I would like a little help from the board please. Two couples are planning a tour of Ireland in August. Our tentative plan is: Day 1: Fly from Atlanta to Dublin, arriving at 7 AM. Taxi into Dublin & use HOHO bus to do some day touring. We have been to Europe a few time together & am confortable with hitting the ground running. Day 2: Book of Kell at opening time, then HOHO bus again in Dublin. We will do the Walking Pub Crawl this evening & then hit the pubs for music, meet & greet. Day 3: Drive to Cashel & then Middleton for the 4PM distillery tour. Overnight in Cork. Day 4: Visit the Blarney stone & then go halfway around the ROK, stopping in Waterville. Day 5: Complete ROK & on to Dingle for supper & pubs. Day 6: Complete ROD & on to Adair & a night at the Manor. Day 7: Visit Cliffs of Moher & fly from Shannon to London. Is this "doable"? Any suggestions? We believe the weather will be from the low 50's to the hight 60's with rain about a third of the time, but not all day washouts. Question: When we get to London, will we have to go thru customs again?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Last question first: You will go through passport control/immigration in London, yes. You will go through customs on your return to the US. If rain is forecast on your Ring days, you are likely not to see anything at all while driving, because it's also often foggy. Have a plan B. If you are using a GPS, be aware that it is Midleton, not Middleton, and Adare, not Adair. You do want the right place coming up! I would highly suggest that you see Kilmainham Gaol while in Dublin. I don't believe it's on the the HOHO route, but you can take a regular bus there.
Posted by
wichita, kansas
484 posts
Unless there has been a very recent change Kilmainham Jail is definitely a stop for the HOHO bus. If you have any interest in Irish history it is a "must see." Doing both the Ring of Kerry and Dingle's Slea Head drive is more than I would recommend but it is "doable." Personally I would do one or the other.
Posted by
Grafenwoehr, APO AE, Germany
43 posts
Hi Walter, Just quickly glancing at the replies and I just got back no more than two weeks ago and you can buy tickets for the HOHO bus for 18 Euros per person for two days (green bus). The route goes by Kilmainham Goal, Guinness storehouse, Dublin Zoo, GPO, St. Patricks's Cathedral, Dublin's Castle, Trinity College, Temple Bar, Grafton Strret, etc. I think it's the best way to see the highlights of Dublin. As far as the rest of your itinerary, I think it's doable, and it sounds like you're hitting all the right spots. It's a beautiful country with wonderful people. Enjoy your trip! Patty
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Thanks, Pat! I obviously have forgotten seeing that on the HOHO tour. When I took the tour there on a later trip, I had a rental car and drove there.
Posted by
Boulder, Co, USA
4 posts
Day 6 will be long! We just did your itinerary minus day 4 and 7.We flew from London to Belfast and took train to Dublin and there was no customs. Might be different flying from Shannon to London but I believe there is a customs free zone only between Ireland and the UK. There was 50% chance of rain each day we were there and we had beautiful clearings when in Dingle and Kinsale when the forecast called for washout! You can never tell. Have fun!