Hi to all. We had done a slowtrav trip to France a few years back and loved it. We'd like to do a similar trip to Ireland with our 20 something year old children next year (possibly June). We are thinking of an itinerary where we land in Shannon, drive to Doolin and stay two nights and then to possibly Clifden (or somewhere in Connemara) to spend a week in a self catering. SInce I'm not really familiar with driving distances there after we spend the week in Clifden how would it be driving to Shannon to leave? How far of a distance is it? Should we plan on spending our last night near the airport? How far of a drive is it from Doolin to Clifden? We thought of possibly spending our time in bigger cities but our kids just like what we do, great scenery and drives, good music in some pubs and just getting to know an area well and the people there. Thanks everyone. Janice
P.S. Hi to Kaydee from Janice & Gus that tagged along on your first tour in Provence!

None of the distances should be a problem for your plans. All sounds great!
Get out to the Aran Islands if you can - well worth it. Boats leave from Doolin.
We stayed in Doolin once, and enjoyed the pubs, music and restaurants. It's small and you can walk. We stayed at a hostel there, and I think your children would love that. We, an American middle aged couple, met a couple of young Australians and a student from Brown, and ended up traveling with them for excursions. Those things don't happen in hotels. And we had a private room.
Enjoy!
Linda

Linda, we will definitely try and go to the Aran Islands when there. I love the hostel idea also. I'll check into it!! Thank you! Janice

What time is your flight from Shannon Airport? Clifden to Shannon Airport is about 175 miles. Driving in Ireland can be slow - especially if you get caught up with a funeral. If it was me, I'd want to have an overnight nearer the Shannon
....just in case!!

While in Doolin, try and make time to explore the Burren - a magnificent expanse of limestone county. In June the wild flowers will be at their best. Park the car and wander.

Connemara is beautiful. One of its great advantages is that It is not on the tourist 'must see' list so doesn't get the pressure of tourists that Kerry and Dingle area do. I can almost see the hackles rising when I say I much preferred it to both of these areas.

Everyone has their list of favourites and you will get lots of suggestions. Here are some of mine to get you started...

Roads are quiet and there is little traffic. Do take chance to explore the minor roads.

Clifden is a nice little town and has a good range of shops. It makes a good base as you have ve got good access to places along the coast (and some super beaches) and can also get into Joyces Country easily.

On a fine day make sure you do the Sky Drive from Clifden - it is one of the great drives.

The drive round the coast from Clifden to Roundstone is lovely. Live dangerously and take the minor road back across Roundstone bog - one of the few large boggy areas left. But watch out for the dread legend of Roundstone Bog....I'll leave you to find out about that.

Large areas of Ireland used to be covered with peat bogs but many have been destroyed by cutting for fuel to burn in power stations, for domestic fires or horticultural purposes. If you have chance to have a proper peat fire - grab it.

If you get a wet day consider a visit to the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar. There are lots of videos showing the old craftsmen at work with examples of their work in the display cases. We also liked the videos of the old folk customs which were still prevalent 50 years ago. Some of these were definitely heathen!It is a vivid portrayal of a way of life which has now gone.

Cong of course is famous for it's "The Quiet Man" connections - much of it was filmed round here. If you go, also try to visit the ruins of Cong Abbey and the monk's Fishing Station on the river. Each time they caught a fish they would ring the bell to tell the kitchen.

There is also the remains of a dry canal. This was to be built to link Loughhs Corib and Mask. Unfortunately the bottom wasn't sealed properly and after the grand opening all the water seeped away through the bottom.... You can still see the remains in places.

Just down the road from Cong is Headford with the ruins of Ross Errilly Priory (Sometimes shortened to just Ross). Chances are you will have the ruins to yourselves. They are beautiful.

There is so much waiting to be discovered... Go slow and enjoy yourselves.

Eleanor

Having reread your post, I realise I haven't answered your question about Doolin to Clifden. No problem - that is an easy day's drive and you'll have plenty of time to stop along the way.

Eleanor

Eleanor, thank you so much for all of those great ideas. I didn't put it in my original post but we're not going until 2010 so we're at the beginning of this process. How fun to plan though. Thanks again-Janice

Eleanor, thanks for the info. We're spending almost 4 weeks in Ireland in May, including a week here in Clifden.

Ann, I've been looking at that website. There's some great listings on there. Let me know how it works out. Janice

Have fun with the planning - I enjoy it. Over the years I've learnt that many of the 'must sees' are to be avoided (OK there are some that you HAVE to do) but there are so many beautiful places that tourists just don't get to.

We spent a week in Connemara in early June in 2005 and loved it so much we went back in September 2006. We had a self catering cottage attached to a farm above Lough Corrib.

