Planning September 2010 trip

egnolive · Veteran Member

Planning September 2010 trip

Zstep · Veteran Member

Completely off (Irish) topic but I spent a couple of days in North Wales several years back and really enjoyed it. We stayed at a B&B in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, I believe its been bought since then and renamed Eirianfa. Anyway, it was a beautiful location and just down the road from Pistyll Rhaeadr, a magnificanet waterfall in a tucked away valley. Also well placed for excursions into Snowdonia.

Here's a link, it looks very nice still so might be worth a look.

http://www.eirianfa.com/page9.htm

egnolive · Veteran Member

Zstep,

OK by me to go off topic. I wish there I could find a Britainyes.com!

That B&B looks awesome; it will be put on the list. We plan to spend some time in Snowdonia, then to my husband's ancestral home in mid-Wales, Cilcennin, then to the Brecon Beacons area. Think we will end up flying out of London. Everything is in the intial planning stages so we are open to any suggestions.

Thanks for your help.

-- Edited by egnolive on Monday 5th of April 2010 11:11:18 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

egaolive,

Welcome back to the forum. You must have had a different user name before.

I think your #1 plan is doable. It will take you a good part of the day to drive from Belfast to Leitrim but you could make a few stops along the way to break up the drive.

I don't know of any car rental companies that will allow you to take a car on a ferry to Wales. Have you looked into flying instead of the ferry? It might actually cost less, and of course will take a lot less time.

Bob (Itallian Chauffeur) has taken the ferry before. You might want to check out his trip reports under the Trip Report section of the fourm.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

Michele,

We think the ferry would be a better option for us since we will be taking our golf clubs. I would hate to think of the extra charges for those on Ryan Air.

Any suggestions to see on the way from Belfast to Northern Leitrim? We have been to NI before [Derry, Giant's Causeway, Carrickarede and Dunlace Castle]. but not the eastern side of the country. We like nature, hiking and historical sites. I like shopping

I will look for those trip reports; I think he was also the one that suggested car rental may be less expensive in NI. I am wondering about drop off charges if we rent in NI and return in Dublin.

Michele Erdvig · Host

egnolive,

There are airlines other than Ryan Air. I suggest you get quotes from both the ferry and airlines. Then see who is cheaper - and more convenient.

Also, start checking on car rentals to determine what drop off fees, etc. add up to.

That is really the only way to make an informed decision.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I think it was Bill (wojazz) that did the ferry out of Dun Laoghaire, to Holyhead.

We did the Stranraer-to- Belfast route, back in 2007.

This year, we're planning to try the NEW Swansea-to-Cork, overnight. 117 Euro, one-way, INCLUDING a 'Deluxe, 2-berth cabin' with window. we depart Swansea at 210o, Weds, 14 July and arrive at the Cork Ferryport at 0700, on Thurs, 15 July. yawn

http://www.fastnetline.com/

Neither compete with the hydrofoil, Fast Ferry, though.

Bob

egnolive · Veteran Member

Thanks for the input.

We are pretty set on the ferry route. After a transatlantic flight from the West Coast, we really don't want to get on another plane until its time to go home. Plus it will be a different experience for us and my husband likes boats.

Does anyone have any opinions on Irish Ferries or Stena Lines? Price and times look about the same, but was wondering if anyone had a preference.

Bob, is Fast Ferries different than Irish Ferries or Stena?

Anyone have an lodging recs for the Belfast area? I've looked at the two in Michele's book; we are looking for something a little less expensive. Usually we book B/Bs but are open to other types of accomodations. We will most likely be in Belfast for 2 or 3 nights, depending on what sights we decide to see. So far, we are thinking of the Black Taxi Tour and seeing City Hall Any suggestions for Belfast and nearby?

We will most likely spent 4 days in the North Leitrim area, near Manorhamilton before heading back to Dublin. We would like to revisit the city, but were wondering if it would be better to stay in Dun Laoghaire since that is where the ferrry leaves from.

