Help! Travel itenerary ?'s for May 2009

Joy · Newbie

Help! Travel itenerary ?'s for May 2009

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Joy,

My first impression after reading this post last night was "Green Blur" tour. I understand that this is your first trip over and that you want to see as much as possible. However, with what you have laid out, you will see most of what you want to see through the windscreen of your car. The itinerary which you laid out would be enough for two weeks, if I were the one traveling. In Ireland, less is more.

Before I can make any suggestions or try to help you tweak your itinerary so that you can truly enjoy your visit, I would like to know what your thoughts were in choosing the places which you did, Nenagh, Foxford, Inis Mor, Ross Castle. Are there family ties to any of those places?

As far as traveling and mileage, you need to take into consideration that the roads are quite a bit more narrow in most of Ireland than you will be used to and that your travel speed will be a maximum of 35 mph in most areas. There is also livestock, pedestrians, farm equipment and other unknown factors such as weather conditions which will also slow you down. Then of course, there is the breath stealing scenery, changing at every turn, which will have you stopping more often than not.

If you can tell me what you are expecting from this trip, myself and the rest of the IrelandYes irregulars will be more than happy to help you plan the best experience.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

Joy · Newbie

Thank you , My daughter and I laughed like crazy when we read Green Blur, haha, okay I guess the travel book we have said that most main roads have a speed limit of 55mph, we thought we would be moving faster than 35mph. So I guess some reworking of the itenerary is in order!!
To answer your questions about the locations we picked, Nenagh was just a stop for the night while heading to the connemara national forrest. I had a connemara pony who basically walked on water and could do no wrong; I couldn't come to Ireland without seeing ponies.
Foxford just a town to rest in.
Inis Mor island we definitely wanted to see/stay there.
Ross castle, we all like the location, it is small and not so commercialized. We want to stay there two nights and see the grounds and surrounding area.
What do we expect from this trip? Well we live on a farm so we are interested in farm life there. We kayak,and therefore like mountains, waterfalls and pretty scenery. We want to see castles and ruins. So those are the reasons we wanted to visit. We definitely want to stay out of large cities like Dublin.

Thanks for your help! We will rework our plan, we don't want a green blur trip.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joy,

Welcome to my forum! My husband coined the term "Green Blur Tour of Ireland" over 30 years ago because that is just what we did. We drove from dawn to dusk all over the island. Please learn from our mistakes and don't do it yourself unless you absolutely love to be in the car all day. I absolutely DO NOT recommend the Green Blur Tour. You wouldn't like it.

I think a trip back to the drawing board is in order. Don't worry. We are here to help. And few get it right on the first (or even second or third try). If you keep at it and ask lots of questions it will turn out perfect.

My first inclination for your trip would be to cut out Co. Meath. Most of your choices fall in the west of Ireland. Plus you are arriving and departing from Shannon. I

had some clients who stayed at Ashley Park House and found it eccentric. On the shabby side. Sometimes they had hot water for showering, sometimes not. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in accommodations.

As you do your planning be sure to look at my Lodgings page. I have either stayed at or inspected all there. I think about 99 % of the people who stay at my recommended places are pleased with them. As I often tell forum members, I am extremely fussy. In turn I have been called the "Goldilocks of Ireland". Cause I like everything to be "just right".

Let us know how we can help as you progress with your trip.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 22:00, 2009-01-17

CowboyCraic · Guru

Joy,

Whilst most roads will have a higher posted speed limit, they are narrower than those on which we drive here in North America. 35 m.p.h is a speed that I am comfortable at in Ireland and I am a veteran driver there.

