travelbug
Unregistered User
(6/9/05 9:11 am)
 
solo travel in May

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Better late than never! My solo trip, May 17-26, 2004, was excellent due to the information available through this forum. A big, belated thanks to Michele and all.

Most helpful sites I discovered on the forum:

AAroadwatch.com I printed out driving directions between each town. It may be fun to get lost sometimes, but being a woman driving alone I was happy to have reliable directions. A few times I did get a little lost, but easily worked it out. Tip: when getting directions to Newgrange, enter Newgrange Visitor's Center as your destination or you'll end up miles away on the wrong side of the river. (I worked it out...)

rentaphone-ireland.com Phone was waiting for me at my first guesthouse along with instructions, charger and return mail envelope. Cost for 10 days was 71.10 euro including 10 euro call credit loaded into phone. I packed up the return mail envelope and left it with my last guesthouse host. Traveling alone, it gve me peace of mind on the road and convenient connection with my husband/family. Rental logistics couldn't have been easier and I didn't even use up the original 10 euros.

Where I stayed:
(google any of these names and you will find info. I enjoyed a full breakfast with a variety of good choices each morning.)

Dublin - Glenveagh Townhouse. A 3 min walk from the AirCoach drop point. Dominick was a wonderful host. I'd be happy to stay here again. I walked everywhere, but busses go right by the townhouse. About 60 euro/night single.

Kilkenny - Fanad House. 8 min. walk into town. Very nice, clean, spacious rooms. 50 euro, single

Killarney - Friar's Glen. Lovely guesthouse! Lovely setting! Mary gave me hiking directions through the woods over to Muckross House. It might have been 5 miles round trip but I'm a runner and this is one of my best Ireland memories. The bluebells were in bloom, Torc Waterfall was gushing, sun setting over lake... Thanks, Mary. Only a superior room was available - 70 euro, single

Dingle - Cill Bhreac House. Pleasant, no complaints, great bay view. A short drive into Dingle where I parked in the huge harbor lot, free after 6pm. 42 euro, single. Two nights here.

Galway - Knockrea Guest House. Nice, but my single room was so tiny and the bathroom miniscule. I'd planned to stay 2 nights but changed to one. 45 euro, single. 6-8 min. walk to Galway pedestrian area (a happening place on Sat. night!)

Near Galway - Wensleydale Farmhouse. Stayed a night here while visiting relatives in the area. Located 13 miles out of Galway on the Tuam road (N17). Comfortable up-to-date en suite rooms. Nancy is a friendly hostess. Maybe 30 euro? - don't remember. Don't think it's on web, but email is wensleydale@eircom.net

Roundstone - Ivy Rock House. So nice! Photo on web doesn't do it justice. Very pleasant room. Just a few minutes drive into the small town. Beautiful water and mtn. views. 35 euro, single.

Bunratty - The Courtyard. Quite nice, very pleasant hacienda-like place. Easy 5 min. walk to Bunratty castle or Kathleen's Pub for a good lamb stew dinner on your last night in Ireland! 50 euro, single

I made my reservations before leaving home so I could putter along knowing where I'd land each night. Yes, I moved almost every day but this worked out just fine for me. After a good breakfast, I generally picnicked at lunch and sometimes dinner, too. With the long daylight hours, I had time to take many scenic walks/hikes, chat with people, or just sit and take in the view.

Rented my car from Dan Dooley. I took the AirCoach into Dublin and then back to the airport for car pick the next day. Drop-off at Shannon. No problems.

Couldn't have had a nicer first trip to ireland!! Book of Kells, Grafton St., picnic in St. Stephen's Green, Newgrange, Rock of Cashel, Killarney Nat'l Park, Agadhoe, Inch beach walk, horseback riding, Dingle Town and Dingle Peninsula drive (loved it, Rick Steve's directions are excellent), beautiful mountain drive from Dingle to Tarbert/Killimer ferry, Cliffs of Moher (sunny, warm and no wind at all!), Galway pedestrian zone, meeting my relatives (the best experience), Cong (so peaceful), Ashford Castle, the Connemara (wow!), the Burren. Wonderful seafood and breads and Guinness! Only a 20 min. rain shower the entire 10 days! Getting my foot stuck in a peat bog, priceless! Best of all, wonderful people from start to finish!

The info from Michele and her forum posters really, truly made my trip! Thank you!!
~Travelbug aka Gail

Michele Erdvig
Administrator
Posts: 3181
(6/10/05 12:19 am)

Re: solo travel in May

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Gail,

I'm delighted that my forum helped with your first trip to Ireland and hope that there are many more for you. Thanks for coming back to post your trip report. I can't believe the great weather you had. I was there in May and it was mostly rain. You chose the better dates!

We appreciate all your B&B reviews (so helpful for new ones here) and your comments about your itinerary. You stayed at a couple of my favorite B&Bs. Thanks again and feel free to add your comments and advice to any postings here -- now that you are a seasoned Ireland traveler!

Michele