Travel Itinerary

Posted by Linda (San Antonio Texas) on 08/11/24 03:36 PM

Hello all,

I am returning to Ireland with my older sister for two weeks in October. I already have time lodging and tours in Belfast and Dublin for October 8-15, but plan to rent a car from October 16-22 when we will return the car to Dublin Airport prior to returning home. We have already visited: Waterford Factory, Blarney CastleDingle Peninsula, Bunratty Dinner a LONG time ago and last year with my adult children visited Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle Ring of Kerry, Galway and Inishmor.
We plan to spend the last day and night in Ardagh Village, County Longford, where our great-grandmother originated. We are interested in visiting Cong and The Quiet Man sites but need help with the rest of the itinerary.

We would like to not move around daily, but spend 2-3 nights in just a couple of locations, making day trips from there.
Any ideas?

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

08/11/24 05:40 PM

417 posts

If it's not already set up as a day trip from Dublin, I recommend Newgrange.
Have you considered dropping the car in Galway and taking the train back to Dublin, stopping in Ardagh on your way west to Cong instead of on the way back?
One place that has been on my list but has never been convenient is Athlone. It's not very far from Ardagh (you could day trip from Athlone). Lots to see there. Castle, Sean's Pub, Clonmacnoise.

Posted by Linda OP

San Antonio Texas

08/11/24 06:11 PM

38 posts

I do have a day trip planned and reserved to go to Newgrange while we're in Dublin. Last year we struggled returning to Dublin airport via bus and it seemed like it would be easiest to wrap up the trip by returning the car the day we depart. I'm struggling to find places not too hard for my 74 year old sister to negotiate and really don't want to hop from town to town every night. Your suggestion for Athlone sounds interesting. I will have to research more.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

08/11/24 07:43 PM

2279 posts

If you are wanting to visit Cong (don't miss the ruined abbey and the Monks fishing station complete with bell to let the kitchen know if thy caught anything) either base yourself in Cong or possibly Westport for those days. There's plenty to do and see in the area - The National Museum of ireland, Country Life near Castlebar is well worth visiting. We spent several hours there. As well as the usual displays and artefacts, there were a lot of videos about the way of life and customs in the 1950s and 60s. Some of these were decidedly spookey ...

The coast between Westport and Roundstone, with its tiny harbour and magnificent views, is beautiful (don't miss the Skye Road drive in Clifden which on a fine sunny day is mone of the best short derives in the world). If you are into folk music, then go and find the Bodhran manufacturer and his shop...

Kylemore Abbey is also worth visiting and you can go for a cruise on Killarey Harbour....

There is also the ruined Aughnanure Castle near Lough Corrib, or the ruined Ross Errily Friary on the banks of the River Shannon near Headford.

You also have Achill Island reached by road bridge, or a bit further north, Bemullet with its sandy beaches and cliffs. Sligo a much under rated place and not on the usual tourist tick list, isn't too far to drive either.

On your way back to Ardagh Village, think about a stop at the early Christian site of Clonmacnoise on the rRver Shannon with its ruined chapels, round towers and carved crosses.