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Need suggestions for arranging Ireland itinerary

Posted by (Scottsdale, AZ, USA) on

I wish I had discovered this site months ago. We leave for Ireland on June 22 and our accommodations (mostly B&B's) are booked. We land in Dublin the morning of June 23 and will drive to Wicklow, visiting Powerscourt enroute. Should we also push to visit Glendalough that day or can it be done the next day enroute to Waterford? We will celebrate our 30th anniversary at
Waterford Castle on June 24. The factory is now closed; any ideas of what
else to do in the area?

We are in Kinsale for June 25 and 26; in Killarney on June 27 and 28; in Ennis on June 29 and spend June 30 and July 1 in Galway, before spending three nights in Dublin. Are we better off visiting the Cliffs of Moher as a side trip from Ennis or enroute to Galway? Where would it be best to fit in the Burren?
What could we visit on our ride between Galway and Dublin, or should we push to get to Dublin early and have more time there? Although we are locked into staying in these locales, we welcome any suggestions for "sightseeing" and arranging our visits in a logical manner. Thanks, too, for any restaurant or pub recommendations. We appreciate all your help.

June 27 and 28 -- Killarney
June 29 -- Ennis
June 30 and July 1 -- Galway
From which locale is it best to visit the Rock of Cashel? We will visit Cobh enroute to Kinsale and visit Blarney as a day trip from Kinsale. Is it worth
doing both the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula? Would it be best to visit the Cliffs of Moher as a side trip from Ennis or enroute to Galway? What do you recommend visiting on the drive from Galway to Dublin? Although we are locked into the itinerary, we welcome any suggestions regarding what to see and do in each place. We're also open to any restaurant suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help.

Posted by
113 posts

It appears that you have already done a lot of good planning.

You don't say what time in the morning that you will arrive nor where you will be staying that night. Assuming it is a mid-morning arrival and you are picking up your car at the airport, you probably won't be on the road until 10 or 11 am. At best you would get to Powerscourt around noon. If you plan on taking the tour of the house and want to roam the gardens (they cover many acres), you will be there a minimum of 2 hours. Then you have about an hour to drive to Glendalough. I would leave Glendalough for the next day, if you are staying nearby. If you finish earlier then go for it.

An idea for the Waterford area is Hook Head and lighthouse.

I've got to stop for now. Will be back later. One more thing before I leave, driving is very slow anytime you're off the main highways. Read through some of the other postings on this site.

Posted by
113 posts

I'm back.

So many questions...so little space to reply. Here are some thoughts. I say visit ROC on your drive from Waterford to Kinsale. It's a wee bit out of your way, but probably the closest you'll get.

Since you have allowed so much time in the area, the Cliffs and Burren could be done at your whim.

ROK is very touristy and a lot of buses. I prefer the Beara Peninsula (also RS recommendation). Less tourists and not as slow. If you have the time, Dingle Peninsula is worth it.

On your drive from Galway to Dublin, stop at Clonmacnoise.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you, Mr. Tom, for your responses. I appreciate your input and helping me to better organize routes so we can maximize our time.

Posted by
8700 posts

Take the R 600 from Kinsale to Clonakilty and then follow the N 71 to Skibbereen, Bantry, Glengarriff, Kenmare, and on to Killarney. The drive from Kenmare to Killarney along the edge of the national park is especially beautiful.

If you spend some time seeing the national park, you won't have time to do both the Ring of Kerry and the Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula. On your way from Killarney to Ennis take the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River.

There are several pubs in Ennis that offer traditional music sessions. Cruise's has them every night.

Since you'll have two nights in Galway, you might be able to fit in a drive a little way into Connemara and back.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks, Tim, for the excellent driving directions and the suggestions as to what to do. Each piece of advice brings the trip closer and more alive for me.

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