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Visiting Donegal and traveling west coast Ireland

Posted by on

We had traveled to Ireland a few years ago, and visited Dublin and the top tourist sites. Now we will be attending a wedding in the spring, and would like to focus on new scenic areas north and on the west coast. For the wedding I’m blocking out 3 days - 2 days in Tipperary and then traveling to a small local town, Listowel about an hour from Killarney. We will have about 2 weeks travel time and would like to figure out the travel path that flows the best to travel before heading to the wedding, and recommendations for sights to see and which to remove from my list. I’m also thinking we may need a few days after the wedding as noted below. Please see my notes below. I know it’s all over the place and I want to avoid backtracking and reduce the running around. This is where I appreciate all advice! Thank you!

  • North: Before the wedding I was thinking of flying into Belfast (we already visited) and driving to Derry for a quick visit, then exploring the Donegal region - Slieve League Cliffs, Glenveagh National Park, possibly Inishowen Peninsula, Fanad Head Drive, Hornhead Loop, Malin Beg beach, Ardara to Maghera. How much of this do you recommend and how many nights/stops along the way? I realize it’s rural and want to be sure we have access to restaurants (dietary restrictions) and hotels.
  • Sligo: Mullaghmore, Benbulben, possibly 1 night stay
  • County Mayo, Archill Island - Undecided if I should include this region
  • Connemara National Park
  • Aran Islands: We already visited the Cliffs of Mohr, but would like to visit the Aran Islands from Doolin since that’s the shortest distance and apparently have state of the art anti-sea sickness technology
  • Killarney/Dingle: We would like to spend 2 nights in Dingle and do the Ring of Kerry, and 1-2 nights in Killarney to explore the national park. If this doesn’t work well before the wedding, we can stay a few days afterwards, then fly out of Shannon.
  • Leave from Shannon airport, and find a nice location to stay the night before flight. Adare in Limerick for its storybook thatched cottages was mentioned in a book.
  • For reference, we have already been to Belfast, Giants Causeway/rope bridge, Dublin, Cobh, Galway City, Cliffs of Moher, and quick visit to Killarney/Dingle and it’s on the top of the list to go back.
Posted by
741 posts

Couple of random observations:
1) The shortest route to Aran Islands is from Rossaveal. The ferry is much larger and more reliable weather-wise. I'd also suggest an overnight, as the character changes aas the last ferry leaves with the day trippers.
2) Many if not most restaurants have special menus for picky eaters. We often travel with a celiac+ and she always finds something to eat, although it sometimes takes a few trips to the kitchen for questions on the server's part.
3) There is too much to experience, even in an infinite number or trips. Just figure out how you like to travel and figure something out. For example, we pack very light, and changing lodging every day is no issue. But a couple or three nights in a place with lots of nearby stuff works as well. I just map all the places I want to go and figure out if it's easier to backtrack or move on.
4) We crave good trad sessions, so that distorts all our plans - we always stay in places within walking distance to pubs, so our advice is probably useless.
5) Depending on when your "Spring" is, puffins might be in residence in places like Skellig Michael and Rathlin Island. There are lots of other spots as well.

Posted by
2275 posts

Where are you planning on hiring a car and handing it back in? Remember that Northern Ireland and the Republic of ireland are two separate countries so this may cause problems if you are planning on hiring in Belfast and dropping off in the Republic. Also you will need to check that the car hire company will allow you to take the car between the two.

Why have you planned on flying into Belfast? Would it be easier to fly in and out of Shannon and do a loop from there. If Derry is a must then do as a day trip from Donegal (as long as the hire car company are happy with this.)

Depending on where the wedding fits into the itinerary, do the north first, then wedding and then Killarney/Dingle (or flip round ). Allow at least one night to recover from jet lag before picking up the hire car and doing any serious driving.

Looking at your plans you are going to need 4 days (5 nights ) for Donegal. Don't miss Grianan of Aileach stone fort - it isn't the easiest place to find but is amazing.

I was disappointed by Achill Island and felt there would have been better places for us to spend the time. Others may disagree with this.... I'd build in a night on the Aran Islands in preference to this. It is a unique experience.

I love Galway and Connemara and this area again deserves three days to begin to do it justice.

You could combine Dingle and Killarney from a single base although that might mean longer to drive

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