First ever trip to Ireland for 25th Anniversary

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

First ever trip to Ireland for 25th Anniversary

Geno · Guru

Hi Colleen:

So exciting that you are getting to do the trip. I know that you will enjoy it.

Would suggest that you continue to build an itinerary with more detail, and then many will no doubt give you some great ideas that might assist you and shape your plans.

My first thoughts are wondering if you have a reason to be going to places like Limerick, Cork, and Waterford -- none real high on my list, especially when I could give the nights to much more scenic locations. Perhaps you have some family or personal reasons for staying there, so that is the kind of information that would be helpful. We experienced the same kind of thing the first time we went to Ireland years ago -- you recognize names like Limerick and Waterford, but when you get there you realize while there may be specific things you could see there (ie: King John's Castle and Crystal Factory), it makes for an improved experience to then locate somewhere much more scenic for your base.

A few ideas:

For instance, I would consider going from Dublin to Kilkenny the first day (unless you have a specific reason to stop in Kildare). Then you could stay a night and go to perhaps Cashel or Cahir instead of Waterford, extend your trip to the gorgeous West Cork area (instead of Cork) and explore the wonderful Mizen Head and Beara Peninsulas before continuing on to Killarney. At the end of your trip would suggest your night before you fly home be in Ennis instead of Limerick unless your flight is real early. If that is the case, you could consider staying near the Shannon Airport.

Let us know what you like to do and what you are hoping to see and I know there are many friendly people here that will help. As far as things like the exchange rate, car rental, insurance, and cell phones, a good place to start would be to use the search function on this site and read several previous discussions in these areas. Much information to be found...

Enjoy the process. Planning is half the fun!

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 18th of February 2014 02:06:56 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your 25th Anniversary! I know you want your trip to be special. Let me see if I understand the plan.

Dublin 2 nights
Ardmore 2 nights
Dingle 2 nights
Limerick 2 nights
Co. Clare 2 nights

Since Co. Limerick and Co. Clare are so close to each other, I am wondering why the need for 4 nights in that area? Do you have a list of "must sees"?

Here are some resources:

Money
Car Rental
Cell Phones

More phones: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t41010749/cell-phones/

What type of insurance are you looking for?

gsmith · Veteran Member

This sounds just like the trip my wife and I are planning for our 25th.... wait, her name is Colleen also... Hi Honey, glad you signed on and posted this thread. I have been lurking/reading as you know for a couple weeks.

We are planning this trip for September of this year. As Colleen mentioned nothing is set in stone other than that we are flying into Dublin and out of Shannon. We plan on 10 days in country and would like to make the most out of it while not exhausting ourselves in the process. She has her ideas on what she wants to do so I'll let her describe that part.

The insurance question is car insurance and some of our questions have been answered in the link you provided. Thank you.

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

thank you for your quick responses. I do appreciate any help I can get in planning this the right way. I do have some "must sees" in each area and also stops along the route. My main "must sees" are the castles, the countryside and the fishing villages and anything else in these areas that you could suggest. Again, it is not set in stone and if Co. Clare and Co. Limerick are that close, then we could stay in either area for the 2 days and then somewhere else for another 2 days.

Mainly, I just want to get the most out of the time we have there. I just want to experience what we can.

Geno, you asked why I wanted to go to Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Well, I want to see Blarney Castle, I want to see King John Castle, visit Adare and Bunratty Castle and then also go to the Waterford Crystal Centre. There are others things in those areas also that I want to see.

As you can tell, I am really interested in the castles. We won't go in most of them, but to just view them and here about the history would be wonderful. Also, I love the country and scenic views. So, yes, I want to see the Cliffs of Moher.

But, again, this is still in the planning stages and we welcome any help we can get. this is the route that I would like, but the places to stay are not set.

Also, another question is, how do you pay for the B&Bs? do you book them ahead and pay for them before you go? or do you pay when you get to each one?

Geno · Guru

Blarney, King John's, and Waterford Crystal can certainly be done on your way through. In fact we have done them all, we would not suggest staying the night at any of those cities. Bunratty is a great thing to do the night before you fly home as it is near Shannon Airport and near many B&Bs. Some of the castles you mention are renovated -- consider also places like Rock of Cashel and various ruins which provide a real interesting look into days gone by.

