I am bringing my college junior daughter to Ireland for one week in October. We are going to Dublin Sunday and Monday as she wants to visit college friends studying in the city for the semester. Want to leave Dublin on Tuesday morning and then fly out of Shannon to Boston on Sunday morning. I'm going to rent a car. My daughter really wants to go to Blarney Castle and the Cliffs of Moher. It's been a very long time since I was in Ireland and I did see a bit back then. But I would also like to include Rock of Cashel and Galway. Galway for family reasons as there is a memorial to a family member just outside the city that I would like to try to find and take her to. I've never been to Kilkenny - it sounds nice. I've been to Killarney - it was nice. But struggling with how to make all of this work from Tuesday morning to Saturday evening. Would like to be at a hotel near the Shannon airport on Saturday evening. Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated.
Posted by
Vermont USA
359 posts
Personally would skip Blarney - touristy - busy - all you do is wait to hang upside down and kiss a stone in an unimpressive setting - and it has next to no relation to "real" Ireland. Kind of the goofy leprechaun stuff. Cashel is busy and touristy but really impressive and if you can get away from huge groups very moving.
If your doing Moher would recommend the 10 Euro per person cliffs of mother cruise if the weather is good and they are still running - very impressive from the sea as well. Lots of great traditional music in the family friendly pubs in Doolin. If you have a day the cruise to the Aran Islands is awesome. We went w Bill O'Brien's Doolin Ferry and had an amazing time on the ride - what scenery - but also on Inisheer and Inishmor. Take a pony trap ride around the islands and see real historical sites that are significant and exceptionally moving. The main thing is less is more. Give up slamming around ticking off list items and do smaller stuff and stay in places longer if possible where you can interact w the people. Almost universally warm, welcoming and above all genuine those moments with the Irish people make it a great trip.
Dublin to Kilkenny is an easy ride and then to Cashel is easy in a day. Kilkenny is neat. I loved the ancient sites near there. If you keep the number of things to see in check you'll have plenty of time to see so many wonderous things. Hope you have the trip of a lifetime ! (But do skip the Blarney Stone !!! )
Posted by
Portland, OR
238 posts
The Park Inn by Radisson is just across the parking lot at Shannon--it's literally a 3 minute walk away so it's very convenient, especially if you have a morning flight. You can drop the car off the night before and have a stress free morning. Surprisingly, we didn't experience any noise issues from departing and arriving air traffic either. I will say, though, that it's probably a 3-3 1/2 star hotel--the rooms are a bit tired but the bar and the morning breakfast were just fine.
Posted by
1172 posts
We loved the grounds at Blarney and yes it is kitshy but if your daughter wants to go, I say go for it!
What about leave Dublin Tuesday and stop in Kilkenny for the night. a little over half a day was enough for us to do Kilkenny castle, walk the medieval mile and do dinner. Wednesday, plan to be at Cashel for opening and then make your way to Blarney. Stop for the night in Killarney or somewhere closely.
Wednesday drive the rIng of kerry and then over to Dingle and stay the night.
Thursday make your way to Galway and stop at the Cliffs on the way
Spend Friday and Saturday in Galway and head back to Shannon for the night before heading back to Boston.
It will be busy but you will fit it in :)
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
138 posts
If Blarney Castle is on your list, go! We went years ago and loved it and we are going to Ireland next month with friends who haven't been there before and we are going again! I don't really understand why so many say to skip it. It's no more touristy than most other places in Ireland and the whole family thought kissing the Blarney Stone was pretty cool!
Posted by
Washington
920 posts
I agree with above. If your daughter wants to go to to Blarney Castle, go. I went when I was in college, and yeah, it's a bit cheesy but fun. I'm apt to think that if someone puts in a specific request to do something, then grant the request. Life's too short--enjoy the touristy with the more serious & scenic. Have a good trip!
Posted by
1531 posts
Im going to vote against blarney castle and suggest bunratty folk park and castle as a substitute. Check into hotel at bunratty, Turn the car in, and enjoy! I love the folk park, and have done the castle dinner and show, could be a nice final night. In the morning take their shuttle back to airport
Posted by
Northeast PA, USA
26 posts
Currently in Ireland with teenager who wanted to stop at Blarney. We weren't sure we were going to do the stone, blech! But ended up doing. Crowds were not bad, wait for stone was short. And I didn't think it was all that bad. The grounds are beautiful and we ended up being there 3 hours. Rock of Cashel was really good too.