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Kilkenny or Cork City or another Place in July

Posted by (Atlanta, GA, USA) on

My friends will have a car and they really like to come back to a well appointed hotel. They will be in Dublin at the Shelbourne and they can use Marriott points. They will stay 2 nights.

They were thinking about driving and staying in Kilkenny at the Pembroke Hotel or Cork City. My memory of Cork City was it was busy but by the water and a lot of activity.

They will then drive to Killarney and considering staying at the Lake Hotel outside of the Muckrose grounds. I have been in Killarney and stayed downtown and it was really busy but the Lake hotel sounds lovely? I know they will need to do the drive early or get an experienced tour guide and driver. Any great suggestions?

I stayed in Dingle for a week in late August and loved it and did the Dingle Peninsula with a great driver and tour guide and guided walks. But I don’t think they should miss the Ring of Kerry.

Then they will drive to Galway and see the Cliffs on the way but stay outside of Galway at the Lodge at Ashford Castle. I have seen it but never stayed there but it must be on the way to Cong.

So the pressing question for them is where to stay when they leave Dublin on their way to Killarney?

I love Ireland so much and each town is so special because the people are but one of the couples have never been to Ireland and he is the driver so want to get the best of having just 7 days.

Thank you all so much as I need your experience and advice.

Kathy

Posted by
12172 posts

Kilkenny is a good choice. It's not a long drive from Dublin, so they could add a stop at Glendalough on the way. The next day they could stop at Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and/or Hore Abbey on the way to Killarney. That's not a long drive either. Cork is a long drive from Dublin.

My first time in Ireland, I went around the Ring of Kerry on a bus. Call me names but it wasn't the highlight of my trip - especially since we didn't stop at Ft. Staigue, see the Cliffs of Kerry or any of the sights on the peninsula. I would have traded it for a day or two with a car on the Dingle side.

Killarney has plenty of nice hotels. For me, the ability to walk to a pub for traditional music is worth staying close to the center. If going out in the evening doesn't appeal to them, a hotel with a lake view will be ideal. Search the hotel on Google Maps and see the photos taken on/from the property to get a better idea. I did, it looks pretty amazing.

Posted by
12172 posts

Ashford castle is right next to Cong, another really nice place to stay (but far beyond my budget). They might be interested in the Hawk Walk that's run by the Irish school of Falconry on the grounds. It's a one of a kind experience. If someone doesn't want to handle a bird, they can walk along with the group (they only do private groups) for free.

If Dublin after that, my top spot to stop would be Clonmacnoise, one of the most important monastic sights pre-Vikings and Normans. There is also Clonfert Cathedral nearby. Not much of a church by later standards but important in it's day and offers some unique architectural features. For history buffs St. Brendan (the Navigator) is buried there.

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