mairin
Registered User
Posts: 1
(12/27/01 10:37 am)

Trip in March 2002

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Michele:

Am planning a one-week stay in March 2002... hadn't planned on going again so soon (we were there in May 2000), but we're taking advantage of low airfares. Here's a couple of questions for you: when we were there last, we landed in Shannon, stayed in Ennis for a couple of nights, then on to Cahir, Wexford and finally Swords to leave from Dublin. We saw quite a lot, but of course, you can never see everything! Anyway, we like to grab a map, a guidebook, and a car, and just go where we'd like. For this trip, we're torn between Dingle and a stay in Killarney, or Wicklow county and a stay in Avoca, using that as a base. I think Avoca might be the better, simply because mid-March isn't as warm as the summer months, and we plan to return again in a couple of years, probably during the summer (I think we could enjoy the beaches, etc. more if it were a little warmer!). Anyway, I've inquired about Cherrybrook House in Avoca... do you know anything about it? For our last trip, I relied exclusively on friends from the goireland and cupla focal forums, so I was so pleased to find your forum. I like to hear what others say, as well as try to rely on books, online pages, etc.
We will be in Ireland for St Patrick's Day, and although I want to celebrate, I don't want to be in Dublin! Is it a big deal in the smaller towns?
My husband and I would also like to golf while we're there, and plan to bring one set of clubs between us. Can you give us any advice about golfing etiquette or handy hints to know? It's one of the things we simply weren't able to do last visit.
Okay, I'll stop for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'm SO excited to return---we've missed it so much.

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 8
(12/27/01 5:24 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Mairin:

Ahhh, you can never go to Ireland too often. If it were me, I would head straight to Dingle and the West Coast. I don't go to the beach to get a tan (OK, I live in Colorado), but the weather in Ireland is what can make it spectacular. I walked along on somewhat cold beach on the east coast of Scotland once and it was incredible. A day I'll never forget.

I'm not as big of a fan of the east coast of Ireland, though that may be ignorance more than anything else, but it just seems that, for spectacular scenery, the west coast is the place. I'm going to spend a couple of weeks in Ireland in May and a fair amount of that will be on the Northwest coast. That's an area I've never been too and it sounds wonderful.

By the way, if you do the west coast, you might enjoy Kenmare to Killarney. It's a small town, but it has lots of places to stay and wonderful restaurants without quite the hustle and bustle of Killarney. Also, the drive from Killarney to Kenmare is beautiful.

I have no idea what St Patrick's Day is like outside of Dublin, but it's a huge party there.

I hope you have a great time and keep us all posted.

Bill

mairin
Registered User
Posts: 3
(12/27/01 6:06 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Bill:

I agree with you about the west... nothing can surpass it. But, I felt guilty because on the last trip we were withing spitting distance of Avoca and didn't realize it. We're fans of the show Ballykissangel (at least the first two seasons, anyway!) and my husband wants to do two things while in Ireland: golf and see Avoca. Anything else is a bonus. So, since this was an unplanned trip, and we intend to go back several times (in fact, we might just look into buying property there in another ten years), then we thought rather than stay in the west for five days and go to Avoca the other two days, we'd make them two separate trips. Last time we were there, we didn't see much of Dublin, either: we had the greatest time at the dog track!! (we have a greyhound and thought it was so cool to see one riding to the races in the back of a Micra, its owner jaunting along in tweed suit and cap). I'm a student, soon to be a science/english teacher, and I didn't see anything of Trinity or St Patricks at all... We tried to avoid the touristy traps (of course, couldn't pass up Aran Islands, Newgrange or Cashel/Hore Abbey) but for the most part mosied around. We did stop by Glendalough completely by accident, so we covered a lot of territory and we do love Ennis/County Clare area best. That being said, I still think my poor husband should get to see Avoca and play some golf! LOL... thanks for the comments. I swear, I'm so excited about going back I can't stand it! And, believe it or not, I happen to be taking an Irish literature course this upcoming semester. So when I return from Ireland and everyone asks what I did on spring break, I think they'll get an earful! LOL...

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 318
(12/27/01 6:33 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Hello mairin,

I'm glad you found my forum. I used to be a moderator at CuplaFocal.com for quite a while before they changed things dramatically and I left to form my own community devoted to Ireland travel. It's good to hear you are making another trip to Ireland. You must enjoy it!

In March you can "wing it" most of the time. You will want reservations only for St. Patrick's weekend and your first and last nights. Since you know where you will be on your first and last days in Ireland it only makes sense to have those reservations in place and spare yourself the search.

With only a week and considering the time of year I would suggest the southwest instead of Avoca or Wicklow. (Avoca is a very tiny village.) There will be more going on in the southwest and it will be easier to get around. In Wicklow things will be more closed down at that time of year. So there is much more to do in the southwest. If you agree, then flying in and out of Shannon would make sense.

Another alternative over Avoca/Wicklow might be to base yourself in Kilkenny, which is within easy reach of many things and is a vibrant city (my favorite in Ireland) at all times of the year. In that case you should fly into and out of Dublin.

Bill mentioned Kenmare and I must agree with him. It is a small picture-postcard town and I think it has better restaurants that Kinsale, which styles itself as Ireland's gourmet capital. So if you decide on the southwest, why not spend some time in Dingle and Kenmare. You can't go wrong with that. And in-between you can see Killarney!

