Beyond Dublin

thommyt · Member

Beyond Dublin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thom,

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on planning your 6th trip to Ireland. You can probably give us a few tips about the west!

Let me try to clear up a few questions first. Will your first 3 nights be spent in Dublin City? Are you renting your car on arrival and during your Dublin City stay? Will you be staying in the city center?

I think that Smarmore Castle would be closer to the areas you are interested in seeing. Would it be after Dublin and only for one night?

If you can clarify your plans a bit it would help me picture what you have in mind.

Michele

thommyt · Member

Hi Michele,

Thank you for your response. I was not aware of Smarmore Castle before your mention of it ( I guess that is why you are the expert !) , but looking at the web site it would appear to suit my needs perfectly, and looks to be quite handy to the areas that I wish to visit.

I have booked three nights in Dublin City, at a B&B in the Ballsbridge area. A co-worker recommended the Adare B&B from a trip she took two years ago. I am hoping that I will be able to see a good deal of what Dublin and it's surrounding area has to offer over that time period. I have rented a car which I will pick up at the airport in Dublin upon my arrival.

I was planning to visit Newgrange, The Hill of Tara, Monasterboice and the Boyne River sights after my initial few days in Dublin. My stay to the north of Dublin would be for a single night, and since I have always wanted to stay in an Irish castle I was hoping this would be my opportunity to do so.

I would certainly welcome any suggestions that you may have to offer me.

Thom

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thom,

I have a page of Castle Hotels on my website. It may be a fun thing to look at when you have time. I think Smarmore will be closer to what you want to see that Ross Castle. You will have to let us know about it when you return.

A car in Dublin is not a good idea. Mostly the traffic is gridlocked, parking is difficult and expensive, it is hard to find your way around, and public transportation is good. I suggest you change your car rental dates and get the car when leaving Dublin. With the money saved on fewer days of car rental you can afford public transport and a taxi or two. Dublin is a good walking town and most of what you want to see is in a small area. I suggest the hop-on hop-off bus for a good overview tour of the city. Then you have 24 hours of the bus pass to see what you please.

I suggest you get to Newgrange at opening time or shortly thereafter. That way you can get your name on the list before the bus tours show up. Afterwards do your other Meath & Louth sightseeing.

After that it is easy enough to hop on the M50 and head south.

Michele

thommyt · Member

Michele,

Thanks again for your insights into my tentative plans for the Dublin area. I do believe I will follow up on your suggestions with regards to holding off on the car rental until we are leaving the city. I am just so used to picking up my rental at Shannon airport and heading off that I guess I didn't really consider the ramifications of driving ( and parking) in Dublin. It looks as though the Dublin Bus runs an Airlink service connecting the airport with the city centre. It won't be as convenient taking the bus with our luggage, as opposed to throwing it in the trunk of our car, but it will be a sight less expensive, particularly if that car is going to sit at the B&B for the better part of three days ! I'll just have to see which bus will get me from the city centre to the B&B.

I have been looking at your Castle Hotel page with great interest. Thanks for the tip..and yes, Smarmore will be much handier to Newgrange than would Ross castle. I'll trade a resident ghost for a leisure centre ! haha!!

We shall plan on being at the Bru-Na-Boyne visitor centre just before opening time in an attempt to beat the crowds !

I am certainly enjoying your web site, and the associated forum, and will no doubt check in again as my travel plans develop !

Thanks

Thom

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thom,

I am always delighted to help with planning. Sharing experiences with others is what the forum is all about. I know exactly what you mean about arriving in Shannon. It is much easier than Dublin. But you will enjoy seeing a different side of Ireland and making adjustments will be worthwhile. Let me know if I can help in any other way.

Michele