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Ireland !!! Planned and rooms booked!!!

Posted by (California) on

My sister and I have 21 days in Ireland in July (we did England and Scotland last year). With a couple of my sister's "bucket list" places we have actually planned this just since Christmas! Took me months to do the UK one. Each area picked for ease of access to a couple of different sites we wish, or may wish to see. (Except one......and that 2 night is only to stay in a fairytale cottage! But not too far away from sights) I will list our itinerary for input on any"must sees" in areas.....and near unknown gems are most welcome. Our interests are not big city...but more "earthy". More the "real" rather than glitz and cosmo.

1) arrive Dublin...overnight
2) drive to Buncrana (Donegal) stay in cottage 3 nights. visit Giants Causeway, Dunluce.....Derry
3) 4 nights in cottage 5 minutes from Cong. On way stop and see Carrokeel/Carromore cairns. Visit Cong. Clifden Castle ?????
4) Ballyshannon by Doolin 2 nights. the Burren
5) Inis Mor 1 night
6) Roscrea 2 nights cottage .....Birr, Leap Castle. Would love to get up to Athlone or Roscommon but we will see.
7) Thurle 2 nights cottage..this one isn't too far from Birr, and is the one for just the cottage itself. Silly, we know but will be a
highlight of our trip!!!!
8) Adare 3 nights cottage in town.
9) Bunratty 1 night for access to airport next day

still rushed, and won't be enough time to see everything...but we think the lovely cottages where we are staying we could easily just decide to take a day off here and there and take in the views and air and be satisfied.

So.....any must sees? Thank you!!!

Posted by
3226 posts

Lucky you with 21 days! I’ve done 2 trips myself, but still haven’t made it up north.
Anywho, if you are going to be in Cong, I would think a visit to Ashford castle and doing the hawkwalk would be fun. It’s been mentioned on this forum as a highlight, but advance reservations are required. It’s a tiny town. Be sure to watch The Quiet Man before your visit.
I’ve been through Adare and seen the abbey and thatched cottages. It’s also a tiny town and besides a look see, not sure how you will fill 2-3 days there.
Bunratty has a castle and folk park worth visiting.

Posted by
459 posts

Since you are up at Cong you should spend a few hours taking a "hawk walk" at Ashford Castle. You don't need to stay at the castle to book a walk. Spring for the extended walk and be sure to tell them you each want a bird! Ireland School of Falconry. Over at Doolin we had a really fun night at the Doolin Music House. They gather early in evening and you are done early enough to hit the local pubs for additional food, music and beverage. Check out their schedule and reserve in advance if you are there on a night they are hosting.
https://www.doolinmusichouse.com/ For me both of these experiences were awesome!!

Posted by
359 posts

On Inishmore make sure to visit Dun Anghosa early or late in the day to miss crowds and enjoy spectacular cliff views. And at the base of Dun Anghosa are actual local shops with local crafts, unlike the shops in town which just import tourist stuff from all over. There is a van tour operator there named Joe who is fantastic. Friendly and so informative. Great guy.

So many other great spots on your excellent itinerary. Those down restful easy days are absolute treasures too. Have a great trip. Small, wild Ireland is pure magic.

Posted by
52 posts

Thank you all fo the tips.....will check it all out. Adare: we can always do a day trip but as it is our last stop, we might be just as content lazing and just "absorbing" the atmosphere. And not wanting to leave Ireland !

Posted by
509 posts

Cong: Probably not for everybody but the "Hawk Walk" at nearby Ashford Castle was a highlight of our trip last May.

http://www.falconry.ie/hawk-walk

We didn't stop at Bunratty, mostly influenced by RS's negative comments. If you haven't already, you might want to use the Search window above to peruse the highly inconsistent opinions of others to be sure it will suit your interests.

Edit: Oops, just noticed that jarrodd already pitched the Hawk Walk. Sorry for the redundancy.

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