Suggestions for first timer?

Suggestions for first timer?

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Posted Tue 10 Sep 2019 3:35 PM
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Ok here's what I have so far. Let me know if I'm being a little too ambitious! 
Monday- Dublin to Galway (exploring along the way)
Tuesday- explore Galway then head to Doolin
Wednesday- up early to walk the Cliffs before catching ferry to Aran Islands, head to Dingle afterwards. 
Wednesday- explore Dingle peninsula, head towards Beara Peninsula 
Thursday- explore Beara peninsula
Friday- ?
Saturday- head to Lough Hyne for starlight kayak tour
Sunday- return car? And stay near Cork airport (flight leaves at 6am Monday)

Most nights I'll be staying in hostels or cheap B&Bs, but maybe either in Dingle or somewhere on Beara peninsula,  I'd love to stay somewhere with a fantastic view. Any ideas? Also, for the Beara peninsula,  is it the same as the Ring of Kerry as far as anti-clockwise? Wondering if I should stay in Kenmare or closer to Glengarriff so I can get an early start.
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Posted Wed 11 Sep 2019 10:35 AM
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Hi Gina
You are determined to pack it all in, fair play to you ;) 
So, the walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher will take you between 2.5 and 3 hours. You are pushing it a little(!) to get that done and get back to Doolin in time to take the ferry to the islands, you can leave on the second ferry at 11am, but that still means being on Doolin pier ready to go at 10.30am. 
If you get in early enough on Tuesday, you could drive up to the cliffs, the centre stays open until 7 and walk a little at the top then. Another option would be to get up very early on Wednesday, park at Fisher Street (near O'Connors pub) which about a 5 minute drive to the pier, walk a little of the way to the cliffs, still beautiful scenery, gauge how long it takes you and then just turn back so that you are leaving Fisher Street around 10.30 (if that makes sense!)
You will be leaving Doolin around 3.15 or so by the time you are off the boat. Dingle is about 3.5 to 4 hours from Doolin, so remember the light will be fading too, it will certainly be dark by 8pm.  

Good luck with that (I hope you are getting plenty of rest before you leave home :P)
Joan

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Posted Wed 11 Sep 2019 10:48 AM
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That sounds like a pretty full itinerary indeed!

Thanks again to Joan for her insight into the Doolin area.

The trip from Doolin to Dingle is indeed about 3 hours or so if using the Killimer to Tarbert ferry a little longer if heading into Limerick itself. In October the last ferry leaves Killimer at 7 pm, so there is always the option to head over and around instead. You may also wish to have your accommodation sorted out for Dingle as you may well be arriving late in the evening.

The Beara Peninsula is a beautiful yet under-visited location, either way around would be fine, so the choice of overnight location is not so important. Again, have a look at our approved accommodation for places to stay in the Beara area, nice views almost guaranteed!

For Friday, the Southern Peninsulas section of the Wild Atlantic Way going into the Haven Coast will have several delights such as Mizen Head, Bantry Bay, Skibbereen, Baltimore, and over on the coast Drombeg Stone Circle to explore before finishing up your day.

It is about a 7-minute taxi ride from Cork City to the airport so either drop off the night before or in the morning, plenty to see and do in the city, no car required!

I hope this helps, maybe some of our other members have some ideas too.

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Posted Wed 11 Sep 2019 11:53 AM
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And THIS is why I am so grateful for your insight! I booked a hostel on Fisher Street so I'd be close to the pier AND the walk to the Cliffs. I probably won't walk all the way, but wanted to see at least some of them before the tour buses started arriving! But if I get there early enough Tuesday, I'll definitely head on over and maybe sleep in a bit on Wednesday morning 😂. Driving to Dingle after dark sounds a little intimidating,  maybe I'll try to find somewhere to stay Wednesday night that's a little outside the city center. I know, I'm a crazy American, but it's been YEARS since my last vacation and I've always wanted to see Ireland. Who knows when I'll be able to get back! I might leave friday open in case I turn into a zombie and need an extra day to rest somewhere. Thank you Joan and Martin for bringing me back to reality HA!
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Posted Wed 11 Sep 2019 12:05 PM
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Oh goodness me, now I know why you guys think I'm pushing it! I listed Wednesday TWICE 😂
Thursday is Dingle peninsula, Friday is Ring of Beara! That gave me quite a chuckle. 
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Posted Wed 11 Sep 2019 2:36 PM
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Hi Gina,

It's great to see that your plans are coming together with the help from Joan and Martin! It's very exciting that your dream trip is becoming reality, and I hope you get to see everything you want to see and more.

A hotel on Fisher Street is a wonderful idea, and if you prefer to drive during the day, spending another night just outside of the city can't hurt. :)

Also, I think you might like this itinerary full of hidden gems for your trip between Dublin and Galway

Keep us all posted on your plans, and we're always here if you need anything. :)

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Posted Sun 17 Nov 2019 7:21 PM
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Hello Gina, it's been a few weeks since we spoke! I'd love to hear more about your trip in October. Did you get to see and do everything that you planned on your first-ever trip to the Emerald Isle? :)
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Posted Fri 31 Jan 2020 4:13 AM
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Sorry for the delay everyone.... I had the most amazing trip, I didn't want to come home! I managed to get everything done on my crazy list except the Aran Islands. The ferries were canceled due to weather on the day I was supposed to go, but it worked out because you all were right, that drive from Doolin to Dingle was a long one, I made it to town just before sunset. One if my favorite parts of the trip, and maybe one of the coolest things I've ever done, was the night time kayak tour on Lough Hyne with Atlantic Sea Kayaking. It was a super clear night so you could see every star in the sky and the bioluminescent plankton in the water was otherworldly. I really can not recommend that trip enough. I totally fell in love with that beautiful green island, I'm already planning my next trip! I'll try to post in more detail soon. Thank you all again for helping me plan this unforgettable trip!
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Posted Fri 31 Jan 2020 10:28 AM
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It's wonderful to hear that you had such a fantastic time with us!

We are looking forward to hearing all about your visit, hopefully, a few wonderful photos on your post as well, we love a photo. 📷

The night time kayaking is a great thing to do, whoever thought it would be possible to see!

Speak soon.  🙂

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