Trip of a lifetime!

irishgalinphx · Member

Trip of a lifetime!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Dia Duit, Colleen,

Cead Mile Failte. What a wonderful trip you will have the three of you! You will create lasting memories for your daughter, as well. You can rest assured that Michele and her crew of Irregulars, myself included, will do whatever we can to help you plan a most memorable trip.

First the details that need clarifying:

Are you planning on staying in Killarney your entire trip? If so, you might consider a self-catering cottage instead of a hotel. It would be more cost effective and relaxing.

Do you know where the Jubilee will be held and the date? It may be that her order isn't dialed in to the technical age. Congratulations to the Sister for arriving at such a milestone!

Killarney is a fabulous town. From there, you can do Killarney National Park & Muckross House, The Gap of Dunloe, Kate Kearny's Cottage for a night of food and merriment, family style, the ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and both the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. All would be full day trips with the exception of Kate Kearny's, which is a full evening.

You will have less nerves driving out of Shannon than you would out of Dublin Airport so well done on scheduling your flight in/out of Shannon. It is much easier to navigate out to the main road. The roundabouts were my biggest hurdle many moons ago when I first traveled to Ireland. Now, they are easy-peasy. Just remember when driving that, on most roads, 30-35mph will be your maximum comfortable speed. Other drivers will go around you. Utilize pull outs when you can. Watch out for "road hazards" that you won't find in Phoenix such as sheep. Pay the extra for the automatic it will be one less stressor. Get the smallest car in which you will feel comfortable. I was quite happy with my Nissan Micra on this last trip over. It was a four door with plenty of leg room on offer in the back seat had I company along.

Pack light. On a ten day trip, I usually pack for five days and drop off four days worth of clothing plus my travel clothes at a local laundry service. They will wash and fold it and have it ready for pick up on your return in the afternoon. A Lightweight waterproof jacket with a hood is better than struggling with an umbrella. A good sturdy pair of waterproof walking shoes is also advisable. Think layers when you are packing. The weather can be quite contrary in Ireland. At best, it will get only as warm as a typical early March day in Phoenix. A light sweater or sweatshirt to go over a t-shirt should suffice in the day time on most days.

If I can help in anyway to get you ready, I am just down the road in Tucson. Just drop me an email. also, visit the Irish Cultural Centre in Phoenix. They can probably give you some excellent pointers, as well.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Wednesday 3rd of June 2009 08:07:20 PM

yesiree · Guru

Bit has cover much in her post. You'll have no problem keeping all three generations happy. If the "girls" go off for a few hours of hiking or biking, dad can keep busy in town, at a museum, golfing or what ever else catches his fancy.

As for driving, just remind yourself that you've been driving for years...it's just a different kind of driving. It'll be stressful at first, but it only gets easier as you go. Be sure you have good directions to your B&B...especially on your arrival day when your tired.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Colleen,

The Lake Hotel in Killarney is lovely and the setting is great, right on the lakeshore. It is pricey and there are some other very nice places to stay in Killarney too. It just depends on what amenities you want.

It sounds like a great multi-generation trip you are planning. Killarney is a good town for pleasing all age groups. There is something for everyone. It is surrounded by much natural beauty with Ireland's highest mountains and beautiful lakes and valleys. Hiking, biking and nature will all be on your doorstep. Plus Killarney is a good base for doing day trips from.

Of course your most important event will be the 50th Jubilee. Do you have a date for it?

Good plan to fly into and out of Shannon. It is a small airport and very rural. It will ease you into driving on the left. One thing that might confuse you at first is the roundabouts. Just remember that they flow in a clockwise direction and you should yield to the traffic already in the circle. There is more about driving on my Car page.

You have contacted me already about having an itinerary made for your trip. So feel free to email me with whatever questions you may have. I am looking forward to helping plan a great trip for you and your family.

Michele

irishgalinphx · Member

Thanks for all the responses! I appreciate it and apologize for the delay, the end of school, and dance recitals have kept me busy! We are still in the planning stages and I am going to have Michele assit in that...If we have a plan and reservations I am going to feel alot better! The biggest challenge is getting in touch with the family that we are hoping to see and finding out the information on the jubilee!
My latest scare!
This post I read" 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..."

Scares me too death! I hate curves mixed with cliffs! Is this everywhere?? Maybe I should think twice about driving?? But if it's 30 mph I think I can handle that as long as not 65...like in Northern AZ!

My daughter and I are starting irish dance lessons next week! Very exciting!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Colleen,

I posted this reply in the other thread:

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

irishgalinphx · Member

Thanks for the reassurance! I appreciate it very much! Have enjoyed reading about your journey's! Maybe a trip from sedona to jeome is needed to build some confidence! Have not done it in a while...last road trip was from az to San Diego and I just went slow around the curves but I was on the right side of the road:)

Thanks so much! I will take a weekend trip and go hiking up there soon!

Colleen

CowboyCraic · Guru

Colleen,

Maybe a day trip to Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon would be a good practice run. Take your daughter and escape the heat of Phoenix!

Good luck with your dance lessons. Are you taking them at the Cultural centre?

Slan Beo, Bit

irishgalinphx · Member

Good idea! Thanks! We are taking them at the celtic dance school...Will let ya know!How it goes!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Colleen,

I think you will be fine with driving after a day or so. There are also tours you can take from Killarney so you can leave the driving to someone else if you want.

Michele