Thought about doing the south part of Ireland. While, we thought about driving and staying in Derry and Belfast....wanted thoughts on this itinerary instead. Any thoughts? Or should we go ahead and add Derry and Belfast? Just wanted to be sure we enjoyed as much as we could in 18 days. We want to be able to relax a bit and enjoy the wonderful people. Thanks so much. Your thoughts are so greatly appreciated. Also, any places we should add or tweak? 2 nights Kilkenny 2 nights Kinsale 2 nights Kenmare 3 nights Dingle 2 nights Doolin 2 nights Galway
3 nights Dublin
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2712 posts
I think this itinerary is just about perfect. The pacing is just right and you'll get to see a lot of the highlights of Ireland. I will say that I don't think Kilkenny merits two nights, but since it's your first two nights, maybe it's not a bad thing. Or, if you're willing to skip Kilkenny (I think it's skippable), you could start your trip with three nights in Dublin, then move to Kinsale and the rest of your itinerary and fly out of Shannon. That would give you two extra nights that you could add to any of the places you are already staying - whatever places seem to have the most sites that appeal to you. I can't really comment on the advisability of adding Derry and Belfast because I've never been there. You would have time for them if you skipped Kilkenny, but it would make the pace of your trip a little less relaxing.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
I would suggest adding a day to Galway so you have one full day for enjoying Connemara and one day for taking the ferry from Roseveal to visit the largest Aran Island. One night for Kilkenny is plenty. Personally, I find Dublin an "underwhelming" city. I would take time away from that location and add it to Kenmare, giving you time to drive the north side of the Ring of Beara and the south side of the Ring of Kerry. To us, the pleasure of Ireland lies in the beautiful green countryside, not one more large city.
Posted by
OP
Renton, wa, USA
11 posts
Thank you so much. This is great!
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
Kelley, while I agree as some say that Dublin can be underwhelming, I still feel it justifies three nights, perhaps with a day trip in there somewhere, and I agree also that putting it at the front of the itinerary makes sense. There's a lot to learn about Ireland right there at your fingertips. We took the train up to Belfast for a day and had an extremely interesting and informative Black Taxi tour with belfasttours.com, then took the tour of Belfast City Hall. We found a great seafood lunch, walked a lot to see the streets, and were back in Dublin by early evening. We really liked Belfast.
While in Dublin, do take the tour at the Kilmainham Jail. This tour, along with the day in Belfast, and some good conversation with our B & B host, was a great base of historical perspective with which to start our time in Ireland.
Posted by
San Francisco
123 posts
Agree with other posters. Visit the jail in Dublin as it will give you a history lesson on Ireland. Add a night to Galway. Doolin was a great little town we stayed on a farm and had a blast! Not sure you need 3 nights in Dingle? Once you have done Ring of Kerry , the Dingle Peninsula is very similar. Killarney was a nice town to stay in, Gap of Dunloe.