Ireland 2018
Friendcation 2.0
Since the first vacation with friends since childhood went so well (aka we are still friends), we have been planning to plan another trip for a while.
A lot of friends have gotten married, are in really great jobs with binding schedules, live far away, etc. So pulling this one off is going to be tricky; however, the wheels are already in motion and I feel pretty confident about my Ireland knowledge... so I already have this one as a success in the books (though it is still a little less than a year away)
Try this Itinerary
1.
Arrive in Shannon Airport
(SNN)
Settle in.
Perhaps spend the night in the lovely town of Ennis
2.
Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, the Burren
All iconic sights along the Wild Atlantic Way
Head to Galway
3.
Spend the day in Galway City.
Eyre Square
The Front Door
The markets
4.
Head toward Mayo - Westport or Achill Island
On your way - check out Connemara Nat'l Park
5.
Go up to Sligo Town - Yeats territory.
Go east a bit and try the 6-hour Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail.
6.
Donegal (way up north) is your last stop in the Republic for a bit.
Drive by Mt Errigal and check out Slieve League
7.
Head across to Northern Ireland (part of the UK).
Currency is different
GoT filmed there
Derry Night 1
8.
Still in Northern Ireland, go to Belfast (the capital) next
Take a Black Cab Tour to learn the history
Then go off on an adventure to Giant's Causeway and Carrickarede
9.
Head back into the Republic to the capital: Dublin
Spend 2 days
10.
Temple Bar (touristy, but fun)
Jameson Whiskey Factory
Guinness Storehouse
River Liffey
The Porterhouse
11.
Leave the city lights for the amazing views of the Wicklow Mountains
Search for waterfalls and wildlife
Settle for the night in Kilkenny
12.
Go across the bottom to Cork. On your way, look for the Rock of Cashel
Blarney Stone
Cobh (Titanic)
Kinsale
13.
Head west to County Kerry - The Ring of Kerry
It will take most of the day
Gap of Dunloe
Killarney
Muckross House
14.
Head up along the east coast following the Wild Atlantic Way
You may want to stop in Tralee before you head back into Clare
15.
Stay in Ennis one more night before heading back through Shannon to home.
Look back fondly on all the memories you made and start planning your return trip :)
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