Anila,

Welcome to my forum. If you take a look at my website it will walk you through the planning stages of your trip to Ireland. Start with the page "Getting Started". Click on the IrelandYes Index and on the link.

It is wise to be planning now because December is a popular month for people visiting family in Ireland, especially around the holidays. You should be aware that around Christmas many accommodations including hotels close. There will be a few open but you should be looking into that now if that is part of the time you will be there.

With two couples and 3 children, you may find it more cost effective to rent a a self-catering house. On my "Links" page under "Accommodations" you can click through to them and start looking. Many of them rent from Saturday to Saturday. However, some will give you mid-week or long weekends. It differs from place to place.

Basically, you need to set your dates, get your airfare, rent a car, set an itinerary and make lodgings reservations.

Michele

This does exactly what you are asking for. I used this company, and if you do, ask for "John Joe." He was an amazing story teller, singer, and a great guy. He made our trip so much fun. I learned so much about Irish history. When I go back I will not go on a tour. For me, it was like being on a train, when you wanted to stop and look at something, you could not. It was safe, trouble free, and a lot of fun. That aside, I think next time I want to control the trip and guide myself. Things like Waterford Crystal factory tours are BORING..... but on the tour I had no choice but to spend several hours there looking at glass..... pffttt

http://www.brendanvacations.com/ireland.asp?id=3

-- Edited by rlehm at 01:11, 2007-07-03