Thanks again.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The 'Fast Ferry' is offered by Stena -- crossing time is between 1.5 and 2 hours --depending upon which PR you read biggrin biggrin .

Both Stena and Irish Ferries offer the 'Regular', slow ferry which takes between 3 and 3.5 hours to make the crossing.

There are Rail/Sail packages that include a train to London that are QUITE inexpensive, if Purchased in advance.

Dunno about Belfast, though I suspect that, as in the Republic, you may be able to negotiate a better deal with a two night stay???? confuse confuse

Bob

egnolive · Veteran Member

Thanks Bob.

We've been tossing around the idea of a Wales/England trip for about a year. We have three weeks off, something we have never had!

I am the usual trip planner and for the most part plot where we are going, but this was to be one for my husband to decide. I was thrilled he wanted to include a week in Ireland too, to see Belfast and visit my grandmother's town again. We just love the country and the people. We are hooked!

Plans are very sketchy right now. I need to get the rental car information [ugh] as that may plan a big part in how our plans evolve. The ferry seems pretty straightforward. Also need to investigate airfare [another ugh] as flight to Belfast seems to cost more than ones to Dublin. Lots to do!

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of an alternative to Belfast. Since we have only one week, is there an area closer to Dublin or Sligo/Leitrim that anyone would recommend? We have been to Sligo and parts of Donegal and down through Connemara. We would love to spend more time there, but perhaps that is better for another, longer trip.

All suggestions welcome! Thanks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

egnolive,

Not far from Leitrim is Co. Fermanagh. Have you explored it before? It is a lovely area. Not far from Dublin is Co. Wicklow. Another good area to spend time in. Now you only have to make more decisions.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

Michele,

Wrote a post and lost it. I will try again.

Funny you should mention Fermanagh. Glenfarne, where we hope to stay in Leitrim, is very close and I was actually considering staying there and possibly doing a day trip to Belfast instead of staying there.

Last night I tried to compare fares to Dublin v. Belfast. Both are over $1000, but Belfast requires more stops and time. I began to wonder if it is worth the extra effort to fly there. We had hoped the cheaper car rental might make a significant difference, but I am not sure we want what seems to be the extra hassle. I need to get some car rental numbers to compare.

So anyway, now I am also thinking of any alternative plan -basing ourselves for a week somewhere, either Leitrim or Fermanagh, and taking day trips from there.

What do you think?

Its so hard to choose when we have so little time to spend in Eire.

Michele Erdvig · Host

egnolive,

I just looked up Glenfarne on my map and it is right on the border of Leitrim and Fermanagh. With your short time, had you thought of skipping Belfast this time and just staying in the Letrim/Fermanagh area? You could rent a self-catering cottage for the week and see the area thoroughly. You could fly into Dublin and drive there in about 3 hours.

I have my eye on an interesting self-catering accommodation nearby but have not stayed there yet: Meadow View

I can also recommend an excellent farmhouse B&B outisde Enniskillen: Abocurragh.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

My husband wants to see Belfast. He's a little reluctant to drop it b/c (1) he wants to see the area; and (2) he likes the idea that the rental car will be cheaper there.

I did some rental car checking online. It is quite a bit cheaper to rent in the north of Ireland, however I was not able to check for fees to return the car to the republic. I am worried that might eat up any savings difference.

I am working on tempting him with everything we could do from one base. We loved Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and there is lots we could do from a Leitrim or Fermanagh base.

Thanks for the suggestions of places to stay. They look wonderful but are a bit over our budget. I'll keep looking and meanwhile am open to suggestions.

Michele Erdvig · Host

egnolive,

You can always phone or email the car rental companies with any questions you might have such as drop off fees.

What is your budget? I thought the Meadow View apartment was extremely reasonable for a week's self-catering.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

Hi Michele,

I was a little confused by their website. If its 350 pound per week, that is very reasonable. But it has an ampersand in front of it as if that were an additional charge so I wasn't sure if there was another charge that just wasn't showing on the webpage. We would need it for less than a week but its on my list to contact. We want to keep it under $100/night and preferably less than that if we can. Thanks again.