With 7 days on the ground and an expressed desire to see the ponies of Connemara, I would suggest an itinerary such as this:

Day 1 - arrive Shannon and head to Doolin (overnight here) - take the coast road which will go right by the Cliffs of Moher -

Day 2 - Catch the Doolin Ferry to Inis Mor (Overnight here) - here, I would Suggest Kelly House B&B over Kilmurvey simply because I found Mary Kelly to be a delight. I have also stayed at Kilmurvey and found it just as comfortable. THere, now you have choices. biggrin

Day 3 - return to Doolin and Head along the coast through the Burren and into Galway - you can stop in Galway for lunch and a stroll or continue up into the Connemara region - You can blend your Connemara experience with a castle stay at Abbeyglen -

Day 5 - For a delightful adventure of Castles & Ruins, I would suggest that you venture from Clifden to Athenry. I found Athenry on one of my Faery led mornings and stayed for two days to explore. It is a Heritage town with Athenry Castle and the heritage centre as its best known draws. I stayed at An Teach Gharrain B&B. If you do end up there, please give Oisin and Simone a back scratch for me. Between the donkeys and Mary McDonagh's delightful hospitality, I was willing to stay permanently!

Day 7 - head to Bunratty - Overnight at Bunratty Lodge

Day 8 - Depart from home.

You can join a walking tour from Athenry Heritage centre which will give you alot of insight into the history of Athenry. Whilst on Inis Mor, you might take a hike up to the Black fort, which is more raw than Dun Aengus.

This is a bit less of a "green blur" and covers what you would like to see. This will give you a good start. I look forward to helping you make this a stellar trip.

Slan Beo, Bit

P.S. - Just to whet your appetite!:

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

It sounds like a good plan for Joy. It is such fun to help others onto the right path for their Ireland trips. Wish I had a forum to access over 35 years ago. But those were different times. Instead I picked the brains of some of my husbands co-workers and learned by trial and error.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele,

I did much the same on my first trip. I had no idea that anything like your site or Pat's existed back then. It would have made a huge difference had I known.

My first trip was a blur for the frist half and then I let the FAeries lead for the second. It was much more fun that way!

Slan Agus Barrogs, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

Give me the fairies any day. Thumbs down for the Green Blur.

Michele

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

My good friend Sue traveled to Ireland as a first-timer a couple of summers ago. She and her friend Robyn stayed for 7 nights and spent each night in a different B&B. She said that, sadly, her most vivid memories of Ireland are of packing and unpacking! So -- here's to the faeries, indeed.

Sidz · Guru

It surely is the one thing learned more than anything else the first trip over -- stay away from one night lodging situations. evileye

From that point on almost everyone agrees that a two-night minimum stay is a must when possible. If newbies listen to that one thing alone it will help their trip a great deal.

Happy travels!

-- Edited by Sidz at 12:57, 2009-01-20

Joy · Newbie

Hi ,
Thank you both for all your help!! Thanks Michele Erdvig for warning about the Ashley Park house, we decided not to stay there.
Thanks CoyboyCraic for the sample itenerary, that was very helpful to me.

I have changed our itenerary by selecting the "must sees " only and are now staying two nights in each place. I don't have the information in front of me right now, when I do I will post it. Then it may be time for round two... haha

Joy

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Joy -

My wife and I are in our mid- to late 50's. Every trip (and this June will make our eleventh) to Ireland, we always have at least a few days where we are touring, 'Out And About' for 8 - 10 hours, yet I don't believe that we've EVER covered more than 150 miles in one day.

Yes, the roads are narrow and all that, but the REAL reason that travel in Ireland is so 'SLOW', is that it is so DENSLY PACKED with sights that all but DEMAND that you stop and look and snap a photo -- and maybe pull off, down that beckoning side road that doesn't even appear on the map, because you just KNOW that there is SOMETHING absolutely AMAZING, just waiting, out of sight, around a bend or two.

Or perhaps, you stop for petrol, or a drink, a snack or meal and get embroiled in conversation with a facinatingly interesting fellow, who gives you directions to a stone circle, a ring fort or whatever, that isn't even in any of the guidebooks.

Less distance = MORE enjoyment almost EVERY time.

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joy,

I am glad you have changed your itinerary. You will enjoy Ireland so much more by covering less territory. As Bob says it is densely packed with lots to see and do. Let us know what you have chosen when you have the info available.

Michele

Kristinn · Member

May 2009 SLOWING DOWN In Ireland!

