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Favorite Itineraries
Ireland: A Favorite Itinerary
Ireland is one of our favorites destinations, offering a blend of fun things to do, natural beauty, history and culture that is sure to delight. The people are warm and friendly, the music is spectacular, the scenery is breathtaking and the food is great!
A common misconception about Ireland is that it’s just a small country. It’s easy to get ambitious and plan too driving, but with some well-informed foresight you can avoid being overscheduled. We find that it’s helpful to think of Ireland as the face of a clock with 4 quadrants. Normally in a 10-14 day vacation it’s best to visit two, maximum 3 of the quadrants.
All of Ireland is great, and Shannon Airport is perfectly positioned to reach the two western quadrants of the country, our favorite itinerary. Here follows a sample, which we would be more than happy to personally craft into the trip of your dreams!
Day 4
Connemara!
Connemara!A full day to relax and explore this pristine natural region!
Day 5Connemara - Kylemore Abbey - Westport
Connemara - Kylemore Abbey - WestportRange into the northern part of Connemara including lakeside Kylemore Abbey and then you are in for a treat with the dazzling scenery as you cross County Mayo to Westport on Clewe Bay, once the haunt of the pirate Grace O’Malley!
Day 1
Depart USA - overnight flight
Day 2Shannon - Galway
Shannon - GalwayArrive at Shannon and pick up your rental car (or please ask us about driver services). Drive to Galway, the largest city of the west, known for its numerous pubs and restaurants. Rest and relax from your flight before heading out for a night-on-the-town!
Day 3Galway - Connemara
Galway - ConnemaraDrive north to Connemara, exploring scenic coves and seashore along the way! Clifden (your overnight stop) is known for the traditional Irish music in its night spots.
Day 8Cobh
CobhVisit The Queenstown Story, a museum dedicated to the migration out of Ireland of 160 years ago. Why not a day-trip to Blarney Castle? Great shopping too!
Day 9Cobh - Bantry Bay - Kenmare
Cobh - Bantry Bay - KenmareFollowing the scenic south coast, today could include Bantry Bay en route to Kenmare, an off-the-beaten-path town with true old-world charm.
Day 10 Kenmare
From Kenmare visit Muckross House, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry with its quintessentially Irish countryside!
Day 6Westport - Athlone
Westport - AthloneInto the center of Ireland today, potential stops include Ballintubber Abbey and maybe a jump to Sligo to pay homage to Yeats’ tomb?
Day 7Athlone - Clonmacnoise - Cobh
Athlone - Clonmacnoise - CobhContinue south along the Shannon River Valley to Clonmacnoice, an extensive medieval monastic ruin! On to Cobh now for the overnight!
Day 11 Kenmare - Lahinch
Head up to Lahinch for the overnight, possibly with a stop at Donegal!
Day 12 Lahinch - the Burren - Lahinch
From Lahinch, explore The Burren with its unique limestone landscapes, the Celtic site at Poulnabrone and the Cliffs of Moher
Day 13 Lahinch - Shannon - USA
Back to Shannon now to return the rental for your flight back to the US
There are infinite variations on this itinerary. Gear it up. Gear it down. Or you could branch out into Ulster, the former “north’ to visit Omagh or the Giants’ Causeway, or why not venture to the Dublin area, known for its Celtic sites such as Newgrange and artistic heritage such as Malahide castle or the Book of Kells! The southeast features Avoca and Glendalogh, where St. Kevin lived. Ireland has so much to offer! We’re just a quick phone call away and you will find our insights and planning expertise invaluable! You’re truly about to take the best vacation of your life!
