travel times in Ireland

It's "possible" to get to Kinsale after stopping depending on how long you stay at Powerscourt and Glendalough. You can easily spend a couple hours at each location. I would recommend staying around Kilkenny or Cashel. (Try to visit the Rock of Cashel if your time allows and are interested) How long will you be in Ireland?

As for lodging, B&B's are the way to go. There are thousands of them. A lot of them can be found on the internet and if you feel adventuresome, just watch for signs posted along the roadsides. Here are some websites that we have used:

1. discoverireland.ie

2. failteireland.ie

3. irelandforvisitors.com

If you are a AAA member, talk to them about B&B's. And you could try Googling the Irish Tourism Board in New York. Besides regular B&B's there are two other types, Town and Country Homes and Farmhouse B&B's.

Send me a PM if you need more help.

Hello Mr. Tom,

We'll be in Ireland for 10 days, well 9 actually, since I shouldn't count the day we fly home.

I hadn't thought of breaking up the trip by staying around Cashel. That's a great idea as it was on my "to see" list.

I've got Rick's Ireland '09 book, plus some saved itineraries on Via Michelin and www.discoverireland.com.

I appreciate the great tip. I want to see so much- but not feel it's all a whirlwind. Hard balance to reach having never been there. I just keep telling myself I can see more next time ;)

Thanks again,
Marcia

mr Tom has given you good advice.

For your last night, stay at a Bunratty B&B or at either a B&B or hotel in Ennis.

You have the right attitude,,,"I keep telling myself I can see more next time". Yes there is so much to see and do, but it will still be there next time.

If you do any searching of the "To the North" strings, you will see many posts about the slow driving. It just can't be emphasized enough that it will take much more time than it does here. And when you factor in the time that gets consumed in stopping for sight-seeing along the road or something that someone suggests, the travel-time clock doesn't stop.

I agree that Ennis is a good place to stay on your last night. Try to find something on the south end of town so that you'll be that much closer to the airport.

If you stop at Rock of Cashel, there are two other sites that are located just a few miles south, in Cahir. Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage, if your teenagers like that sort of thing.

If you don't have a place to stay in Dingle, I recommend Duinin B&B.(check out their website) It's only about 3/4 mile from Dingle on the road to Connor Pass. They serve a fantastic breakfast that you pick from several selections. And they serve ground coffee in a French press. This is important if you're a coffee drinker. Most places serve Nescafe so we opt for tea.

If you have any specific questions, send me a PM (private message).

I would suggest that you spend your last night in the Bunratty area. It is six miles from the airport, so it's easy to get there early in the morning. You will find a variety of B&Bs on the Bunratty road behind the castle. Across the street from the castle is a little shopping center, and beside the castle is an old pub, Durty Nelly's, which has great food.

And I'm not sure where Mr Tom has been staying, but virtually every B&B I've stayed at, on three trips to Ireland, has served coffee in a French press. The coffee making facilities in the room have instant coffee, of course, but not at breakfast.

When we were in Ireland every place we stayed served coffee in a french press. I am not a coffee drinker but my husband is and he said it tasted good.

If you overnight in Cashel, we loved O'Briens Cashel Lodge hostel - fabulous location within easy walking distance of the Rock and Hore Abbey plus Internet for the teenagers. Just got back from a trip to Ireland with a teenager - we stayed at both B&Bs and hostels and actually preferred the hostels.

Excellent tips! And so glad to hear about the coffee, although I really like my tea.

Nancy- I think I'd read about Durty Nelly's and the good food there- possibly on here. But I'll check out the Bunratty offerings for B&B's.

And Shelley- I've already gotten an inquiry into O'Brien's Lodge. I did a search and you're not the only one singing its praises. Good prices, too.

Thanks to all for such great help.

Marcia

Shelley, we will be traveling with 2 young adult daughters and are considering b & b's and hostels. Why did you prefer hostels?

Also, do you know if "family rooms" mean only parents with children under 18?

thanks!

We liked having a communal kitchen - very friendly - & access to a refrigerator. We were picnicing for at least one meal a day. Most hostels had book swap libraries, and a couple of them had laundry facilities & Internet at a good price. We were in Ireland in early June so they were not crowded. We had private rooms, not dorm beds. I think family room usually means beds for four.

On you last night you might want to try the Woodstock outside of Ennis. It's actual on the north side but right off the major highway and took us less than 15 min. to the airport. It is a hotel on a golf course with a large indoor pool which the teenagers might enjoy.