Hi, I'm new here. My husband and I are leaving on Friday for a week in Ireland and a week in Scotland.
We are staying 3 nights in Adare (near Limerick) and 2 nights in Dublin.
I know it's not much time, but that's all the time we have. We were thinking of driving to the Dingle peninsula, but what else should we try to see while we are staying in Adare? We don't want to do too much driving. We know what driving in Europe is like as we've done a lot of driving throughout Europe. We want to take it easy, avoid crowds and festivals, stop for coffee in the morning and beer in the afternoon, sit around in quiet pubs and do a lot of walking.
What would you suggest within easy driving distance from Adare (Limerick)?
Acanthus - re. Adare. Where to start!? I think you could spend a whole day just seeing the sights of Adare alone, stopping for coffee, lunch, tea, a pint etc and having a really slow time. You will find a lot of information on the area here http://www.adare-ireland.com/ As you can see, you can drive south into Kerry or north west into Clare. Perhaps don't try to do The Ring of Kerry as you will spend all day driving but make for somewhere specific like Inch on the Dingle penninsula and walk along the beach there. Maybe tootle up to Dingle for more tea, coffee, and whatever. I always find Killarney a rather touristy town but that is within driveable distance and it is just my opinion. The area around Muckross is beautiful and perfect for walking. The Shannon is not far if you are into boats and north east of Limerick is Lough Derg which is well worth a visit. Drive into County Clare and walk anywhere in the Burren (you should not miss the Cliffs of Moher). The very special wild flowers of the Burren are best in May but we had a rather late Spring in England and Ireland this year so I think you might still see a stunning display.
Hi Acanthus - I would highly recommend going up to see New Grange when in Dublin. It's a megalithic tomb which is older than the pyramids and very, very impressive. It'll take a couple of hours - either by car, or there are bus trips from Busarus (the main bus station in Dublin).
In Dublin, go to the Queen of Tarts for a rasberry scone... heavenly. It's on Dame Street opposite Dublin Castle.
Dingle is wonderful, and could easily be a full day, if you spend some time poking among the beehive huts, ring forts, Blasket Island Centre, and - a "must see" on my list - the Gallerus Oratory, a very old drystone church. But it would involve a certain amount of driving, and as you say, slow driving on winding narrow roads. If you do the full loop of Dingle, there's even a spot in the road where you may have to cross a small (very shallow) ford! But the view from Connor Pass (look out for wandering sheep) is terrific. Then again, as Felicity said, there is a lot to see closer to Adare, too, and plenty to keep you busy for 3 days. Her recommendation of Muckross House (and grounds) is an excellent one.
I agree that Newgrange is fabulous, but with only two days in Dublin, that's a tough call, as there is so much in Dublin - Dublin Castle, Trinity College (and the Book of Kells), St Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, the National Museum - fantastic collection of Celtic gold torcs, etc. - just to name a few. I second Patricia's notion of a scone (or anything at all) at the Queen of Tarts. And if you want good fish and chips - we have always found Leo Burdock's takeaway, just around the corner from Christ Church Cathedral, to be excellent. (Have to admit, though, I haven't been there since 2001.)
Best wishes for a wonderful trip. Fair warning - you will want to go back!
KimC, I already want to go back and I haven't even left home yet. I just see too many wonderful sights in my research and know we can't do all of them. We will have a good time, no matter the weather, but weather does affect how much one enjoys any location.
I love old houses and castles, so we will try to get to Muckross house.
We leave tomorrow. I'm almost packed. Still doing on-line research in order to make informed decisions once we get there.
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