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Post Info TOPIC: Despite everything I had a Great Time!! by marymac


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Despite everything I had a Great Time!! by marymac






marymac
Unregistered User
(7/12/02 10:50 am)
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Despite everything I had a Great Time!!


Well, here goes. It's been six weeks since my vacation, but I've hesitated posting a report for fear that it would turn into a book! But I'll give it a try anyway.

First of all - I was sick when I went to Ireland. I'm NEVER sick! Why now, I don't know. Guess it's just the luck? of the Irish. A couple of weeks before I went I started getting a scratchy throat. A week before I went, I was ready to check myself into the hospital. But I figured I'd tough it out. Wrong! So a couple of days before I left, I went to the doctor. Bronchitis - got a couple of shots and a prescription. Got to feeling better, but my hacking cough didn't go away. So if any of you were in Ireland the last couple weeks of May - had to put up with a middle-aged, overweight, red-haired woman hacking and coughing, I apologize. Just couldn't help it. But it didn't stop me!

We didn't stray too far from our itinerary. Except for a couple of days. Cobh was on our itinerary, but my brother Alan kept acting like he wasn't too crazy about going there. Well, he knew what a fan I am of Ballykissangel, so he and my brother Dave decided that we would go to Avoca instead. We headed there from Cashel. Yes, it was a lot of driving, but still enjoyable. Arrived early evening - enough time to go into Arklow for dinner and to have a couple of pints at Fitzgeralds. The next morning we explored the town and headed back to the west via Glendalough. Glendalough was somewhat of a disappointment because it started raining fairly heavy. So most of our drive back west, instead of being a "green blur", was a "gray blur."

As far as the rain goes - I had prepared myself for it. Didn't know the weather was so out of the ordinary until people told us. Most of the time it didn't prevent us from seeing and doing what we wanted to do. Except for the Glendalough day and one other day.

That was when we visited the Aran Islands - stayed overnight - left on the noon ferry. The wind and rain started as we were walking to the ferry. The ferry ride back to Rossaveal was kind of rough. I was almost on the verge of being scared. (Actually, it probably wasn't that bad, but for a landlubber from Missouri like me, it seemed so). When we arrived back in Rossaveal I wish I could have stayed on the ferry! Had to walk to our car in a regular "gale". Rain felt like needles - we argued among ourselves whether it had been sleet or not. We got thoroughly (and I mean thoroughly) soaked. The rest of that day was a disappointment too. Driving through Connemara in heavy rain. Decided just to head to Westport with a brief stop at Kylemore Abbey, just long enough to take a few pictures before the rain started again.

But overall, except for those two days, the rain didn't bother us that much. We got wet, but still did what we wanted to do.

My brother didn't climb Croagh Patrick. We had decided that before we even left the U.S. That brings me to another subject that I might also post in your "planning" forum.

Another brother of mine that visited Ireland last September advised me that I should start walking, etc. in order to get in shape for Ireland. I did - about six weeks before our trip I started walking every night. If I had had one bit of advice to give prospective travelers to Ireland, it would be the same thing. Start walking! Work out, whatever, you're going to be doing a lot of walking, climbing, etc. in Ireland. Our party consisted of me, 49 years old, my brother and sister-in-law, both 61, and another brother who's 66. My 66 year old brother is in better shape that the rest of us (he dances several times a week). Towards the end of our trip we were "pooped"! I'm sure my bronchitis didn't help my physical well-being - but still.... As far as climbing Croagh Patrick! That's to laugh. I was really wearing down when we went to see it. We arrived in the morning before the visitor's center even opened. Decided to go see Murrisk Abbey first. I thought to myself "I don't even think I can make it up to the statue of St. Patrick, think I'll just stay in the car." Well, I made it that far anyway (in the rain) and it didn't kill me. But to think that at one time we were considering climbing to the top?!?!?!

Michele, I'm sure most of your readers are more fit than me, but for those un-suspecting couch potatoes, that are planning a trip to Ireland. Get up and get moving. The Irish also have a way of giving you directions and saying "that's an easy walk". Yeah, right.... They really put me to shame.

