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baja


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Counting Down to April 25
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Hi Experienced Ireland Travelers!

We are nearing our final planning stages for our Ireland trip from April 26 thru May 11.  Our plane tix, car rental, and B&B/hotel accommodations are reserved and ready ... All Irish relatives have been duly consulted ... Ireland websites surfed until we're weary of clicking ... Pertinent notes taken ... Now we're just waiting for Michele's coupon pack and book to arrive.

But, we want to make sure we don't miss any un-missable sights, and so we would appreciate your input.  Here's the plan:

- Killarney -- 5 days at Ross Castle Lodge (near Lough Leane and Muckross)
- Waterford -- 2 days at Brown's Townhouse (suburbs)
- Kinsale -- 3 days at Danabel B&B
- Galway -- 5 days at Rose Villa (Salthill)

For those destinations, what are your "Top Three -- Don't Miss This!" recommendations?

Thank you -- Your expert help is appreciated!

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Laoghaire


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Hello baja,

Your post caught my eye. as husband and I shall be staying at Ross Castle Lodge for 4 days the middle of May.  Will be anxious to hear of your stay there.

Our 4 day itinerary for Killarney includes:
Full day tour of the Gap of Dunloe tour with www.derostours.com,  recommended by Michele.
Interior drive of the Ring of Kerry, with maybe a boat trip around Skellig Michael.

Our 3 day Connemara stay includes:
Roundstone, Clifden, Kylemore Abbey
Omey Island Holy Well
Exploring the Connemara.  We have driven through before, but this time we shall take our time!  So much to see.
Killary Harbour cruise.
We flew to Inis Mor' on our last trip, out of Inverin, west of Spiddel.

Be sure to report in after your trip!

Helen

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Helen Leary Olson
baja


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Thanks, Helen -- Maybe I can post a review of Ross Castle before we get back on May 13th.

Good ideas re: Connemara -- that was the one place on which I hadn't done much homework.

Wondering ... Are you taking a tour for Ring of Kerry? And, can you recommend a good tour for the Dingle loop? Or should we do it ourselves?

We will definitely write a trip report!

Regards,
Bill

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Michele Erdvig


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baja,

I'm glad to hear that you are all set for your trip. May I just say that I was not impressed with Danabel when I visited it several years ago. But perhaps things have changed there. I thought that Ross Castle Lodge was okay but did not make my "quick pick" list. The hosts were lovely. Keep in mind that I am very particular.

I assume you will be doing Dingle from Killarney? In that case, I suggest driving it yourself since you will then be able to stop where you want and do as you please with the day. Don't miss Slea Head Drive. Even though the Blasket Island Center doesn't look like much I found it excellent for depcting a lost way of Irish life. If you like pottery stop at Louis Mulcahy. You can hardly miss it since there are huge man-sized pottery jars outside the shop.

You will obviously be seeing some of the more popular things in each area so I will give you a few more obscure things to look into.

Killarney & day trips: Cherry Tree Walk (past Killarney House) to Deenagh Cottage. View from Aghadoe. Skellig Ring (on tip of ROK).

Waterford area: Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, R700 route to Kilkenny, Inistioge, Woodstock Estate, Dunmore East, Loop Head lighthouse.

Kinsale area: Queenstown Story museum at Cobh, Old Head of Kinsale, coast between Kinsale and Kenmare. Bantry House & Gardens, Ilnacullin Garden on Garinish Island.

Galway: Connemara, Cong, Roundstone & Dog's Bay, Sky Drive near Clifden, Kylemore Abbey, Aran Islands, Oughterard (cruise to Cong).

Don't worry, it's all in my book!

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Laoghaire


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Hi Bill,

We have done the Ring of Kerry a few times, so this time we are going to the interior of the Ring.  A good website for both is: www.guidekillarney.com, click Sightseeing, then Extended.   And we have booked a Gap of Dunloe trip with  Deros Tours, website is http://www.derostours.com/gapofdunloe.html.  (Thanks to Michele).

As for Dingle, if you can get ahold of Rick Steves' Ireland guide book, he has a great Slea Head Tour outlined, down to the exact mileage of every stop.  I don't use him often (even if he is a fellow Washingtonian!), but that is really a wonderful guide.
Also, in Dingle, we are doing the Sciuird Archeological Tour with Tim Collins and his son, Michael. It's a 2&1/2 hour minibus tour of "hidden Celtic forts, stone tombs, and forgotten castles". telephone number is 066 915 19 37.  E-mail, archeo@eircom.net.  This tour sounds great, as we are into megalithic and ancient monastic sites.

Hope this is of some help.

Helen

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Helen Leary Olson
Michele Erdvig


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Helen,

I will be interested in your feedback on Sciurid Tours and whether you find some interesting off-the-beaten-path archaeological sites.

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
baja


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Thanks again, Helen and Michele -- glad to take lessons from the experienced!

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Michele Erdvig


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baja,

Always happy to add my "two cents worth" to the conversation!

Michele

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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary

Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
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