Regarding B&Bs, I would book them ahead and you pay for them when you leave, realizing almost all prefer cash - a few take credit cards, but not many, and even those that do prefer cash instead. We are staying at one B&B next month that is giving us a 5 euro discount per person if we pay cash instead of credit cards. There are ATMs everywhere it seems, and the exchange rate you get in that manner is about a good as it gets (although the euro is pushing 1.37 plus today against the dollar, so nothing is really a good rate now), so no need to worry about having cash on hand. Just make sure your bank knows you are going to be traveling.

Do some research on West Cork, places like Bantry, Kenmare, Glengarriff, etc. You might find that it would be something that you would enjoy. And do you like gardens? Look at Powerscourt near Dublin, Bantry House in Bantry (pictured here -- and you can tour the house), and many other places that really are quite wonderful with flowers and garden designs.

So much to see, right??? Don't worry -- you'll want to go back.

Enjoy,

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 18th of February 2014 03:19:04 PM

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

Thank you so much! I will definitely look into some of the places you just suggested. The places we were thinking about staying were B&Bs in Howth (outside Dublin, was recommended by friends), Ardmore, Dingle (recommended by friends), Clare or Limerick. Michele said that Clare and Limerick close, so, we will need to find another stop for us to stay. It will be either Limerick or Clare for 2nites and maybe another place for another 2 nites. Any suggestions? the route we are taking is in my first post. I just need another place now to stay. We thought of Galway before, still thinking about it.

Michele Erdvig · Host

How fun to have a husband and wife planning at the same time. biggrin We rarely get that on the forum.

You might want to check B&B Etiquette for a lot more info on that. My book is chock full of great places to stay and I have some suggestions on my Lodgings Page.

I don't know that I would spend two nights in Ardmore. I think I would push on to Cobh, Kinsale or Blarney. More to do in those areas for 2 nights.

You are skipping over much of the SW, which is one of Ireland's most scenic areas. Perhaps you should take two days from Limerick and stay in Kenmare or Killarney instead?

Do you have a splurge or something special planned? Maybe a night in a castle or a unique place?

tony2phones · Guru

Combining Limerick and Clare? See Ennis a great base for the whole of County Clare and the former Shannon Region from below Limerick up to Birr.

http://www.visitennis.com/

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

this is getting so overwhelming with planning. I thought I had a good idea on the route I wanted to take, but now I am liking the suggestions that you all are making. I still want to see everything that I mentioned before, but I am re-thinking where we should stay.

We are still flying into Dublin and out of Shannon. My thoughts are to travel down through kildare (I love horses, so that is my reason) then onto Kilkenny. Might stay there for 1 or 2 nights (thoughts?). Next traveling down through Waterford, Dungarvan, Ardmore and onto Blarney (2 nights). We could then head to Killarney (1 or 2nights) and on to Dingle (2 nights). We then travel up to Limerick or Clare for 2 nights. If you have any more ideas on this route it would be helpful.

I want to see the ruins (like Geno suggested), castles and just the countryside. I am not real interested in cities (except Dublin), I just want to explore what we can of the pretty little villages, places that tell the stories of Ireland.

We are planning on getting Michele's book, so we are looking forward to reading what she suggests. I am so excited that in my mind we can do all of this, but for those of you that have been there and know the area, all of your responses are appreciated. I have been looking up the different places that has been suggested, and hope that with the route I have, you can add more places that would suite what we would like to see.

Geno · Guru

Appears you are starting to get there... smile Killarney, Dingle, Kilkenny -- all great choices.

Tony and I both mentioned Ennis, and I do think that would be a much better choice in Clare area than Limerick. Great traditional music and pubs to be found and close to Shannon Airport. I would also rethink two nights in Blarney. Not much to do there after you have walked around the castle grounds.

Heck, you could spend two or three days around Ennis and explore that area. Look at all the ruins and abbeys that are JUST in that county:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Monuments_in_County_Clare

Again, you can't see it all, but it sure is fun to think so!

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Wednesday 19th of February 2014 01:28:22 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

You mentioned you don't like cities except for Dublin. FYI, Kilkenny is a small city. But there is plenty to do and see there and in the surrounding areas. One of my favorites is Kells Priory. Since you are into horses you must stop at the Irish National Stud in Kildare.

If you want a very special hideaway for your anniversary try Henry's.

