Newgrange and Giant's Causeway

Not really. If your flight arrives at noon, it will probably be closer to 2:00 by the time you get bags, do the rental paperwork, maybe get something to eat or get cash from the ATM, catch the shuttle to the car lot, and get sorted to start out. It's roughly a four hour drive to Newgrange, and days are shorter by October. Not only will it be dark when you get there, they may reduced hours by then. Even if you did Newgrange the next morning early, it would still be doubtful that you could get to Giant's Causeway and all the way back down to Bunratty by 4:00. You would be better off to see the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Ballyvaughan (the Burren) that first 1.5 days.

EDIT: Misread your post, and didn't see the check-in at Bunratty was not until Saturday. In that case, you could head toward Newgrange, but stay somewhere like Trim or Navan, and see Newgrange in the morning. You could be at Giant's Causeway in the afternoon. Then you would have all day Saturday to get down to Bunratty.

yeah.....go with the second half of Nancy's suggestion, but do check time on October for newgrange.....my sad experience is that October 1 a lot of sites go to limited hours or close (ie they take down the Kerrick a rede bridge)........................but definitely make it up to giants causeway.....unlike anything else in the world!!

We had no problem with the weather or closures when we were in Ireland in October two years ago. If you need lodging near Newgrange there is the Newgrange Lodge within walking distance to the visitor center (bus provided from there to sites). No need to stay in Trim or Navan. Slane could be another option for sleeping/dining. For weather concerns just plan on layers--fleece, turtlenecks, etc. There were Irish sweaters for sale at every wool shop and the prices were great. Have a great trip!

Thank you so much for the replies. We will be altering our plans to see Newgrange on our second day . The Carrick a Rede Bridge website indicates it is open in October . Perhaps it was a weather related closing. Thanks again!

maybe it was maintenance time....cuz it was absent when we were present. :)
have a wonderful trip.....and i''d recommend a wool scarf and gloves when you get that far north....again, its gorgeous in October....but can be blustery (I live in the upper Midwest in the states.....so I'm accustomed to "foot ball weather" )

I suggested Trim because you would probably have time to see Trim castle on that second morning, too. You can, of course, stay anywhere that suits you.

Hi,
Another wet cloth here. Shannon Airport to NewGrange...Whew, what a drive. And then off to Giant's Causeway? Yikes.
Ireland is like a fine whiskey, it should be sipped, not gulped. The main Irish roads a quite good, but don't really expect the US system of four lanes.

If you land in Shannon, I know this might break your heart, but stay on the west side of the country. I will tell you, New Grange is now quite the tourist site. Big bus parking lots. Shuttle busses taking throngs in and out. The Giant's Causeway is still more like a park. If you are interested in megalithic tombs...none inIreland that I recall are as big as New grange, but they are ALL OVER the PLACE. If yo know what to look for you will see ring forts as yo come into land from the air.

Here isa book which lists and describes a couple hundred antiquities of Ireland.
Ancient Irish Monuments: Peter Harbison: 9780717125340 . I bought a second copy for lending to friends a few years ago from ebay.

The less driving you do in Ireland, the more likely you are to have a iIrish experience. If you stop and ask for directions expect a lecture on life and love.

wayne iNWI