Summer 2009 Trip (first time!)

ahillhouse · Member

Summer 2009 Trip (first time!)

Dude · Guru

In '97 we took a motorboat ride out to The Lake Isle of Innisfree in Lough Gill. Sorry, I don't remember how we found it; all I remember is that a gent took us out from a dock, I think right at his house. Surely someone in Sligo can point you in the right direction if he is still doing the little tours. It's a tiny little island and I don't think anyone could actually live there, but Yeats lovers need to go see it so they can say they did. Don't miss the mermaid.

ahillhouse · Member

That sounds right up my alley!! I will definitely be on the lookout for that. And yes, I must see it... forget the Blarney Stone... I want Innisfree :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

Welcome to my forum! Do you have your passports yet? If not apply for them ASAP.

With only 7 days in Ireland you will not get to see a whole lot of the country. You have your heart set on Dublin and the Sligo area. Stick to those two and you will be happy.

Renting a car in Ireland will be the very best way to see what you want and make best use of your very short time.

For B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels please look at my "Lodgings" page. It will give you lots of options. Just click on the IrelandYes Index on the bar near the top of this page and a box will drop down for you to click on that page.

Ireland's castles are not pre-Christian. However, there are plenty of other sites that are. Newgrange just north of Dublin is the preeminet site. And Carrowmore and Creevykeel near Sligo will probably be what you are looking for.

Let us know how your time share turns out and we will all be here to help as you organize your trip.

Michele

stewh · Guru

Sounds like you're on the way to planning a good trip. Like you, I am a fan of W.B. Yeats (and his brother Jack B. - great painter). We were at Lough Gill in May, 2008 and took in the Isle of Innisfree, nothing spectacular but a peaceful spot at the end of a country road. Nearby is Parke's Castle; you can take a boat tour http://www.roseofinnisfree.com/index.html from there. The castle is also worth visiting, low key and informative. You will probably want to visit Yeats' grave 'in the shadow of Bare Ben Bulben'.

We enjoyed Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs off the N4, a bit north of Boyle. Except for a few sheep, we had the site to ourselves - spectacular views in good weather, a short easy climb.

Stewart

ahillhouse · Member

Thank you for the information Michelle. I will keep you updated as my travel plans come together more. At the end of January we should know something about the time share...

Stewart: Thanks for the information about the boat toars! Everyone I have talked to said Lough Gill is worth visiting, so it's on my must-see list. I definitely want to go to his grave and the tombs as well.

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

Always happy to help. Let us know if you need more info.

Michele

meredith · Veteran Member

We were only in Sligo for one night, enroute from Derry to Westport, but I can endorse Michele's recommendation of Iorras B & B on Rosses Point Road, just outside of Sligo town. Ita was a warm, friendly hostess, and the room was very comfortable and clean. Good breakfast too! Although the weather was wet,windy and miserable, we found Carrowmore megalithic cemetery a faascinating experience.

Meredith

Dude · Guru

I can second Meredith's recommendation of Iorras, also. Pronounced air-us, just in case you were wondering!

Michele Erdvig · Host

I just stayed at Iorras a couple of months ago. It was perfect, as always. If you stay there you must try Ita's omlette for breakfast. Delish! And don't forget to catch sunset at Rosses Point.

Michele

ahillhouse · Member

Okay, things have changed.

After doing a rather astounding amount of research I have decided that it might be better to nix the Time Share idea, we want to "move" and I don't know that having a "home base" is really going to correspond with that goal. I am planning to book June 8th - June 18th via Aer Lingus tonight, straight shot (with a layover in NY) from Houston to Dublin. They are the cheapest tickets I have found. And everyone has told me to book ASAP before the cheaper tickets are gone.

The things I want to see however, have not changed! My husband is still insistent on going to the brewery despite my alternative suggestions... but I want to see the castles, the Dublin Writer's Museum, Book of Kells, etc. I have specifically found the Yeats locale I want to pay homage to in Sligo and I want to make a trip to Sligo Abbey and Carrowmore. Also, I heard there is good surfing in Sligo... is it worth checking out? My husband surfs... I am learning.

I am very much interested in y'all's opinions on car rentals. Should we rent one at the airport in Dublin or try for public transport? My mom keeps harping on these places that chauffeur you about. For example: http://www.discoverirelandtours.com/private_tours.html Are those even worth looking into? I hadn't heard a thing about them before and it seems kind of weird to me.