Greetings all! This is my first venture into posting and I chose to do so because of all the ++ energy and friendliness I have read here! I too am planning a trip for April 30-May 12 and very much do NOT want to do the green blur. We are very keen on exploring the traditional music/dance venues, lots of walking/nature and history.

My situation is similar to Joy's: I am arriving in Dublin on the 30th of April at 6:30 AM and my traveling companion is arriving around 5 PM that afternoon. We will have until the 12th to travel when I have to fly back to the US with a flight departing around noon. I'd considered flying into Shannon or Glasgow and out of Dublin but the inbound connections don't work for my travel companion--so we are stuck with arriving/departing Dublin. We are planning to rent a car in Dublin and setting out for the southwest as soon as he arrives, anticipating we might stop our first night (Thursday) somewhere to the southwest--Kilkenny or Cashel maybe? I'd like to see the Rock of Cashel (it looks like it is on the way), and arrive in Dingle on Friday for the Féile na Bealtaine which is happening that weekend/bank holiday in Dingle. The following weekend is another music festival in Baltimore but I've really come up against a dilemma as to where to go and still enjoy things.

Here are my thoughts for possibilities from a home base (would prefer the same location for 2-3 days):
1. Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Kinvarra, Dunguaire Castle and medieval banquet (Rick Steves guide also mentions the same banquet as taking place in Bunratty Castle 30 miles to the south)

2. Bantry-Mizen Head--Kenmare (thatched cottage?) -Killarney

3. Dingle (music, walking, tradional craftsmen)

4. castle in Kerry somewhere for a treat for one night and a day (ideas?)

5. return to Dublin (Gaol, Book of Kells, Trinity College, traditional music venues--less tourist-trappy the better)

6. day trip from Dublin to Naven-Trim-Newgrange

Is there anything I absolutely should see? How to best arrange the journey? I'm hoping (but am almost afraid) that my plans are not too ambitious. Above all we want to slow down, enjoy the day, be outdoors, experience music, and the people of Ireland so I'm keen to stay in places off the beaten path (e.g Kenmare vs. Killarney)

I also have heard nightmares about car rentals--that one should avoid renting from the airport because of the steep surcharges and also that when one reserves a car from the US, that once you get there, the car companies spring another hefty charge and one is left with much more expense than anticipated. One option is to rent the car in Dublin and then leave it in Limerick and take the train back to Dublin but arranging it so there is no drop off charge.

I'm looking through the posts and making note of some of the more intriguing comments. Thank you so much in advance for your postings and responses--if you've already posted some sort of similar response, please don't hesitate to direct me there.

thanks so much, Create a great day!!

-- Edited by Kristinn at 01:58, 2009-01-28

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kristinn,

I finally have a moment to get to your questions. (And welcome to my forum, BTW!) I'm glad you are finding a positive attitude here. We have some wonderful members who are so very helpful. Do feel free to make your own subject post too.

On your first day I suggest you stay nearby the airport and depart for the country refreshed the next morning. Since your companion does not arrive till 5pm and time will be spent collecting luggage and perhaps going through immigration, it might well be 6pm before you depart the airport. You would just end up sitting in traffic for hours. You will also be tired and do not need to have a 2 to 3 hour drive.

I highly recommend reservations over the Bank Holiday and especially if you are attending a festival. Accommodations will be very full. It is possible that many accommodations will only reserve for a 2 or 3 night stay over the holiday, so plan carefully. You could drive from Dublin to Dingle on May 1 but it will be just a driving day and probably take 6 hours or more. Dubliners will also be departing the city so traffic will be heavy.

You can certainly see what you have outlined in the time you have. For a castle in Kerry look at Ballyseede and Glin.

Renting a car in Ireland is never easy. Look at my Car Rental page for info you need to know before renting. As for avoiding the airport surcharge, by the time you get a taxi or bus into Dublin just to rent from a city depot you will have spent your money on transportation instead of the surcharge. Plus you would have spent a lot of time doing it. Best to just factor in the surcharge.

That should get you started.

Michele

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

Bit, I always enjoy your photos of horses. Thought you (and others here, perhaps) might be interested in a post on this morning's CNN page -- soliciting travelers' photos of Ireland.

