Suggestions for base towns/areas?

Zstep · Veteran Member

Suggestions for base towns/areas?

Michele Erdvig · Host

1. Hillsborough is a beautiful little town but there are not a lot of places to stay there. I often stay on the Ards Peninsula near Mount Stewart and that is not a bad base although it would be a long day for the Antrim coast and back again. I recently found a guesthouse near Downpatrick that is so fabulous it should become a destination in itself.

2. I vote for Sligo. I love the area and it is not as heavily touristed as other areas in season. So much to see and do there. Be sure to do the Gleniff Horseshoe drive. It is high on my scenic drive list.

3. Another thumbs up for Westport. A very nice town. It would give you access to Achill Island, the new greenway, Connemara and southern parts of Donegal.

markan · Senior Member

It will come as no surprise to any of the regulars that I say huge thumbs up to Westport, Co. Mayo. Excellent base for the reasons Michele already mentioned and the town itself is lovely and has really nice variety of restaurants, pubs, and shops to enjoy. Achill Island is a wonderful day trip from there as is Connemara.

The drive to Connemara has the added bonus of being able to drive past Croagh Patrick along Clew Bay into Louisburgh. South across the Murrisk Penninsula through Doo Lough pass before coming out the other end into the Delphi Valley that ends with a stunning view of Killary harbor, past Ashleigh Falls and into Leenane. One of my all time favorite scenic drives. It's storybook.

Roy · Guru

Having climbed Croagh Patrick twice, I'm a big fan of Westport too. A great place to use as a base.

Green Dragon · Guru

1. My favorite stop is Cushendall in Northern Ireland. It's a nice small town on the coast, easy access to the Antrim Coastal Road, and has several restaurants/pubs for your evening, and a lovely coastal walk. I stay at the Riverside B&B - the only place in Ireland I've stayed twice so far!

2. Sligo is a bigger city. I'd prefer Ardara, myself, but that's off your goal area :)

3. Love Westport. It's a lovely town. I've done day trips from there both to Connemara and to Achill island. Stop by Matt Molloy's for a pint and some music!

tony2phones · Guru

Give me Clifden over Westport any day. Fair enough Westport is a good base for Achill and North Mayo but if you put in Sligo then being south of Westport makes sense and Clifiden is after all capital of Connemara and the best touring base for the area, Lots of options for local music, different bars from traditional to modern and some good eateries.

https://goo.gl/UL09QA

Zstep · Veteran Member

Looks like the plan is shifting slightly.

Now looking at 2 nights in southern half of County Down (got to talk the wife into Edenvale House!)

2 nights in Ballycastle (Confirming at Crockatinney)

2 nights in or near Sligo (TBD)

2 nights in or near Westport (TBD)

4 nights Dublin (Ashling Hotel)- effectively 2 days in Dublin with arrival day spent driving across country and making stops and night 4 before an early flight departure

More driving from spot to spot than I had originally planned but it is what it is. Got to keep the clan happy More planning ahead

Michele Erdvig · Host

Edenvale is lovely and has fantastic breakfasts. It is on Mount Stewart's doorstep. You will enjoy your stay there. Tell Diane hello from me.

Roy · Guru

Looks like a nice trip that's coming together nicely.

Green Dragon · Guru

I've stayed at two B&Bs in Westport. Both had good and bad points. I might stay at either again, so I'll give my information and let you decide.

The Boulevard Guesthouse - lovely place, Victorian high ceiling rooms, huge bathroom, cozy area, great location on the Mall. The hostesses were a little odd, but that could have been just a bad day or two. They were kind enough to forward a package for me that arrived after I left, and refused to take money for the postage. There was a dearth of plugs in our room unless you moved the beds, and it smelled a bit musty, but the place is well-cared for. Stayed in May 2011 for two nights.

McCarthy's Lodge B&B - huge rooms, connected to a pub, which is where we picked up the key. Right on the edge of the main portion of town, so easy walking to downtown. Wooden floors, a bit spare, but a great value. Very quiet when I went, but that was late November 2013. Nice large breakfast room.

markan · Senior Member

I like McCarthy's pub. I've never stayed at the Lodge but had a chance to talk with the owner one quiet afternoon over a pint and she seemed really nice and gave me a quick tour of the rooms for future reference. It is a great location and a good deal for sure. Nice cosy little pub.

