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Relaxed Visit to Ireland

My husband and I have different ideas when it comes to vacation. I like touring around and seeing as much as I can; he prefers to hang in one place and BE there with the culture, locals, etc. Our compromise from Ireland is:

1) Fly in/out Shannon
2) rent a car
3) stay 3-4 nights in Ennis; day trips to the Cliffs, Bunratty, drive to Doolin for the ferry to the Aran Islands; hang out at night for dinner and music. I've requested a room at Grey Gables as The Old Ground was booked for our dates.
4) head to Killkarney or on Dingle (recommendations?) for 3-4 more nights; drive Slea Head (suggested over ROF), Killarney National Park and other suggestions welcome. I've contacted Coastline B & B in Dingle for a room.

5) return drive through Limerick, and a stay at the hotel at the Shannon airport the night before our flight.

This trip is supposed to be more relaxed. We know we are barely scratching the surface but I am hoping that my husband will fall in love with Ireland and want to return (he is 1/2 Irish after all with direct immigrants).

Thanks for your input!

VG

Posted by
2262 posts

It sounds great, slowing down can be a good thing. We stayed in the Dingle area and did a long day trip to Killarney, Muckross House, a jaunting cart ride, etc, and that worked fine. Once we got to Killarney I was glad we had chosen to base in Dingle. You may want to consider a guide and driver for your Slea Head tour, we did, even though we had a rental car, and it was money well spent to be able to enjoy the sights on the road. Our guide also took us to the Gallarus Oratory and a couple of other spots, a great day out, and relaxing too.

Posted by
3 posts

Would you please share your tour contact for Slea Head?

" long day trip to Killarney, Muckross House, a jaunting cart ride, etc, and that worked fine." How long was long? Left at? Returned at?

Thank you so much!

Valarie

Posted by
2262 posts

Yes, his name is Denis Ryan, Dingle Tours. He picked us up at the visitor center in Dingle and we headed off. You'll know a whole bunch more about the Peninsula after a day with Denis than if you'd done it on your own!

On our Killarney day we left at 8 or 9 in the morning and were back in Dingle for dinner.

http://www.dingletours.com/index.html

Posted by
128 posts

Is it necessary to book a day trip with Denis ahead of time or could we do it when we arrive in Dingle? We are traveling mid-September 2016. It would be nice to have a day off of driving while there!

Posted by
2262 posts

I would definitely book with him in advance, he is a popular guide. At the least, exchange emails and establish a couple of days and times that would work for both parties and leave it loose, if it's hard to nail down one time. We were there in mid September a couple years ago and he was busy.

Posted by
346 posts

If you don't get the accommodation you requested in Dingle, consider Pax Guest House. We love it.