TRAVEL SNAPSHOTS

Luck of the Irish

Submit your photos of Ireland. We'll pick our favorites for an upcoming gallery on CNN.com's Travel page.

Go here http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/ and look for the tiny blue print "submit photos of Ireland" below the "Escape to the Rockies" paragraph.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Thanks Rebecca!

I am glad that you have enjoyed my horse photos. I always appreciate feedback.

I will definitely take a look at both of those sites.

Slan beo,

Bit

Kristinn · Member

Greetings All! I've read, with great interest, your posts and recommendations (and several of you will see them here). I've revised my itinerary (and am having fun doing so) according to my interests (walking, traditional music) and interesting places to stay. I'd like to have your opinion on the following plan--I focused on trying to have us stay in a base for two to three days rather than a new place every night.

Day 1: Arrive Dublin ~ 5:30 PM and out with car by 7 PM (we carry only carryons) and head toward Kilkenny. Fatigue will not be a problem with my companionand he gets to do all the driving! Wed like to stay in Kilkenny (Berkeley House seems adequatewe are quite happy with simple accommodations as we are going to be anxious to get to the SW coast) and then see the sights the next day.

Day 2: Kilkenny to Sheepshead Peninsula and Ballyroon via Kilkenny Castle/Rock of Cashel, Mizen Head. Wed like to get there early enough to enjoy walking on Sheepshead Peninsula and to enjoy the B and B there.

Day 3: Friday of the Bank Holiday. Sheepshead Peninsula to Killarney/Kenmare. Id thought of staying in Kenmare, as recommended by Michele and other guide books (Rick Steves, in particular) but Loch Lein looks wonderful for a special splurgebut we would only be there for one night. Any other suggestions?

Day 4: Killarney/Kenmare to Dingle Peninsula and Cill Bhreac House via Kenmare, ancient stone circle, Killarney National Park; evening Féile na Bealtaine (music festival that is on through Monday)

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula: Féile na Bealtaine, hiking, archaeological tourjust hang out and see where the spirit moves us

Day 6: Dingle Peninsula: Bank Holiday; Féile na Bealtaine, Blasket Islands

Day 7: Dingle Peninsula: Dingle to Doolin via Tralee to Listowel (Tarbert to Killimer Car Ferry), along coast to Cliffs of Moher, the Burren; Doolin Activity Lodge as our base

Day 8: Doolin-Kinvara; Cycling, picnic Medieval Banquet Dunguaire Castle 8:45 PM (need reservations); sleep in Doolin

Day 9: Doolin to Inishmore via ferry (10 AM Departure) from Doolin. Stay at Man of Aran Cottage. They recommend taking the Aran Island Ferry from Rosaveel (23 miles west of Galway City Center). However, if I start from Doolin, I can likely leave my car easier than in Galway.

Day 10: Inishmore, Man of Aran Cottage. Day of walking and hiking, music in the evening

Day 11: Aran Islands to Doolin to Ardee; Trim Castle, Navan, stay at Smaremore Castle (this could be a long day)

Day 12: Ardee, Mellifont Abbey, Newgrange, return to Smaremore Castle

Day 13: Ardee to Dublin, return car, Kilminaim Gaol, Dublin Recommendations on a nice place to stay in Dublin, near the music scene but not too crazy?

Day 14: Depart Dublin 12:30 PM

Thanks so much!

Kristinn

smile

-- Edited by Kristinn at 16:37, 2009-02-07

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kirstinn,

See my comments below in blue.

Day 1: Arrive Dublin ~ 5:30 PM and out with car by 7 PM (we carry only carryons) and head toward Kilkenny. Fatigue will not be a problem with my companionand he gets to do all the driving! Wed like to stay in Kilkenny (Berkeley House seems adequatewe are quite happy with simple accommodations as we are going to be anxious to get to the SW coast) and then see the sights the next day. * You will have a very late arrival at your B&B as it takes 2 hours or more to drive from Dublin to Kilkenny. Advise your hosts of your late arrival because reservations expire at 6pm!

