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West Ireland Planning Help Early July

HI all,

Taking my 86 year old mom to Ireland early July. We have 6 nights/6 days. Need some help planning.
*Route Idea 1:* Arrive in Shannon July 3rd at 10am. Renting car. 1st night in Adare to relax. Next Dingle for 2 nights, drive to Kinsale - 2 nights & last night need place to stay so we are not exhausted departing from Shannon at 12:30pm Wed. 7/9 (need to return the rental car) New to driving in Ireland as well).

This trip is more about enjoying life, food, people and scenery. Don't need to do full Ring of Kerry, etc.
Route Idea 2: Reverse the trip: Adare to 1 night, 2 nights in Kinsale; 2 nights in Dingle and last night suggestions please? thanks, erica

Posted by
62 posts

Erica - Plan on at least two nights in Adare. You land at 10:00 am, allow yourself plenty of time to drive to Adare, and with your mom being 86 years old, rest up! Adare is lovely and you'll want to spend time in the village. Good restaurants and be sure to stop in Sean Collins for a pint! From there you can visit the Rock of Cashel - a must see when you're in the area! You might check with Zara at Hermitage House B&B in Adare. Lovely hostess. And for your last night, you might consider staying in Ennis. Not far from Shannon so you'll get to the airport in plenty of time.

Posted by
3 posts

Kinsale is very charming & accessible, and has great restaurants. Time there will be much enjoyed!

Posted by
2111 posts

Understanding you are asking for a place that will be located such that it will be easy to get to Shannon for the next morning flight (without being exhausted from getting up super early to drive a far distance to Shannon.

My suggestion would be to turn in your rental car the evening before, then stay in Bunratty. The Bunratty Castle Hotel is where we stayed for our last night in Ireland a few years ago, and while it is not a super fancy hotel..."somewhat" like a Hampton, we found it quiet, clean, and a helpful staff.

Arrange for your taxi thru the hotel the evening before, and it will be there and ready for you to go.

While in Bunratty the afternoon prior, you could enjoy the Bunratty Folk Park, which would be an easy walk for your mom. As my Irish cousin described it to me, it is as close to what Ireland would have been like when your grandmother (cousin's aunt) was a little girl. It is a charming little place, with thatched houses, shops, church, etc. and the most beautiful, friendly Irish Wolfhound, along with several pleasant farm animals.

I noticed Rock of Cashel was recommended by a poster (and it is a fabulous place that we enjoyed based on a RS poster, I think it was Nancy), my only concern would be to make sure your mom is physically fit to climb up the semi-steep hill to enjoy the venue. It is not a really long climb, but it is a climb....and then, of course, reverse going back to the car park.

Posted by
2111 posts

P.S. If you stay in Kinsale, we can highly recommend the Old Presbytery Inn. Request the room with the small French balcony that overlooks the private car-park, as it is extra quiet and no significant stairs to climb. Parking is within a very private off-street courtyard, so that would make it nice for your mom, too. The afternoon tea is pleasant (included) and the included breakfast was bountiful with choices.