bucky

I'm planning an 11 night trip to Ireland in late June/early July with my husband and two teens. We have the airfare set--fly into Shannon and out of Dublin. I have booked the first two nights at Ballinalacken Castle Hotel. Nights 3, 4, and 5 we are booked at Greenmount House in Dingle.

That's as far as I've gotten, because I can't decide on the mid portion of the trip. We are considering Kenmare for two nights, then Cashel for two nights, then Dublin for three. That would mean cancelling our last night in Dingle and only staying there two nights. I want to spend at least two nights in each place, and definitely three in Dublin because we will be visiting our other daughter there where she will be going to summer school at Trinity.

I think the Cashel area would be a good spot to stop between the west coast and Dublin, and my family wants to see the Cahir castle. Is anyone familiar with Knocklofty Country House three miles west of Clonmel?

If we were to skip Kenmare we could stay three nights near Clonmel. Is there enough to occupy us? That would mean 2 nights in Doolin, 3 nights in Dingle, 3 nights near Clonmel, and 3 nights in Dublin. Or, perhaps add a fourth night to Dingle if rooms are still available and do 2 nights near Clonmel.

My husband said the other day he really wants to see some ancient ruins. Fodor's guide lists the best and they are all in county Meath, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Antrim. Any thoughts on that?

This is our first trip and I hope to go back with just my husband in a few years, so on this trip I am trying to keep the pace relaxing. I know we can't do it all in one trip and it gets so hard trying to pick and choose!

Thanks for your help.

joolleeb

While around the cashel area we visted cahir castle and Rock of Cashel-we really enjoyed this. We spent a total of 1.5 days their However we actually stayed 1 night in Clonmel and it was the worst place of our trip-it was a hotel which I won't mention unless someone brings it up. Clonmel itself as a town seemed a bit depressing. I have no idea what something three miles out would be like-hopefully much better! We also stayed in kenmare two nights and did lots of exploring in that area-It is a great town one of our favorites!

Ardfert

I would spend an extra night in Kenmare as there are lots of places to see nearby.One ancient monastic site I really enjoyed was a trip to the Skelligs. See www.lakehotel.com/skelligs.htm. Only suitable for visiting on a fine day though.Killarney is near Kenmare and has a wonderful national park which you can see as you drive along the road from Kenmare.
The Rock of Cashel will take only a few hours to see but it also near Cahir Castle (highly recommended ) and Kilkenny,a vibrant ancient small city.Have a look at www.historic.irishcastles.com

bucky

Ardfert:

Yes, the Skelligs sound interesting, but I think my husband meant something even more ancient, from Celtic times, like Druid stone circles.

Joolleeb:

Why won't you mention the name of the hotel you disliked? Isn't that what this forum is all about?

Thanks for your comments on Clonmel. Maybe we will base near a different town. Any suggestions for a good spot for two nights' rest between the west coast and Dublin? Anyone?

Laoghaire

bucky...go to http://indigo.ie/~jdem for megalithic monuments. Great website...Helen

Budman

We went to Cahir castle last May. They showed a short video in one of the rooms. There certainly is a lot of history and ancient "stuff" in the surrounding areas to keep you busy for a week.

GreenDragon

If you are thinking of staying near Kilkenny, there is a great resort just south of there, Knocktopher Abbey. They have little 'apartments' (I think they're called 'coach houses' that are 2bedroom/3beds/2bath/kitchen/2 story...

sformby

I would say try to spend a couple of nights in Kenmare. It was my favorite area on our 14-night trip. The Lodge was the upscale B&B we stayed in, and it was fabulous -- our favorite. I also stayed in Kilkenny and saw the Rock of Cashel as we passed through the area. There didn't seem like enough to linger near Cashel for three nights in what is really, the middle of farm land plains, when the coast is so much more beautiful, in my opinion.

althom1122

Agree that you may find 3 nights near Cashel too many (the Rock of Cashel is, indeed, wonderful). We stayed at a wonderful B&B right at the base of the Rock - can't remember name of it off the top of my head, but do a search in the Ireland forum on Penny and my trip report will come up. (it's called Karen and Penny's trip report or something like that) I'd definitely keep 2 nights in Kenmare - beautiful area.

Clifton

I like the Cashel/Cahir area quite well and think 2 nights as a base would be ok. You may be able to optimize your time at the Rock by staying in Cashel itself. That gives you the chance to get into the site as it opens and have a look around before the crowds and the busses arrive. Or after they leave.

I'd have to agree though, that in playing with "extra" days, I'd lean towards giving that day to the Kerry end of things. With Beara, the ROK, Killarney Nat'l Park, Muckross, the Gap of Dunloe all so close, there's more to see there than in Tipperary.

Itallian_Chauffer

Just a bit south of Limmerick City is Lough Gur. Do a google search for their website. The stone circle there is older than the piramids (I never said I could spell). Also Carraganaunne Project, just northeast of Shannon has some interesting stuff.

NEDSIRELAND

bucky writes: "My husband said the other day he really wants to see some ancient ruins. Fodor's guide lists the best and they are all in county Meath, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Antrim. Any thoughts on that?"
Would Ceide Fields Prehistoric site in County Mayo fall into the "ancient ruins" category? You can find it on a map just north of the route between Bangor Erris and Belmullet in NW Mayo.

isabel

I would probably do Kenmare for two and Cashel for two nights as you originally said. From a base in Kenmare you can drive out to the Beara Peninsula which was wonderful - and hardly any tourists there even in August.. Between Kenmare and Dingle is Muckross House and Friary. The house we didn't go into, it's a manor house, we just walked around the gardens. But the Friary, (different parking area to get to it) was a great old ruin that you could climb around in. Wonderful setting too. One of my favorites and if I remember correctly it was free.

From Cashel you should definitly do Cahir castle. Not exactly a ruin but no fussy furnishings to mar the feeling that you are in an old castle. Great climbing around there too.

On the way to Dublin you'll go near Kilkenny which is a very nice larger town. Only about a ten minute drive from Kilkenny is Jerpoint Abbey, one of the best ruins in Ireland. And then close to Dublin is Glendalough, which is definitly one of the most impressive sites in Ireland.

I have a few photos of each of those places posted if that would help you decide where to go. They are at: www.pbase.com/annforcier/ireland&page=all

Enjoy your trip.

Budman

isabel, nice pictures. Both Beara and Mizen Head are two of Ireland's best kept secrets from the tourists who flock to Dingle & Kerry.