Day 2: Kilkenny to Sheepshead Peninsula and Ballyroon via Kilkenny Castle/Rock of Cashel, Mizen Head. Wed like to get there early enough to enjoy walking on Sheepshead Peninsula and to enjoy the B and B there. * Wow! long, long day. Like most novices to Ireland you don't yet realize that traveling on Irish roads is nothing like the US. Very few higways where you can flip on the cruise control, lean back and cruise at 70 mph. Be content with averaging 35 mph. The castle and Rock of Cashel can easily take a good chunk of your day. Then you have a long drive. You are expecting too much on this day. I certainly would not even attempt Mizen Head but be content to check into your B&B on the Sheepshead Peninsula instead.

Day 3: Friday of the Bank Holiday. Sheepshead Peninsula to Killarney/Kenmare. Id thought of staying in Kenmare, as recommended by Michele and other guide books (Rick Steves, in particular) but Loch Lein looks wonderful for a special splurgebut we would only be there for one night. Any other suggestions? * Either Kenmare or Killarney are good choices. Since it is the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, suggest you have reservations.

Day 4: Killarney/Kenmare to Dingle Peninsula and Cill Bhreac House via Kenmare, ancient stone circle, Killarney National Park; evening Féile na Bealtaine (music festival that is on through Monday) * Okay.

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula: Féile na Bealtaine, hiking, archaeological tourjust hang out and see where the spirit moves us * Fine.

Day 6: Dingle Peninsula: Bank Holiday; Féile na Bealtaine, Blasket Islands * Fine. I suggest visiting the Blasket Island Center for a good overview of the Blasket Island.

Day 7: Dingle Peninsula: Dingle to Doolin via Tralee to Listowel (Tarbert to Killimer Car Ferry), along coast to Cliffs of Moher, the Burren; Doolin Activity Lodge as our base * Fine.

Day 8: Doolin-Kinvara; Cycling, picnic Medieval Banquet Dunguaire Castle 8:45 PM (need reservations); sleep in Doolin * Fine.

Day 9: Doolin to Inishmore via ferry (10 AM Departure) from Doolin. Stay at Man of Aran Cottage. They recommend taking the Aran Island Ferry from Rosaveel (23 miles west of Galway City Center). However, if I start from Doolin, I can likely leave my car easier than in Galway. * If the seas or weather is rough the ferry does not go from Doolin. That is why the people at Man of Aran Cottage suggested you depart from Rossaveel instead.

Day 10: Inishmore, Man of Aran Cottage. Day of walking and hiking, music in the evening * Fine.

Day 11: Aran Islands to Doolin to Ardee; Trim Castle, Navan, stay at Smaremore Castle (this could be a long day) * This will be a very long driving day. Did you get the IrelandYes discount at the castle?

Day 12: Ardee, Mellifont Abbey, Newgrange, return to Smaremore Castle * Suggest you visit Newgrange first thing. To see everything there will take a good half day.

Day 13: Ardee to Dublin, return car, Kilminaim Gaol, Dublin Recommendations on a nice place to stay in Dublin, near the music scene but not too crazy? * Try Brooks Hotel.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kristin,

They have a very nice car park just across from the ferry terminal in Rossaveel. I have had no problems with leaving my vehicle there when I have stayed over on Inis for a few days.

The Ferries over from Rossaveal definitely run more often than the Doolin based ferry, even in inclimate weather.

You will love Man of Aran Cottages. Joe & Maura are fantastic people. I consider Man of Aran Cottages my island home.

With the tight schedule on your first morning in Ireland, you will not have much time to explore Kilkenny, as you will need to get on the road early. With Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and the numerous photo stops you will be tempted to take between there and Sheepshead, you will definitely not be able to squeeze in Mizen head and find time to enjoy your B&B on Sheepshead.

To give you an idea of what you will experience for roadways in Ireland, think of the Oak Creek Canyon Road or the Road between Winkleman and Globe, but just a wee bit narrower, then add the distractions of rockwalls camoflauged by shrubs, farm machinery, livestock herded across the road around a blind corner, pedestrians, tour buses, etc. Add to that the stressful job of driving on the lefthand side of the road and you can begin to understand why 30 - 35mph will be a very generous driving speed.