We want to stay in a castle as well (I know I know) Glin Castle was the one that originally gave me the idea, it's breathtaking!! But I think it's quite a bit out of our way. (isn't it?) So I was also looking at Markree Castle for 2 nights and maybe one or two nights at a B&B in Sligo. (Pearse Lodge and Iorras are my top choices at the moment) Is there enough to do around there to warrant staying that many days?

Anyway, 10 days! Can anyone suggest someplace else nearby we might should visit? I want to start making my itinerary soon-ish. (Ny husband thinks I am crazy for planning this far ahead, but that's what I do! And I want to book hotels.) But we don't want it to be a blur, we want to pick some main things and take our time to savor the trip.

Thanks you guys! This forum has been a huge help!

Edit:: I just read this "The nearest train station is Collooney, which is on the Dublin to Sligo." Would it be worthwhile to take the train from Dublin to Sligo? Can we rent a car in Sligo itself?

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 18:19, 2009-01-16

CowboyCraic · Guru

If you are exploring Dublin when you first arrive, you would be best off to use ground transportation whilst in Dublin and then pick-up your rental car as you head out. Dublin can be very frustrating to navigate and the parking is hard to find and expensive.

If you are landing in Dublin on June 9th and Flying out on June 18th, you technically have 9 full days. With two days in Dublin, that gives you six nights elsewhere and the final night spent close to the Dublin airport after turning in your rental.

As to surfing, Strandhill in Co Sligo is the place that surfers hang.

I would suggest the following:

June 9- arrive in Dublin (2 nights lodging) - take ground transport to your lodgings and ask them to hold your luggage until check-in - catch the Hop-on/off Bus tour which will help you get oriented, introduce you to Dublin's history and takes you to all of the major attractions including the Guiness Storehouse, Dublin Writer's Museum and the Book of Kells.

June 10 - I would suggest that you take one of Mary Gibbons NewGrange tours unless you have more that you would like to see in Dublin, itself.

June 11 - Pick up rental and head to Sligo Town (2 nights lodging) - fill your itinerary in the afternoon with seeing the Yeat's sights around Sligo town.

June 12 - Strandhill and surfing, return to Sligo town

June 13 - Head to Markree Castle (2 Nights Lodging)

June 15 - head to Galway (2 nights Lodging)

June 17 - leisure drive toward Dublin, turn in rental vehicle and stay near airport

June 18 - Depart for home

This would give you a leisurely trip, most of it deep into the heart of Yeat's country.

I can make some suggestions for lodging and I know that Michele's accommodation suggestions are always spot on, as well. I think Iorra would be your best bet in Sligo Town. In Galway, I would suggest St Martin's B&B. In Dublin, I have had enjoyable stays at Ripley Court & Abberley house. Ripley Court is fairly central, which would be good for you to hit all the major sites.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 18:51, 2009-01-16

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 20:09, 2009-01-16

ahillhouse · Member

Wow thank you!! You really gave me a nice outline for a laid back trip.
So you would suggest renting the car in Dublin rather than taking the train? I was wondering if there was a place that you could rent a car in Sligo that could be returned in Dublin, like same company... I suppose I should look into that.

My husband isn't sure if he wants to put up with my mediocre surfing yet... lol!! I think it would be fun, he is skeptical. But I do want to see Strandhill... and if that doesn't work, I am formulating backup plans :) He might be swayed by the time we leave though.

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 22:16, 2009-01-16

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

I do suggest renting the car in Dublin because you have many more car companies to choose from. Oh how I would love the luxury of a chauffeur to drive be around Ireland. Only problem is it is extremely expensive. If your mother is footing the bill jump at it.

Seems like you have everything well in hand thanks to Bit. Hey, maybe your husband can surf while you have a nice relaxing seaweed bath at Strandhill.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele Erdvig wrote: Hey, maybe your husband can surf while you have a nice relaxing seaweed bath at Strandhill.

Michele

LOL, I was just coming back to suggest that you take advantage of one of the seaweed baths whilst your husband surf's in Strandhill. Voya Spa was my idea of heaven. I had a a seaweed bath and a muslin bag massage. It was sheer bliss!

