Long-time lurker here again, with questions relating to the 2nd week of our trip, which is Ireland! We're planning 3 nights in Dingle, 3 nights in Galway (visiting Aran Islands, Connemara), then finishing with 3 nights in Dublin. We will pick up a car when we arrive at Kerry airport, and drive it all over the country until we reach Dublin. So here are my questions about the Ireland part of our trip: 1. DH would really like to see some puffins. I've seen youtube videos of Skellig Michael; really not sure I can handle that (fear of heights). What are the chances we'll see some on the Blasket Islands, Conor Pass, or even the Cliffs of Moher? 2. Is it at all feasible to see any of the Ring of Kerry from our base in Dingle? Or should we just enjoy the Dingle peninsula and leave RoK for another trip? 3. When we make the drive from Galway to Dublin, what are some good stopping-off points? Clonmacnoise looks interesting; is it do-able to make it to Newgrange and/or Trim? We were planning to drop the car at Dublin airport, so thought those 2 stops looked close. If it's not feasible to see Newgrange on the way in to Dublin, should we keep the car one more day (our dublin b&b near st. stephen's has free parking) or drop it at the airport and then take the bus back out to Newgrange the next day? Thanks again for all your help over the last few years - we've had several great trips thanks to all your recommendations, and look forward to this next one in just a couple weeks!
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
1. You can see puffins if you take a short cruise out of Doolin by the Cliffs. You won't get much of a view from the top of the Cliffs. No comment on Skellig Michael or other locations. 2. The drive from Dingle to the ROK would be roughly 2 hours to start the clockwise loop. If you want to beat the tour buses, you'll need to leave Dingle pretty early. 3. Clonmacnoise is a must see especially if you don't go to Glendalough. You can easily make it to Trim but you may have trouble with getting into Newgrange and Knowth (see both) late in the day during high tourist season. You could stay in Trim (tour the castle) and then hit Newgrange/Knowth when it opens the next day. I would definitely ditch the car before getting into Dublin. On your short trip, I'd stay in Dublin and not try to turnaround and go back out to Newgrange the next day. Personal comment (aren't they all) -- You are spread way too thin on a two week trip. You aren't doing justice to Great Britain or Ireland. Spend two weeks on one island. Go to the other one on the next trip.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Re puffins, at least one of the companies that takes folks to Skellig Michael also has a nature tour that take you around the islands, including the bird colonies, without actually stopping at Skellig Michael. I'm thinking of doing that. I get the impression the bird colonies there are larger than in other areas. I'm not remembering the name of the company, but I found it on the internet. One other thing: apparently Newgrange tickets often sell out early, and it's recommended you get there relatively early in the day, particularly weekends or holidays. You can't reserve or pre-buy tickets. Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2776 posts
I have been to Great Blasket Island twice and did not see any puffins either time, despite covering a fair amount of the island. I am dying to see a puffin! I would recommend going to Great Blasket Island even if you can't find any puffins. It is one of my favorite places in Europe. You could certainly make it around the ROK from Dingle, but it would be a very long day. I loved the ROK, but I would only do it if you are feeling restless. I love Dingle, so I might be more inclined to settle in there. You can always see what you feel like when you get there. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2450 posts
We drove from Dingle to parts of the ROK, ladies view and then onto town of Sneem which we loved and then back to dingle. I think we spent about half a day or so doing it. It is possible.
Posted by
OP
TX
4 posts
Thanks so much for all your generous responses! I guess we'll cross our fingers and hope to see puffins on one of several boat trips. If we don't succeed, we'll just have to book a trip to Iceland! ;) Still not sure what we'll do about Newgrange; we'll just decide when we get there, I suppose. We don't like "one night stands" so we'd rather not spend the nite in Trim. Additional Q about Clonmacnoise: it opens at either 9 or 10 (conflicting info on websites), but can we still walk the grounds before it's open? Or do you have to have a ticket to get in to the outside part as well? Thanks again for your help - we're really looking forward to it! :) - M p.s. Ken, if it makes you feel any better, we've been to England before, so we're kind of hitting our favorite highlights whilst fulfilling an obligation in London, then moving on to Ireland. Also, I have to keep DH busy or he'll drive me nuts - too much energy! ;)