We are planning our first trip to Ireland for this July. Would love feedback on our itinerary. Arrive in Shannon at 9:00 am and pick up car. Drive to Lahinch for lunch, then to Cliffs of Moher and a driving tour of the Burren. Sleep in Ballyvaughan. Next day driving tour of mid-Roscommon with stops in Caslterea, Roscommon, Strokestown, Tulsk, Ballaghadereen. Sleep in Boyle. Next day driving tour of Cootehall, Knockvicar and Keadue to Arigna taking the return journey via Ballyfarnon, Corrigeenroe and the Rock of Doon. Next day drive to Co. Meath, tour Valley of the Boyne. Sleep in Trim. Next day drive to National Stud, then south to Cobh. Sleep in Kinsale two nights. Drive to Dingle for three nights. Visit Great Blasket Island and other Dingle sites.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Are you leaving out of Shannon, too? I have been to Ireland four times now, and quite honestly have never heard of most of the places on your itinerary, so I can't really advise on pacing there. Sounds like you are going to be spending all of your time in the car, though. On your Boyne River Valley day do you plan to visit Newgrange (Bru na Boinne)? If so, you will want to arrive as early as possible to get an entry time before many tour buses arrive (since you are traveling in July). I use www.viamichelin.com to estimate my driving times in Ireland. Make sure to add 25% to their estimates to get a more accurate idea of just how long the drives are.
Posted by
OP
Pittsfield, MA
89 posts
Hi Nancy. Yes we are departing from Shannon. Well, we want to spend two of our days roaming aimlessly around in the countryside and less time in the places with all the tour buses. We realize that it requires a lot of driving. But since you have so much experience traveling in Ireland please make some suggestions for places that you highly recommend. Thanks!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Since you will be up that way anyway, I would suggest spending time in Connemara. The drive from Galway to Clifden is beautiful, and the Sky Road beyond Clifden takes you past the Connemara National Park and on up to Kylemore Abbey. Traveling in July it's going to be more difficult to avoid other tourists than at other times of the year, but Connemara is less-touristed than some areas. Another area I would suggest, since you will be that way anyway, is the Kenmare/Sneem area near the Ring of Kerry. Ring of Kerry will be full of tour buses, but you could visit the Beara Peninsula instead (less busy). There is something to see anywhere you are in Ireland, though.
Posted by
USA
69 posts
I too strongly recommend exploring Connemara, but I wasn't impressed with Kylemore Abbey. The surrounding environment is beautiful but the Abbey, IMO, was a letdown.