Take a look at your routes, run them through the route planner at aaireland.ie, convert them to miles and then divide by 35 to get a better idea of how long you will be in the car. That will give you a better understanding of what you really want to accomplish.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Kristinn · Member

Hello Bit and Michele!

Thank you so much for your knowledgable feedback and recommendations...so I think that I have to go back to the drawing board a bit on the first couple days...I think perhaps we will just focus on getting to the southwest (unfortunately, my companion could not fly to Shannon or that would have made the most sense) and stop at the Rock of Cashel. I've already ditched the idea of Mizen Head on that day. I think we are going to have to come back to Ireland to explore the southeast and Kilkenny in more depth.

We are going to stay at Ballyroon on Sheepshead on the 30th and then will stay at Loch Lein (thanks Michele) on the 1st. Cill Bhreac in Dingle Town, Doolin Activity Lodge and Man of Aran Cottage on Bit's recommendation, Smarmore Castle for two nights (thanks Michele--yes, we did get the discount :) :)).

I've narrowed Dublin to one of two places: Roxford Lodge or Waterloo House--both are in the similar price category. Sometimes the breakfast seems quite expensive and I can't eat more than a small child's portion of food at one time.

Thanks again!

Kristinn :)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Kristinn -

My wife and I spent close to a week on Sheep's Head, in April of 2006, for our 35th Anniversary. We rented a small, stone cottage, in Kilchrohane. When you leave Ballyroon, to move on to Killarney, I STRONGLY recommend that you take the Goats Path Road to Bantry.

Coming into Kilchrohane from the South, turn left, just BEFORE the church and just follow the road up the hill. Be sure to stop at the 'car park' at the ridge of Seefin Mountain and sit upon Finn MacCool's Seat, facing Bantry Bay and Bearra Penninsula.

It is a magical spot.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 07:42, 2009-02-09

Kristinn · Member

Hi Bob! What an unexpected treat! Yes, I will write that into my notes that I'll have along!

I'm revising my plans for the night before going to the Aran Islands. We plan to take in the Medieval Banquet at Dunguaire Castle (5:30 and 8:45 seating options) and rather than backtrack to Doolin, it might make more sense to continue toward Galway to spend the night there as we have to be at Rosaveal 1.5 hours before the 10:30 AM sailing the next day. This means we have to be through Galway and 30 minutes to the west of the city by 9 AM.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm just starting to look.

I'm also trying to decide between Roxford Lodge (20 room hotel) and Waterloo House (17 room B & B) in Dublin. They are very close to each other and similar in price although Roxford is 10 euros cheaper and has sauna/spa tubs. I will have to be at the airport by 10:00 AM the next day for my flight back to the U.S.

Thank you so much for everyone's input! I am SOOOO appreciative.

Kristinn

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I would go with Michele's recommendations, they have always been spot on.

Why not stay IN Galway? see below:

From the website www.arandirect.com FAQ page:

"Q: I won't have a car, how do I get to Rossaveal Harbour? Is there a bus?
Aran Islands Direct have an optional private bus service from Galway City to Rossaveal Harbour and back. The bus leaves from Merchants Road in Galway City (outside Kinlay House Youth Hostel) approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before each sailing. For further information on bus transfers to Rossaveal Harbour, click here.

Q: Can the bus pick me up en route?
Yes, once you have requested it in advance. The bus leaves from outside Kinlay House Youth Hostel on Merchants Road in Galway City. Additional pick up points (on request) include Jurys Inn Hotel, Supervalu supermarket on Fr. Griffin Road, the Tourist Information Office in Salthill, Joyces Supermarket in Knocknacarra, and the villages of Barna, Spiddal, and Inverin.

Q: I will be driving our own car -how long will it take to drive to Rossaveal Harbour?
We advise you to allow approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes for this journey. The drive is beautiful as you travel along the coastline of Galway Bay, but if you get caught behind a slow moving vehicle it can be difficult to overtake them. It is best to allow plenty of time for the journey - better to be safe than sorry!

