October Trip Help Needed

Goddaluvit · Newbie

October Trip Help Needed

Michele Erdvig · Host

Goddaluvit,

Welcome to my forum! I think you do need a little help. In late October the days are short. You will not be able to go as far or see as much as in the spring and summer.

With the amount of time you have I generally tell people to draw a line from Galway to Dublin. Then choose to go north of that line or south. Not both. Distances are deceptive in Ireland. You will average 35 mph. Although you can probably do what you have outlined, you also mentioned you didn't want to be in the car the whole time. Some of your driving days are short: Lahinch to Galway and Ennis to Shannon. Others are long: Galway to Sligo and Donegal to Ennis. It seems you are spending each night in a different place. That can be exhausting after a while.

I don't think your son will see all that much if only going to Dublin for the day. About three hours there, three hours back, does not leave a lot of daylight for sightgseeing.

Since Ennis is very close to Shannon could you not make your last night in either Ennis or Shannon and save a day for elsewhere in your trip?

If your "must sees" are Donegal and Dublin make them your priorities. Go north of that Dublin/Galway line and skip the SW. You will have a much better trip by doing that. If your son decides that Dublin can be skipped this time it may give you time for other things.

I have a lot of excellent places to stay on my Lodgings page. Take a look and see what appeals.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

As Micele said, Welcome to the Forum!

I woud make the focus of this late autumn trip North of Galway, as well. Not only because of the shorter daylight hours but because the North country is beautiful then. How old is your son? If he is of College age, he might find that Galway is a good fit.

I will assume that your tickets have already been purchased and that changes would be costly. Flying into Shannon and out of Dublin would have been the best way to work in Dublin.

Does your husband know where in Donegal his people orginated? With eleven short days in Ireland,

Perhaps

Day 1 - 4 - arrive Shannon and head to Galway
Day 4 - 6 - Westport
Day 6 - 9  - Donegal
Day 9 - 11 - Sligo
Day 11 - Ennis or Bunratty

This would give you good chance to settle in and experience each area.

If you were, by some chance able to change your tickets without huge cost, then a Northern Horseshoe might look like this:

Day 1 - 4 - arrive Shannon and head to Galway
Day 4 - 5 - Westport
Day 5 - 8  - Donegal
Day 8 - 10 - Sligo
Day 10 -11 - Dublin

B&Bs I have loved:

Galway - St Martin's Guesthouse
Westport - Glenderan
Donegal - Water's Edge
Sligo - Treetops
Ennis - NewPark House
Bunratty - Bunratty Lodge

Slan Beo, (Take Care) Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 14:59, 2008-09-10

Goddaluvit · Newbie

Thanks so much Michele and Bit. We have taken your advice and redid the route (actually getting everyone their spots) and are now going to do:

10/20-10/23 in Galway (with day trip to Dublin via train)
10/24-10/25 in Westport
10/26- 10/28 in Donegal
10/29 - Sligo
10/30 - 11/1 in Bunratty leaving for home early am on 11/1

Now I am excited and can start planning our places to stay. One question regarding that though. Our travelers are my husband, myself, my daughter (26) and son (21). Are the kids too old to book a family room? Do we book two rooms?

Again thanks for all your help

CowboyCraic · Guru

Sounds like you have it all sussed out so far.

As to the room situation, a lot would depend more on the number of beds offered in a family room. Some only offer a double and a twin in one room.
Given the ages of your children, you might be best to book two rooms, especially in Galway, Donegal and Wesport. That would allow them to stay out and enjoy the nightlife, if they choose, without disturbing you.

You will be arriving in Galway in between a large Family Arts Festival and The Start of the Galway Races. This will mean a lively City Centre, as the performers linger, the University students minle and the Race folk begin to converge on Galway.

As the 26 & 27 of October is a Bank Holiday weekend, make your lodging reservations soon. for Donegal.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Goddaluvit,

That sounds much saner. Your trip will be much better now. You will have to let us know how the plan works when you return.

There is really no advantage to renting a family room. Since your kids are grown they will pay the same amount whether they are sharing with you or have a separate room. You will want to book a twin room for them though so they have two separate beds. The only place I can think of that does have a family room that could accommodate you is Bunratty Lodge. The family room there has a queen, a double and twin. It also has two bathrooms. You might want to inquire about that.

If you want a super friendly place to stay in Donegal you can't do better than Donegal Manor. The owners are just lovely. The guesthouse is fantastic too. I stayed there last year and they won two Emerald Awards this year.

For a cozy B&B in Sligo with a great breakfast try Iorras. No website so you will have to take my word for it. You can contact Ita at: connollyiorras@eircom.net

As Bit has suggested you have the Bank Holiday to contend with. The long weekend of Oct 24, 25, 26 & 27 will be busy. Best to get reservations for those.

You also have time to get my book. It will really help with planning and while you are in Ireland.

Michele

Goddaluvit · Newbie

Michele and Bit thanks for your suggestions. Michele, I do have your book and have been using it quite a bit. So far we are confirmed at Treetops in Sligo.

St. Martins in Galway is under construction in October and unavailable. I am waiting to hear from Lawndale regarding their availability. The five hour time difference is slowing me down a bit. There are a few other b&bs we are waiting to hear from also.

More to follow.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Goddaluvit,

Try Rose Villa in Galway.

Michele