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Reservations for Our Irish Adventure

Greetings!

My wife and I have already booked our flights, accommodations and car rental for a two week adventure around Ireland during the last week of June and first week of July. Our itinerary generally follows the recommended route in Rick's 2023 Ireland guidebook, but obviously shortened and adapted:

Dublin - 2 nights
Kinsale - 2 nights
Kenmare - 1 night
Dingle - 3 nights
Innishmore - 1 night
Sligo - 1 night
Portrush - 2 nights
Maynoth - 3 nights

I've already booked reservations for the Book of Kells/Trinity College tour, plus the trad music pub crawl. I'm seeking advice on what other key tours and activities I should pre-book in the next few weeks. We like to strike a balance between having plans and leaving our schedule with room to roam and explore. Some of the things we've talked about doing (among many others) include the Middleton Distillery Tour, Don & Barry's Kinsale Historic Stroll, Kissane Sheep Farm, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Newmills Corn and Flax Mill. Any guidance you all can provide will be very much appreciated!

Slainte,
Ray

Posted by
209 posts

Hi You would just show up for the Don & Barry's Kinsale Historic Stroll. Went last May and it was great. I missed the Kissane Sheep Farm but did a similar sheep farm in Dingle.

Posted by
589 posts

Newmills seems way out of your way—I assume you would do this between Sligo and Portrush? While I found it interesting it’s not worth going out of the way to see in my opinion. Have you looked into the Ulster American Folk Museum? We stopped there on the way from Donegal to Portrush.
Also, check opening days for Kissane Farm carefully. In 2019 they were only open to the public 2-3 days a week. We ended up going to Killary Sheep Farm in Connemara.

Posted by
16274 posts

You need to prebook the Kilmainham Gaol. They sell out early. Its worth it.

Posted by
2449 posts

Absolutely go to Kilmainham Gaol. We thought it.was the best thing we did in Dublin. Not sure about getting tickets to Newgrange but it is really impressive. Not to be missed.

Posted by
249 posts

Definitely go to Kilmainham Gaol, 100%.

Something else we really enjoyed and found quite impactful was the tour of The Jeanie Johnston. It's not mentioned much here, but the story of the Famine and the history was quite memorable and will stay with us for some time. It increased our appreciation for Dublin considerably. There is also an incredibly moving, albeit small, memorial to the Famine nearby.

PQ

Posted by
2252 posts

Besides Kilmainham Gaol, my two granddaughters and I really enjoyed the Emigration Museum in Dublin. https://epicchq.com/ We booked tickets online. Ireland is wonderful!