My husband and I went to Ireland the first time in 2006.  We have  been back for a total of 4 times.  We land in Shannon, stay in Adare at a nice B&B, recoup then head to Kinvara to another B&B we still like.  Over the years we have stayed in a stable in Bantry, Cottage on Aran Island--Inis Mor, Roundstone--B&B, Westport never got to stay here--but loved the town, Clifden at Buttermilk Inn, Skibberine (sp?)--just drove around and ate lunch, got groceries and walked around town. Mostly stayed in self catering (7 days houses, apartments, etc--the first year was good--about $40/nite, but that has changed, of course). 
We loved the S.W. parts of Ireland and decided to stay 6 weeks--this year--but had to leave after 3 weeks due to a medical problem.  This year we stayed in Kinvara, Aran Islands, and Roundstone.  And then  had planned to go along the North Coast line to Dublin, cut across to Shannon and stay the night before at  we flew out at Shannon at Bunratty Inn which is real close to Shannon airport, The Bunratty Castle and a shopping center (small one) where you can eat, shop for last minute gifts, etc. is just across from the castle and not that far from Bunratty, very easy to find.....

I did a lot of research before we left each year {as I am sure everyone does}, and found a lot of nice places to stay -- considering we are on the thrifty side--because we wanted money to spend. "Home" away from home can be really nice and inexpensive if you do your homework.  Since this is your second trip, you may want to head South from Galway/Adare or Kenvara depending on where you are spending the first night.  There is still so much to see, that you haven't seen yet, in that area.  Mitchelstown is North of Cork where we stayed in a thatched roof home for 1 week--home base--and covered a lot of area around that general area. 
How long did you think of staying next year, what time of year........Good Luck!.....as you know, you will get plenty of input from all the seasoned members of this site youngka
We really wanted to see the North by way of the coastline and some short day trips in
inland areas, but never made it because we had to leave early


-- Edited by youngka on Sunday 27th of December 2009 01:45:23 AM

Hey guys!! Thanks for chiming in.

I'm sorry I didn't write the length of time... probably about 10 days like last time. Maybe 12 if my husband can get off work for that long (though it seems unlikely).

We took trains and buses most of the time and Only rented a car to explore Sligo. The trains were efficient and fairly quick, plus my husband is a bit of a train enthusiast so we had a really good time riding around. Even got to speak with an Irish nun on a return trip. The buses were great as well, we only took a taxi once. Amusingly I couldn't rent a car because I wasn't old enough (22) and my husband had to rent and drive it, which was hilarious since he doesn't know how to drive a standard!

Dingle and Ring of Kerry are on our list, we wouldn't mind going back to Galway as we missed the Cliffs of Moher the last time. The Carrick a Rede bridge is something else I'd like to see. And we really fell in love with the Aran Islands, another place I wouldn't mind visiting again.

Anyway, I would like to go to Belfast but we were not sure if we could visit both Ireland and Northern Ireland in the same trip. Dublin would likely be our "fly in" point. We are Desperate to go to Newgrange, it was something we missed last time that we Really want to see. We were so fascinated by Carrowmore that we spend almost 4 hours exploring the cairns.

Could we train to Belfast from Dublin and stay for a few days? (I think that's what you were suggesting Italian Chauffeur).

Youngka -- I always do tons of research because we are fairly "thrifty" travelers as well.

I feel like that was too much information lol.

-- Edited by ahillhouse on Sunday 27th of December 2009 02:20:24 PM

Thanks for the kind words, Karen -- How has your surgery gone????

ahillhouse -- You can, indeed, take the train up to Belfast for a few days, or do Rail/Bus daytours, out of Dublin.  Another option would be to train up to Belfast, rent a car for a couple of days and roam about.  The same might be said of Killarney.

With only 10-12 days, presuming the now, seemingly inevitable, 'In-And-Out Of Dublin', I would recommend limiting yourself to two locations, with Dublin as an interim location.

If you are wishing to 'revisit' Galway, then you would need to CHOOSE between Killarney and the North.

Bob

ahillhouse,
 
You could certainly take a train to Belfast for a couple of days. It is only about two hours to Belfast from Dublin. There are tours available to the Giant's Causeway and Antrim Coast or you could rent a car for that portion. http://www.allenstours.co.uk/

From Dublin you can get a tour to Newgrange: http://www.newgrangetours.com/

Killarney is accessable by train from Dublin and is a perfect base for doing tours to Dingle and ROK: http://www.derostours.com/

With only 10 days I would stick with that and skip what you have already seen. 

Doing that, you can just do trains and day tours for your whole trip. 

Michele

Youngka,

Stay tuned. Tourism Ireland and Irish Rail are working on discounts for seniors. I will let everyone know when they announce it.

Michele

ahillhouse,

Well congratulations on buying a house! That is great news. If the "cash flow" does not cooperate just remember that Ireland will always be there and you can visit later if need be.

Dublin is a good base and if you spend more than two nights you can get some special offers at various hotels there.

Sign up for Aer Lingus' newsletter!

Michele