04/18 11:00 PM

933 posts

This seems like a reasonable pace, but I would choose Kinsale over Cork. You may not need two nights in Kilkenny, it's a small town, but the Galway area could benefit from another night. Lots to see in and around, including a day trip to Inishmore. Doolin also may not need two nights, unless, as you say, the weather doesn't cooperate. It is best to try to avoid one night stops, but some of these towns are quite small. Many people recommend a night in Dingle (although I did not get there) so that might work for you day 8, or Killarney.

Posted by inireland

Waterville, Ireland

02/09/18 02:16 PM

409 posts

I'd do the reverse of the suggestion above - Kilkenny has a lot to offer, Galway is just a huge city with commuters and tourists. Kilkenny is way nicer.

On your splitting of Ring of Kerry - smart. It's too much to cram into a day. May do the first half with Skellig Loop and stay in Portmagee or Valentia Island, then to the rest that second day!? A nice way to see it all. I'm working on an itinerary for someone now (sister - got to make it perfect!!) and it's just 2 days for the Skellig Ring!! Don't rush so much!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville on Ring of Kerry/Skellig Coast

Posted by tessakleingeld OP

02/09/18 03:26 PM

3 posts

Thanks Susan!

We have since edited our itinerary to the following after some advice from some lovely Irish folk and some more research. We decided to focus on the Southwest and West coast so that we have more time to enjoy everything at a (slightly) slower pace.

Here is our revised itinerary. We may still decide to split our stay in Kenmare, but, I was considering staying in Kenmare only for that time so that we can do a loop around Killarney on the second day. Staying in one place also takes the pressure off of rushing to the next place.

Day 1: (ON) Arrive Dublin (7:30 AM)
Day 2: (ON) Dublin (full day in Dublin)
Day 3: Train to Cork (ON)
Day 4: (ON) Kinsale (renting a car before departing Cork and possibly a quick detour to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton before our afternoon check-in in Kinsale)
Day 5: (ON) Kenmare (taking a long slow scenic coastal drive to Kenmare)
Day 6: (ON) Kenmare (explore ROK)
Day 7: (ON) Kenmare (explore ROK)
Day 8: (ON) Doolin (half day of driving up via the ferry crossing in Tarbert)
Day 9: (ON) Doolin (explore Cliffs of Moher)
Day 10: (ON) Galway (arrive and explore city)
Day 11: (ON) Galway (explore sights in Connemara region)
Day 12: (ON) Galway (visit Inishmore - Aran Islands)
Day 13: (ON) Dublin (drop off rental car and catch a train to Dublin)
Day 14: Depart Dublin (7:30pm)

Our biggest dilemma now is the drive from Kinsale to Kenmare. I am not sure how much of the coast is doable at a slow pace? We don't want to take the highway direct, but rather try to see a few things along this beautiful coastline. Any advice would be really appreciated :)

Good luck with the itinerary planning! So much responsibility!

Posted by Mac

Bettendorf, USA

02/09/18 03:49 PM

7 posts

Definitely Kinsale over Cork! The views and the food are fantastic. Depending on the day you choose Doolin there may or may not have live music. Weekends are the best option. Otherwise a day is probably enough. As far as Galway goes, it is a great city with an interesting pedestrian street. There probably won't be a lot of tourists in April. Congratulations and have a great time. Chat up the locals! I always enjoy B&Bs.