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TOPIC: Ireland with Children - "Budget" Lodging Suggestions

tricia

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Date: 3:17 PM, 12/27/07

Ireland with Children - "Budget" Lodging Suggestions	Permalink

First to Michelle - Thanks for this fantastic web site. I usually use tripadvisor. com for travel ideas, but for Ireland - this is much better! I'm new to the site and am planning a little more ahead than most - looking at traveling to Ireland the summer of 2009. There will be four of us, including my husband and two boys ages 10 and 13 (at the time of our trip). I'd avoid the summer (and crowds, plus increased costs) if I could but can't take my older son out of school for travel. We're considering a trip length of 10-14 days. My husband and I were both in Ireland (south) about 18 years ago, so we have seen a fair amount - therefore we don't feel the need to see everything on this trip. We see it as a good introduction for the boys to international travel, and the opportunity for them to see where their dad was born (he came to the States at the age of 2). Initial thinking is to rent a cottage somewhere for one week of the trip and spend the rest of the time in B&Bs or hotels. The assumption is that the cottage would present a cost savings for us, especially since we could prepare meals there. If this is faultly thinking, please let me know. Here are my questions: 1) If we focus this trip on Southern Ireland, could you recommend one area that you would consider most ideal for the cottage rental (probably a location that has the most to see in the shortest distances)? Do you have any specific recommendations for specific cottages in that area? 2) Are you aware of any B&Bs or hotels that accomodate families particularly well (i.e. - extra large rooms; special attractions for kids), etc. 3) Any recommendations for lodging near or in the town of Monaghan? (We will visit Dad's birthplace there.) 4) Any recommendations on when in July / August to travel (crowds less during any part of these months, for example?) or does it just not make a difference? 5) Any ideas for sights, activities, etc. that were particularly successful for other families traveling with boys at these ages (10 and 13) are most welcome. Also - any ideas for books about Ireland (non-fiction or fiction) for these ages to give them additional motivation? __________________ Tricia

CowboyCraic

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Posts: 1382

Date: 3:41 PM, 12/27/07

RE: Ireland with Children - "Budget" Lodging Suggestions	Permalink

Tricia, Welcome to the forum! When you say the Southern part of Ireland, are you mean Co. Killarney or Co. Cork? If you mean County Killarney, then Courtyard Irish Holiday Cottages might be just the ticket. THey are self-catering cottages just outside of TRalee. THey have a children's playground area, a barbecue area, tennis court and a basketball court. They are well situated for exploring the Dingle Peninsula, and the west of Co. Killarney. More towards Cork, would be Croughmore, which is a fabulous Thatched cottage located just outside of Mitchelstown. That location will give you the availability of day trips to Blarney, Bunratty, and Cahir Castles, as well as Rock of Cashel. Mitchelstown CAves are also close at hand, which the boys might enjoy. You might look to go in June rather than July or August, if possible, as this is still shoulder season thus there won't be the crowds and the expense of High season. I love the fact that you are planning ahead! I look forward to helping Michele assist you in your planning. Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit __________________ www.rinconcreekstudios.zenfolio.com

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Posts: 10695

Date: 4:17 PM, 12/27/07

RE: Ireland with Children - Budget" Lodging Suggestions	Permalink

Tricia, I am delighted that you found my forum and are also finding my website useful. We have distilled Ireland info here. All Ireland all the time, if you will. You will meet many forum members who have a vast knowledge of Ireland, like Bit who has started you out on exactly the right path. We all look forward to helping with your trip. You have made an excellent start. Planning well in advance will enhance your trip and give you plenty of time to work out the details. First, go to my "Getting Started" page, which will walk you through the beginning phase. I suggest you contact Tourism Ireland and ask for a big packet of free info to be sent to you. If you have any particular interests like castles, gardens, hiking or other things ask for brochures about them. Have two maps sent to you. One for you and one for your sons. They will have great fun pushing stick pins into it and helping to plan the trip. Get them as involved as possible. I agree with Bit that June would be much better than July or August, both of which are high season in Ireland and can be crowded with tourists. When does school let out? I like your idea of renting a self-catering cottage for a week. It will definitely help keep expenses down. Killarney or Kenmare would be well suited for the SW. Once you settle on a town I will give you some suggestions if I have them available. There are many family-friendly B&Bs. Have you looked at my "Lodgings" page yet? As you decide on where you want to visit I will be happy to recommend suitable accommodations. I don't have any personal recommendations in Monaghan, but check back later in the year as I always have new finds as I make more trips to Ireland. Currently the closest recommendations would be in Bawnboy, Co. Cavan and Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. Castles, boat rides and beaches are usually a hit with kids. Then there are activities such as waterparks, quad riding, horseback riding, etc. What sort of things are your boys into? Get them some photo books of Ireland at the library. See what appeals to them. I'm sure you will have plenty of questions as your trip progresses. I hope you find this a friendly place to get help. Michele __________________ "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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