Great trip, Dublin to Killarney (April)

Wajirl · Member

Great trip, Dublin to Killarney (April)

CowboyCraic · Guru

Welcome Back,

It sounds as though you had fantastic trip! I don't recall you mentioning that you had an issue with Celiac. If I had known, I would have given you a list of restaurants throughout Ireland who have a Celiac menu. As you found out though, Ireland is very conscientious about Celiac.

Dublin is not my favorite city and I travel without kids. It is far too cosmopolitan for my tastes. That is why I stick to the small towns.

So when are you planning your next trip? biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Slan Beo, Bit

Wajirl · Member

Hi Bit!

Oh, but you DID give me info on Celiac! It's been a while, but it was one of my concerns and you gave me several links.

It will probably be a while before I can go back, but maybe next spring again. I'm hoping to fly into Shannon (had enough of Dublin) and concentrate on the northwest area. I know there is so much to see, but it really works for us to get a home base for several days and enjoy one area at a time. So, the Cliffs and Galway next!

How about you, how many times have you been?

CowboyCraic · Guru

This last trip in May was myninth trip over. I wish I could say that I will make it number ten next year but I am not sure where the money would come from.

I did the Northwest, along with other areas, this last trip. I put almost 2500 miles on my rental in eleven days. I was able to capture some incredible shots for both my Gallery &, hopefully, a book I am shopping to publishers.

You will see a marked difference flying into Shannon. It is much less stressful and easier to get out of than Dublin.

Slan Beo, Bit

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Bit

I love your trip reports and your Photo's. The ones of the cottage are almost mystical.
I must of looked at them a dozen times already. Really hope you get that book published as I would buy it for sure. I think some of the best pictures are actually ones shot in the rain

Good Luck on the book

Barbara P

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wajirl,

Welcome back indeed. I am delighted you liked Loch Lein. Paul and Annette are such lovely hosts and everything is perfect there.

With Killarney as a base you will always have plenty to do even if you stayed for two weeks!

I'm glad the info you got here was a help. Let us know when your next trip is so we can help with it too.

Michele

irishgalinphx · Member

OMG...when I read this I thought cancel the car...I am a flat lander in Phoenix...have a little bit of anxiety driving on curves with cliffs...if this is what driving in Ireland is like I might choose to do bus tours...Help...it's my dad and daughter and I with me as the driver! I am a good drive 25 years bu mostly on flat freeways...etc...

"We saw the sights around Killarney (I was worried about staying in one place too long, but it allowed us to relax a bit and we never ran out of things to see). The Dingle "loop" or "ring" was breathtaking, although I think my shoulder is still hunched up bracing against the edge of the road...thinking the only thing between us and the long way down to the sea, was a small old stone wall..."

CowboyCraic · Guru

Colleen,

Have you driven the road up through Oak Creek Canyon or the road into Jerome? If you can handle those two roads, then you can handle anything an irish road has to offer.

The main thing to remember is to drive at a speed which you are comfortable, 30 - 35mph is my norm, unless I am on the Motorway, which isn't often. Yes, some people will be irritated at your low speed but they will go around.

A tour will not allow you the time to relax or be in charge of what you want to see and do. For the most part, you can avoid the Cliff roads. They just have some awesome scenery.

I am a Tucson native. I drive in Ireland on every trip. This last trip, I was the sole driver. I get more nervous and stressed driving in the Phoenix area than I do in Ireland.

Take a deep breath, make your car reservation and enjoy the time you will spend creating memories in Ireland with your daughter and father.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Wajirl · Member

Colleen,

I don't mean to discourage you about driving in Ireland, but it truly was stressful for us. However, I will do it again!

It was our first time, and I think the next time it will be much easier. Each day got a little better on the nerves, and by the end of the trip I felt pretty comfortable on most roads. The motorways and better roads were not a problem after the initial orientation issue of being on the opposite side, and figuring out the round abouts. However, some of the smaller roads, and the roads along the water, can be scary. Unlike American roads, there are long stretches without any shoulders and the roads are much narrower. Some I would say would be a considered the width of a one way road in the U.S., but are driven as two way roads. Again, while it was stressful and yes, sometimes scary, I loved having our own car and enjoyed challenging my brain!

I've heard from more than one, being the passenger is even harder than driving! Being on the side of the car where the bushes seem to be coming right in, or seeing the edge next to the water is something I had a hard time getting used to...hence, the sore left shoulder from being tensed up.

I think Bit is right, finding a comfortable speed is the best way to deal with it. Problem for me... a husband who wanted to keep up with the rest. When I was driving, it seemed much easier and I slowed down to a point of feeling comfortable...but my husband then had the sore shoulder!

If you want to get a feel for it, go to youtube and watch some videos of Ring of Kerry or Dingle, and get an idea of what some of the roads are like. It at least prepares for what to expect, and also to see people do it all the time and do just fine!

Good luck! Wajirl

Fotobug · Veteran Member

I've heard from more than one, being the passenger is even harder than driving! . . .
I think Bit is right, finding a comfortable speed is the best way to deal with it. Problem for me... a husband who wanted to keep up with the rest. When I was driving, it seemed much easier and I slowed down to a point of feeling comfortable...

I totally agree. I did most of the driving on our trip because I was literally terrified when I was a passenger. I honestly couldn't watch. I would have used up all my anxiety meds in about 2 days! But driving myself wasn't bad at all. It was surprising how quickly I got used to driving on the very narrow roads. As Bit said, I just kept to a speed I was comfortable with and pulled over when I could to let others go by.

I didn't feel stressed on the Dingle ring at all - of course, we were there in May which meant it was less crowded. Most of the others on the road were doing the same thing we were - stopping at every pullout to gawk and take pictures!

I much preferred that driving to going through some of the towns where cars lined both sides of the road and there was "almost" enough room to get through.

You can do it. Really, you can! biggrin