mhuntley
Unregistered User
(12/2/03 2:12 pm)

Thanksgiving in Ireland

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Hi

I just wanted to do a quick post and thank all the people who gave me ideas and possible stops for my trip over Thanksgiving -
Shannon to Galway to Dingle to Kilarney
10 days...2 kids 10+8 - huge kudos to the Great Southern in Kilarney - but there is much to tell concerning weather,people,food, rental cars and much more- if anyone wants to write me in regards to the "details" or specific questions you can call me toll-free at 1-888-922-1035 - all i can say is it was a hell of an experience! Mark Huntley

MBarnes
Unregistered User
(12/2/03 6:06 pm)
 
More Info Please

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Mark, My family and I (children ages 8/10 also) are flying into Shannon in April. Our stops include Galway/Dingle/Killarney. I would love more info. Do you have an email address? Thanks MBarnes

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1960
(12/2/03 11:35 pm)

Welcome Back

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Hi Mark,

Welcome home from Ireland. We would love to have a few details of your trip when you have time to post. It would certainly save you lots of emails and phone calls. Besides, you really left us hanging with your last line. I hope it was a good experience. Do tell...pretty please!

Michele

garyvol
Unregistered User
(12/3/03 8:39 am)

tell all

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we want more, we want more, please

thanks
-gary

Mark Huntley
Unregistered User
(12/3/03 9:34 am)
 
Thanksgivng & rental cars& other stuff

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We rented from Sixt - we had like a small mini van - and man i will tell you-like another poster told me..u WILL get scratches or dents it is almost unavoidable...go for the SUPER DAMAGE WAIVER, if you are unsure...we had more that a few scratches- did NOT have the SDW, but God was w/ us because the guy was in a massive hurry and didn't check too closely...whew..
the ONLY thing that was not open was Ross Castle..EVRYTHING else was- the Aquarium in Dingle was AWESOME for the kids AND us , and we were the only ones there
The weather was more that fair and in almost two weeks we had at least 8 days of sun & clouds- yeah it rained and it was chilly, but hell i'm from Vt and it was a big -1 degrees today..but only one full day of rain, and that was the day we were traveling from Galway to Dingle and stopped in Ennis to eat and shop (which is a great little town) and the Aliwe Caves - so we made the most of it
Pub food can be sketchy at times...its really a crap shoot but if you stick with the fish and chips or irish stew, its a pretty safe bet anywhere
We were at cregg castle for a couple of nights and that was a story unto it self...good the first night but they were entertaining friends the 2nd night and were up until 4 in the AM and the hosts were none to cordial the following day...i was less than enthuiastic w/ cregg for that reason...might have been an isolated incident but at 200 euro a night- i expected more

stayed at heatons guesthouse in Dingle and Cameron & Nuela were very cordial and professional, but despited being insanely clean ...it kind of lacked character...kind of sterile..but if u like clean thats your place

Killarney is a kick a-- town- perfect for tourists with kids- we took the jaunty cabs to gap of dunloe and to muckross - prices vary tremendously on these rides - make sure and ask BEFORE you take it
music was not that amazing except a solo guy in dingle - but we couldn't stay because you have to have kids out of the pubs by 9pm
OFF SEASON ROCKS! we ran into many shop owners and restaurant & pub owners that were from the states, which was kind of neat
We saw FUNGIE in dingle- it was a horrible beginning weather wise and i was quite frankly kind of nervous...but next thing you know the sun comes out and then the rainbows (we saw rainbows almost everyday)
went to shannon our last night and did the midevil banquet at buratty castle - highly reccomend it..with kids it was a wicked fun time-and when the "maidens" break into "Oh Danny Boy" during their show it was a absoulutly perfect way to end our trip- my wife was sobbing- Ireland is w/out a doubt my favorite trip ever and if you are a first timer like myself...prepare to fall in love with the emerald isle..it is virtually unavoidable
Lastly reading this site and one other site made all the difference in our trip-people that have been ther are sooooo jazzed about it that they can't help themselves when it comes to what to do OR what to watch out for- better by far to at least plan where you are going to stay and what you might be doing - there is always a huge amount that will be left to chance BUT if you have the accomadations and routing out of the way- it will make life infinately easier
if you want more - my email is mark.huntley@raymondjames.com

garyvol
Unregistered User
(12/3/03 1:44 pm)

trip report

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some scratches, no dents, 1 error (missing Ross Castle). You did very well.
Thanks for sharing the trip with us.

Welcome to the Queen Michele's family of Irelander's (if there is such a word).

gary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1963
(12/4/03 1:08 am)

Great Details!

