Ok all, The wedding and honeymoon are coming quickly and I am trying to firm up my itinerary...... So, here is my quandry. We will be in Dublin all of the 20th and the 21st to then depart to Kinsale on the 22nd... We will not have a car in dublin. So, should I take a day trip while we are in Dublin to the Wicklow mountains or just wait and catch them on our way to kinsale. I am trying to get the specifics of each area down and I want to do Wicklow mountains and the powercourt gardens..... Thanks.... Oh and here is my itinerary as of now 3 days in Dublin (we are picking up our car on the last day) 2 nights in Kinsale 2 nights in Killarney 2 nights at ashford castle 1 night at dromoland caste then drive back to Dublin for one night before our departure back to the states. Honeymoon over. ....
Thanks for all your input. RC
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
With your schedule, I'd recommend you not do any day trips out of Dublin. Explore Dublin.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood
67 posts
Kind of figured that, so thanks..... I guess the way to go is to check it out on our way to Kinsale.... Thanks again. RC
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
Powerscourt is just 30 minutes south of Dublin, so not too much out of your way en route to Kinsale. If you are able to splurge a little, you might want to spend a night at the Ritz Carlton Hotel that overlooks the Powerscourt estate. It would be a great place to stay on a honeymoon trip. Take a look at the photos on the hotel's website; it's a beautiful place.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains, is well worth a visit any time of year. But I'm not so sure that the Powerscourt gardens will be very...garden-y at that point in the year. The "long" walking path through the gardens takes less than 45 minutes IF there is something to see. On one of my trips to Ireland in February, I wanted to see some tile work in a particular garden's fountain (in Dublin). I knew the garden wouldn't be a garden at that point, but I failed to remember that the water would be frozen, and the tile work not visible at all. You can definitely see Glendalough and the mountains on your way to Kinsale without too much detour, though.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood
67 posts
Thanks for the reply. Can you suggest a plan of attack for going through Wicklow on our way to Kinsale... A starting point or an itinerary within that area... Not sure where to start once there. I will X out Powerscourt though.... Great point Nancy! Thanks.. RC
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
Oh Reid, I'm green with envy. Ashford Castle was an amazing experience We could only experience it from afar as we walked around the castle and the grounds. Enjoy!!!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2433 posts
I would recommend one day trip out of Dublin to Newgrange. We had a car but am sure you can get a bus trip that might only take half day, it pre-dates the pyramids if I remember correctly and we thought it was worthwhile. Hope you are considering going to the Rock of Cashel, we thought it was a highlight of our trip. When in Kinsale, take a morning to go to Cobh right across the water. You can see monument to Lusitania and from where Titanic was and go up the hill to St. Colman's for a beautiful view. Also, when at Ashford Castle, go the village of Cong, there is a replica of Quiet Man's cottage, we enjoyed the upstairs where there is a video of the cast filming the movie. Enjoy Ireland, it is wonderful.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood
67 posts
Thanks Gail. The Rock is in my sights.... Just trying to figure out Logistics. Any thoughts on how to do it based on my intinerary? I was thinking Wicklow on the way out of Dublin on our way to Kinsale... Should we do The Rock after that or should we do it from Kinsale. My logic is to use the hotels and areas as base camp so to speak and then venture out each day for day trips. We pick up our car AFTER Dublin, so no car while in Dublin... Thoughts?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
The Rock of Cashel is less than a two hour drive from Kinsale, so it could be done as a day trip from there if youi wanted (and you could stop in Cahir on the way, to see Cahir Castle). You would also be passing the Blarney area if you go from Kinsale, so you could see Blarney Castle and its beautiful grounds, as well.