Peake518

03/16/01 8:50 AM

Giant's Causeway

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Hi Michelle! I love your website and I think I'll order your book too. I will be visting Ireland for the 2nd time in May (10-20). My first time was last March and I visited the Giant's Causeway...spectacular! This year I'm taking a friend along and I want to visit the causeway again but I read that the visitor's center burned down last spring! Is this true? And if so is this the visitor's center that offered the shuttle bus back from the causeway and that had the great little cafe inside? So is there no center at all there now? Also another quick question: How much time would you allow for the Dingle peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. We say Dingle last time (but there was a car rally going on so it was somwhat fragmented because roads were closed and we were lost most of the time) but didn't drive the whole Ring of Kerry. Can these two be done in one day and it still be worth it? We aren't interested in shopping we like the scenery and the ancient stuff. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Angie


DarrenA

03/16/01 8:44 PM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Woohoo - I beat Michele to an answer!

Angie, the Visitors Centre did indeed burn down, however it wasn't the whole building, mostly just the lower end. The top end with the coffee shop and gift shop and the smaller courtyard shops are still there. The Tourist Info Centre has been replaced with a temporary building (which isn't bad, considering), and the bus is still running. It's pretty much business as usual, and by the time you get there, I'm almost sure the Bushmills-Giants Causeway tram will be running.


IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
03/17/01 4:22 AM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Hi Angie,

I'm glad you're enjoying my web site. Pass the word to your friends who are traveling to Ireland, too! The book will be a big help for your second trip (I have lots of great places to visit all over Ireland including the north).

Darren did indeed beat me to the answer and what he told you is very accurate. (Thanks Darren!) I was at the Giant's Causeway in September and everything was operating as usual with some temporary buildings. You and your friend will have a great time and be able to enjoy the cafe and gift shop. The shuttle bus is running.

You should devote a whole day (at least) to Dingle and another day to the Ring of Kerry. I always enjoy staying in Dingle since they have great restaurants. That should get you started on your second trip!

Happy travels,

Michele

Peake518

03/18/01 1:00 AM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Thanks for the info guys. I don't know how I'm ever going to decide where exactly to go this time since we only have 10 days and I want to go everywhere. But I know I'll be back as soon as I can scrape up the money again!
Angie

Peake518

03/18/01 4:23 AM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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OK one more quick question. I may almost have my itinerary worked out but one choice needs to be made. If you had to choose between Kilkenny and Enniskillin (for Devenish and Boa island) which would you pick? Either one will fit into my proposed route pretty well I think but I won't have time to do both. Thanks!
Angie

IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
03/19/01 3:07 AM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Angie,

What a tough decision!! I like them both for different things. Kilkenny is my favorite city in Ireland with it's medieval flavor, castle, and lots to do and see in the area (including Jerpoint Abbey, Kells, Cashel, Cahir Castle, Swiss Cottage,etc.) Lots of good restaurants too.

On the other hand I love Enniskillen with its beautiful lakeside scenery and cute town. Then there's Lough Navar Forest Park and the Cliffs of Magho. (The idols on Boa Island are bigger than I thought they would be.)

I think it's a toss up and you should just flip a coin! (Big help, huh?)

Michele


Peake518

03/19/01 8:00 AM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Well, I couldn't expect too much help on that one! That's my problem this whole trip. Last time we were there longer and made a whole circle around the island and then down the middle which was great but, we didn't get to spend much time in one place and really get to know it. So while it's tempting this time to try to hit a lot of the things we haven't seen I think I have decided I'd be better off to scrap that idea (and both Kilkenny and Enniskillen) and try to concentrate on mostly one area. So I think we are going to hit Newgrange and Giant's Causeway (I can't take a freind and in good conscience skip those two places) but then concentrate in the Kerry, Clare and Galway area. It will be hard to resist the urge to go everywhere but I think I'll be glad we did and after all, I will be back. Thanks for all your help and I can't wait until your book arrives!
Angie

IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
03/19/01 6:43 PM

RE: Giant's Causeway

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Hi Angie,

Good news! My book is ready and will be shipped to everyone that ordered it tomorrow. Now maybe I can get some sleep and quit being a zombie!

I think your plan of concentrating on a few areas and making it less of a whirlwind trip is excellent. Then in the Kerry, Clare and Galway areas you can have a "home base" to do day trips from. It's really nice to be able to settle in and not have to pack up and move on each day.

If you are traveling north from Dublin through Northern Ireland, you might want to consider visiting Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula (ferry from Strangford to Portaferry). The gardens are absolutely heavenly and in May should be spectacular! It would be a shame to be in the vicinity and miss out on Mount Stewart.

Michele