I have another car rental / ferry / accomodation question. We are pretty set about taking the ferry from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead. Are their any car rental drop off places there? Also any recommendations for lodging? It would be just one night. I would like to see the James Joyce musuem. We will probably not visit Dublin again this trip.

Calling rental car places is on my to-do list this week.

Erin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Erin,

Meadow View is 350 pounds during high season and 240 off season. Some places will rent for partial weeks too. If interested you should send them an email with your dates. I think what you are seeing is £. That is a pound sign.

Yes, there are car rental places with drop offs at all the ferries. Or you could drop the car in Dublin City and take DART to Dun Laoghaire. Sorry, I don't have any personal recommendations in Dun Laoghaire for accommodations.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

Michele,

Thanks for your clarification.

Just rechecked the Meadow View website here at work [with PC] and indeed it is a pound sign. My Mac at home shows it as an ampersand. Odd!

Another car rental question. Has anyone ever dealt with renting in two countries? Any chance there might be a discount invovled, if say we rented with Hertz in Ireland and then again with them in GB? Looking for discounts anywhere I can! I sure hope renting in GB is no worse than in Ireland.

Erin

susan · Senior Member

Hi Erin-

Leitrim is our destination of choice also.We have selfcatered in a lovely stone cottage that has been updated.

http://www.shannonpark.ie.ms/

Susan

egnolive · Veteran Member

Susan,

That place looks awesome. I'll put that on the list also. We love Leitrim.

Bob [or anyone else],

I was hoping you might be able to help with another ferry question. We would like to take the faster boat from Dublin / Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead. But it looks like from the Stena website, only the slower ferry from Dun Laoghaire is an option if you are not travelling with a car. It seems from what I can tell that without a car, the only fast option is Irish Ferries from Dublin for their "Swift" boat.

This is starting to get very confusing!

Thanks for all help.

Erin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Erin,

Since I have not taken the ferry Bob would be the person to ask. You can send him a message either on his whiteboard or privately by clicking on his name.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Erin --

I don't have any DIRECT experience with the Dublin to Wales ferry, but I followed a search to this site: http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/rail-and-sail/holyhead/

It is for the 'Rail & Sail' packages, (which look QUITE reasonable) , which, by definition, MUST be for Foot Traffic only.

The Fastboat MAY only operate out of Dublin harbor. I notice that the site lists BOTH options for departure and mentions a FREE shuttle bus from Dublin City Center to Dublin Port. I BELIEVE there is a DART station very close-by the Dun Laoghaire Port?

ONE possible Cost-Saving option would be to look into renting your car TO and From Belfast and then purchasing a 'Rail &Sail' passage from Belfast to where ever in the UK you are heading?????

Does any of THAT help???

Bob

egnolive · Veteran Member

Bob,

Any information is helpful. I am feeling very overwhemed at this point!

I am a little confused about the rail and sail packages. I suppose you mean renting the car in Belfast, returning it to Belfast and then a train from there to Dublin for the Wales ferry. That seems like a good idea, so I'll look into it.

Another option is that we skip Ireland. It seems the rental car expense may be just too much for us, considering it is so much cheaper and easier to rent in the UK. I would hate to miss another chance to visit Ireland though!

Time to take a deep breath and dive back into the research.

Thanks for your help,

Erin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Erin,

Hang in there. The planning can get complicated but doing everything now when you have the time for it will mean a smooth trip once you arrive. Keep at it. Let us know if you have other questions.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Erin --

Don't give up on Ireland so quickly! As Michele has said -- You just need to work the system -- and we're here, to help! biggrin

--

Just throwing out some ideas, here:

Here's discount coach service between Dublin and Belfast:

http://www.gettingaboutbritain.com/whats_on.php?wo_id=150

You might also check for AirLink bus:
http://www.aircoach.ie

Car Hire:

Not knowing your exact dates, I plugged some random ones into Kemwell for rentals out of Belfast and to be returned to Belfast. Here's what I found:

