wdollahan
Unregistered User
(6/11/03 11:45 am)

travel in November - hired driver needed

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My employer and his family are traveling to Ireland for a wedding over the US Thanksgiving holiday in November of 2003.

I have been given the dubious task of making all the arrangements and I have no idea where to begin. There will 6 people who will be flying into Dublin on a Saturday. They would like to hire a car and driver to tour Ireland from a Saturday to a Thursday, ending up in Shannon.

Where should I begin my search?

Thanks for any help you can lend.

...wdd

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 26
(6/11/03 4:49 pm)

Re: travel in November - hired driver needed

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I would start by finding out what interests them -
Do they want to spend time in Dublin?
Do they like Castles / ruins?
Gardens?
Crafts ( Glassmakers/ Pottery etc)
Medieval Banquet ?

Then choose a number of possible sites
( Castles - Kilkenny, Cashel, Cahir, Bunratty etc
Gardens - Powerscourt, Glendalough, etc
Crafts - Waterford, Kilkenny area, Ring of Kerry etc)

THEN - Double check all of them - Thanksgiving is pretty late in the season, and many attractions (

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1548
(6/12/03 12:16 am)

Re: travel in November - hired driver needed

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Hi wdd,

You have been given quite an assignment. There are several different ways to handle it.

1. Do it all yourself. Gather info, make reservations, find chauffeurs, plan the itinerary, etc. Very time-intensive.

2. Contact a travel agent specializing in Ireland to help you with everything. If you find the right agent this will simplify the process.

3. Have a travel planner (like me) plan the trip for your boss. I don't make reservations (like a travel agent) but I will put you in contact with all the right people, companies, recommend lodgings, restaurants, sightseeing etc. plus do the complete itinerary.

I suggest talking with your employeer to see which plan he wants. Then you can come back to the forum and we will be happy to give tips and help with the trip.

Please take a look through my web site as it is especially deisgned to help a first-timer start the planning process. If you have the time to look at each page you will find valuable info, links, phone numbers, etc. that will be of great help. I suggest starting on this page: www.irelandyes.com/planning.html

Let us know what your boss decides and we can take it from there.

Michele

Carol H
Unregistered User
(6/13/03 7:42 am)

travel in November - hired driver needed

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After returning from Ireland in April, I would highly recommend Manda Coaches. We (four) had a van and driver for two weeks and were very pleased. Call Paul Keogh at Manda: Phone: 011 353 56 33454 and be sure to tell him Carol Harris recommended him. He'll be able to help you with itinerary, lodgings etc. Manda is based in Kilkenny, but we started our trip at Dublin also. Good luck

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1559
(6/13/03 4:53 pm)

Driver

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Hi Carol,

Thanks very much for including your personal recommendation for a driver and company. It is always good to have reliable first-hand info. Your input is always appreciated.

Michele