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Hi Mark,

Thanks for filling in the blanks. It sounds like you all enjoyed the trip greatly. When is your next one planned? Another safe bet at any pub is a "toasted special" -- a toasted sandwich with ham, cheese, tomato and onions. How wonderful that you saw rainbows and Fungi on the same day. It sounds magical. But then that's Dingle for you! Everyone here on my forum was delighted to point you in the right direction. We are happy that all went well and you enjoyed your trip.

Michele

ladyofshiloh
Unregistered User
(12/5/03 3:30 pm)

IRELAND TRIP

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Hi there Mark. You said your trip was almost 2 weeks...how long was it exactly? The reason that I am asking is cause my husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland next May 2004. We are doing the B&B vacation with a rental vehicle also. I am still planning my itinerary and was wondering what your itinerary was and did you stay at different places each night? I'm not sure how to plan our accomodations. One of the places that I was planning to stay is Cregg Castle...doesn't sound like you enjoyed yourself there?? Can you elaborate on your itinerary and where you stayed?? Much appreciated Mark. And Thank you....

MBarnes
Unregistered User
(12/5/03 4:05 pm)

Thanks for the info

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Mark thanks so much for your trip summary. Sounds like great fun. This will be our 1st trip also. How did the kids do in the car?? I think that is my biggest concern. How long of a drive was it from Galway to Dingle? Our trip is still 5 mnths away but I have to say the people on this site have given me such great advice I feel really confident about traveling abroad. 1st time for that too. Thanks again for your feed back. You hit on some of the stops we are planning on making. Ailwee Caves and the Aquarium in Dingle. Glad to know the kids enjoyed it.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1966
(12/5/03 5:09 pm)

Re: Thanksgiving in Ireland

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Hi ladyofshiloh,

I suggest that for tips from many different people on a trip to Ireland you take a look at the mulitple pages right here. You will find many trip reports that may help you. Also, if you go to the "Planning" section of my forum you can get extensive help. You might find my book of great benefit for finding lovely places to stay: www.IrelandYes.com/book.html

Michele

Mark Huntley
Unregistered User
(12/8/03 12:27 pm)

More Thanksgiving trip ditties

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Cregg castle was really not bad - our timing was not so good...the hosts were fine, just hungover.
My kids LOVE animals, so it was great in that respect.
And we met some real wonderful people there and got tanked in the great room with them the 2nd nite- and it does have it's own charm- but i will tell you that there are a TON of choices to consider when you're doing this-(guesthouses-hostels-b&b's-hotels-rentable trailer parks on the beach-castles) it was also not NEAR as cold as we anticipated for late Nov altho i hear dec-jan&feb can get nippy
The mountain peaks surrounding Kilarney are snow capped and that just adds to the amazing beauty

Everyone's trip is going to be different- so many variables that you have little control over-i planned by doing exactly what you are doing- buy Michelle's book- i didn't, but wish i had- i bot the Eyewitness travel instead- and that was kind of a waste- wayyy tooo general, and not enuf "personal touches"

KIDS IN CAR - not bad...my son had game boy and daughter was occupied by playing "car games" that we do as a family and playing with her BRATZ dolls- and if there was a castle-rainbow-scenery etc...we would just yell at them- they would look.. and on we went.

Galway to Dingle is a hike like 5 hrs or so - but there are a LOT of really great stops...just depends on how long you want to take and you should really take the ferry- it saves 2/12 hrs. www.theaa.com/travelwatch...r_main.jsp
This is a good route planner -
Feel free to email me with any additional ques. - some of the best advice i had were from private emails from posters that sent info direct to me- because of the he said she said responses -good luck to all- Ireland is magic, if you've been there you'll know, if not, get ready to be blown away
mark.huntley@raymondjames.com

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 320
(12/8/03 12:57 pm)

Re: Thanksgiving in Ireland

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I stayed at Cregg Castle on Thanksgiving night and the night after. We had a great time and sat in and played some tunes with the Brodericks. It's a neat old building and the hosts were quite nice when we were there.

Travel planning is a very personal thing and I think Michele's book is at the top of the list for advice. I have a pretty good collection of books and each has it's own value. The ones with pictures are good for getting a general idea, but Michele's is good to take with you on the trip.

We had very hard rain the day after Thanksgiving and it lasted all day. We spent the day in Galway and developed a better appreciation for it.

Yes traveling in the off season is nice, the major flaw being the shortness of daylight. That of course makes for more time in the pubs, but the daylight in the evening is nice for an evening drive in May. You'll like May.

Bill