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

thank you Geno for your help. I am not sure why I keep going back and forth about Limerick (I have a list of some sites to see there, so thought it would be good to stay) but I will take every suggestion you give. Thank you for the website for the ruins. We will probably see some. My thought on Limerick was that it seemed a central point to many places, according to my map, but since I have never been, I will go with any help we can get.

Michele, I mentioned that I didn't need to see the cities except Dublin, but what I meant was that I would see the cities but they are not a priority-must do. Believe me, anything that you suggest, I am looking at. If I could do it, we would stay longer.

Question about the B&Bs. When should we start booking if we are going in the beginning of September 2014?

Thank you for all your help.

tony2phones · Guru

Dublin and Cork are City size.. Galway and Limerick large town size.. Blarney and Dingle might get one night each. I like Blarney for an overnight it becomes normal after 4pm and with an early breakfast you can have a couple of hours in the Castle grounds before the tour bus's arrive..

Killarney is a great touring base for Kerry and deserves 2 nights, Kenmare could be a good alternative. I like the Dingle peninsula (parts of it anyway) but not being a fan of Dingle town my general recommendation is to drive around the peninsula between Killarney/Kenmare and south Clare.

Clare has over 100 castles mainly Tower Houses in varying states of repair http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/castles.htm http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/1570_list_of_castles.htm

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 19th of February 2014 05:07:57 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Provided there are no festivals on in the areas you are staying you should book B&Bs a couple of months in advance or even wing it if you are not fussy about accommodations. However, Dublin constantly has concerts, football games, conventions, etc. Check on it first. Most of the hotels have cancellation policies. Be sure to check them before booking. Plus weekends can fill up in popular spots such as Kilkenny.

gsmith · Veteran Member

The book is ordered so we'll have some reading to do once it arrives.

We would like to stay at B&B's - what we would like from them is to have them clean, spacious, friendly hosts and a good breakfast to start the day. Sounds like most of them are that way. We will definitely book them in advance as I don't want to add that stress to our trip.

I would love to have a day mid trip where I didn't have to do much driving but rather enjoy the surrounding area while regrouping and possibly do a load of laundry?

Based on tips here I have reduced the rental car cost by sticking with the standard transmission and not adding an extra driver. Who would have known that it would save that much money.

Thank you for all of the feedback, you guys have my wife spinning in circles. I love it! All in a good way that is.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks for the book order. Once received you can read up on various B&Bs and choose the one that suits you. However, in Dublin you will most likely be staying in a hotel in the city center.

As for laundry, ask your hosts where to get it done. Most towns have a launderette where you can drop your laundry, have it washed, dried and folded and pick it up later that day. Best to do it on a weekday if possible. Many can be closed on Sunday or very busy on Sat. Most laundry detergents in Ireland are strongly scented. If sensitive to that perhaps bring a bit of your own.

Michele Erdvig · Host

On another thread Carla posted that Avis caps the fee for a second driver: http://www.avis.ie/ProductsServicesIE/Additional-Driver

Judy · Guru

Here is a thought for your second driver. On our last trip my husband planned on doing all the driving, however my daughter was willing to take over if there was an emergency.

We rented from Dooley, gave them my daughters information (drivers license) and if there was an emergency when she had to drive, we would call Dooley and they would then add her as a second driver at that time and we would settle up upon our return of the rental car. Fortunately we did not have an emergency, so we did not have to pay for the extra driver. Maybe that arrangement could work for you.

The reason why we did it that way was because on a previous trip my daughter said she would drive part of the time, but only actually drove about an hour over the 2 weeks we were it Ireland, after we had paid for her as a second driver for the full 2 weeks.

On another topic, don't overlook Killarney. There is so much to see there, you will need at least two nights. We usually stay there a whole week because it so great for touring West Cork, Dingle, North Kerry, Blarney, Cobh and all the places around Killarney like Ross Castle, the Gap of Dunloe and Killarney National Park among other places.

Since you have been looking forward to a trip to Ireland since you were a child, I can feel you excitement. I know you will have a great time. I can also bet you will go again. Ireland will keep calling you back.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Good point Judy. Many of the rental car agencies will do that. Just make a note to be sure and add an emergency driver so you don't forget at the desk.

