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Six Nights in Ireland and Looking for Itinerary Input/Help

Posted by on

Hi everyone,

I will be flying in and out of Dublin in September with six nights in between. This will be my first trip to Ireland. As for definitive plans, I want to spend my last two nights in Dublin and somewhere along the way spend the better part of a day exploring Killarney National Park* (at the very least the Muckross Lake Loop and Torc Waterfall loop). Other sites I am wanting to visit are the Cliffs of Moher** and The Burren. (Natural beauty and hiking is my idea of a good time.)

I would appreciate input regarding what bases would be best to make this happen efficiently. I have no problem traveling to the west coast on the day I arrive in Dublin nor do I have an issue with staying in two bases in the west. [I'm thinking of taking a bus or train from Dublin to a west coast destination and then renting a car once there] I'm just having trouble figuring out: which bases are best for the locations I want to see? Which base to head to first from the Dublin airport? Which base would make sense to leave from to head back to Dublin? (If these last two questions even matter)

Also, I would also appreciate input on what other sites (particularly those off the beaten path) I should consider along the way. I apologize if my questions or current itinerary are too vague and I am happy to provide more detail. Thank you so much for your help and insight!

*If anyone has any experience walking/hiking through KNP, are there any other trails I could easily tack on the the Muckross Loop and Torc Waterfall?

**Or, if there is an alternative to the Cliffs of Moher that anyone could suggest, I welcome it.

Posted by
2493 posts

If you haven't already booked your Dublin flight, would you consider flying into and out of Shannon instead?

Posted by
5 posts

Unfortunately, I have already booked my flights (irresistibly priced airfare). Thank you for the quick reply, though!

Posted by
2493 posts

You're welcome! Also wanted to suggest the Cliffs of Kilkee - only about half as high as the Cliffs of Moher, but really pretty - and town of Ballyvaughan as a good base for the Burren area.

Posted by
3123 posts

You are cramming an awful lot into just 6 nights. I would recommend re-evaluating the destinations you have listed and dropping those that are not your top priority (or at least marking them as optional). For example, if you really want to enjoy the places outside of Dublin without feeling constantly rushed, you may want to skip Dublin altogether.

Posted by
555 posts

Bridget

Hello.

I saw hiking. I have taken two hiking trips in Ireland, each in excess of 100 miles in length, though not in Killarney National Park. I have heard only positive things about it. I have hiked the Dingle Way (https://www.dingleway.com/) in the west and Wicklow Way (https://www.wicklowway.com/) in the east.

You had asked for an alternative to the Cliffs of Moher. One idea is to climb Croagh Patrick (https://outsider.ie/ireland/croagh-patrick-essential-information/), the holy mountain of Ireland. Croagh Patrick is just slightly more than 2,000 ft. high. It took me two to 2.5 hours to climb it in 1997. Though it's not that tall, the trail is not paved. It's maintained in a natural state. The trail gets slightly dicey near the summit, but it's not overwhelming. The views of Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean are magnificent, provided it's not cloudy. It's in County Mayo, so it'll add a bit of geography to your trip, but I think it's doable. You'll want to stay in the town of Westport.

Another one is the Ceide Fields (http://www.museumsofmayo.com/ceide.htm and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9ide_Fields), an archaeological site in north Mayo. The views there are more magnificent than those at the Cliffs of Moher, but Moher is nothing to sneeze at.

Have a great visit to the most beautiful country in the world. Cheers.

Posted by
5 posts

Hi @epltd - Thanks for the reality check. I would say the Cliffs of Moher are optional. The Burren is optional as well, but if I can swing it, I'd like to try. KNP appeals to me because it has tremendous biodiversity and natural beauty in such a small area. Not conveniently situated to flying in and out of Dublin (and wanting to at least spend some time in Dublin), but it feels like a place that I would tremendous return for the amount of time spent there.

@Craig - Whoa! You speak my language. Thank you so much for the trove of options to consider!

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