My husband and I are planning a two week trip to Ireland in April 2012. I've spent many, many hours perusing the Helpline, but I haven't seen the itinerary I'm interested in. I have a background in archaeology so I'm more interested in ancient sites. Help would be greatly appreciated. Here goes: Day 1: Fly into Dublin, pick up rental car, head to Trim (Trim). Day 2: Trim, Bru na Boinne sites (Trim) Day 3: Drive to Galway, see some sites in Connemara (Galway) Day 4: More of Connemara and Galway (Galway) Day 5: Day trip to Inishmore (Galway) Day 6: Drive to Doolin, see The Burren (Doolin) Day 7: Drive to Dingle via Cliffs of Moher (Dingle) Day 8: Dingle Peninsula (Dingle) Day 9: Drive to Kenmare via Muckross House and Kissane sheep farm (Kenmare) Day 10: Drive to Kinsale (Kinsale) Day 11: Kinsale area (Kinsale) Day 12: Drive to Kilkenny via Rock of Cashel (Kilkenny) Day 13: Drive to Dublin via Glendalough, drop off car, see a bit of Dublin (Dublin) Day 14: Dublin sites (Dublin)
Day 15: Fly out of Dublin I realize I've left out a number of sites, but this is just a preliminary itinerary. Thank you in advance. Dawn Dayton, Ohio
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1862 posts
Hello Dawn, We are also interested in ancient sites and I have done extensive research for our Ireland trip next May. By ancient, do you mean prehistoric? If so, there are heavy concentrations of these sites around Sligo and on the Beara Peninsula (near Kenmare). The one change I would suggest is that you have two nights in Kenmare instead of two in Kinsale, giving you a little more time to explore the southwestern peninsulas. If your interest also includes ruined abbeys, we have Monasterboice and Clonmacanoise on our itinerary.
Posted by
OP
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
17 posts
Cynthia, We're interested in both prehistoric and ancient sites. I'm trying to work it so that we get to see quite a bit of the Valley of the Boyne as I don't think we'll be able to fit in the Sligo area. I'm hoping that we can stop at Clonmacnoise on our way to Galway. And, Monasterboice is on our list! Thanks for your comments.
Dawn
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2775 posts
I think this is a terrific itinerary. I'm assuming you are planning to rent a car. Sounds like a great trip!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Looks nicely paced to me!
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Trim has a nice castle that's definitely worth touring. I would recommend you stay somewhere closer to Bru na Boinne. It is a reasonably long drive to New Grange from Trim and there really isn't much in Trim besides the castle. I did stay at the Highfield House which is a very nice B&B across from the castle. It was also near the main road so there was a bit of traffic noise. I did have a nice dawn stroll around the castle which was a highpoint of my trip. Even so, I would stay closer to Bru na Boinne. We loved Clonmacnoise. I thought it was better than Glendalough but both were well worth visiting. Be sure to get the OPW card. It is well worth the money for what you're planning.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I'm not sure what the previous poster considers a fairly long drive, but the time between Trim and Newgrange is less than an hour. There are several nice B&Bs in Navan, though, which might be an alternative if you don't find anything in Trim.
Posted by
OP
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
17 posts
Thank you, all, for responding. It is really a great help having this helpline! Carroll, we are renting a car. Lucky me, I get to do the driving! Ken, I've been debating in which city to stay. The Cranmor B and B in Trim looked so inviting (and had good reviews). It seems that the Ash Cottage might be a good place in Navan. I'm keeping a record of all of the recommendations, and the OPW card is on my list. Nancy, had I been left to my own devices, I would have greatly underestimated the times between each place. I know in a post you recommended adding 25% more to the time on online directions. Believe me, I'm doing that in my calculations. As to the choice between Trim and Navan, which has the best pubs?? Also Nancy, thank you for the information in your email regarding my question about phones. We're buying a Garmin before we leave. To all, should I cut down on my time on Dingle Peninsula and add a day to Kenmare to see Beara Peninsula? Cynthia had suggested cutting down on my stay in Kinsale and adding to Kenmare. I know we can't see everything, and I don't want this to turn into "If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium." Thank you.
Dawn
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2775 posts
I can't see cutting any of your time in Dingle, since you only have one full day there. It's my favorite place in Ireland, and many people say the same. If you want to do the Beara Peninsula (I am dying to do it myself), why not do it on Day 10. That still leaves you a full day in Kinsale, which I think is fine.