Our Ireland Itinerary- does it work?

You aren't giving yourself much time in Dingle, particularly since you won't get there until fairly late from the Ring of Kerry, and you plan to drive Dingle-Cliffs of Moher-Galway the next day. And that day will be a long one. Perhaps you can stay nearer to Doolin instead of driving on to Galway that day.

I don't see any reason to go for both the ROK and Dingle. You are trying to see too much, too fast IMHO.

Thank you for your reponses. After doing a bit more research on ROK and Dingle we have decided that we will skip ROK and head straight to Dingle from Kenmare. Is Kenmare a good place to stay after Balarney? we were thinking it was close enough to dingle, so we wouldnt waste a lot of the 2 days we have in dingle driving there. Or is there somewhere else worth stopping?

Thanks again!!

Kenmare is a great little town! There is a stone circle there, a couple of blocks from the center of town, and you can visit the lacemaking workshop and see how Kenmare lace is made. Lots of good shopping, too.

I think you made a wise choice on ROK... roads in Ireland aren't what we're used to, and after going out to ROK, then the Cliffs of Moher, I think ye'd be feeling it. Roads to the Cliffs were pretty darned bumpy last year (even more so than other roads.) fyi.

I've always wanted to do Dungaire Castle dinner hope that goes well!

I agree that Kenmare is a great place to spend a night. The drive from Kenmare to Killarney along the edge of the national park is lovely. You'll be tempted to stop frequently to admire the views and to take short walks. Do not fight the temptation!

If you take your time going from Kenmare to Dingle via Killarney, then you'll need to spend two nights in Dingle. Doing justice to the Slea Head Peninsula drive means stopping for the view and taking walks. In addition, you'll have two evenings to listen to traditional music in one or more pubs. If the weather is clear as you approach Dingle, drive over Connor Pass. You may not get another chance to enjoy the view from the top.

If you must limit yourself to one night in Dingle, then be sure to leave Kenmare really early in the morning on your way to Dingle via Killarney. That's the only way you'll be able to fit in the Slea Head drive before dark.

When you leave Dingle I assume you plan to take the Killimer-Tarbert ferry across the Shannon River and then the coastal route to the Cliffs of Moher and on to Galway. As Nancy said, that will be a very long day. Be sure to get an early start.

While a day trip to Paris from London certainly is possible, I highly recommend that you spend one night in Paris. You'll have time for a leisurely dinner and to see a bit of the City of Lights after dark. Beautiful!

You can book Eurostar tickets up to 120 days in advance at www.eurostar.com. Book ASAP to get the cheapest fare. The price will only increase as the allotted number of discount fare tickets are sold.

Thank you all for your help! We are now going to fly into Dublin 1 day ealier so that we can make Dingle a 2 night trip instead of 1. I think we finaly have a doable itinerary set. We are so excited! Now to just start planning the driving directions:) Thanks again!

Maybe you will find some of these excerpts from our 2005 itineray helpful::

3 nights in Dublin(north of Liffey River near Mountjoy Square) @ Clifden House Natalie and Kacy http://www.clifdenhouse.com/

Pickup car at Europcar Dublin downtown office http://www.kemwel.com/index.cfm

2 nights in Kilkenny (65 mi southwest of Dublin) @ Celtic House Angelea and John Byrne http://www.bedandbreakfastireland.net/Kilkenny_CelticHse.htm

1 night in Bunratty (near Shannon Airport) @ Ashgrove House Shiela and Frank Tiernan http://www.ashgrovehouse.com/

1 night in Kenmare ( near Ring of Kerry) @ Waters Edge B&B Noreen Cronin http://www.neidin.net/watersedge/

7 nights on Dingle Peninsula (30 mi northwest of Kenmare) @ Courtney Bungalow Michael Courtney http://www.gulliver.ie

3 nights in Kinsale (80 mi southeast of Dingle near Cork) @ O'Donovan's B&B Michael and Eileen http://www.family-homes.ie/entries2004/c104.htm

3 nights in Galway (110 mi north of Kinsale) @ Carraig Beag B&B Catherine and Paddy Lydon http://www.dirl.com/galway/salthill/carraig-beag.htm#contact

1 night on Inishmore Island (8 mi southwest of Rossaveel) @ Kelly House Mary Kelly http://www.ireland.ie/accom_search_results_single.asp?sID=ICS0G895

3 nights in Murrisk (7 mi west of Westport on Clew Bay near Crough Patrick Mtn) @ Seaview B&B Margaret Grady [email protected]

Slainte!

Recently saw that Waterford factory is reopening in a different location and on a smaller scale in Waterford - opening sometime this year, but don't know when - you might want to check out that information before committing to Waterford.

Stephanie,

Looks like you've figured out the Dingle leg of the trip, so let me ask why Waterford is on your itinerary. The Crystal Factory is closed, and there's not much reason for tourists to go to Waterford. Plus, it's a bit of a backtrack from the route between Kilkenny and Kenmare.

Good tip from Karen. Their website says that the new factory will open in June. So you could do that, though I'm still not sure it's worth it. I'd keep an eye on this and make sure that the opening doesn't get pushed back.