I would definitely rent in Dublin, as Michele said, there are more car rentals from which to choose. As well, it could well be more expensive to rent in Sligo and return it in Dublin.

Slan Beo, Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 23:37, 2009-01-17

dub1 · Newbie

Just to echo the good advice you've been given by CowboyCraic - take that 'laid back trip' suggestion - there's nothing worse than trying to do too much on an Irish visit. It's important to remember you will feel the effects of jet - lag especially as a first time long distance traveller.
As Michele suggested rent your car in Dublin but do not collect it until you are leaving Dublin. There is very good value in buying ' rambler bus tickets' for Dublin - you pay a one time fee and use any local bus.

ahillhouse · Member

Oooo Voya Spa looks uh-mazing! We will probably check out Strandhill anyway... I heard the seafood was good. If anyone can verify where to go in the area for fresh seafood I would love a suggestion!! Also, anywhere that has live music would be helpful. I hear Galway is great for music!

I contacted Markree Castle and they were booked solid for the 13th & 14th!! So I have amended the itinerary just a bit... and we are now leaving earlier. We are flying out of Houston on June 6th, so it will be the 7th in Dublin when we arrive.

June 7 - arrive in Dublin @ 9 AM (2 nights stay) bus tour -- Book of Kells, Guinness Brewery, Writer's Museum (whatever else we feel like seeing, but those are the main three)

June 8 - Tour? Castle? Who knows. Stay in Dublin.

June 9 - Get rental car and head to Sligo! 2 nights stay at Markree Castle

June 10 - Breakfast & Dinner provided at Castle, explore the area. Stay at Markree that night.

June 11 - Head to Sligo Town B&B (probably Iorras) -- See the Yeats sights

June 12 - explore Carrowmore, checkout Strandhill, whatever else we want to do, Stay in Sligo (or maybe head to Galway that night?)

June 13 - Head to Galway for two (or three maybe) nights

June 14 - Enjoy Galway (hopefully some music!!), stay in Galway that night

June 15 - wake up early, drive toward Dublin, turn in rental

June 16 - Depart for home

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 19:11, 2009-01-18

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

Looks good. In the Sligo area I like the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive (north of Sligo). If you like to hike you can go to the top of Knocknarea where legend says Queen Maeve is buried. There is a huge stone cairn at the top and great views. Be sure to drive out to Rosses Point for sunset. Too bad Lissadell House is currently closed because it certainly had Yeats' associations. But perhaps you can drive out to it.

A little south of Galway is Coole Park where Yeats wandered the woods and signed the Autograph Tree. His mentor and co-founder of the Abbey Theater Lady Gregory lived there. The house is gone but there is a good interpertive center, woods, gardens and the lake. Also nearby is Thoor Ballylee the tower castle that Yeats and his wife lived in for several years.

As you can see Yeats is spread all over Ireland. Not just Sligo "Land of Heart's Desire".

Michele

ahillhouse · Member

We are spending June 12, 13, and 14 in Galway. Do you think this is enough time to see Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands? Which island would you guys recommend seeing? I am leaning toward Inishmaan. Can we get there from Galway?

Thanks again for all your help!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

You will have a drive from Sligo on one of the days. Connemara and Aran Islands takes a day each. Because of the long daylight hours in June you should be able to fit in a visit to the Cliffs of Moher too. But you will be on the go.

Yes you can get to Inishmaan from Galway. Go to my Transport page, scroll down to Ferries Within Ireland for links.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Was about to mention the Gleniff Horseshoe:)

Beautiful waterfalls nearby at Glencar with Yeats associations

See

http://www.15five.com/ireland2001/benbulben/glencar2.html

http://www.mythandlegends.net/newirelwaterfall.html

http://www.pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=pdef&pg=6058

ahillhouse,

Looks good. In the Sligo area I like the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive (north of Sligo). If you like to hike you can go to the top of Knocknarea where legend says Queen Maeve is buried. There is a huge stone cairn at the top and great views. Be sure to drive out to Rosses Point for sunset. Too bad Lissadell House is currently closed because it certainly had Yeats' associations. But perhaps you can drive out to it.

