Advice on Ireland PLEASE! Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Knock - Advice on where to send my parents for xmas present........

[sweetheart]

I'm looking for some tourist info on these places to decide which to send my parents to for their xmas present:-

Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Knock

Ryainair are doing cheap flights and I'd love to buy them as their xmas gift.

Please can you let me know what there is to do in and around these places? My mum and dad are in their 60's and aren't great at being mobile. I've looked into Blarney which I think they would like.

Any other ideas very gratefully received!

DON'T DO KNOCK!!!!!

Ring of Kerry is supposed to be worth the drive (hire car?) and it's a quick skip and a jump into Connemara & Galway from the Kerry area - both worth a visit.

To be honest sweetheart, my experience of Ireland is you can be dropped in the middle of, seemingly, nowhere, and still find loads to do and see and people to meet!

cork would be nice. lots to do and nice day trips if they are up to it.

Cork is quite a "happening" city I think.

We go often to Galway (which is a drive from Knock) and it's lovely.

Actually, feel a bit guilty about saying that about Knock (that'll be me Catholic guilt!).

From Knock airport, you can head straight out to Westport, Croagh Patrick and slightly further up and along is Achill Island with it truly, fabulously beautiful.

Achill

Definitely not Shannon or Knock!

Cork is great and I second the Connemara and Galway suggestion.

wow that was quick!

I had a quick look at the Blarney Stone which isn't too far from Cork but is it a gimmick - a bit like stone henge (there is nothing else for miles around to see!)

They would like castles, gardens, short walks - it would be Feb time so not sure about the seaside!

They are not really city people (in terms of say London) but a quiter city (Winchester as an example) is much more up their street. They are quiet, simple folk and would like scenary and things like that.

"They would like castles, gardens, short walks - it would be Feb time so not sure about the seaside!"

Shannon might be good then, there is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - they hold medieval banquets there at night, it has a few hotels around it that are a good base.

Nearby you have Limerick City, which has St Johns Castle. Knappough Castle is also close enough. Ennis is lovely town for a stroll and lunch - Ennis would be a good base aswell. Then you have the Cliffs of Moher, Alliwee Caves, loads of nice beaches (brr!). Kilrush is nice and you can go for a boat trip to see dolphins.

Shannon town is just an airport and housing. But to drive to Bunratty, Ennis or Limerick is about 20 minutes max.

Do a google on The Shannon Region for more info.

Definitely recommend cork. Especially if not going to hire a car.
Small city which they can walk around.
Day trips to Blarney castle and Kinsale (seaside vilage very pretty.) And my favourite place in Ireland.

If they won't be driving then I would go for Cork as there will be easier access to public transport there (the other airports you are considering are further away from major towns/cities). Plus if the weather is bad there will be more indoor things to do.

BTW, did you realise you posted this in the wrong section - should be shorthaul not UK.