Limited time in Ireland - help me plan my trip!

[LazyDoll77]

Hi,

My family and I are planning a trip over to Ireland at the start of the summer from the U.K.

I am half Irish so am taking my husband and 3 teenagers to meet and visit family for the first 3 nights in Co.Limerick (near Adare). After that we plan to have a small break somewhere coastal for 4 nights before getting the boat back from Dublin.

In my head I want to show them some of the sights. But we only have 4 nights remaining and don’t want to be relentlessly sightseeing the entire time.

A friend once sent me a photo of the coast near her home town Adrigole, Co. Cork and I have that in my head to visit as the peninsula looks incredible (as well as wondering if we can fit in a quick visit to the Forty Foot outside of Dublin (from Bad Sisters) on the way home!?

BUT should I be thinking Ring of Kerry? cliffs of Moher?! If you had 4 nights and 4.5 days in Southern Ireland - what would be your must sees?!

thanks so much in advance

The Cliffs of Moher are near enough to Adare to do in a day trip (you could go on to the Burren afterwards

Then Starting from Adare, you could easily drive the coastal half of the ring of Kerry and then carry on (over a mountain pass!) into Co Cork. That’s perfectly doable in one day. Then stay overnight somewhere in West Cork.

Personally I’d not devote too much time to Dublin - you could just spend a night there before catching the ferry.

Decorate that’s a fab idea to do it in a day trip from my rellies. Hadn’t even thought of that!!

Yeah only planning on Dublin for the boat but might get there a bit early to take a dip at the Forty Foot - I’ve been to Dublin several times and I’m sure the teens will go on the obligatory stag do at some point 🤦🏽‍♀️

Sounds perfect! Just done some mapping and I think that’s a wonderful mix of everything for us. Thanks SO much

What about a trip to Dingle? Mine loved the boat trip out to see Fungi and while we were waiting, they really enjoyed ice creams in Murphy’s. Also, if memory serves, there’s a famine museum/cottage nearby, certainly a history lesson they won’t get at home.

Thanks! Selfishly myself and my husband have been to Dingle so I think on this trip we’ll give it a swerve but definitely next time!!

The famous Fungi is gone now from Dingle anyway.

It’s Ireland, or the south of Ireland for southern countries, and never Southern Ireland here. I know it’s confusing because you’d think Northern Ireland so Southern Ireland, but that’s not it and some people can be a bit sensitive about names sometimes, though they more than likely wouldn’t say anything.
Just a heads up.

I like Killarney but not so much the town centre except the Killarney Park hotel. Lunch at the hotel Europe sitting in the lounge overlooking the lake is really lovely. Great walks in the national park or around Muckross. Boat trips on the famous lakes available too. Derrynane house and beach on the ring of Kerry is also a lovely spot. Hope the weather obliges and have a wonderful trip!

Oh no, poor Fungi! I had to google it, looks like I’m very late to the party. My first thought was for the boats who made sightseeing their livelihood but perhaps they’ve moved on.

The Aran islands? Some gorgeous beaches around Galway, also Clifden / Roundstone/ the drive up to Westport / Croagh Patrick/ Achill.
I would try to focus on one area because although the distance look small, you can easily spend ages in the car.

Dingle is a lovely town and well worth a visit even without Fungi.

Southern Ireland is NOT a term ever used. It's the Republic of Ireland.

Absolutely!
I only mentioned Fungi because a pp said how much her DC loved the boat trip to see him and I didn’t want OP, or anyone else reading the thread, to be disappointed on that front!😊

Or just Ireland.
Ireland is the actual name of the country (as well as the island) but ROI is often used too.

lol I hadn’t even realised I’d unintentionally used a capital letter for southern tbh but I will be sure not to speak in CAPITAL LETTERS to any one when I am over 😉 I’ve been lucky enough to visit Ireland over 20 times so am excited to show my children around and explore new places and for them to meet their family

If you go on the ferry to the Aran Islands, you see the cliffs from the sea. Clare is a lovely county .

Do the cliffs of Moher and see the Burren on a day trip from your Limerick base — walk one of the green roads, and the Burren perfumery is lovely. West Cork is the best place in the world. @Decorhate ’s plan to drive part of the Ring of Kerry and then drive to Cork is a good one.

The OP has clarified but it was fairly obvious, to me anyway that she was talking about the southern part of Ireland- Cork,Kerry, Limerick etc.

Oh dear, really sorry to be harping on but Cork, Kerry etc are in the ‘south of Ireland’, not either southern or Southern Ireland.
I know you think I’m half mad now, but it is actually a thing…
You are welcome to ignore if you want 😁
Enjoy the trip!

It’s like people say the west of Ireland, not Western Ireland.
People say the south of Ireland not southern Ireland.
And there historical reasons too why the term isn’t used.
Just so OP knows really, no big deal.

Em yeah, don't say Southern Ireland or even southern Ireland. Munster will do.

The largest stalactite in Europe is in Doolin cave. It's not that well known for some reason, but amazing and you could do a day trip from Adare.

I live near Adare and just want to mention the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, its a small museum but it's pretty interesting and if you are a fan of old movies it's got some nice bits from Maureen O'Hara. Also Afternoon Tea in Adare Manor is quite nice but pricey, better value in the Woodlands Hotel, The Oak and Apple is nice for a casual lunch. The Beara Peninsula is my favourite part of Cork and worth the drive particularly if you're lucky enough to get a sunny day.

AFairDistance so helpful thanks so much and YES I’m loving Decorhates original plan so we have a route which I love!!!

Mudflaps thanks very much. The nearest town to my family is Rathkeale where both my grandparents are buried so I’ll be popping over to say hello to them but whilst we’re there we’ll be mostly helping with the silage and catching up with my cousins and aunt and uncle. The exploring will happen when we leave there really although we’ll explore the green lanes for sure. Thanks to all the helpful posters I have a plan now so all sorted. Much appreciated.

Well, prioritise the silage, whatever you do!

AFairDistance I have strict instructions from my cousin to do so! 😂

They’re excited to have 5 pairs of extra hands!!