Despite the weather and my illness, we still had a great time. Might have wasted some money and insurance for extra drivers. I just drove one day. I don't think it's driving on the left that's so tricky - it's the NARROW!! roads! I drove the Slea Head drive - didn't do too bad of a job. Headed up Connor's Pass, the weather decided to rear it's ugly head and it started raining, etc. Turned around and I let my brother drive down. I was driving in Dingle town when my brother screamed! "Mary, you just missed that car (parked on the left) by an inch!!" My other brother said from the back seat "Oh, Alan, you're exaggerating - she missed it by a good 2, 2 and a half inches". The way I figure is, hey - I missed it, didn't I? I didn't drive much the rest of the trip - told them I didn't like them yelling at me, but really, I figured I would just enjoy the scenery while they drove. We did have a lot of fun, yelling at each other (good-naturedly). "Move to the left" "Move to the right" "Watch out for the curb". Well, there were a few genuine shrieks of fear - but no accidents.

Accommodations were fine. A couple of times we tried to stay in a "family room". I'd advise against that - one bathroom for four adults didn't work out too well.
I was on a strict budget and thought that meals were a little pricier than I was expecting. Of course a lot of times we didn't plan well enough in advance. We had planned on eating late in the afternoon/early evening at pubs. We'd forget and it would be later, some pubs wouldn't be serving food any longer and the menu would be more expensive.

If I had to do it all over again, I don't know if there's a lot I'd do different. We approached the trip as if it would be our one and only trip to Ireland and squeezed in as much as possible. If I were to go back tomorrow (oh how I wish I could)I would try to stay at "home bases" more often. If I were to go back tomorrow it would make sense to see parts of Ireland that I didn't see the first time, but yet part of me would like to go back and revisit the places I did see. My 17 year old daughter would love to go, and I would love to take her, I just loved the Dingle Peninsula - I'd love to explore Killarney Natl. Park more that we did. But we had the most fun "pub" time in Tubbercurry in Sligo. Not a big tourist area, but the people were wonderful.

Speaking of tourists - I'm not sure if I could handle Ireland in the summer. I'm selfish, want to have it more to myself. We cussed out a lot of busses " #@!&%#%* tourist! ;)

I've rambled on long enough. Have to get back to work and then go buy a lottery ticket. Have to figure out some way of getting back to Ireland!

Mary



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 674
(7/12/02 11:40 pm)

Welcome Home


Hi Mary,

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and post your trip report. I hope that you are feeling better now? It's really too bad you were ill on your trip. I've been there and done that several times before and it does put a damper on the trip. Plus you met up with some of the worst weather Ireland has had for years. Perhaps you will win the lotto and return again!

Thanks for the tip for all couch potatoes. You are right that to see many of the attractions, gardens, towns, etc. in Ireland you do need to do a lot of walking. Getting used to it before the trip is very good advice. Even those that are fit may want to take it easy for the first day or two, since jet-lag can really take a toll on your energy level also.

I'm glad you got to see and enjoy Avoca. It really is too bad Glendalough was a washout because in good weather it is absolutely fabulous. Ditto for Connemara. (More reason to save your pennies for another trip!)

Again, many thanks for posting your "book" report. You have provided some very useful info for others. Feel free to offer whatever advice you want under "Planning" to others who are going. There is nothing like getting first-hand advice from someone who has already been to Ireland.

Take care,

Michele



garyvol
Unregistered User
(7/16/02 5:36 am)

ballykissangel


Hi Marymac
So sad you took ill for the trip. bummer. Avoca alla ballykissangel was also a thrill for my wife Mary and me. We also had a drink at Fitzgeralds, took some pictures, even got a picture of Mary sitting on the bench infront of Fitzgeralds. then we went up to and inside St Joseph church. Two bus tours were already there. This is later in March now. Then we got an ice cream at Hendelys across from Fitzgeralds. Then too it was on to Glendalough via meeting of the waters.
Keep working on that lottery ticket. good health

-gary


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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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