We are deciding wheither to launch our extensive travels through Europe (may come close to matching Rick's 100 days) in Ireland or Scotland. We are set to arrive in Edinburgh August 13, 2018 and will travel on to Stirling, Inverarary and the Island of Mull, culminating that adventure on the 24th. Weather suggests we frontload our itinerary with 12-14 days in Ireland, setting our departure from the US on Monday, July 30. We welcome recommendations in that regard.
If we begin in Ireland, we will fly to Shannon Airport and rent a car. After perusing The Best of Ireland and some intriguing web sights, then considering the google drive times, knowing there will be alluring stops along the way stretching the identified driving time, we have designed our travel and exploration of the southern regions as follows:
3 nights in Galway (including time to recover from our flight from Spokane, Wa)
(3 1/2 hr drive time from Galway)
2 or 3 nights?? lodging in Dingle
(2 hr drive)
2 nights in Kenmare
(1 1/2 hour drive)
2 nights in Kinsale
(3 hour drive)
3 nights in Dublin
Fly to Scotland if we started in Ireland or cross towatd Bristol for our exploration of southern England.
What do you know and think about this draft?
Grateful for your insightful input!
Posted by
3123 posts
I see no one has replied yet so I'll dive in.
First, I wouldn't drive on the day of arrival if I could help it. Adjustment to driving on the left + jet lag = risky. If unavoidable then not more than, say, half an hour. There are places to stay in & around Shannon where you can go by taxi and pick up your rental car the next day.
Second, why drive north to Galway, then south to Dingle and Kenmare/Ring of Kerry and Kinsale, then north to Dublin? It would make more sense to head south after Shannon (where, BTW, you could visit Bunratty Castle & other sights while your jet lag wears off). See Dingle & Kenmare, then Kinsale, then north to Galway, then across to Dublin, no? Unless you want to do a loop eastward from Kinsale by way of Waterford.
Third, the RS guide may be prejudiced, but it prefers Dingle over Ring of Kerry because the latter is clogged with tour buses. It recommends choosing one or the other, not both -- and votes for Dingle.
Flying from Dublin to either Glasgow or Edinburgh is quick, affordable, and pretty easy. Just remember you are changing countries so you have to allow time for passport control along with the usual security screening. Also -- don't be alarmed -- you ride a shuttle bus from the terminal across the tarmac to the plane stairway. First time we experienced that we were asking ourselves "Where on earth are they taking us?" Then you have to show your boarding pass again at the top of the stairway entering the plane.
I have not done the ferry but I know from other ferries that this is not a quick mode of transportation (i.e., it eats up valuable vacation time). Unless you really like boats, or you want to visit destinations near the ferry terminals, I'd say fly.
Posted by
3123 posts
Another thought: if you're determined to get to Galway on Day 1, why not use public transportation? Galway has good connections to Shannon airport.
Posted by
OP
Spokane WA
256 posts
Just read you recommendations. Prior to this reading, with concerns about driving jet lagged the hour plus to Galway, we discovered Ennis and booked restful lodging for 2 nights there. I will look into public transportation from the Shannon airport to Ennis. We could visit the Cliffs of Mohr from there...
We are going to Galways on our daughter in law's recommendation. Maybe, considering the charms to be found through Ireland, Galway may be illogical routwise and a bit redundant.
Limerick is our Sister City (to Spokane). We might try to arrange a greeting meeting with the mayor of Limerick...
Still drafting our itinerary.
Thank you for your tried and true recommendations.
Posted by
OP
Spokane WA
256 posts
Based on shared wisdom, we have revised our plans:
Land in Shannon, public transportation to Ennis for a 3 nights stay (rest and explore including renting a car on day 3 and drive the loop to visit the Cliffs of Moher).
Drive to and explore:
-Dingle (2 nights stay)
-Kenmare (2 nights stay)
-Kinsale (2 nights stay)
-Limerick (1 nights stay, hope to say hello to the mayor with regards to our Sister City)
-Galway (1 nights stay and return the rental car)
Train to Dublin for 3 nights stay
Fly to Edinburgh
There you have it! With gratitude for your input, putting us on a good route, may the luck of the Irish be with us all!
Posted by
14 posts
Just wondering where you are staying in Ennis. We stayed there for two nights before our flight home and the B&B was ok but would not stay there again.
Posted by
OP
Spokane WA
256 posts
We set up lodging for 3 nights in Ennis upon our landing in Ireland, traveling for the long haul from Spokane, WA. We chose The Old Ground Hotel.