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Rough Itinerary for Ireland (9 nights) Need help!

My family of six are planning a trip overseas for the first time! We chose Ireland as our destination. We just planned a rough itinerary (thanks to rick steve's guide book!) We were wondering if there were any tips that could help us make our trip a memorable one! We are staying nine nights excluding the two days of flying.

Day 1: Fly in to Dublin, Stay in Trim. Sites: Bru na Boinne, Hill of Tara, Trim Castle

Day 2: Drive to Powerscourt/Glendalough? ?

Day 3: See Rock of Cashel, Arrive in Dingle? Stay in Dingle. ?

Day 4: SleaHead Drive, Dingle Town ?Stay in Dingle?

Day 5: Drive to Galway Sites: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Doolin Caves?Stay night in Galway.?

Day 6: Aran Islands (Inishmore) Sites: Dun Aenghus, Seven Churches... Stay in Galway ?

Day 7: Connemara Sites: Connemara National Park, Twelve Bens Mountains, Kylemore Abbey ?Stay Ballynahinch Castle ?

Day 8: Connemara?Pony Trekk ?Stay ??? ?

Day 9: Day not Planned any suggestions? Add an extra day at Galway or Dingle? Is this too much to do in one trip?

We were also wondering what a price estimate for this trip would be?

Posted by
1455 posts

You need to take into account travel time to each destination, meaning your 2 day at a place really is one full day.

I'd really try to spend 3 days, because basically your first day is getting acclimated to the new place, unpacking/unwinding, etc.

As for price.. it depends how much you're willing to pay for a hotel, B&B, etc.

You also have 6 in your party, meaning 2 cars or one large van. You have to take into account the rental cost, and parking (as not all places are free).

I'd limit yourself to 2.. maybe 3 places for 9 days.

Posted by
319 posts

Cameron,

This is too much for 9 days. In Ireland, driving is SLOW. You need to add at least 1/3 to the typical driving times provided online.

Day 3 is too much. I'd spend the night in Cashel and head to Dingle the next day. Dingle definitely deserves two nights, maybe even a third. If you have young children, they'll love seeing Fungie the Dolphin who inhabits Dingle Bay.

Driving from Galway to Dingle is quite a trip. It's very difficult to do and see sites along the way, although there are definitely travelers on this site who have. I'd suggest seeing the Cliffs and then stopping for the night in one of the nearby towns like Doolin or Lahinch. These towns are great places for traditional music. Inishmore is a great place to visit, esp. with kids.

Basically, I'd suggest prioritizing. What sites are most important to you? Which would be nice but aren't essential? Then, plot your must-sees and figure out what's doable.

As for price, it depends of course on when you're going. Prices for airfare and rooms change by season. I'd say $1000-$1200 roundtrip per person would be a good airfare and about $50-$60 per person per night for a B&B. A car that fits six plus bags will probably run at least $100 per day, maybe more. Auto Europe generally has the best rates.

Posted by
4 posts

Hey thanks for the feedback! I was wondering what I should remove/add from itinerary to make it doable?

Posted by
162 posts

This was our itinerary last June for my family of 4. We flew in and out of Shannon. Driving can be intense and the roads are very bumpy. We ended up shortening up some of our intended driving days because everyone was road weary. Our itinerary: flew into Shannon -- got rental car drove to Cashel. 2 nights Cashel. -- day trip to Killkenny and Cahir on full day. Then 2 nights in Kinsale -- Blarney Castle and Cobh on the way. Then 3 nights in Kenmare -- took coast road to get there , Drombeg stone circle etc. One day to Skellig Michael, one day Kilarney and Ring of Kerry stuff, sheep farm etc, 2 nights Dingle ( wished for more!) - Slea head and Eco Boat tour. One night in Doolin -- Cliffs of Moher. One night Galway -- after day in the Burren ( loved the burren -- Galway just okay) One night in Bunratty before flying home the next day out of Shannon.

We averaged 40euros per person at B&B's -- if you can get a triple or family room it will be a bit cheaper. Fill up on Breakfasts at the B&B, eat a snack in the afternoon. Pub food for supper -- average 12-15 Euros each. Entertainment prices will add up according to what you do.

Posted by
9371 posts

Contrary to what Michael thinks, I think your itinerary looks pretty good. I have driven in Ireland on three different trips and I know how the driving can be. Still, this doesn't seem like too much to me. Your longest driving day will be day #3, but much of that is on good roads, not the tiny ones.