Hickey Pub - Kilkee (?)

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Hickey Pub - Kilkee (?)

CowboyCraic · Guru

Rosie,

Welcome to the forum. It is quite easy to build your own trip and I know that everyone here will help you in the planning.

I would suggest going towards the end of April/beginning of May, as you will avoid the Easter Holiday crowd and everything will be open, as far as visitor centers and historical sites. The Vouchers that most packages offer are sometimes convenient but more often as not they end up being a nuisance. Having a voucher doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a room only that it is paid for should there be an opening.

Let us know the length of time that you are looking to stay, what your interests are and if you are city types or prefer small villages. Dingle is a fabulous place and to do it properly, you should alocate at least three days there.

You are off to a good start by deciding to fly in and out of Shannon. It is a much easier airport to navigate.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

stewh · Guru

Hi,
I spent a night at the Bayview B&B in Kilkee a few years ago. Hickeys Bar is attached to the B&B in Kilkee which is a resort town very popular with the Irish. We had a room with a great view but it was on the small side. The Pub is quite lively and the party went on late the Saturday we were there. If you stay there ask for a quiet room (ours was). http://www.bayviewkilkee.com/house.htm
Stewart

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Thank you Bit for your reply ;) I plan on getting Michele's book and furthering my homework - I definitely plan on asking this forum questions as I can tell very easily that all the members and Michele have a good footing on Ireland. The very first thing my husband and I are going to do is start the process for our Passpor as I hear it takes awhile (few months) to obtain. I'll keep checking back and continue researching the forum for good advice. So far I've figured it will probably cost around $5,000 for 2 people (flight, land & spending) am I far off? idea

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Hi Stewart,
Thanks for the heads up and the link. The Hickey(ie) Pub looks like a really fun place :) Iit is ver exciting to learn more....Did you enjoy your stay and did you go to Dingle? I've hear wondreful things about Dingle and the small town local environment (awesome!)... biggrin

---Rosie

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Of course, airfare costs are subjec to LOTS of variables (East/West Coast, time of year, etc.), but we live in Fla and typically spend $500-600 each, in April, for coach, RT. If you are near NY or Boston, I've seen prices as low as $300 RT.
We typically stay in B&B's (currently running between $75-90 per night, per room. Car Hire (rental will run you SOMEWHERE between $300 and $800 per week -- LOTS of variables there. Pay CLOSE attention to the 'FINE PRINT". furious

So, if your tickets are $600 each ($1200), the car costs $400 and you stay 7 nights, at $80 per ($560), you're UNDER $2200. A light meal ('Pub Grub') for two will come in at $20 or less. Times seven, that's $140. Moderately priced dinners vaary wildly, but assume the WORST, for an average and call it $60 per night ($420) and the subtotal is STILL under $3000.

Your prices will vary, but a seven night stay in April is EASILY do-able for two people for $3000 or less.

Of course you COULD opt to spend a whole lot MORE. biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rosie,

You have had some excellent advice from everyone already. I suggest you apply for your passports now. The back-up is so bad it is taking a very long time and some people are having to cancel their trips because of it. If you apply now you will be sure to have them in time.

Dingle (especially Slea Head Drive) is incredibly beautiful. Be sure to give yourself a few days there to enjoy it.

I am not a big fan of vouchers. You usually pay less by not using them. They will greatly restrict where you can stay. It also sounds like the vouchers Authentic Ireland is selling may be for farmhouse B&Bs. There are many fewer of them than for Town & Country B&Bs. Also the farmhouses tend to be out in the country and not close to towns. Think twice (or three times) before getting those vouchers!

Michele

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Thanks Bob for the wonderful advise, it is very encouraging to find it may not cost as much as I thought!

stewh · Guru

Hi Again Rosie,
We did enjoy our one night at the Bayview in Kilkee but it really wasn't anything special. Last year we spent a few days in Dingle; it really is a special place. The town is very well supplied with good places to stay, eat and drink and the peninsula is one of the most scenic areas in the country with plenty of ruins and historical wonders. Ireland is full of special places and your plan to fly into Shannon and spend your time in the Southwest is a good one. It is really not difficult to do your own planning.
Stewart

-- Edited by stewh at 19:29, 2007-07-27

My Dream to Visit Ireland · Member

Hi Stewart,
Thanks for the follow up, I'm so encouraged that you think my preliminary plan sound good so far :) We don't necessarily need to visit all of Ireland on one trip so it sound nice to just hang out in the south and west :) I'll check back in awhile the closer I get to making my plans more solid. :)
---Rosie