September 5 - 12 (7 days) Belfast International Airport:
          (I THINK they DO have a Downtown location, too)

Nissan Note (with AC, MANUAL Transmission) : $275.91 WITH CDW   $185.86 Without
Ford Focus   (With AC, MANUAL Transmission) : $275.06 WITH CDW   $190.85 Without
Opel Astra   (WITH AC, AUTOMATIC               ) :   $406.86 WITH CDW  $223.28 Without

September 12 - 20 (8 Days) Belfast International Airport:
            (SAM Car Details)

Note     $302.55 WITH and $206.11 WITHOUT CDW
Focus    $305.11 WITH and $211.70 Without
Astra     $305.64 WITH and $247.53 Without

I ASSUME the pricing discrepancy has to due with the LATER date?????

Train tickets can only be booked online 28 days in advance, but THIS should be FAIRLY approximate:

https://www.irishrail.ie

Round-Trip Train, Standard Class Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central on May 2 at 10AM, Arriving 12:16 and RETURNING on May 9th -- Departing Belfast Central at 10 AM / Arriving Dublin Connolly at 12:13 --- Adult Web Price is 28 Euro EACH ( and there is an EXTRA Fee of 6 Euro EACH, if you wish to RESERVE your seats -- but, that IS optional!)

You would also need to ADD, for taxi or bus fares --

1 trip, Dublin Airport to Dublin Connolly
2 trips between Belfast Central and Belfast International Airport

Also, the LATER you depart Belfast, the LATER you arrive in Dublin -- meaning that it MIGHT require an overnight stay in Dublin to make an appropriate ferry departure.

The train wesite has links to some pretty decent hotel deals (Dublin Airport Hilton for UNDER 70 Euro, for example), if you decided to go that route.

I had trouble trying to input a rail from Belfast coupled with a ferry to Holyhead on the Stena site, but a phone call to them MIGHT advise if such is available ...

Hope this helps!

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Thursday 15th of April 2010 10:21:15 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just wanted to note that the ferries are overwhelmed right now and totally full of passengers who are grounded due to the volcano.

Michele

egnolive · Veteran Member

WOW! Bob thanks for all your help. You are amazing!

You and Michele are right, I am not going to give up going to Ireland.

I'm really liking your idea of renting and returning the car to/from Belfast and then taking the train to Dublin to meet the ferry. I am still trying to figure out if we can leave for Wales from Dun Laoghrie rather than Dublin. I really want to check out the Joyce Musuem, so spending the night there before the ferry sounds really appealing.

This will be my weekend project.

I cannot thank you enough for your help.

Erin

egnolive · Veteran Member

Michele,

Guess this weekend would not be the time to call the ferries?

Actually as they do not book that far ahead of time, I can put that task lower on my list.

Hope things get back to normal soon.

Erin

egnolive · Veteran Member

I am going to remain optimistic that the volcano will calm down and not affect my September trip. I am doing my best to help the economy!

Along these lines, has anybody any opinion on the Jury's Inn in Belfast? Rates look good and its appealing as it is the drop-off point for the AirLink bus. After a 12+ hour flight and 2+ hour bus ride, being dropped off right in front of the hotel sounds appealing. Planning a two night stay there.

Also open to other lodging suggestions. Would like to keep it under $100/night.

Thanks again,
Erin

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I'm still optomistic about my July visit, as well!

I have no personal experience of the Belfast Jurys, but I have stayed in some of their Dublin hotels (in '05 and '07) and have stayed at thier Galway hotel, back in 1999 and 2002. I refer to them as 'Older Holiday Inn Class' -- not particularly HIGH CLASS or HIGH SYLE, but generally quite servicable and of acceptable ammenities, though they DO tend to be a bit more spartan and utilitarian and have a little less 'atmosphere' than some of the bigger-name chains.

Some of the Dublin locations are in 'Borderline' areas, but my impression has generally been that they are perfectly fine, unless you are the type to be out, wandering the streets during the late-night hours....

It IS hard to beat their prices.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 19th of April 2010 10:46:45 AM