First trip to Ireland: September 2008

jsa92685 · Member

First trip to Ireland: September 2008

Michele Erdvig · Host

jsa,

Welcome to my forum! What a great graduation present. I can tell you are very excited to be planning such a trip with your father. I think your itinerary looks good. You might consider another night in Kenmare. Take it from Athlone. You really don't need an overnight stay there as you can drive across the country in about 4 hours or so. Also consider staying two nights in Galway. You can do Clifden and Connemara as a day trip from there.

No traveler to Ireland ever sees it all on one trip unless they have many months to devote to traveling around. Stick to what you have outlilned and you will have a great trip. Since you feel you will be back again you can do farther north next time.

Michele

jsa92685 · Member

Michele:
Thanks for the quick and great advice! One additional question: would it be worth it to somehow work in a night at the Castle Townshend in West Cork (Skibbereen area)? I'd have to take away a night from somewhere, probably either Cobh (making it one night instead of two) or Kenmare (making it two instead of three). Or is it not worth it?

chochokie · Member

Hi jsa,

What a fun graduation present! I am also planning a couple weeks in Ireland, so I know how it is to be wondering if we ever get the right itinerary. My travel plans look very close to yours right now, except I have a couple nights in Dublin. I figure even though the country is small, it has a lot of amazing things to see and rushing through it will not let us enjoy it as much as taking our time. Then, we will have an excuse to go back and see everything that we missed :) I can't give much advise, not having been to Ireland for more then a weekend before, but I'm sure it will be amazing no matter where you go.
-Christy

Michele Erdvig · Host

jsa,

The town is very tiny and can be done on your drive between Cobh/Kinsale and Kenmare.

Michele

jsa92685 · Member

Chochokie:
Your username caught my attention; I'm graduating from Virginia Tech in May. You're not a Hokie too, are you?

Michele:
Thanks for the great advice. I spoke with my father and he agrees that Kinsale looks more appetizing. Now we're sorting out places to stay in each town... should be interesting!

John

Dude · Guru

Or an Okie?

Anchoress · Guru

chochokie · Member

Neither... my screen name is just a funny name I came up with back in college.

jsa92685 · Member

Ah, okay. Hope your trips goes well! Let us know so.

Can anyone vouch for either the Lawcus Farm B&B or the Ballyduff House B&B, both in Kilkenny? We're staying for two nights, and need an ideal base to tour the county. Anyone heard anything about these or, better yet, stayed there themselves?

Michele Erdvig · Host

jsa,

Bit (coboycraic) has stayed at Lawcus Farm and recommends it. I have my own recommendations on my "Lodgings' page.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello There,

Its been two years since I stayed as a guest at Lawcus Farms but it could just as easily been last week.

Lawcus Farms guesthouse is my cuppa. I love the fact that it is a very old building. Having said that, Mark has given thought to all modern conveniences and niceties. I enjoyed my two mornings, cup of coffee in hand, taking an early morning stroll down by the King's River. Breakfast is also a treat, as Mark is a phenomenal cook.

It isn't in Kilkenny proper but not too far away in between Kells and, umm, Stonefort (?). My brain can't quite grasp the name today. It will come to me. One of the many benefits was having Kells priory in easy walking distance, ten minutes or so. I left the others behind and went exploring on my own.

The rooms are comfortable without being overdone. My favorite will always be The Stone, as it has the exposed stone walls.

I hope this helps you decide.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit

jsa92685 · Member

Bit,
Thanks for the great recommendation. The house looks absolutely stunning in pictures, and your praise has convinced me to make my reservations. I'm quite excited... my ancestry all traces back to Kilkenny, so I'll be doing a great deal of exploring there.

Thanks again!
John

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit, Could it be Stonyford?

John, Kilkenny is my favorite city in Ireland. It is compact and very stylish while retaining medieval remnants. Be sure to go to my Discounts page to download Corey's free Kilkenny Walking Tour. There are wonderful things to do right outside the city too.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 00:21, 2008-03-08

jsa92685 · Member

Michele,
Will do! Your website is a virtual Irish festival; I love it.

So I've pretty much nailed down all my accomodations.

Kilkenny - Lawcus Farm House (B&B)
Kinsale - The Long Quay House (B&B)
Kenmare - The Lodge (Hotel/B&B)
Dingle - The Emlagh House (B&B)
Lahinch - The Shamrock Inn (Hotel)
Connemara - The Delphi Lodge (B&B)
Galway - The Skeffington Arms Hotel (Hotel)

Michele, I know you endorsed a couple of these on your site. Anyone else have much to say about the others?

YaYa · Guru

I enjoyed staying in The Lodge in Kenmare. It's very comfortable, good beds, not far from town and lovely ladies to see to you. I've read not very good reviews of Skeffington Arms on trip advisor. Have a great trip.
Joan

CowboyCraic · Guru

John,

Good to hear that you will be making reservations at Lawcus. Perhaps in Galway, you might look to stay at St. Martin's B&B. It is close to city centre and very lovely without being pricey.

Michele, Yes!!! Thank You! It is Stonyford. The Brain Fog has been exceptionally bad the last few weeks.

Slan Beo, Bit

jsa92685 · Member

Hey guys, it's me again! Another question:

I'm staying three nights in the Delphi Lodge in Leenane, Co. Galway (Connemara area). With three nights, I wanted to take some time to ferry over to the Aran Islands and explore a little. I don't, however, have a night to spare. Would it be worth it for me to take the ferry over at 10:30am, spend the day, and then take the 5:00pm or 7:30pm ferry back? In other words, is it worth my time to go to the Aran Islands without spending a night? I'll probably just go to the largest one. Thanks for the input!

CowboyCraic · Guru

John,

If you catch the earliest Ferry out to Inis Mor and take the latest Ferry back, you will have a good amount of time to experience it all. You can rent a bicycle from one of the shops in Kilronan and explore on your own. They will have maps. You can hire a pony trap to take you around or you can take one of the van tours. Of the the three, I usually take the Pony trap, as you get more of an indiviudal experience and local flavor. I see a lot of folks bicycling around, as well though.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

John,

I'm glad you are enjoying my website. You will have to let us know if it helped with your trip when you return.

It looks like your trip is shaping up nicely. I agree with Bit about spending the day on Inis Mor.

Michele

jsa92685 · Member

Bit,
Thanks for the tip. I, too, think Inis Mor warrants a day of our trip.

Michele, I can already assure you that your site (and all the wonderful folks within) have greatly improved my trip! I'd be clueless without all this help. As if going to Ireland wasn't exciting enough, I've got a group of friendly and seasoned "Celts" to help me make sure it's a memorable experience. Thanks again for all of you guys' kind help!

John

Sidz · Guru

The B&B in Dingle is called the Emlagh Lodge (Emlagh House is a hotel nearby), so if that is actually where you are booked, it is top notch. That B&B was the best place we stayed in Ireland. Right on the bay, and is an unbelievable spot offering an easy walk to town. Good choice for sure.

-- Edited by Sidz at 10:34, 2008-03-11

Michele Erdvig · Host

John,

Of the lodgings you listed I have stayed at The Lodge in Kenmare (just lovely) and Emlagh House (fabulous with top-notch hosts and fantastic breakfast). Tell Grainne and Marion at Emlagh House hello from me. They are very sweet ladies and will assure you have a perfect stay.

If it is a hotel you are looking for in Galway I highly recommend Park House Hotel.

Long Quay House in Kinsale is for sale. I notice when that is in progress the hosts tend to slack off on service. But hopefully not. Check out Desmond House or Woodlands.

Michele