As for Cherrybrook House in Avoca, I have not inspected it yet but have heard some favorable comments on it.

St. Patrick's Day is much more low-key in the smaller towns in Ireland. Might be fun in Dingle!

Since I'm not a golfer myself I really can't clue you in to any tips on golfing etiquette. Just use common sense, be friendly and ask about any specific rules in advance. Generally, the Irish don't like many rules about anything and will forgive tourists most things. So I think you will have a great time golfing.

I hope that these comments help you make a decision. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have. And thanks to Bill for his input.

Happy travels,

Michele

 

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 319
(12/27/01 6:41 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Hi marin

We must both be online at the same time because as soon as I posted my comments I saw that you had just posted more info about your trip.

If your husband's fondest wish is to see Avoca then go for it! As I said before it is a very small village and you might want to spend a night or two and then concentrate on what you didn't see before in Dublin. Nice way to spend a spring break.

Michele

mairin
Registered User
Posts: 5
(12/27/01 7:00 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Michele:

Thanks for the input. Now here's the question: since we prefer to just drive around and sightsee that way, rather than going into places that would be "open" or "closed", I wonder if we should spend the entire time based out of Avoca? or spend the first couple of nights there and the remaining time elsewhere... I do know we'll want to spend a little time in Dublin, but not too much. When you say that not a lot will be open, do you mean pubs and such, or do you mean "attractions"? I don't mind the attractions part, but I definitely want pubs! LOL... I'm just in a quandry. I know we'll be returning again, but I'm wondering if we should just fly into Shannon, base out of Killarney or somewhere, then drive to Avoca and stay there the final couple of nights and leave from Dublin. What do you think? My husband says all he wants to do is walk into Fitzgerald's and look at the town---just so he can say to himself that he was there when we watch Ballykissangel on television! So, if we stay in the Killarney area, or even in Kenmare (where is that in relation to Killarney, by the way?) do you have any suggestions for accomodations? We like B&B's, around the 25 Euro per person price. (I'm going to miss punts!)
Thanks again.
Jenny

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 322
(12/27/01 7:40 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Hi Jenny,

You seem to have a dilemma! I would really suggest that since Avoca is a "must see" and that you only have a week you would be best to fly into and out of Dublin and concentrate on the east. Then you can discover the southwest on your next trip to Ireland. Trying to do too much and travel all across the country in March might not be the best strategy. You might consider spending a couple of nights in Avoca, Kilkenny and Dublin. That would fill up all your time nicely and avoid the "green blur syndrome"!

When I said things would be closed I meant sightseeing attractions, many of which open after Easter (March 31, 2002). Pubs only close on Good Friday!

Kenmare is south of Killarney.

I have plenty of suggestions for B&Bs but get back to me and tell me what you think first.

Michele

P.S. I will miss punts too!!

mairin
Registered User
Posts: 7
(12/27/01 7:58 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Michele:

I agree that I don't want to try to "squeeze" too much in. My husband feels we can do both this trip, but I just don't see it. So---if we spend a couple of nights in Avoca (the first two, probably), then the last three nights somewhere close to the Dublin airport (we liked the convenience of Swords last time), what are your suggestions for the middle part? Also, do you have any accomodations suggestions for Swords or Malahide? What about County Kildare? Thanks again.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 323
(12/27/01 11:57 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Hi Jenny,

I suggest Kilkenny to fill in the middle of your trip. It's a great base for seeing everything from Waterford to Cashel to Wexford. Kilkenny is a wonderful city with lots of accommodations, good restaurants and great pubs. Plenty to do around there.

In the Swords area (just north of the airport) I would recommend Brookfield Lodge B&B, Airport View Guesthouse and Airport Manor Guesthouse. Ever since the B&B I used to recommend in Malahide closed I've been searching for another good one there but so far have failed to find one that meets my standards. I don't have a recommendation in Co. Kildare but do have one for Kilkenny.

I hope that gives you the info you need to persuade your husband to stick to the east coast this time. After all, you will be returning and the southwest will be waiting for you next time.

Michele

mairin
Registered User
Posts: 8
(12/28/01 8:01 am)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Michele:

Thanks for the information. You know how hard it is to judge a B&B just based on the ad they write on the internet! I do have your book (at least the version for 2000), and it was very helpful. Right now, I'm just waiting to hear back from a few places to see if they're open/have rooms for my time frame. When I do, I'll put my itinerary online for you for more feedback. Oh --- what was the accomodation recommendation for Kilkenny? Thanks again!


Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 325
(12/28/01 9:13 pm)

Re: Trip in March 2002

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Hi Jenny,

Glad to hear my book was helpful. As you know I add new B&Bs to it every year as things are always changing. I sure do know how hard it is to judge a B&B by their write up. It is only common sense that they will want to put their best foot forward on their web site. That's why I have to inspect them in person to be certain a place is good. I don't even trust the books like AA or RAC since I've stayed in B&Bs that got great ratings only to find they were the pits. Just have to trust my own instincts and a long list of guidelines each B&B must meet.

In Kilkenny try Launard House (if open) or Alcantra. You will have to let us know how your spring breaks goes when you get back!

Michele