My husband and I are in our mid sixties and in pretty good shape, all things considered. We will have one week to spend in Ireland in September before going on to Iona, Scotland . We would like to stay in no more than two places and make day trips out from them. I feel sure we would like a couple of nights in Dublin probably at the end of our time there. We are trying to decide whether to rent a car for some or all of the time or use buses and trains on our own. Or take bus tours.
Can anyone make suggestions for a short itinerary?
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
My husband and I (same age range as you) spent twenty days driving around Ireland last April. IMHO, you need a car for flexibility, both in Ireland and Scotland. Hopefully you can fly into Shannon and save yourself a few hours......... I would suggest five nights in Kenmare - from there you can easily access lots of good road trips - north side of the Ring of Beara, south side of the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle. (Virginia's Guest House is reasonably priced and centrally located in the center of Kenmare - also a nice hotel in the center of town if you want something more luxurious.)You can also take a very scenic jaunting car/ return by boat tour through the Gap of Dunloe........ Since you want to go to Dublin, use your remaining two days there (turn in the car when you get to Dublin, you don't need it in the city)......... Frankly, I would skip Dublin since you are going to Scotland and presumably seeing Edinburgh which IMHO is much more interesting......... If you do decide to skip Dublin, you might instead do four nights in Kenmare, three nights in Clifden in County Galway - from there you can enjoy a day trip to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal, drives around Connemara, and up towards Westport including the beautiful Delphi Valley. You could also stop in Galway if you really need some serious shopping, but it can be confusing to drive in that city.
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
30 posts
Hi, I like Cynthia's response as it was what I was going to suggest- almost exactly. My wife and I (60's) spent two weeks in Ireland last June. We flew into Shannon and rented a car and went north to Conemmara. We did the Aran Islands and it was great. Try to get Bob and his horse drawn covered red buggy as a tour guide. He-and many others- will meet you on the dock. We stayed outside Outerard at The Currevaugh House- wonderful old manor house with great hosts and food. We then drove south to the Burrens and the cliffs of Moher-see them from a boat out of Doolin; much better views. Then we went down to Dingle and then Kenmare.If you don't want to go north to Conemmara, head south to Dingle and/or Kenmare. Both are great. We rented a private car tour of the Dingle Pensinsula from Dennis Ryan and it was great. I didn't have to drive and sightsee at the same time. We stayed at the Castlewood House- a modern place but great hosts and the best breakfasts we had in Ireland. Dingle is charming- a bit touristy but wonderful restuarants and pubs/music. Kenmare is a great small town- much less touristy. We stayed at The Shelbourne Lodge; wonderful hosts and food. We took a guided van tour of Ring of Kerry- I would skip the north side of kerry-flat and uninteresting. Stay on the south side out to Waterville through Smeen. I would also skip Dublin. Edinburgh is a much more charming and historic city. Hope this helps. Drive slow and realize it will take longer to get anywhere. I drove 40 miles per hour at best on most roads. Get an Ordanance Map and stop and ask directions and you should be fine