I've never stayed at a B&B in Westport for whatever reason. I think I just really liked the Olde Railway Hotel and staying there become a once a year tradition for a while. Sadly it closed down years ago. I loved the place despite all it's quirks. I moved onto the Wyatt Hotel since then and love it. You cannot beat the location of the Wyatt and it's got a nice restaurant with good food and three bars including Cobbler's Bar which is a good pub to catch a meal and some beer (including the local craft beers West Mayo and Mescan) and Trad Music sessions. Some of the locals swear the best Trad Music session in town is the Sunday evening session at Cobbler's. I thought it was really good but have seen better in Westport. Like at Bould Biddy's for starters. Sadly another place that has shut down but a nice article in the Mayo News about it and the woman who owned it. She was a great hostess.

www.mayonews.ie/index.php

markan · Senior Member

Well what do you know. Speaking of McCarthy's. Apparently it is now up for sale:

www.myhome.ie/commercial/brochure/westport-town-westport-mayo/3412364

Michele Erdvig · Host

You probably have my book by now and it will give you good B&B choices for the rest of your stay. Be sure to see the "Quick Picks" at the end of each chapter. They are places I have inspected but not stayed at yet.

Zstep · Veteran Member

I think I'm staying at 3 spots you've recommended out of 5.

Starting at Edenvale House for the first 2 nights (confirmed)
Then Crockatinny for 2 nights (still waiting on confirmation)
Then Iorras in Sligo (waiting on confirmation)
Westport we're staying at one called Woodside Lodge. The Missus and daughter both liked the décor a bit more than the others, the prices were similar and it has a good reputation online. So we'll see.
Then Dublin is at the Ashling Hotel.

All going well so far. I've made sure to tell the folks who sent me their way

-- Edited by Zstep on Sunday 28th of February 2016 12:56:37 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Seems like everything is coming together. Ita at Iorras makes the best omelets and scones. The breakfast at the Ashling is great, especially for a hotel breakfast. Generally I find breakfasts are better at the B&Bs. I guess it is the TLC that goes into them.

The reason I always suggest you mention my name at places that I recommend is that sometimes you will get a discount or a special treat. Not always, but sometimes.

Green Dragon · Guru

The Woodside Lodge was on my shortlist for a while. I recall it didn't have room or was closed the nights I was going to be in town the last time. (I was there in late November, so did have a hard time finding B&Bs that were open and met my other requirements!)

Green Dragon · Guru

In case anyone is wondering, my usual requirements for B&Bs are: inexpensive, includes breakfast, has free Wifi, close enough to a pub/restaurant to walk, has unique charm/decor. Bonus if the nearby pub has traditional music.

Roy · Guru

Green Dragon wrote:
In case anyone is wondering, my usual requirements for B&Bs are: inexpensive, includes breakfast, has free Wifi, close enough to a pub/restaurant to walk, has unique charm/decor. Bonus if the nearby pub has traditional music.

Sounds exactly like my criteria!

jukilo · Member

I can agree with Roy Westport is great place to use as a base.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Loved our time in and around Westport, but we self-catered in an apartment on the Quay. A bit far from 'down town' and only suitable if you plan to stay 3-5 nights, though. Of your list, we've stayed at Crockatiny and the Ashling and enjoyed both. The walk to the Ashling past Collin's Barracks and Croppies' Acre can be a bit 'dodgy' after dark, so if you ride the Luas, I recommend exiting at Heuston Station to walk to the hotel. It's about the same distance, but less secluded.

Roy · Guru

If you like to walk, Westport Quay is a great place to stay. It's a safe walk into Westport. I understand the Asgard has unfortunately closed.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, LUAS stops almost directly in front of the Ashling Hotel now.

markan · Senior Member

Yeah I also read recently that the Asgard in Westport has closed. Not sure where I read it. Too bad. It's the first pub i visited in Westport back in 1990. I'm starting to feel old.

Roy · Guru

markan wrote:
Yeah I also read recently that the Asgard in Westport has closed. Not sure where I read it. Too bad. It's the first pub i visited in Westport back in 1990. I'm starting to feel old.

Sad.