I am in Ireland now? Where can we eat in Killarney cheaply??

cowgirl227 · Member

I am in Ireland now? Where can we eat in Killarney cheaply??

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

Hi Linda and family,
A place where I ate was at the Flesk. Smack in the middle of town and around the corner from Danny Mann's. But I could be biased due to all the American Legion plates all over the place, as I'm a legion here in the states. But the food was good and quick service.

On the way to the Gap, from main road you could go up to
Agahdoe Heights(SP). You can go past the swanky hotel to the edge of the road where quite a view is displayed over the lake. There is also a cemetary
on the left side with very magestic head stones. If I recall, the Doyle family is very big there.
BTW, at Ross Castle, due take in the tour $ if you can. Full of info.
PLUS, you'll have to fill me in on the Burren. I'll be hittin that May 30th.
have fun
-gary biggrin

cowgirl227 · Member

Our family LOVED the burren. We did the gap of dunloe today but only went for half the trip. It cost 60 euro and was fun but very expensive and took less than an hour round trip. If I had to do it again I would probably skip it. It would have been 80 euro for the complete trip but we were a family of four and the poor horse had to pull 5 of adults. The mare was small. As a horse owner myself I felt the horse was being over worked. I would not have wanted to ask her to take us all the way up even though we would have gotten out and walked most of the way. She was slipping just a bit but she was a bit wet with sweat and I guess I felt sorry for her. She was not well groomed and was a very small horse. I would not ask my horses to work that hard. Maybe I am a softee when it comes to animals but I felt sorry for her. On the other hand we loved Ross Castle. We are really dying financially. I had no idea how severe the financial impact would be. We spent a few hours in Killarney centre today but were unable to shop. The cost of things was overwhelming. There will be no souviners. If we want things I will buy them on the internet. It will be cheaper and just the same. Our best shopping was in Galway. We are staying at the Robeen house now in a very large family room, very comfortable beds, great shower, and the food is good. We are not fond of blood pudding or Irish sausage but the bacon is great.
We stopped for a cup of coffee today and for a 7 or 8 oz cup it was 6 euro for two cups. That is the equivlent of just under 10 dollars american!!! We are a family of four and I wish we had gone last year. As much fun as we are having I will not travel to Europe again until the dollar it stronger. We brought a carryon with granola bars, and tons of nuts, dried fruit, candy and I am glad we did. It was a fraction of the cost and we are only buying one meal a day.
Thank you for your advise. Where are you staying by the Burren. We stayed at O'Connors B & B and it was excellent. Good food, excellent hospitality, super nice rooms (spacious and very clean). Our car broke down and our host Pat Drove us to the pub for dinner and Irish Music at OConnor's Pub. LOVED it. The stew was fabulous and reaonable at around 11 euro. Guiness at 3.90 euro.

Sidz · Guru

Where can you eat cheap in Killarney? Not sure it can be done now. We feel your pain! I'm going in a few months, and it doesn't look good as far as the dollar goes. At $1.58 today for one Euro. Last year at this time it was about 25 cents better on the dollar, and we were thinking that was high.

If this keeps up I might have to skip meals and just go with the 3.90 Guinness for nourishment -- you know, they say there is a meal in each glass! biggrin

-- Edited by Sidz at 14:10, 2008-04-09

Michele Erdvig · Host

cowgirl,

I'm glad to hear you are having a great time despite the exchange rate. At least when you get to your self-catering you will be able to buy food to cook yourself. That will save money. Some places in Killarney:

Jam (lunch; closes by 5)
Bricin
Murphy's Pub
Robertino's

Try to find "early bird" menus. Go to pubs and order soup (it comes with brown bread and they will usually give you more bread if you ask). Soup can be filling. Split entrees. Just order an appetizer instead of the whole menu. Go to the grocery store and buy sandwiches. Eat a big lunch. It costs half of what dinner does. Then have sandwiches for dinner. Make it a picnic and everyone will not feel deprived and will have fun. Eat a big breakfast. It comes with the cost of B&B.

Buy fruit, cheese and chips at the grocery store for snacks.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

cowgirl,

There is a McDonald's and Super Mac in Killarney. Fast food but cheaper.

Buy instant soup at supermarket and make with the tea and coffee facilties in your room!

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Avoid the small grocery shops and garages. There is now a LIDL in or near most towns and for picnic fare and basics it is often half the price of small shops. And a better, fresher range.Or Tesco. Again, they have shops 24/7 in many towns.

Chip shops are still good value also.

