Greetings!
From start to finish our trip will be 25 days. We will be traveling from mid September to October 11th. We fly in and out of Dublin, the airfare is set and I do have our B&Bs booked along the way. Since we are months out I still have the ability to tweak things a bit. We have top attractions we want to see and also a list of other attractions we might like to see or do. I will be 64 and my husband 75. I will be doing all of the driving and I do realize there are a few days that might be long but I think not to bad if we break things up with sightseeing along the way. If you have any comments (good or bad) about the B&Bs we have chosen please feel free. Also, any other recommendations are welcomed.
Direct flight LAX to Dublin
Arrive in Dublin (3 nights at the Ariel House) 2:05 PM
(1) First evening will just be spent getting settled, wandering around, etc.
(2) Book of Kells & Old Trinity Library, National Museum of Archaeology and perhaps St. Patrick Cathedral for evensong.
(3) Kilmanham Gaol (already booked), Guinness Storehouse (my husband wants to go there), Dublin Castle
We may also chose to do a walking tour or the National Gallery. We are thinking about a Pub crawl but it sounds like we can enjoy music throughout Ireland so we will have to think about that one. I did hear someone mention a pub crawl that took you out of the city . That one sounds a bit more interesting.
Dublin to Kilkenny (one night Rosquil House)
We will pick our car up at the airport and either drive to Kilkenny via Powerscourt and Glendalough or straight to Kilkenny to enjoy the town . The route will depend on what time we get out of the airport and the weather.
Kilkenny to Kinsale (2 nights Desmond House)
On our way to Kinsale we will stop at the Rock of Cashel. During our stay in Kinsale we plan on visiting the Fort, perhaps a walking tour, Desmond Castle and a trip over to Cohn.
Kinsale to Killarney (3 nights at Maggie O's)
Will drive to Killarney via Kenmare. Have a bite to eat, maybe see a bit of the town and then Head to the Kissane Sheep Farm for a demonstration. Then we will head to our B&B seeing what we can in the Park. IF the Sheep farm is not having a demonstration that we can make we will drive from Kinsale to Killarney.
While in Killarney we plan to visit the Park (Muckross House, Torc waterfall, etc.) Kissane Sheep Farm (if we did not stop on the way), Gap of Dunloe, Ross Castle. We would also like to take in the Irish Whiskey Experience and the Celtic Steps Show.
Killarney to Dingle ( 3 nights Towerview)
It appears to be a short drive over to Dingle (no more than 2 hours) so we may take a couple of hours in Killarney if there is something we still want to see. The main focus of Dingle will be the Slea Head drive and just to relax an enjoy. We will probably take in St. Mary's Church (Windows of Diseart) and whatever else sounds good at the time. This is mid way through the trip so we will leave a day to do just "whatever."
Dingle to Doolin ( 1 night Half Door)
We will drive the Conor Pass when leaving Dingle but we are still not sure what route we will take. We may take the Talbert Ferry and drive up the coast stopping at the Kilkee Cliffs or take the route through Limerick stopping in Adare for a break and perhaps somewhere else. It would be nice if we could take the Cliffs of Moher in before arriving in Doolin. Perhaps the crowds would not be as bad in the afternoon. Doolin is just an overnight so we all we plan in doing is visiting a pub or two.
Looks like I will have to continue our trip in Part 2