You might be interested in seeing the pictures on our web sites:
http://homepage.mac.com/wasley...eland_w/Menu105.html
http://homepage.mac.com/wasleys/ireland06_mw/

There is so much history - you can still see the remains of the lazy beds used to grow potatoes before the famines of the 1840s.

There are also some lovely walks in the area.

Come back if you want more information on anything.

Eleanor

I wish I could tell you which Doolin hostel it was, but I didn't note it.
Doolin is spread out, just some scattered pubs, etc. along the main road. There is no real neighborhood or compact village to explore. Nonetheless, good pubs and music. When we were there, someone told us that the music we were enjoying was second rate, because there was a nearby music festival and the best musicians were there. That was in June - worth investigating if music is important.
When we flew into Shannon, we stayed in Ennis the first night. It's close and it's a very pleasant and genuine village.
The smaller roads will be slow going. That's because they are very narrow and lined with hedge rows which are problematic when meeting oncoming traffic......But lovely!
Linda

HI Eleanor. I have to say that your pictures are amazing and brought tears to my eyes. If it's that beautiful in your pictures I can only imagine what it looks like when really being there. Thank you so much for posting your lovely photos. The weather looks like it was very nice. Thanks again, Janice

Eleanor. those pictures of Killary and Sheefry are absolutely beautiful. How far is that from where we'd be? Janice

Hi Janice - The Killary and Sheeffry pictures are taken just up the road from Clifden, between Clifden and Louisburg.

Drive along the N59 from Clifden towards Letterfrack. The fist 20 pictures are taken around the peninsula jutting out between Letterfrack and Leenaun. Killary Harbour is the 'fjord' inlet up to Leenaun and said to be one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. You can go for cruises on it, but we've not done this. The last 15 pictures are along the coast north of here. They are only accessible along a narrow road from Louisburgh. We weren't quite sure what to call this area, so named it Sheffry after the Sheffry Hills which are to the east of Doo Lough Pass. (Does that make sense?)

We used a road atlas for most of the time in Ireland but found it didn't give enough detail to explore areas like this. We bought copies of Ordnance Survey of Ireland Discovery Series Maps from a bookshop in Clifden. They are 1:50000 (1.25" on map is 1mile). Map 37 covers the coast from Clifden to Louisburgh. Map 44 covers coast south of Clifden.

To access the Kilary Peninsula, there is a small road off N59 in Letterfrack, probably signed Tully Cross. Otherwise drive past Kylemore Lake and take the (Ithink signed Killary) road to the left which runs beside Lough Fee.

If you are walkers there is a walk along the shores of Killary Harbour. We've not done this but daughter says it is a nice walk. The first bit is a reasonable path but it then becomes narrower and can be a bit muddy towards Rosroe (at the tip of the peninsula).

All the beaches are sandy and often with no-one on them. Take a sweater as the wind off the sea can be 'bracing'. We parked up by a by a huge expanse of sand called Sand Hills on the map. Access was across a stream by stepping stones. We walked over the sand and grass covered sandhills. It was a glorious day with bright blue skies against blue sea, brilliant green grass and yellow sand. Coming back the tide was coming in - be warned it comes in quickly over the flat beaches - to find the stepping stones underwater. We had to take off shoes and socks and paddle.

If you want a nice drive there is a lovely circular off the R335 (Clifden to louisburg Road) which swings off east from just before the parking area on Doo Lough, round the back of the Sheffry Hills and eventually drops you down into Louisburgh.

In June the rhodedendrons will be in flower. These were planted by wealthy Victorians but unfortunately have spread everywhere - even on bogland.. You can tell when you begin to reach 'civilisation' by the number of rhodedendrons. Hedges are pink with their flowers.

Resist the temptation to see EVERYTHING and explore off the beaten track. When the sun shines it is beautiful. Rain doesn't last for ever and when it clears with a rainbow. . .

Eleanor

Eleanor, I just love the idea of driving and exploring new things. When we went to France we really didn't have an agenda of what we had to see. We just kind of went with it. There were some afternoons that we sat at the B&B and played cards with the son of the B&B owners looking out at the vineyards and drinking wine. Those special moments happen when it's not too planned out. That's why I love this website! Janice

Janice, it is great to see you hear again! And it sounds like you are planning a wonderful trip to Ireland. (And you're getting really good input from Linda and Eleanor too.)

We had just a taste of Ireland for a week or so a couple of years ago... a walking trip on the Ring of Kerry. We did spend our first night near Shannon airport, at a very good B&B in Bunratty. (See my review here.) From there we could walk to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle was neat (from 1425), but I especially liked the folk park: a reconstruction of Irish culture and architecture from 100+ years ago, including a village street, a country manor house, two mills, various farmhouses, and livestock.

I do like your idea of staying flexible and just doing some wandering.

Kathy