Blessings

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

Hi Linda,
You stayed at O'Connors B&B!!. That's where we will stay too. Emailed Joan for the reservations a while back. Our Queen of Forum Michele recommended the B&B. I also want to take the 1 hour Doolin Boat ride that goes along the Cliffs. That should be awesome.
A quick story at the Gap of Dunloe that we did in the past. My wife Mary and I chose to strole in for a few miles early morning. As I'm taking pictures along the way, we could here a sort of gallop in the distance. All of a sudden ahead of us coming this way are some horses at full speed coming right at us from over a bridge. Mary is on one side of the path, and I'm on the left side leaning against a stone wall snapping pictures at the horses as these horses race past us. A little scary but different. weirdface

A lone person on his horse was in the rear making sure that they head toward the parking lot .

BTW Michele, I received your $ trip pack. thank you very much. biggrin

So hang in their Linda and enjoy Ireland
-gary

susan · Senior Member

Ask a local where they go for quick (cheap) meal.
We live in a tourist area (Jersey Shore)and most of our restaurants are expensive,but we know where the affordable ones are.

Sidz · Guru

Had forgotten about Murphy's Pub in Killarney that Michele mentioned. We ate there last year, it was quite good, and reasonable. That would be a solid choice for some good food.

-- Edited by Sidz at 11:05, 2008-04-10

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cowgirl,

Everyone has good suggestions for you. Also, get pasta. It is usually priced lower than other entrees on the menu and is filling. Lasagne even comes with chips! And as Susan said, ask the locals.

Michele

WCOMALLEY · Veteran Member

We ate at the Curragh, just down the street from Danny Mann's. They had a lamb dinner that was both huge and affordable. Be ready for two potato+veg AND stuffing--one plate is really enough for two, get enough plonk to wash it down. I believe you need to come plenty early to get the special price. WC

-- Edited by WCOMALLEY at 22:22, 2008-04-10

Garry Dufford · Member

Man, I'm getting nervous. We'll be going to England and Ireland in June. I'm glad you liked O'Connor's. Doolin is fun. I hope it's as fun with the kids. I'm thinking there won't be as much drinking this time. My wife and I met there in 1989 and can't wait to get back.

How much was the B&B there? Are Gus and Doll still around? I suspect Susan would be running the B&B? Maybe they'll let us work in the kitchen again and get free food!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Garry,

Don't get nervous. The exchange rate will be what it will be. Take your credit cards, budget where ever possible and eat as cheaply as possible.

How great that you and your wife met in Doolin! You will see a lot of changes in Ireland and in Doolin after almost twenty years. O'Conno'r Pub sold a few years back. Things are a'changing.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I don't remember the exact date, but I believe that Gus died back in '01 or '02.

RIP

Bob

Anchoress · Guru

Please, do not worry. That alone will ruin your time in Ireland, so much of which is free... scenery, chat etc.

We meet hundreds of visitors each year, many from the US. The ones who enjoy their time here most are those who do not look the price of everything up in dollars. Those who do that look so miserable.

You know the situation before you leave home; and no one coming to Ireland will starve....

We won't let you.....

Think in Euros?

The idea of eating Chinese in Ireland seems strange.... Sisters coming over say how small those portions are here.. and whatever you do DO NOT buy Chinese in Carrick. That was my first introduction to Chinese food, and it was so bad even the feral cats at Glen would not eat it.

Needless to say, that was my first and last Chinese food....

The best food is what the locals eat, and that still tends to be traditional.

As these posts show.

Prices are rising for us too, but we manage and eat well if simply.

Please, relax and enjoy....

Blessings

Garry Dufford · Member

Hi Michele,

Yes, 20 years is indeed a long time. Actually we were last there 12 years ago. Still, that's a long (!) time. My wife worked in the kitchen for 2 months and I took over her job right before she left. I did my own 2 month stint after that. We only knew each other for 4 days at first!

I'm a little sad they sold the pub. Obviously that sort of stuff happens. When I worked there they had a single keg of Budweiser on tap ostensibly for American tourists. Hopefully that's gone! They used to have a Chipper right next to the pub run by one of the sons. Is that still there?

What's a Chipper cost these days anyway? You can't eat that all the time, but it's absolutely the best after the pub closes or for something quick. I'd rather eat fish and chips than MacDonald's most times.

You're right, it'll cost what it costs. Hopefully we won't have to restrict our activities too much due to necessities. If anything it'll keep me off that third pint. We specifically structured our trip to start in London and Bath where it'll be quite dear. After that Ireland will probably feel like a bargain!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Garry,

I don't frequent chippers as I don't like fried food. Perhaps another forum member will chime in with the cost. Although It can't approach the cost of restaurant food. One place in Doolin that has excellent food is Cullinan's. I eat there every time I am in Doolin. If you like mussels and they are on the menu they are fantastic.

I am looking forward to your take on the changes in Doolin (and Ireland) when you return.

Michele