Getting married later this year and planning to have our honeymoon in Ireland in early November. I've been before and explored a lot across nearly a dozen counties, but I've only ever traveled during warmer weather months.
We are in our early 30s and will be traveling by car. Currently our vacation will take us through the following counties, but we are flexible: Wicklow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Clare, and Galway.
I've already made some adjustments to our draft plans, eliminating some of the seasonal spots like the Aran Islands, Skelligs, and Howth all of which I love but aren't feasible that time of year.
My fiancé is a huge fan of trad music and hiking, so he's going to be pretty easy to please, but I want this to be an amazing experience for his lifelong dream of seeing Ireland. He is from Newfoundland (arguably the most Irish place outside of Ireland) and he deserves the best Ireland can offer.
Looking for some advice on the following:
*Ennis Trad Fest - I've never been, and we're also planning some time in Galway for live music. Would love to get recos since it's a small town and I'd want to book accomodations early if this is a must-do
*Best Hikes around ROI: We will definitely do the Cliffs of Moher, but I am looking for recos for Wicklow and Connemara national parks, or other places I should consider
*Nature Experiences: We are big fans of nature and animals, but not keen on zoo-type places. I'd love to find some good recos for animals native to Ireland (falconry and owls, deer, etc.)
TIA!
Howth isn’t feasible in November?
That’s news to me as a long time resident of the area.
Came here for this comment. I did about 4 hill walks around Howth over the last 2 weeks alone!
Same!
I should clarify - not feasible in this case means not being able to travel to Ireland's Eye and it's not the right season for local seafood. We will definitely be back to Howth!
Plenty of local seafood in season in November and available in Howth.
If he is a newfie you may want to skip tip and clare. Add in connemara and west mayo possibly take a trip clients, westport and belmullet. In the latter 2 he will sound like a local. Lovely people and lots of trad there.
Skip Clare? And miss the wonderful Burren National Park?
Thinking of the language connection is all. Fair play to the Burren. Makes up for the accent ;-)
What accent?
Eh, sorry could you say that again.
Where are you from that you think people in Clare have a strong accent? It's one of the gentler accents.
I'm literally just messing, I do apologise.
All good.
Connemara in general just has amazing hiking. You could hike Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park. Just be prepared for colder temps and rain. Ireland gets a lot of rain in general, and November is one of the wetter months of the year.
Thanks! Definitely going to look at Diamond Hill. We're hardy Canadians so the cold and rain are hardly a deal breaker.
It’s more the wind that makes the whole experience dangerous. Diamond hill is very exposed. I got blown over up there during a moderate wind and had to turn back. Before doing any hiking check forecasts carefully on met.ie or yr.no and wear proper hiking gear.
Another popular hike (in good weather) is Croagh Patrick. You can drive from Galway or stay in Westport. Westport has Matt Molloys pub for trad music.
Was also going to suggest Croagh Patrick and Westport. Westport might just be my favourite town.
Ennis has a great buzz during tradfest. It's a very walkable town centre with 3 hotels right in the centre and more on the outskirts. The old Ground, the Temple Gate and The Queens are the central ones. If you are there at the weekend keep in mind the Queens has a nightclub so would not stay there personally unless I was planning on going to it!
Great recommendations, thank you!
Ennis is a great town. Have stayed in the Old Ground. It’s also about 40 mins from The Cliffs.
Did my honeymoon in Ireland around October for a few weeks. Drove from Shannon down to Dingle and Doolin and did a long go around to Dublin via Kilkenny. Both Dingle and Doolin have some great local music pretty much any time of year.
Not sure about animals but Bleninchaquin Park in County Kerry is absolutely beautiful, though I'm not sure how its going to be in November. I'd also recommend Kells Bay House and Gardens in Co. Kerry. They have a large primeval forest with a bunch of really neat looking plants and trees.
We ended our honeymoon towards the end of October and the weather turned to winter in almost a day. Be prepared to deal with road closures, heavy rain and possible snow.
I wouldnt personally hike the Cliffs in November, but its well worth having a local do the drive for you while you take pictures. Its the Wild Atlantic Way for a reason and a small storm can absolutely ruin your day if you are caught unaware. Most of the B&Bs have someone local that does personal tours. Ours was a local author who took us to his wife's pottery barn after touring the hidden spots.
IMO Connemara National Park is beautiful, albeit quite bleak, especially in winter. Its hills, grass and rocks. Then you go over a hill and its more grass and rocks. Much more interesting hikes in the Southwestern parts of Ireland.
Gleninchaquin in Kerry (very near Kenmare) is an excellent choice.
Connemara in winter can be dark and gloomy in overcast weather, but when the sun comes out it's golden and really beautiful.
Gleninchaquin is incredible but closes down the later part of October I think.
November is one of my favourite months down in Kerry. A lot of the tourist spots do close down but the views are insane and the places they are open are just better in general as it's more authentic.
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Ennis trad fest is worth it. The old ground hotel is a lovely central spot. There are lots of cheaper options, go and book now on booking.com.
Get your fiancée to check out if he has any relatives here. Lots of Newfoundlanders immigrated from the Wexford area.
Check out other festivals during your stay. I would do Dingle, Ennis and Galway, with day trips to Doolin and Conbemara.
If you are experienced walkers, there are a lot of great walks in Connemara and Kerry,l. Dingle has some wonderful walks. Google and YouTube for options.
Rain and cold. Be very mindful. If this is not a problem youare good to go.
I get this isn't really what you asked but as you've been in Ireland before you might like to hear of some other places too.
Have you considered Donegal/Sligo at all? Gorgeous scenery, hikes and stunning beaches (even in winter) Donegal also has the highest sea cliffs in Europe - Im biased but Slieve League is really impressive!
Back to your question, the Wicklow Way is a fabulous hike and you can do it in segments so pick what suits. Glendalough is a firm favourite and there's a few other places like the Hellfire club that have an added mystery about it.
For trad music in Dublin the Cobblestone is a must. Johnny Foxes and the Blue Note in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains are also great spots to stop for a drink and the view.
Hope you have a brilliant trip whatever you decide.
Was at the Ennis trad fest just gone, great weekend. Stayed in old ground. Book early!
Checkout mountainviews.ie it’s free great downloadable tracks and advice,
If going to Burren or Connemara parks consider a local guide for a day/half day tour
"Irish Honeymoon Advice"
Not quite the responses I was expecting.