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

hello everyone. Thank you so much for all of the help so far. As my husband has pointed out I have been spinning in circles a little bit. But so far, I am still pretty excited about all the planning. Thanks to all of you, I have been tweeking my route based on your suggestions, but still keeping some of my stops along the way.

This is the new proposed route that we are thinking about and I hope when you read it you will have some more good suggestions. We are flying in to Dublin and staying 2 nites. We hope to stay jst outside Dublin in Howth. There is a place there that a friend of mine suggested. Him and his wife stayed and loved it. We will leave on the morning of day 3 and head to Kilkenny and stay there for 2 nites. We then head to Killarney and will stay 2 nites. We are going to go into Dingle for 1 nite and then head straigt up to Ennis. We will be there for 3 nites and then will fly out of Shannon.

If you have any places in these areas that would be great to visit, please let us know. I still have "my want to see list", but we are flexible. Thank you for all of your suggestions. If you know of any wonderful B&B's in these areas, we would love to know about them. I only have 2 B&B's that were suggested to me, 1 in Howth and 1 in Dingle, so we are pretty open to the other areas or all of them. Nothing is set in stone at this time.

My husband has been looking at the airlines and getting the prices from Logan Airport in Boston, Ma. As soon as we see what we want, we will be booking them. Then at that time, it will all seem real.

Judy, thank you for your suggestion about the second driver. We will certainly check that out.

I can't wait to get our book. It can't get here quick enough. Have to wait till Monday or Tuesday.

markan · Senior Member

A couple of tips/suggestions for when you're staying in Ennis for 3 nights (good idea btw). Lots of good pubs in Ennis with Traditional music often being played. I recommend if you're walking around town checking out shops, pubs, etc. that you stop and check out Custy's Music shop. It's a very nice little music shop and they can give you the lowdown on what's going on for music in the pubs on any given night.

www.custysmusic.com/

Since you'll have a couple of days to explore Co. Clare there is a lot to do and see. Just driving around the Burren is really scenic and plenty of stuff to do and nice little villages to stop at like Kilfenora where the Burren museum is and two cracking little pubs called Linnane's and Vaughn's. BTW they do set dancing at Vaughn's at night at a certain night during the week if you feel adventurous and even if you don't it's a nice place to stop for lunch. www.vaughanspub.ie/

If you have time to do a drive around the outside of Co. Clare along the ocean (i.e. heading north from the Cliffs of Moher along the ocean until you round the corner to then drive along the south side of Galway bay) you'll not only enjoy a very scenic ride but you will come across a small seaside village called Fanore with a blue pub called O'Donaghue's. Do take the time to stop there. Really lovely pub with great seafood and one of the largest whiskey selections in all of Ireland. www.irelandwhiskeytrail.com/

Continuing along that path you'll eventually come to a village called Ballyvaughn which is one of my favorites. Small crossroads village with a few pubs and shops and on the ride back south from Ballyvaughn towards Lisdoonvarna you'll be able to drive up "corkscrew hill" which is a very interesting stretch of road to say the least and a nice overlook stopping point near the top with a view of the valley below, Galway bay in the distance, and the Burren.

Lastly in Lisdoonvarna (if you happen to pass through) you'll pass by County Clare's only brewery in the form of the Roadside Tavern/Burren Brewery which is also connected to the Burren Smokehouse where you can get some smoked salmon, etc. If you feel like a break from Guinness, I can tell you the Burren Brewery makes a really nice stout and red ale brewed and served right on premise in the Roadside Tavern. www.roadsidetavern.ie/roadside/asp/page.asp

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

Mark, thank you for the suggestions. The idea of staying in Ennis definately is a great idea that so many on this forum suggested, so we couldn't pass it up. I love music, and can't wait till we are there to here some traditional music, so I will make of note of stopping by Custy's Music shop.

I have been writing down all the destinations that everyone has been giving me, so I am adding yours to our list. The Pubs is where we want to go eat and if they have music, that is even better.

