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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Birthday Ireland minibreak

22 replies

thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 22:21

Hi, it's my 40th next month and I'd like to go to Ireland for a 3 night break. I'd like to fly from Luton, so that means Dublin, Kerry or Knock. I've been to Dublin a few times, and that's not what I'm after. Kerry looks nice.... Me and DH, minimal travel, by the sea, views, walks, maybe horse riding, a few bars, maybe live music, and some nice food. I am looking online, but if anyone has any suggestions as to location or even places to stay they would be very welcome. Thank you.

OP posts:
Pallisers · 17/07/2017 22:22

Parknasilla in Kenmare?

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 22:27

I will have a look thanks. I literally don't know where to start or where is nice.

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Chiliprepper · 17/07/2017 22:32

Fly to knock and go to Westport - loads of great pubs/music and the surrounding area is just beautiful, clew bay, croagh Patrick etc tonnes to see but v. Peaceful (am bias though)

Cloeycat · 17/07/2017 22:33

Fly to Kerry, stay in Valentia. The Royal hotel is lovely.

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 22:39

Thank you!! Would we manage without a car? Don't want to have to chose between being on the coast or by a town but hiring a car seems like more of a faf...

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Onynx · 17/07/2017 22:39

Glengarrif, Bantry, Castletownbere & Allihies in West Cork. Day trip to Garnish IslandSmile

Cloeycat · 17/07/2017 22:41

I would hire a car. Particularly in Kerry. Public transport is rubbish and taxis can be hard to find.

Chiliprepper · 17/07/2017 22:43

For anywhere scenic you'll probably need a car unfortunately!

AFingerofFudge · 17/07/2017 22:43

Hire a car. I second going to Westport (I'll be there in 2 weeks 😁😁😁) but it's beautiful. Loads of fabulous pubs, beautiful scenery, great places to eat, and not far from Knock airport.

toosexyforyahshirt · 17/07/2017 22:44

Dingle!

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 22:53

Westport is looking like a strong contender... DH looking at hire cars. Flight times are really good. Thinking more quaint b&b than big hotel? . Ooohhhh... just need to enlist family to have DD... how exciting!

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laGrosellaEspinosa · 17/07/2017 23:00

Yes I'd go to West coast if you've been to Dublin a few times. Maybe Ennis?. It's a thriving busy town full of pubs, nice shops but it feels more Irish than the East coast. Trad musicians sitting in the pub just practising! It was near the cliffs of Moher and that was an easy trip and more enjoyable than I'd thought it'd be. I thought, what some cliffs, how dull, but it was nice.

Radyward · 17/07/2017 23:11

Westport is a fab town. But achill island gets my vote. ! Its fabulous with gorgeous beaches and coves. Its getting trendier too with lifestyle shops. Craft cafes etc. Rugged coast and the atlantic drive is fab but you will have your knuckles out its so scary !! You really need a car.
Clifden to westport to newport to achill is amazibg scenery and accessible to knock. Clifden is in galway but doing westport to achill and staying in either would be fantastic. Horse riding on beach in Achill would be class
Dont bother with westport house. Nice but not a patch on similar you have seen in thd UK.
Knock is such a lovely little airport. You are off the plane and on the road in minutes. !!
Have a really fab time !!

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 23:15

Thank you so much. I feel a bit like I'm sticking a pin in a map to be honest. Westport looks a bit... golfy! I might have a closer look online tomorrow (at work!) but it's really good to get some ideas.

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Radyward · 17/07/2017 23:17

I completely forgot Cong. Its now a foodie village . Its just so cute and has a few fab pubs. Arguably irelands best hotel is there Ashford Castle where Rory Mcilroy tied the knot. But there is Ashford lodge there tol. Westport is close as well to it iykwim but westport is way bigger . Btw Achill island is joined to the mainland by bridge

AFingerofFudge · 17/07/2017 23:18

I know there's golf in Westport but I've never really noticed it!

Radyward · 17/07/2017 23:19

Its not really . If you see hotels ring up and ask about offers . I get texts from the castlecourt hotel frequently. Mid week specials but you never know ! That western seaboard off Mayo is fantastic

HughLauriesStubble · 17/07/2017 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 17/07/2017 23:31

That does look lovely, but with only 2-3 days I don't want to spend more time travelling than I need to. I hate flying anyway and the shorter the transfer the better! We are 30 min from Luton airport, which is so convenient, so it's got to be Knock or Kerry this time. :)

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Cloeycat · 18/07/2017 07:39

If you do decide Kerry do look at Valentia Island (there's a bridge and a ferry) it's absolutely gorgeous, plenty to do on the island loads of walks, nice cafes, pubs etc. If you are a Star Wars fan- or even if you aren't- you can go out to the Skelligs which are basically a rock in the sea that used to be a monastery. Now it's a bird sanctuary and also where some of the most recent Star Wars movie was filmed. Sounds really dull but they are actually so amazing!

Ashgr0ve · 18/07/2017 10:35

Just back from Valentia I would highly recommend It, but then I love Kerry!
Westport is amazing not golfy at all.

Original poster
thisismadness77 · 18/07/2017 12:10

Thank you. :) starting to think it's getting a bit pricy given we haven't planned, saved or budgeted for it! Car hire, new passport, flights etc. Sigh. Might be a night in England for my birthday and make this a bigger longer trip next summer with DD. :)

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