A little south of Galway is Coole Park where Yeats wandered the woods and signed the Autograph Tree. His mentor and co-founder of the Abbey Theater Lady Gregory lived there. The house is gone but there is a good interpertive center, woods, gardens and the lake. Also nearby is Thoor Ballylee the tower castle that Yeats and his wife lived in for several years.

As you can see Yeats is spread all over Ireland. Not just Sligo "Land of Heart's Desire".

Michele

ahillhouse · Member

You will have a drive from Sligo on one of the days. We have decided to use public transportation. There is a train from Dublin to Sligo and a bus from Sligo to Galway and a train from Galway to Dublin... so we decided to rent a car since we have never driven overseas nor do we want to deal with the hassle of it and my husband wants to see the landscape not be worried about getting lost and the stress of driving the whole time. Most of the places we are going are accessible by foot from our centrally located hotels/B&Bs. Some of them even offer tours from the B&B. But if you guys think this is just a horrible idea let me know. We plan to pack light, so it shouldn't be too hard.

So you would suggest a visit to Inishmaan then? I was thinking if we take a bus from Sligo in the morning we could maybe get a late afternoon visit to Moher, then spend a day in Connemara and a day on the Aran of our choosing.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 12:00, 2009-02-04

Sidz · Guru

Let us know how you like the Yeats country.

-- Edited by Sidz at 13:02, 2009-02-04

Michele Erdvig · Host

ahillhouse,

By not renting a car you will not be able to see everything you want. You will spend much more traveling and less sightseeing. It can be done but that decision will mean sacrifices elsewhere.

Sligo has very few tours available. You will most likely have to take taxis to Inishfree, the waterfalls, Rosses Point, Carrowmore, etc. I hate to burst your bubble but driving is essential in the area you really want to see. Also Markree Castle is out in the countryside and not nearby Sligo town.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 16:46, 2009-02-04

ahillhouse · Member

NEW QUESTIONS!
Can we pretty much see everything there is to see in a day on Inishmaan?
Or would it be worth it to look into a night of accomodation there?

Could we rent a car JUST in Sligo? I mean, does the small airport in Sligo have a car rental? Originally that was the plan. It's completely at my husband's insistance that I agreed to participate in public transport. I am really concerned about this.

P.S. Thank you guys SO SO SO MUCH for the feedback! Between this site and lonely planet I have learned so much about Ireland and travelling in general.

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 18:33, 2009-02-04

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 18:39, 2009-02-04

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Sligo Airport offers rental cars from Avis. Open 7 days. Aer Arran offers flights To/From Dublin -- only. Must be pretty small. biggrin

http://www.sligoairport.com/airport_services/car_hire.php

Bob

Andi · Senior Member

I don't have the knowledge of some others here, but I do know that without a car you will need to plan very, very carefully, and the trip you plan will be different. If you are not driving too far most days, it's really not that big a hassle to drive.

As for the Aran islands, I have spent 2 nights each on Inishmore and Inishmaan (not on the same visit). Be forewarned that Inishmaan takes longer to get to and does not really have sites to visit. It's a wonderful experience, but as it's all ambience, just a few hours might not be worth it. Also, getting on and off the island is a little harder if weather is bad. When I was there, the only other guest at our guesthouse had not been able to leave the island for a couple days due to weather. There will likely be less than 10, maybe less than 5 other tourists on the island. Inishmore, in my opinion, is a better bet if you don't have an overnight.

Michele Erdvig · Host

My thanks to Bob and Andi for their good info. I agree that Inishmore would have more to see and do as a day trip. It will probably take a good part of the day to get from Sligo to Galway by bus. If you take bus tours from Galway you will have to choose two of the following:

Aran Islands
Cliffs of Moher
Connemara

Without another day you will not see all three by public transportation.

Michele

ahillhouse · Member

My grandparents are avid travellers of Europe and suggested public transport. But I discussed some of this with my husband and we are thinking that we might still take an overnight train out of Dublin to Sligo, rent a car at the AVIS there (thanks for the info Bob) and take it to Galway, where we can turn it in when we are done in Galway at the AVIS there. Then, train back to Dublin... stay overnight and leave the next morning. Having a car in Dublin just seems like such a hassle. I hope this sounds like a more feasible idea. :D

You guys are so helpful, thank you again. I can not wait to come back here and share my own experiences.

-- Edited by ahillhouse at 09:28, 2009-02-06