If you have any other great places to see that is close to our travel route, please write them down. I want to make a list of all suggestions and then pick from them to make our visit great. But I know from reading on this forum, you may have an itinerary planned, but you don't always stick to it. we are going to be as flexible as we can be.

tony2phones · Guru

There is a lot more to Clare than the Cliffs and Burren Geo Park.. There is also a south and East side of the county which can be explored. The Clare coast starts at the Shannon Estuary and Loop Head http://www.loophead.ie/ and runs up to just short of Kinvara so just pop into Co Galway for there. (some points for Clare on this map http://goo.gl/maps/TYlLn ) There is also East Clare and Lough Derg http://www.visitclare.net/

Grey Gables is the B&B we use for nights out down there http://www.bed-n-breakfast-ireland.com/ , The Old Ground and Temple Gate are the main Hotels and Brogans is our Gastro/Music/Drinking pub of choice.

Anything else for the area and that little gold star is our house, door is always open.

Michele Erdvig · Host

As Tony mentioned, Loop Head (Co. Clare) is one of my favorite spots and off the usual tourist trail. If you have good weather it is hard to beat. Lovely place for a picnic.

Where are you staying in Howth? It is out of the city center so you will have to take public transport into the city center.

I have two lovely guesthouses that I like in Kilkenny - Rosquill House and Laragh House. They are fully described in my book.

For a nice cozy B&B in Dingle (walking distance to town with harbor views) try Tower View. For something more upscale and expensive it is hard to beat Greenmount or Castlewood.

And like Tony, I also like Temple Gate and Old Ground. They have some gorgeous updated rooms at Old Ground that are huge.

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

Tony, thank you for the additional sites to see. We will add them to our folder that I have created. Every suggestion has been looked up and printed out for our folder. Continue to send them because we could use all suggestions we can get, just so we can pick from them to see on our trip.

Michele, a friend of mine has stayed in Howth at the Gleam NaSmol B&B. It was a suggestion from them and to get into Dublin they used the train. I think that is what they said. We have been saying that we will take any suggestion, so right now, nothing has been booked. They also stayed at a B&B in Dingle (Lighthouse B&B). they loved both places when they stayed and suggested them. I will definitely look at Tower View that you suggested. Thank you.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Another excellent site for your consideration: http://www.megalithicireland.com/

LOTS of interesting ruins, structures and constructs. It shows/lists/details many obscure and famous places through-out Ireland. I usually plan out my trip and then check to see if there are any 'nearby' places worthy of detour ... biggrin biggrin

I am seldom disappointed . . . biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

finally received our book! Very excited about starting to read it. With all the suggestions that we have been recieving from all of you and now having our book, it should be a little easier to plan.

I am still writing down all of the suggestions. Please keep them coming. I want to have a list for each area to pick through. The last one form Bob (megalithic Ireland) was great. Thank you! I have printed out a map of Co Clare that lists day trips to West, North, South and East. It highlights some great areas to see.

Please keep all suggestions coming. I am getting more excited each day.

tony2phones · Guru

might also be a couple of points on http://goo.gl/maps/xMOHV

Smitty2 · Veteran Member

Hello everyone! I think we are getting closer to a good proposed itinerary for our trip. I have to thank everyone for all of your suggestions. I have been reading a lot of the posts on other threads to get more ideas and my list is growing.

It amazes me on the amount of times people have gone over to see this amazing place. I know that I will fall in love with it just like everyone else has.

My husband and I have been looking at the places we want to go to (or rather where I would like to go) and I have it down to this: Dublin (2 nites), Kilkenny (2 nites), Killarney (2 nites), Dingle (1 nite), and Ennis (3 nites). I am still on the fence with staying in Dingle for the nite. Any suggestions on another area that we could put in there but still be able to see Dingle? Still want to stay with seeing the countryside, maybe an overnight Tipperary? Loughrea? Suggestions welcome.

We have also been looking into the car rental for our stay. So far we have suggested quotes from Dooley. How are the other car rentals? Is one better than the other?

As for the B&Bs (still taking suggestions), we want to have somewhere nice to go back to, but not too expensive. Good people a must, good warm room and good breakfast. I have never had an Irish breakfast, so I am really looking forward to it. Granted, I don't eat a lot at a sitting, but I still am looking forward to it.

Another thing, we are arriving early in the morning, but we may not be getting our rental car until we leave Dublin, what do we use for transportation and where can we go to hang out, with luggage, until we can go to our B&B? Does anyone know if the B&Bs allow you to just bring your luggage there to hold in a back room until you can check in? Suggestions? I have never arrived this early anywhere where I couldn't check in to my room. this will be a first.

Thanks, Colleen