NLee
Unregistered User
(5/19/02 2:33 pm)

Had the best time!

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Just returned from my first(but definitely not my last)visit to Ireland. What a beautiful country! The people I met were kind and generous, and the surroundings were spectacular! The driving was an adventure, but I managed to keep myself and my car scratch-free

A few recommendations (I was in the Shannon, Killarney, and Dingle areas, but would probably apply elsewhere):

Spend at least two days at each "hub" location, you meet more people and get a better feel for the area.

Hit the pubs! The food is good, the music great, and the people fun!

Don't worry about getting lost. You see unexpected things and meet helpful people!

Take time to walk around. Killarney National Park has some beautiful trails (like the Arthur Young Trail), and I found that parking the car and walking around the towns was a lot less stressful than trying to squeeze my car through the streets.

Finally, meet the people of Ireland. I spent two hours talking to the postmaster of Killnaboy...it put me off "schedule", but I wouldn't have missed it for the world The people are what made my vacation so memorable.


(Michele, I hear we were neighbors for a short time...I was staying with Kathleen Browne while you were at Mary's place)

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 582
(5/19/02 11:58 pm)

Welcome Back

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Hi NLee,

Thanks very much for stopping by to tell us about your trip to Ireland. If I had known you were at Kathleen's I would have come by to meet you!

Glad to hear that you had an enjoyable trip to Ireland. Did you get to see the high crosses you were interested in? And did you find a B&B in Dingle over the bank holiday? The weather was glorious there on that Saturday and Sunday.

Thanks for sharing your tips with everyone. And when you are ready for your next trip to Ireland be sure to stop back in for more advice.

Michele

NLee
Unregistered User
(5/20/02 12:38 pm)
 
high crosses, etc.

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Hi, Michele!

I saw some beautiful high crosses...my favorite was next to a little church behind a shop between Killarney and the National Park. I didn't get to see the one in Kilfenora because they were doing renovations (I liked Kilfenora, tho'...ate at Linnane's and met a local artist doing a show there). I made a point of stopping at burial grounds whenever I saw them.

I did find a farmhouse B&B just outside Ballydavid in Feohanagh...it was called An Riasc, run by the Begleys. Denise has a Masters Degree in Gaelic, so I got a few lessons from her and her 5 year old . Beautiful surroundings, clean, comfortable, and a great homemade strawberry museli!

The weather was glorious that weekend (I called home in Idaho and it was snowing...didn't want to go home!). The pennisula was hoppin' with the Bealtaine festival. I met some folks from Dublin and Cork over for the weekend. By the way, I highly recommend the Blasket Centre...wish I could have spent more time there...

I plan to focus on a different providence each visit...I'm thinking of the Leinster providence next..can't wait!

NLee

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 587
(5/21/02 11:43 pm)

Great Fun

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Hi NLee,

It sounds like you had great fun in Ireland - especially interacting with the locals. That is really what it's all about and your idea of concentrating on just one area per trip sounds perfect.

Glad you got to enjoy that fab weather too!

Best,

Michele