Let me first say I am sorry for how long it has taken me to write this report, but the first week back was killer for me. I also want to stay thank you to everybody who took time to answear all my questions without your help the trip would have been just ok. Michele, gets a big thanks and hug for helping me with ever little thing. Words can not describe  how much I appreciated her input. Every place that stayed I would recommned and would not hesitate at staying again.
 
I flew into Shannon Airport and drove to Dingle via the Killimer - Talbert Ferry. The drive to ferry was wonderful and the 20 minute boat ride was what was needed to recharge our batteries after the long flight. If you plan on driving from around the Shannon area  to Dingle do this drive and you will not be disappointed.
 
In Dingle I stayed at the Emlagh House. It was a fantantic place  and only a 5 minute walk into town. Maggie is a great host and the breakfast was wonderful. Her suggestions on places to eat were right on. For dinner the first night we at Paddies and it was good, Nothing special, just a nice pub with good food. The next night we ate at Out of the bBue. It is a seafood place and it was good, but expensive. If you have somebody in your party who does not like seafood then go somewhere else because that is all that is on the menu.
 
We only had one full day in Dingle so we headed out to the Dingle peninsula and all I can say is wow. The drive around Slea Head was wonderful and all the roads were in good shape. I had a beer at Murphys and it is a cool pub. Dingle is a wonderful town and great place to visit.
 
After two days in dingle we headed off to Kenamare. In Kenmare we stayed three days and I liked Kenmare vey much. The route we took let us drive the Ring of Kerry and Skellig. Ever turn was something new and exciting to see. I had not planned on doing the Ring of Kerry but I am glad that we did.
 
In Kenmare I stayed at Virginia's guesthouse and it was wonderful. Neil and his wife own it and they go out of there way to make you feel at home. The breakfast was great and the rooms were good. Virginia's is on the street so there is some street noise, but for me it was not to bad.
 
I went to a pub called Flottys and is was great. It is what i would call a working man's bar back in Texas. It was just locals enjoying a beer. I went to few more bars , but I was not to impressed with them. They were just tourist bars so I forgot there names. If you want to find them one is right next door to flottys.  The other is across the stree from flottys, but at the end of the street. We ate at Mulcayhs the first night there and the food was good. It is in the same buliding as Virginia's, but expensive. The next nite we ate at Pregro's an italian restaraunt two doors down from Virginia's on the other side of the street. The food was very good there and moderatly priced.The last nite we ate a restaurant reccomened by Michele, Packies,and it was very good.
 
The second day we were in Kenmare we drove the Berra Peninsula and it was wonderful. Driving in Ireland you see some of most beautiful scereny in the world. The last day we drove the Gap of Dunlow and if you hate to drive small roads stay off it. The road is no bigger then the car with traffic coming the opposite way. If you run into somebody coming toward you, one you will have to back up till the other car can go around you. The views and scereny from the drive is great. Also visited Ross Castle and Lady's View would recommended both of them.
 
We drove the Glen of Athelow on the way to Kilkenny and also stopped  to see Chair Castle. The swiss cottage is closed for repairs this season so i missed out on seeing it. I got a weird feeling being there and surrounded by all that history. I am a history buff so I really enjoyed  getting to see the Castle after reading so much on it.
 
Drove from Kemare to Killarney and it was a cool drive. Stopped at Muckrose house for a little bit and was amazed. The gardens and the grounds were worth going there if only for a few minutes. We also did the Kilkenny city walk and that was great. Drove over to Cashel and it was very cool. It amazes me all the old buildings and castlein Ireland. All the history to see and so much things to do.
 
The last day in Kilkenny drove to the Hook Head Lighthouse , but it was closed to tours that day. Istead me and my brother drove the hook ring and it was great. It my have been my most favorite part of the trip. I was sorry Hook Head was closed when I got there, but after doing the hook ring I was glad.
 
In Kilkeeny we stayed at the Alcantra and it was nice place. Liam and his wife are wonderful and made some great suggestions. The drive from Dublin was especial great cause of the suggestions Liam made. We ate at the Itilian Connection one nite and the food was good. There is a new Itilian restaurant in town across the stree from the Itilian Connection called Lombradios ( i think that is how it is spelled) and I thought it was better then the Itilian connection. Also ate bullards and it was good. Michele recommended it and she was right on. It is  a pub with very good food.

After three nights in Kilkenny it was off to Dublin. On the way dublin stoped at the meeting of the waters and Glendalough. Another amazing drive  and a very pretty drive. In Dublin we stayed at the Anchor Guest house. It was good place to stay. Nothing fancy about it, but it was clean and the breakfast was good. If you need a place to stay in Dublin I would stay here. It is not in the center city but only about a 10 minute train ride to it.
 
Dublin was nice and I enjoyed it. The first full day we did a hop on hop off tour. The tour was really good and give a very good overview of Dublins history. The nice thing about this tour is you get to choose what you want to do.  I enjoyed being able to get off and go see what I wanted to see. The next day I did Mary Gibbons tour of Newgrange. This and the hook ring were the bset part of the trip. It was amazing seeing Newgrange and learning the history of the area. If you want to do a tour of the area I would do her tour. Not only does she know the history of the area, she also knows Irish history so you learn a great deal about Ireland.

In Dublin we at twice at a place called O'sheas. It is just a nice pub with good food. It is only a block from the guesthouse so it makes it easy to get to. The other place we ate at was fitzgeralds and it was not good. The service was bad and the food was cold. I would not go back there at all.
 
After 3 nights in Dublin we headed to Doolin for are last stop. In Doolin we stayed at the Dubhlinn House and it was great. Joan and Martin go out of there way to make you feel special. The breakfast was very good and if you need inexpensive place to stay there this is it. The two best meals i had in Ireland i had doolin. One is an old reataurant and one is new. It is a toss up to which one is better and you can not go wrong with either one. The Roadford House is new and according to Marian it has only been open about 6 months. She is the hostess and the Chef is Frank Sheedy. The meal was expensive but the do have an early bird menu fo 30 euros. The other was the Cullinan's and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had. Everying about both of these reataurants was first class.
 
We saw the Cliffs of Moher and the day we were there the wind was blowing something fierce. You had to lean into just to get to the top of the Cliffs. The incerdible views from the cliffs were breath taking. After the cliffs we drove around the area a little  then came back to the B&B. After my last meal at Cullians it was time to come home.
 
Ireland is a great place and I had a wonderful time. If you have any questions just ask and i will answer them. Every placed i stayed at was under 40 euros except Anchor House 50 euros and Virginia's was 49 euros. I hope this helps you.

                            Thanks again for all your help
                                       Matt

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 16:16, 2007-05-21