Planning a trip to Ireland and visiting these places - comments?

Question

We are visiting Ireland for one week at the end of April and this is our itinerary right now. Any comments on schedule or specific places to stay? We want to see these attractions the most but also want to experience the "flavor" and "culture" of Ireland, so we didn't want to "pack" in too much.

Day 1 - Fly into Dublin

Day 2 - Visit Wicklow Mtns, Garden of Powerscourt, Sally Gap, Glendalough - drive to Cashel

Day 3 - Visit Rock of Cashel - drive to Dingle

Day 4 - Visit Dingle

Day 5 - Visit Dingle - drive to Doolin

Day 6 - Visit Cliffs of Moher - drive halfway to Dublin (not sure where yet)

Day 7 - Visit Dublin

Day 8 - Visit Dublin; fly out of Dublin

Answer 1

Sounds like its gona be a very busy week...the roads going to and from dingle arent the best...plan them well in advance- sounds like your gona be driving a lot

Answer 2

you've got pretty much everything covered!!!you're right to leave car behind when in dublin...not worth the hassle! you'll get plenty of culture in all those places especially in all the pubs, and there will be plenty of guinness to drink!!day 2  looks pretty busy...glendalough is pretty big and has some lovely walks etc so ya may want to cut down a little on that day!!powerscourt is gourgeous and there is a waterfall near by to it as well with the same name. go see pet cemetery in the powerscourt gardens..tis interesting!

you've plenty to keep ya busy!!! have a great time!

Answer 3

thats good, just make sure to use as much time as pos to visit dublin, its a brill city wi lots to see and do :)

Answer 4

your itinerary sounds great, hope u have a great time here, but i would omit the rock of cashel, there really is nothing of any interest there apart from a dose of pneumonia! and the entrance fee is too expensive for what u get to see there.

Answer 5

say hi to fungi the dolphin in dingle ah one small ommission u left out the ring of kerry

Answer 6

If i were you I'd spend only 1 day visiting Dublin (not much flavor and culture there believe me!) and add a location between Cashel and Dingle - it's a very long drive! I suggest you do Cashel-Cork-Dingle. And stop to Killarney on your way to Dingle. 2 days are too many for Dingle too. It's a tiny village. Maybe add a stop in Galway, it's a great place (leave Dingle in the morning-Doolin/Cliffs of Moher/Galway for dinner/night). Enjoy.

Answer 7

I'd add to what hypersquirrel mentions--the Japanese Gardens and the Irish National Stud are in Kildare, about an hour southwest of Dublin. I love Kildare town quite a lot! These things and St. Brigid's Well are the big things to see there. Stop in at Solas Bride and say hello to the Brigidine Sisters if you go; inquire at the Visitors' Centre.

I think you have too much crammed into Day 2; Glendalough itself will take much of the day to see properly. You'll never manage all that and still get to Cashel in one day.

I'm pleased to see that you have plenty of time for Cashel and for Connemara; the Cliffs of Moher is the single most beautiful place in Ireland, and in my opinion, the entire planet! And every Irish musician in the world knows about the little town of Doolin, with its three fine pubs.

On the occasions when I've visited Ireland, I really find it's best not to plan too closely. Make room for the "accidental adventures"--maybe a little time to sit in a pub and chat with folks, or ask them what might be interesting to see in an area. The best adventures are those that you didn't know you were going to have!

As far as the car travel, you are right--Dublin traffic is very difficult; avoid it if you can. The public transportation is excellent and is not hard to figure out.

I hope you'll stay in some B&Bs while you're there...my wife says that she loves having a nice Irish lady make breakfast for her every morning! B&Bs are not at all hard to find. Also, the Visitors' Centre (in any town large enough to have one) will be one of your best friends! They can hook you up with a place to stay, or describe local attractions.

Answer 8

i live in Dublin, ireland myself. When in Dublin you should def visit the Guinness factory they give a great tour. There is also tour buses that will bring you all over the city. Temple bar is the best place for its night life

Answer 9

I would also advise going to the Japanese Gardens/Irish National Stud especially seeing as they will have a few foals around at the time. Seeing as Ireland is famous for horses.

Answer 10

Dublin-good place to start,not really the flavor/culture of   ireland,but it's the capital,you've got to go there!

Wicklow-great scenery,perfect to get the 'essence' of Ireland.

Rock of cashel,Dingle,Cliffs of Moher-all must sees

The itinerary looks perfect,good luck and enjoy!

Answer 11

sounds good when ur in dublin be sure to stay around temple bar and if ur lookin for good pizza defontans(acroos from subway,next to eamon dorans).plan ahead with the aul driving it can be a nightmare

Answer 12

Sounds good, and I'd like to second the suggestions of staying in Temple Bar, visiting the Stud and def. the Guiness Tour

Answer 13

Looks Like a Very Busy Week. = )