When to go back....

Marie · Guru

When to go back....

CowboyCraic · Guru

Marie, a chara!

I am glad to see that you are thinking of your next trip. As to when would be best, remember that August is still high season September is on the Cuff. By November, a lot of things are shutting down, if not already closed.

The Northwest area is magnificent in October, especially Sligo, Donegal and Mayo. The Glen Carr area is blazing with color. The upper midlands also don a bright autumn coat.

In September, there are still quite a few festivals occurring. There is a music festival in Tulla over the September 17th weekend. The Clare Shout Fleadh is good craic, indeed. The highlight is the Shout competition. A form of vocalization indigenous to the Clare region since the early Celtic times.

Kilkenny has an arts festival in August. Tralee has their Rose of Tralee competition and festival in August, as well. In the midlands, Tullamore has one of the best music festivals, in my opinion, of the August selection. This year's is the sixtieth, I believe.

There you are. More to muddle the waters, I suppose. You well know that any time in Ireland is a good time to be there. However, for the best Craic, you should look to August and September. For the most vibrant of Autumns look towards the North and the midlands and pick October.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Maggie117 · Guru

I went in October of 2008 and am heading back this October (2010). We didn't have trouble getting into places, and the days were still pretty long. The biggest PLUS was the lack of crowds. At the majority of the places we visited we were the only ones there...it was pretty cool!!! :) GOOD LUCK!!! :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

Welcome back. Lovely to hear you will be visiting Ireland again this year. I like September and October. The only thing nicer than spring in Ireland is autumn. You will find the days shorter than May but as Bit said the color can be beautiful. Here is a photo I took of Cong Woods:

The farther you get into autumn the more things close. Any ideas of what you want to see or how long you will have?

Michele

Marie · Guru

Many thanks for the great and specific responses. Well, I must admit this will be more of a personal visit than a sightseeing visit for me. As you may remember, I found my childhood best friend again in Dublin after 40 years, and we are in touch regularly. This trip would basically be a visit with her, and a bus or train ride across to the west to Mayo and Donegal. In Donegal, I will be visiting my mother's homeplace in Creevy, outside of Ballyshannon. My cousin, whom I have never met, still lives there beside the old farmhouse. So, that said, October seems like the perfect time, based on your responses.

I will spend some time in the Wicklow mountains while in Dublin, and will visit Newgrange, which I missed last time. Maybe even head to Norther Ireland for a day or two. Sound reasonable?

Since my last trip, I have acquired 2 grandchildren. My grand-daughter, Ava Marie is 22 months old, and my brand-new grandson, Pierce, was born on January 28th.
Just had to throw that in. Seems I made my Journey to Ireland in 2007 with my two daughters just in time!

Marie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

Congrats on becoming a grandmother! Before you know it you will be taking the little ones to Ireland with you.

You can certainly do day trips from Dublin to Co. Wicklow and Newgrange. I would choose the Wicklow tour that includes both Powerscourt and Glendalough. Mary Gibbon's Newgrange tour is good.

You can train to Belfast in two hours. It might make a good central area to do day trips from. You will have to check on if the various tours are still operating in Oct. If you can get to the Giant's Causeway and Antrim coast - go for it!

Will you be renting a car at all on this trip?

Michele

Laoghaire · Senior Member

Hi Marie! Remember me? We met in the Gap of Dunloe in 2007...On top, as I remember--in our donkey carts. We (Ed and I) tried to get together in Dingle for dinner, but it didn't work out. Think we all stayed at The Shores, didn't we? It was a month I shall never forget, and I am ready to go back! Have a wonderful trip! Helen

Marie · Guru

Hi, Helen! Of course I remember you. That was a great day for us in Killarney.

Hopefully, you will return soon.

Michele:

Yes, I will rent a car once in the West. There would be no other way to get to Creevy. I am wondering if I can do that in Donegal Town? We stayed at Dongeal Manor in 2007. It was delightful. They were so accommodating. I will stay there again.

Thanks for the help. I will need a lot more as the time gets closer.

Marie

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome Back.... biggrin

Probably not THE cheapest, but:

http://www.srmotors.ie/contentv3/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&pageID=3948

It's a VW Dealership in Donegal Town that does Car Hire. Probably much more choice if you opt to take the train to Sligo and rent a car there. cry

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

You can rent from Hertz at Donegal Airport, which is in the middle of nowhere. Bob is right that in a larger city such as Sligo or Galway you would have more rental options. It it were me I would rent the car in Dublin and just drive to Donegal. You can probably make the drive in 3 - 4 hours on the direct route, which goes through part of Northern Ireland.

I love staying at Donegal Manor too. Sian is such a nice host. Did you know that she was featured on a program on RTE TV last year? She might let you view the tape if you ask. She has opened a cooking school at the manor. Or as they say in Ireland cookery school.

Michele

P.S. Glad to see old friends meeting up again on the forum!

Marie · Guru

Thanks, Bob and Michele! I have had enough of Dublin driving to last me a lifetime.

I am so relieved to be flying into Dublin this time and taking a TAXI to my friend's house.

A VW would do nicely for the short time I will need it.

Marie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

That's what I always feel like when on the M50! You have plenty of time to make your decision and check out the car rental situation in the various towns.

Michele