Ireland Itinerary and Newgrange July Crowds

New Grange is fascinating and very popular - you probably won't get into the interior ( it only holds about a dozen people at a time) if you arrive early afternoon. If it's a priority (it was for us), consider this tweek to Day 2: enjoy Dublin, leave about 3 in the afternoon, stay in Drogheda ( we used the D hotel), drive to New Grange (about 20 miles or less) and get there by 8:00 so you can get on the first tour...then drive to Glendalough.....Don't worry about changing accomodation every day - we often do it, just have a very organized system for unpacking and packing.

Cynthia's adjustment will work well. You do need to get to Newgrange early. It's not just because the interior only holds so many at a time, but also that there are only so many shuttle buses (you must take the shuttle from the visitor center to the site). If tours take up all of the shuttle bus spots, you don't go at all, even to see the outside.

The other 2 posts are right about Newgrange, it would be best to take an early tour before the buses start pulling in. My suggestion for Inismore is to drive up to Rossaveel, west of Galway, to take the ferry instead of Doolin. There are 2 or 3 ferry companies there that will try to woo you to their boat, we've always taken the Aran Island owned ferry. I know they leave there in the a.m. and if you're there only one day the boat headed back to the mainland leaves Kilronan about 5 p.m. I highly recommend staying the night on the island. Our B&B was Ard Mhuria, within walking distance of town and restaurants. Another suggestion while on the island, ask for Cyril Flattery. He has a pony cart and is usually waiting at the end of the pier, along with all the others. He'll give you a tour of the island you will not forget. Ask anybody there for Cyril, he's known by all the islanders. He's born and raised on the island, an artist, historian, just a wealth of info.
Have a great time. We're headed back in September with a group of friends, it's our 5th time!

Thank you for the advice Ken, Nancy and Cynthia! We are going to plan for two options, based largely on the weather. Plan A, if the weather is nice, we'll stay the night on Inismore and enjoy the island and the weather. Plan B, if the weather is miserable, we'll cut short our stay on Inismore and head in the direction of Newgrange, staying in Trim or Drogheda and getting up early to beat the tour buses to Newgrange.

Hi, Brian Inishmore was one of my favorite places in all of Ireland. We stayed at The Man of Aran B & B and loved it. Not inexpensive but they will serve you dinner as well if you request it. Amazing food. They also show a very old silent flick called Man of Aran and it was really fascinating. We rented a bike when we got to the island (right at the dock) and biked to our B & B. All of the rental places will drive your luggage to your inn and then pick the bike up after you depart. Be sure and see the fort and the cliffs. I'd suggest staying away from the villageit's a tad touristy. Altho if you're in the market for a woollen sweater....Do enjoy it. When we were there, while I thought Dingle was lovely and the coastline and beaches spectacular, it was crowded and expensive. Lots of busses and cars on the roads weaving along the southern coast. I preferred the much less touristy coastal region of Donegal and the North Antrim Coast. I also found Belfast fascinating. Ireland rocks!

Brian, you should have an additional plan for your Inishmore time. If the sea is rough, or the weather is bad you might not even get to the island at all. What will you do if it doesn't work out to go?