abrennan

03/08/01 1:51 PM

First trip to Ireland!

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Hi, Michelle.
Your message board is very helpful!! Thank you. My boyfriend and I are taking our first trip next week. We're really excited. We fly into Shannon and out of Dublin. I'd love to get your input on our plan. We're driving ourselves and staying in B&Bs. We want to have a route mapped out so we don't miss anything. But, we plan to veer off - don't want to feel scheduled. Here's what we have so far...
1. Sat. 3/17 (arrive in AM)
Co. Clare: Burren Smokehouse, Cliffs of Moher, Gus O’Connor’s Pub for SPD eve!
Night #1 - Stay in or near Doolin
2. Sun. 3/18
Co. Kerry: Dingle Peninsula
Night #2 - Stay in or near Cahirciveen
3. Mon. 3/19
Co. Kerry: Skellig Michael (first thing in AM), drive to Killarney, Kerry Woollen Mills, Kenmare
Night #3 - Stay in or near Cork
4. Tues. 3/20
Co. Cork: Kinsale, Blarney Castle/Stone, Emigration Museum?, drive to/thru Limerick
Co. Limerick: Angela's Ashes Tour?, Adare
Night #4 - Stay in Limerick or Tipperary
5. Wed. 3/21
Co. Tipperary: Rock of Cashel, Tipperary Crystal Craft Factory
Co. Waterford: Waterford Crystal Factory (both?)
Co. Kilkenny: Kilkenny Design Center
Night #5 - Stay in Kilkenny
6. Thurs. 3/22
Dublin: Book of Kells at Trinity College, Guinness Brewery, Dalkey, Temple Bar area
Night #6 – Stay in Dublin (we have a hotel booked)
Leave Fri. 3/23 around noon.
So... what do you think? I welcome your input -- or anyone else's out there. Thanks!!


irrover

03/08/01 3:29 PM

RE: First trip to Ireland!

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Just so you know, with the foot and mouth outbreak most heritage and park sites are currently closed (ie Cliffs of Moher, Cashel, and Kilkenny Castle etc.) See posting on this site and most up to date info at Irish Tourist board site or www.rte.ie


IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
03/08/01 9:53 PM

RE: First trip to Ireland!

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Hi abrennan,

I'm glad you're finding my forum helpful for planning your trip to Ireland. Michael (irrover) is right about the foot and mouth problem in Ireland. (Thanks Michael!) You can read more about it just below your posting under the heading "St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Cancelled/Places Closed Due to Foot/Mouth".

The Cliffs of Moher are closed as are most Duchas sites: www.heritageireland.com .

Your itinerary is a bit of a "green blur whirlwind tour" lots and lots of driving and very full days! I know things seem close when you look at a map of Ireland but you won't get anywhere fast on small winding roads. If you average 35-40 mph you'll be doing good.

These are my suggestions:

1. When you are in Ireland ask at your accommodation if the things you want to see that day are going to be open. (No sense going out of your way if they are closed.) Ask for alternate suggestions.

2. Get an early start so that you can see everything that is open.

3. Make reservations for Doolin. It's your first day in the country, St. Patrick's Day and a Saturday night (busy, busy)!

4. Most important: Have a great trip!!!

Michele


abrennan

03/09/01 9:45 AM

RE: First trip to Ireland!

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Thanks, Michele! (Sorry I spelled you name wrong before.) Yeah, this "f&m" is a bummer. I like your suggestion of checking with the B&B's. I don't feel like I'll really know about the status of each attraction until we're there. I agree that the list is a whirlwind. Our goal is not to see all, just to have some ideas together and have a great time! Thanks for your input. One week...
Cheers!
Alison


irrover

03/09/01 6:38 PM

RE: First trip to Ireland!

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They just announced today that the Cliffs of Moher and parts of Bunratty Castle have reopened. Here is the latest from the irish tourist board site

Latest Update on attractions and events open to the public

Some attractions and events have now been either re-opened or re-scheduled, below is the latest list:

Attractions which have been re-opened or confirmed open

Dublin, the following attractions are all open to the public:
Abbey Theatre Bank of Ireland
Ceol – The Irish Music Centre The Chester Beatty Library
The Chimney at Smithfield Christ Church Cathedral
Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre Dublin Civic Museum
Dublin’s Viking Adventre Dublin’s City Hall
Dublinia Dublin Writers Museum
The GAA Museum The Guinness Storehouse
The Hot Press Hall of Fame Hugh Lane Gallery
Museum of Modern Art James Joyce Cultural Centre
The James Joyce Museum Kilmainham Gaol (no groups)
Marsh’s Library National Concert Hall
National Gallery National Museum (Kildare Street)
National Museum (Collins Barracks) National Wax Museum
Natural History Museum Old Jameson Distillery)
St. Patrick’s Cathedral The Shaw Birthplace
Skerries Windmill Trinity College
Waterways Visitor Centre Whitefriar Street Church

Shannon Region:

Cliffs of Moher are open as normal
King John's Castle, Limerick is open as normal
The Medieval banquet operation at Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare will proceed as normal.
Bunratty Castle is open for viewing along with a partial Folk Heritage experience.

Events Confirmed

17-19/03 Irish International Antiques and Fine Art Fair, RDS, Dublin

This information is being continuously updated

IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
03/09/01 6:52 PM

RE: First trip to Ireland!

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Michael: Thanks very much for the update. Everyone will be relieved and happy that things are opening back up--especially the Cliffs! I have some clients who are leaving for Ireland very soon and they were really upset that they couldn't see them.

Alison: Please have a wonderful trip and let us know how it goes. (No problem with spelling my name wrong--everyone does!)

Michele