You DON"T need to be AT the ferry 1 hour 15 before departure. That is the max time they expect the drive from Galway to take.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 07:40, 2009-02-09

Dude · Guru

Kristinn, west of Galway in Spiddal, we stayed at An Caladh Gearr Thatch Cottage and really liked it. Part of it may have been that the rooms are on the ground floor! She has three rooms, all ensuite.

She doesn't seem to have a web page but you can check it out at GoIreland.com, townandcountry.ie, or discoverireland.ie.

It's easy to find, right on the coast road on the north side, right side if you head west out of Galway.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Also:

This info (particularly prices) is a little old, so you might want to check the referenced web sites for updates, but ...

From a previous thread, I wrote:

"Ferry to Inis Mor departs Rossaveal Quay at 10:30 AM and returns from Inis Mor at 5:00 PM. There is a shuttle bus from Galway City that departs from Kinlay House Hostel on Merchant's Road, just off Eyre Square at 9:30 AM. Round trip cost for one adult is 31 Euro according to the Aran Island Ferries web site.

Aer Arann flies out of Connemara Regional Airport, 17 miles out from Galway City on the R336 Coast Road. They too, have a shuttle from Kinlay House. The plane departs for Inis Mor at 10:00 AM and the return flight is at 15:45. Cost, including the shuttle bus is 45 Euro for one adult, round trip, according to THEIR web site.

These dates/times info was valid for Jan. the Aer Arann website should have date appropriate updates."

Flights:
http://www.aerarannislands.ie/

Ferry:
www.arandirect.com

www.aranislandferries.com

Bob

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kristinn,

You might look to stay in Spiddal, as Judy suggested. I loved Inverna Cottage. It had a very welcoming feel to it. The Farrells were cheery and welcoming. The Cast Iron beds were comfortable and inviting.

You might also look to staying in Salthill which is on the Spiddal/Rossaveal side of Galway. There are many wonderful B&Bs from which to choose in Galway and Salthill. I either stay at St. Jude's B&B or St. Martin's. Either is within walking distance of Galway's city centre.

You have now discovered the truth of Irish Travel: There is always a next time. biggrin

What you don't get to on this trip will not have gone anywhere the next time you come over. I, like many who contribute here, begin planning our next trip over soon after we settle in for our flight back home. Brigid Dempsey, our host for our Ballybritas self-catering cottage said as we left "I won't say Good-bye as that is for those who aren't returning." Instead, she bid us a "Safe return and godspeed back again" Each time I return, I find something new and fresh.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kristinn,

Good idea to go back to the drawing board for your first few nights in Ireland. Since the accommodations you are looking at are in the Ballsbridge area of Dublin take a look at Bewley's Ballsbridge too. They have some excellent room rates of 89 euro. I recommended Brooks originally because I thought you wanted to be closer to the action. Ballsbridge is a bit more suburban.

Michele

Kristinn · Member

Hello All! It has been a busy week and now is the first I've had a chance to sit and look at everyone's wonderful suggestions.

I've now revised Day 1 (arrival) and Day 2. We'll go as far as the Rock of Cashel and hope to stay there. I found Hill House and Bruden Fidelma's Bed and Breakfast--but the contact info for the first is incorrect and I haven't heard from the second. I'm going to be optimistic that my car-rental angels are going to be as good as my parking angels

! Thus we'd nose around the Rock of Cashel in the morning and then head to the Sheepshead Peninsula and Ballyroon.

Day 8, rather than return to Doolin after the medieval banquet (now I've decided to go to the early one at 5:30 so as to be out by 8:00) at Dunguaire (Kinvara) we would continue to Spiddal as you've recommended above and stay at either of the two B & Bs you've recommended (they look lovely).

I'm also quite tempted to do the eireann flight--I've never been in a small plane before and would love to have that experience :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kristinn,

I recommend Joy's Rockside House in Cashel. It is literally in the shadow of the Rock. You can park there and walk to the Rock or into town. Very convenient, comfortable and nice hosts.

Michele