Unregistered User
(4/1/03 3:08 pm)

Spent St. Patrick's Day in Dingle

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My husband and I were in Ireland from March 16th thru March 22nd and didn't see one drop of rain, it was 50 to 60 degrees everyday, absolutely gorgeous.
The first night there we went to the Bunratty Medevial Banquet and had a great time. The entertainment was excellent and it was an all you can eat and drink event. After the show we went to Mac's Pub and enjoyed some traditional Irish music by some local teenage boys, they were very good.
The next day we headed off to Dingle, driving on the left side in a tiny car through the mountainous country side. I couldn't believe all the sheep.
We just missed the St. Pat's parade but had enough time to enjoy lunch and do some shopping before the evening festivities. We did eat dinner at the Half-Door where I had the best salmon I've ever had. I wasn't sure what to expect with the food but I was pleasantly surprised, the seafood was outstanding.
On the 18th, we drove Slea Head. The drive was full of twists and turns on a tiny road and we did drive through a river to get there but it was all worth it, the view is incredible.
That afternoon we drove to Killarney where we spent 2 days. In Killarney we saw the Muckross house and gardens and hiked the Torc waterfall. We also took a carriage ride to the Ross Castle. We had a fabulous time. Once again we found ourselves in the pubs at night enjoying the music scene.
The last two nights of the trip were spent in Dublin where we saw Tracy Chapman perform at the Olympia Theater. We also took the hop-on-hop-off bus tour, an excellent way to see Dublin. I would highly recommend walking or taking the bus in Dublin, driving can be crazy.
We were a little worried about the flight home, since war had started while we were overseas but everything went smoothly, no problems at all.
I only wish we had more time. Next time we go we want to skip Dublin and stay on the Shannon side. Hopefully, that trip will be here soon. I loved Ireland and can't wait to go back!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1351
(4/2/03 12:43 am)

Re: Spent St. Patrick's Day in Dingle

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Hello Jennifer,

Welcome back from Ireland. Thanks for stopping by to tell us about your trip. It sounds wonderful and the good weather was a lovely surprise. How did using vouchers go? Did you find a B&B in Dublin that suited you and accepted them? It is great to hear that you enjoyed your trip and are planning another. You are always welcome at my forum whether it is for future trip planning or for giving advice to those who have not yet been to Ireland. Keep in touch.

Michele

Jennifer
Unregistered User
(4/3/03 9:18 am)
 
Dublin B&B

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Most of the B&B's had e-mail addresses so making a reservation was very easy. However, very few of the B&B's in Dublin had an e-mail address listed. My husband spent most of a morning calling Dublin to find a B&B that did accept our vouchers, he finally found one but all the calls added up to $82. Next time we go to Ireland I will not use vouchers, in fact I think hotels will be the way to go.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1371
(4/5/03 12:54 am)

Re: Dublin B&B

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Hi Jennifer,

Yikes! $82 in phone calls? You could have applied that to a nice hotel instead. But that is hindsight and we all learn as we go through life. I know of a calling plan for 10 cents a minute from the US to Ireland. If you go again ask me about it. I agree that a good hotel or guesthouse is best for downtown Dublin. Once outside the capital I enjoy the B&Bs.

Thanks for the additional info. Perhaps it will save someone else from having the same problems with vouchers.

Michele