Planning a 9 day trip to Ireland in July around seeing Bruce Springsteen on day 7 in Cork. Have Days 1-3 & 7-9 somewhat plotted out. Not sure about 4-6. Comments greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for any B&B recommendations: Day 1/2: Dublin Day 3: Get car in morning to Athlone town and Castle, Clonmacnoise, Kinvara - Dunguaire Castle, Ballyvaughan, Doolin/Lisdoonvarna Thinking about staying at Ballinsheen House Day 4: Cliffs of Moher incluing cruise around them Cliffs of Moher. Driving around Burren taking ferry ending in Dingle (too ambitious??) Day 5/6: Dingle Penisula/Ring of Beara, the Ring of Kerry ending maybe in Kenmare? Having trouble figuring out how much time to budget Day 7: Kinsale including Charles Fort, Cobh including St. Colman's Cathedral,. Ending in Cork for Bruce concert. Looking for B&B/hotel recommendation Day 8: Blarney, Athassel Priory, Tipperary, Rock of Cashel to Kilkenny Castle, Black Abbey, Smithwick's St Francis Abbey Brewery tour, Kytelers Inn Pub. Stay in Kilkenny Day 9: Brownshill Dolmen near Carlow, Castledermot high crosses Glendalough, ending near Dublin Airport. Thanks again,
Rob
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Day 4: Ferry ending in Dingle? What ferry is that? From where?
Day 5: Doubtful that you could do all three rings in one day.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
Instead of driving around all three peninsulas, do the south side of the Ring of Kerry and the north side of the Ring of Beara. This will give you more scenery for your time then doing complete circuits. (We drove around all five peninsulas last April - the most scenic bits are the two I just mentioned and Dingle west of Dingle town.) Kenmare is an excellent base - lots of good shops, restaurants, and music pubs.....For the Burren, don't just drive around - park and walk to the dolmen....You might want to rework days 7 and 8 --do Beara the morning of day 7, then head to the Cork area in the afternoon. Day 8 do whichever parts of your original day 7 that matter most to you and then select some of your day 8 activities. Maybe you could use the same accommodation for nights 7 and 8?......Kilkenny's tourism department should get a reward for marketing a mildly interesting town as a tourist destination. Day 9 Glendalough is lovely. Depending on your day 10 flight time, perhaps you could stay night 9 near New Grange (Drogheda?) and visit New Grange in the early morning before heading to the airport.
Posted by
OP
Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
3 posts
Should have added it is the Killimer-Tarbert/N67 Ferry. Realize there is still more driving to get to Dingle. Cynthia, I really like your town name of Gig Harbor. Thanks for the comments. I like your idea with narrowing the drive in the Dingle Penisula. I had considered Kenmare as a home base. Was hoping to take in some traditional music at night...glad to hear it is there also. I was planning on more than just driving the Burren. I have a reservation for the Abbey Brewery Tour in Kilkenny on Day 8 @ 3:30 PM...was figuring it would be easier to just stay there. We have a 11AM flight out from Dublin. Rob
Posted by
Dallas
14 posts
First of all - good country to visit. You will absolutely LOVE it! Personally, I would slow the WHOLE trip down-- this is IRELAND, the land of sitting around in pubs and enjoying the "craic". Yes, see some castles. Yes, see some Rings. Yes, see the Cliffs, but mostly sit down, have a pint and SEE the people.... And Bruce!! The Irish people are what makes Ireland so magical. ENJOY!
Posted by
OP
Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
3 posts
Thanks for the tip Maureen....I do plan to spend most evenings in a pub seeking out traditional music and chatting with the locals. I learned how much fun they can be from my many trips to England. You have any that you would recommend?
Posted by
Carrollton, Texas, USA
81 posts
Rob - be sure you get the RS guidebook. It is especially useful in Dingle. Dingle town has 1500 residents and 52 pubs - most of which have nightly live music. You will definitely want to do the Slea Head drive which can be 4 hours or so. There are LOTS of photo stop involved. It is a most magical drive. Rick's book gives you the exact distance between each. Have a blast! We will make our 2nd trip next year! 2 Days in Dingle wasn't enought the first time!