Hi. We are going to Ireland for 8 days (plus 1.5 days to travel afterwards) and wanted some help on places to stay. We understand the island is small but driving requires a bit of time and wanted some assistance as to towns to stay in so we're not packing and unpacking all the time... especially because we continue on for 3 weeks following the Emerald Isle! We will be in Ireland from 22Dec and fly out the 31st to catch NYE in Paris. Wanted to spend several (probably 3-4 nights in Dublin) with side trips to Newgrange (solstice perhaps!), Wicklow and maybe the Rock of Cashel before it closes that week between Christmas and New Years. What recommendations do you have for staying in the south? Or should we just pass through and visit as we wanted to do Killarney Nat'l Park, the Dingle Peninsula and end our stay at the Ashford Castle.
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Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Winter solstice falls on Dec 21, so you won't make it to Newgrange for it (tickets for that day are extremely hard to come by, anyway). It's still a fabulous place to go! What do you mean by "We are going to Ireland for 8 days (plus 1.5 days to travel afterwards)"? Is Dec 22 your first full day in Ireland, or do you arrive that day? You might consider staying a night in the Cork or Kenmare areas, which would put you nearer the Killarney area.