Ireland Travel Forum

We are coming to Ireland for the first time (party of 6) and are trying to make the most of it in the short time we will be there. This is our itinerary and any suggestions/comments would be sincerely appreciated!

Day 1
Arrive from Heathrow (after touring England for 7 days)
Pick up rental car in Dublin and head south - arrive in Wexford, staying at Killiane Castle

Day 2
Sight See around Wexford (suggestions?)

Day 3
Depart for Cork - staying at Ardfield Manor (Ballinhassig)
Things we want to see: Cobh, Kinsale

Day 4
More touring around Cork
Muckross house, etc.

Day 5
Head north - staying at Clareview House (Kinvara)
Guys are playing golf at Kilkee (??)
Trip into Galway

Day 6
Perhaps trip to Arayn Islands?

Day 7
Head east - must be at Kinnitty Castle by 11am for falconry lessons :-)

Day 8
Back to Dublin, drop off rental car

Day 9
Dublin

Day 10
Head home......

Thanks!!

I'd be inclined to try to fit Cork into a one night stay, unless you have some special reason to stay there two nights. It's only my opinion mind you, but I have never found Cork to be particularly exciting by Irish standards. I am so envious of you staying in Kinvara, it is absolutely my favourite village in Ireland and by far one of the best vantage points for seeing the sun go down on Galway Bay. Like so many countries in Europe, Ireland has so much to offer that you would need to have six months to take it all in properly. Your itinerary for ten days looks pretty good. Have a great time.

I wouldn't agree with the previous posting at all. There's loads to see and do in Cork. Kinsale and Cobh alone would certainly take a very long day to do them justice and both are very good choices. However, you mention Muckross House which is in Killarney, and obviously you won't want to miss Kerry. If you had unlimited time I would say stay in Cork for several days but as you haven't, perhaps that second night could be spent in Dingle, allowing you to tour the Dingle peninsula before heading for Clare. Don't miss Kerry because it's really spectacular. From Doolin in Clare, you could do a trip to Inis Oirr, the smallest and (in my view, by far the most beautiful) of the Aran Islands. Then in Galway ,you could spend the day driving round Connemara.

Maybe you could leave out Wexford, allowing yourselves more time on the west coast which is without a doubt the most beautiful part of Ireland.

Have a great trip :))

I agree and disagree in equal measures with previous replies. Co.Wexford is a beautiful and historic county and the drive down the N11 from Dublin is a good route - passing through some beautiful scenery on a decent road. Wexford town itself is worth a look and nearby Ferrycarrig National Heritage Park will give you a good insight into Irish History. A visit to the Kennedy Arboretum at New Ross would cover the 'J.F.Kennedy' connection with the county and lovely gardens. There are great beaches along the coast if you have time and the fishing village of Kilmore Quay is worth a look for the traditional thatched cottages and seafood retaurants.
Muckross House is in Killarney, Co. Kerry not Cork and maybe too far off your ititerary this time.
Both Cobh and Kinsale are worth visiting but again time restraits may prohibit a visit to both on this trip.
Kinvara is lovely but a drive around Connemara is also worthwhile, taking in Oughterard to Clifden on the way out and back via Roundstone. No matter what your route around Connemara your drive will involve narrow country roads which take more time than you expect so don't be over ambitious.
Overall I'd say your proposed itinerary is do-able but hectic so take it as it comes, the best bits are off the beaten track!

Good points Anne Marie. It sounds to me as though the hotels are already booked so possibly they would have to pay cancellation charges if they wished to change their itinerary. Overall it sounds like a good plan and the important thing is to make your own discoveries, at your own pace and enjoy yourselves. When you get to each location, pop into the tourist office and get all the leaflets they have for up-to-date information on attractions in the locality. If you are driving from Dublin to Wexford then a huge advantage is the fact that you will be going through Wicklow. Some diversions here would definitely be worth the time.

In hopes of explainig this itinerary in more detail (thanks to all the posts so far!) - we have two nights in Wexford, two nights in Cork, two nights in Galway, one night at Kinnitty and two nights in Dublin. Our hope is that by having a "home base" we can go out and explore the country around those areas in greater detail and still have a place that we will be comfortable for a few days. What about sights around any of these locations? We're not overly inclined to go to Waterford's crystal factory (not a huge fan) but I want to see the Tipperary factory. Thoughts? Thanks for all the suggestions and please keep them coming!

You are going to have the time of your life! My family and I have been to Ireland serval times, and it is where my hubby and I would love to retire for at least a year. So anyway on with your question.. If you are in Cork, I might try to get in Blarney Castle (tourist yes, but I loved it, and hey how many people can say they kissed the Blarney stone ;) Killarney is my fav fav fav place, and the Gap of Dunloe (sp) is so pretty, and of course the Ring of Kerry. Just mho. You are gunna love it.
Diana