Hi Michele,Thanks – I found a lot of great info on your web site, lots of wonderful trip reports with good tips and ideas. Yes, we booked the ‘balcony room’ at the Shores, so we’re very excited about that.  And we’ll be there during the week, so we’ll enjoy Annette’s dinner. For the first day, we might book a room close to the airport, stop there for breakfast and a nap, then continue in the afternoon to Clifden.  Even so, we’ll only have 2 days in Connemara, which I know is not enough… Is there anyway we can find and hire a driver for our rental from the airport to Clifden? I’ll look into a B&B in Doolin, you are right about the backtracking from Ballyvaughan.  Thanks a lot. 

My thoughts on jet lag, not the same as everyone's but seems to be the consensus:

I agree that the drive to Clifden is longer than many if not most would like to take. The further east you live in the States, the less dramatic the pain is, but if hits everyone differently. The one thing that I have found is that taking a nap on the first day only prolongs the effects over multiple days. The trick is to stay awake all day on the 1st day. If not, you will likely feel tired at the same time the next day.

If you decide to make the drive, plan many stops along the way and get out and walk. Breaks every 30 minutes is not a bad idea. The only tricky part on that drive is getting around Galway. The right turn (across traffic) onto the N59 is past where the road meets the "ring road". You will then make a left after a short drive onto the actual N59. It's pretty clearly marked.

As far as stopping on the way, you could stop in Ennis for a stroll and then perhaps Gort for a snack. Fight the urge to drown yourself in a few pints of Guinness. Oranmore Castle is sort of open to visitors (at least it used to be). If you ring the bell, the owners will give you a tour and invite you to throw some money into a pot. The money ostensibly goes to help with refurbishment although it mkay also go to help buy pints. Whatever the case, it's fun and not like any other castle tour you'll go on.

Oughterard is about 30 minutes outside Galway and is a cute town with a couple of nice options for lunch or a snack. Eat light, no heavy meals. From there to Clifden, the road moves pretty well, but the moment you feel tired, get out and walk. There are a couple of beautiful lakes just off the main road along the way which my do well as a stretching point. It really makes a huge difference to get out of the car regularly.

I hope this helps.

Bill

xyz99,

Have you ever had jet-lag before? If so, how did you handle it? I often finds that it affects older people a bit more. I know that as I get older I really do require a nap the first day. However, upon arrival you are usually so excited about being in Ireland that it doesn't set in for a few hours.

All that being said, I think if you take Bill's advice you will be fine driving to Clifden. Especially since you are arriving so early.

Michele

P.S. If Guinness is not your "cup of tea" try Smithwick's, my brew of choice in Irish pubs.

xyz99,

Guinness is an acquired taste, although my husband assures me it tastes much better in Ireland. Smithwick's is a meduim reddish colored beer. A much nicer taste than the pale beers.

Michele

Corey,

I'll never forget long ago when I pronounced Smithwick's the way it looked and a friend of mine almost fell off his bar stool laughing. I got a quick education on how to pronounce it. I learn new things every time I go to Ireland.

Michele

Ok, here’s the plan: I promise I will give Guinness a try – though the amount of calories it packs scares me.  And I’ll definitely try the Smithwick’s…and I’ll watch my pronunciation 

CowboyCraic, ha-ha-ha - my husband knows (from previous vacations) the line: “Stop – photo opp – just a second – stay here, I’ll be right back”. It always takes more than a sec…but I love my pictures.  I guess I’ll need to buy more memory for this trip…. 

We’ll probably do the drive the first day, and stop plenty – thanks

xyz99,

You can always order a glass of Guinness instead of a pint. That way if you don't like it you don't have that huge pint staring at you.

Michele

The best advice I think I have ever received about driving in Ireland came from a delightful elder woman. I stopped in her grocery to ask for directions. When I said "Please help me, I believe I am lost", she replied "you're most certainly not lost, my dear, simply Faerie Led." From that day on, we refer to our driving miscues as being Faerie led and if we end up to far out off course, we blame it on the mischievious ones. I will have to say that the Faeries have led us to some wonderful places we wouldn't have visited otherwise. Now, if I could just remember the name of the town we were in last year south of Rosscarbery. We had the best lunch, a walk by the bay and did an impromptu performance. Yet none of us can recall where we were and no, we hadn't been imbibing at the time.

As for memory cards, I took 5 1GB cards with me and we were constantly dumping them to the laptop. As for Guiness, a glass would indeed be better than a pint, if you are unsure. Also, to remember when ordering a Guiness, They have to build it for you. It takes some time to build a proper Guiness. My partner found that out on his first trip. He couldn't understand why it was taking so long to just pour one from the tap. Fortunately, I explained it to him before he could catch the waitress's eye to ask her.

Mark,

Guiness with Currant syrup? Goodness, to be sure that was an imp that pulled that one off, your poor wife!

Slan Go Foill,

Bit

Faerie led -- I like that!

Regarding digital camera memory: himself bought me a "portable data storage and 7 in 1 memory card reader" before our Oct-Nov trip. No computer required, rechargeable, and a little bigger than a deck of cards.  Every day or two I could download the photos from my card and start over.  Between the 4 of us we had 3 digital cameras and I was able to save all of them. Each time you put in a card, it starts a new folder.  Also keeps the info attached, just like when you copy onto your computer.  Mine is a Wolverine -- doesn't let you view the photos on it, but there are some that do ... a feature that might be reassuring before you delete pictures from/reformat your card.

To me, Guinness is a sweet, creamy indulgence -- not bitter -- better in Ireland than elsewhere, but always my favorite  

Marsha

Michele and all,

That’s another thing I’m torn about….our best memories are generally the ones where we took the wrong turn.

But now, whit the GPS available….should we rent a car with GPS (and miss the wonderful surprises that an unknown road brings but not have to worry)?  What’s more important?

And I have another thing to research before we go – that Wolverine for picture storage sounds great! I think I know what I’m getting for my birthday 

Michele,

We will need an automatic car anyway – and I know that will increase the price (and the size) of the car.  Oh, well…

As for the GPS, I think we will not get one.  I trust the fairies to take us to some wonderful, unexpected places.  I think we have enough time, we did no plan for a lot of driving every day, so we can do that.

Michele,

Thanks.  I took your advise and changed the reservation from the Drumcreehy to Cullinan's in Doolin.  That will eliminate some back-tracking for that day.

Now, I have another questions: Schull or Skibbereen to explore Sheep's Head and Mizen Head peninsulas?  I know you recommend PK Lodge, and it looks like a nice option.  But we would really like something with a water view - so Schull looks more attractive.  Can you recommend anything there?  Or in that area? We'll have 2 nights.  Thanks.

I prefer Skibbereen over Schull, as it is just a bit larger and therefore has more to offer. You might check out Sunnyside B&B in Skibbereen. It is quite handy to the pubs and shops, all of its rooms are ensuite. I have also stayed at the Castle Townshend, just outside of Skibbereen in a neighboring vlillage/town.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic