Aussies in Ireland

Rosie · Member

Aussies in Ireland

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dia Duit Rosie,

Welcome to the forum! You might want to look at staying on the outskirts of Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Killarney. Dublin is very expensive and no place for a vehicle, if you can avoid it. I have suggested Kelly's Hotel in Dublin, as they have excellent rates. I would suggest Kenmare over Killarney and Cork. You might also think of staying in Kilkenny, which would put you closer to Dublin, and taking a day trip to Waterford.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

How lovely to be visiting relatives in Ireland. I'm sure you are looking forward to your trip with anticipation. You say you are having trouble finding B&Bs. In what way? Are they full on the dates you want to be in each area? What time of year you will be in Ireland? How many are in your family group?

There is no getting around the fact that Dublin is expensive. Just as you would find any European capital city to be expensive, Dublin is the same. Bit's idea of staying in the suburbs will cut the cost a bit. Do you have a certain budget per night you are looking at? How many days do you have in Ireland and how many will be in Dublin?

I have suggested accommodations on my "Lodgings" page. Just click on IrelandYes Index and a box will drop down with the links to click on.

Give us a bit more info so we can help.

Michele

Rosie · Member

My itinerary is hectic but we will have a car and we do get up early in the mornings to go touring.

I have got booked accommodation in Manorhamilton.
I find the internet good for looking but its taking some time for the B&Bs to get back to me. We will be travelling in August 2007.

I have looked at the outskirts of Dublin, Cork and Waterford but my map isnt detailed so I dont know the names and locations to each of these towns.

thanks
Rosie.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

As I said in my other post, go to my Lodgings page for personal recommendations of good B&Bs.

On the outskirts of Cork look at Blarney and Kinsale. In the Waterford area look at Dunmore East and Tramore. Some suburbs of Dublin to look at are Swords, Malahide and Ballsbridge.

Go to my "Links" page for many B&B pages to look at. The Town and Country and Family Homes sites will be especially helpful.

If you look at those things they will be of great help.

Michele

Rosie · Member

Thanks Michele I have booked and confirmed b&bs for Leitrim, Kenmare and Bandon. Now I only need Dublin, and somewhere near Bunratty got any suggestions ?

I looked at your Lodgings index and emailed some of them and got replies very quickly.

many thanks.
Rosie.

Rosie · Member

Thankyou Cowboy. I have followed some of those ideas and got replies. I will try Kilkenny and see what happens!
Cheers
Rosie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

In Dublin try Jury's Inn Christchurch and Bewley's Ballsbridge. Both have low room rates for the city.

For Bunratty I recommend Bunratty Lodge and Headley Court. If you have small children then Headley Court would suit you better.

Michele

Rosie · Member

Thanks Michele. I have made a booking request with Ballsbridge Hotel but having trouble accessing their access website I emailed them again today. I'm also try Bunratty Lodge, I noticed in one of the main posts that someone went to the Dinner at Bunratty Castle would it be suitable for a 10 year old?

I will enquire about Headley Court.

Have you been to the island of Aran ? where is the airport to fly from?

thanks again invaluable information.
Rosie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

The Bunratty Castle Banquet is suitable for a 10 year old. You should also look into the Traditional Irish Night in the corn barn at Bunratty. I think the kids would find that more fun as there is audience interaction and dancing.

To fly to the Aran Islands you will take Aer Aran from Connemara Regional Airport in Inverin, which is about 17 miles west of Galway: http://www.aerarannislands.ie/

Michele

Rosie · Member

Thanks Michele.
I have two days left before we go home. What can we do between Waterford and Dublin?
Thanks.

Rosie · Member

Can anyone tell me what Barm Brack is?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

Why don't you lay out your whole itinerary for me so I can take a look at it? So far I have just seen bits and pieces of it. Knowing what the whole puzzle looks like would help me to help you.

For instance:

Day 1: Dublin

Day 2: Dublin

Day 3: Manorhamilton

Etc.

Barmbrack is fruit bread.

Michele

Rosie · Member

20 August Arrive Dublin one night emailed Brooks Hotel. Great Keppel Portmarnock emailed. Gleann-na-Smol Howth emailed. Willow House Dromcondra emailed.See Book of Kells at Trinity College. Temple Bar Street.

21 August Dublin meet relatives, drive to Manorhamilton stay at Bluebell B&B

22 August Drive to Galway stay at Salthill b&b Marless House emailed.Naomh Colman Gort emailed.Atlantic Heights Salthill emailed.

23 August Drive to Sixmilebridge (near Limerick) See Bunratty Castle Folk Park worth seeing.Emailed Bunratty Lodge and asked them to book dinner at Bunratty Castle.Smithfield House Adare emailed.

24 August Drive to Killarney stay 2 nights tour Ring of Beara.confirmed booked .Rivervillehouse Kenmare 26 August Drive Cork Bandon Lochinver Farmhouse booked.

27 August Drive Waterford emailed Brookside at Dunmore East.Glenorney Tramore emailed.Rainbow End emailed.Broomrigg emailed.Cairbre House emailed.

28 August Drive to ?

29 August Leave Dublin for London.

Quick trip trying to see everything, but I know we will come back to Ireland in a few years and tour for a few weeks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

When you say a quick trip you really mean it!

You are doing what I often call the Green Blur Tour. At this point can you change anything, or is it set in stone?

May I ask what time your flight to London is on August 29? That would determine where you should spend your last night.

Michele

Rosie · Member

LOL yes its quick but we do get up early and tour and stop and rest, we are all keen travellers and as our time is very limited as you can see from our itinerary we will be fine, it was Ireland or Hong Kong and I won!

On our last day in Dublin I haven't got confirmed flights yet, I think we will stay in Dublin on 28 August in case we have an early flight from London to Australia. Would be more sensible and we can catch up with some rest!!

Thanks Michele your internet site has been very helpful.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

Keep in mind that most B&Bs start breakfast around 8:30. Some will give it to you earlier if you make arrangements for it the night before. But I doubt if any B&B will give you breakfast before 7 am. Don't count on getting away early every day.

Michele

Rosie · Member

Good point about the early breakfasts, thanks for the tip.

I've had great luck with Bunratty Lodge and Mary is going to book the 5.30pm Dinner and Show for us.

I'm only waiting to hear back from the B&Bs in Dublin and Galway, so it looks like the trip is finally coming together.

thanks again. When I get it all sorted out I'll email what we are going to do, you and others can pick it to bits and say whether its feasible or not LOL.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

Always happy to add my "two cents worth". When you get back you will have to let us know if it was indeed a Green Blur Tour or not. We want Aussie opinions too!

I know you are used to driving thousands of miles but Ireland is a bit different. We will want to hear the comparisons.

Michele