Late May 2011 trip - I'm bringing a newbie to Ireland! West and northwest.

Green Dragon · Guru

RE: Late May 2011 trip - I'm bringing a newbie to Ireland! West and northwest.

murphy · Guru

We have gotten past the idea of checking luggage (outbound) a long time ago. The last time our luggage was lost was when we went to my Wife's Brother's funeral. Our checked bags with our dress clothes arrived 1 hour before the funeral furious

They have never lost our luggage since....they didn't get the opportunity biggrin

When going to Ireland, we usually check our luggage on the way home....I don't much care how late my dirty clothes arrive home smile

We both have a 22inch roller bag, and then take the maximum size personal carry-on(about the size of a laptop bag) that will still fit under the seat in front of you. (on most airlines...anyway). We still take sox, underwear, and 1 set of clean clothes in our smaller personal carry-on....cause you never know when the overhead bins might be full, and they then end up taking your roller bag off to stow unneath. If this happens on the first leg of the trip....it could still end up somewhere else. So far we have been lucky getting our roller bags in the overhead bins. Since many airlines load from the rear first (after 1st/business class), I try to select seats in the back 1/3 of the plane so when loading 1st, there is still lots of overhead bin room.

Some of the airlines have downsized their carry on dimensions....Many were over 50"....Alaska still is. However, Delta now is maximum 45 linear inches (length plus width plus height) and our 22" roller bags just barely fit the Delta and United sizer box when we went thru PDX and PHX a couple of weeks ago. I see that many travelers are advocating the use of 21" roller bags now. We are going to try to get by with our 22 inchers one more time!

Having a self cater for 1 week smack in the middle of a 2 week trip with the use of a washer and dryer there, has taken some of the pressure off the packing. My wife is even taking a couple of pair of blue jeans this time. We will take 3 changes of clothes, and that will get us thru the first 4 days. Then the next 7 will be at the self cater, and we can do laundry right before leaving to get us thru the final 3 days.

I also hate to wait at the luggage carousel. I have been accused of being a control freak....and I just feel more in control when I have my luggage with me!

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dan,

There is nothing worse than arriving somewhere with no luggage! I've been through that a couple of times. I always take at least a change of underwear in my carry on. Along with assorted other stuff that will get me thorough most of the trip. In the checked luggage I mix some of my clothes into my husband's suitcase and vice versa. If one gets lost we still have some clothes for both of us. If both get lost...we are going shopping.

Michele

Roy · Guru

And always carry a rain jacket in addition to fleece in the carry on!

Green Dragon · Guru

When we went to Scotland (there were 6 of us), three of us had delayed luggage. My dad got his the next day (good thing, cuz he was silly enough to have packed his meds in it), Kim got hers day 3, and I only got mine day 5 after about 4 phone calls a day, and finally finding someone willing to get out of their computer chair and go physically LOOK for the bag sitting in the warehouse, complete with my name and contact information right on it.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Christie --

SuperMac locations -- SOME of which have WI-FI

http://www.supermacs.ie/supermacs.html

Bob

Green Dragon · Guru

Thanks, Bob :) I don't anticipate a problem finding WiFi, since I've made sure most of our B&Bs have WiFi.

Green Dragon · Guru

I'm off in 3 days, I'm very excited! We leave early Thursday morning from Pittsburgh, and will be in Belfast Friday morning. I'll wave as we pass over you all!!! I probably won't be online much while there, but I'll be sure to have pics and trip report after my return...

susan · Senior Member

Have A great time Christy!

Looking forward to your trip report,they are always amazing!

Please let us know how bad the fires have damaged the Ardara area.I want to book there for our fall trip,I hope the area wasn't hurt too bad.

Susan

Green Dragon · Guru

Yes, I was watching that situation unfold. From what I hear, no one was badly hurt, and I thank the rain for that.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Susan,

The area was badly hit by the fires but Ardara town is whole, hail and hearty. The region would greatly appreciate tourist business. Between losing their two main employers and the fires, they are feeling the economic woes a bit more heavily than the rest. They are now involved ina clean-up of the area. As the whole community pulls together, they wil have it spiffed in no time up there.

They went ahead with their Cup of Tae festival, as planned. From what I have heard, it was mad craic!

Christie,

One more day without rain and it would have been much worse.

Green Dragon · Guru

Well, I plan on spending some good money there :) I'm glad they did their festival!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Have one at Nancy's for me, would ya? Stop in to Gallagher's Bakery, as well. It just came back into family hands. I wish I was able to get up that way. I will get there next year though!

Will ya be there on the 14th or later in your trip? They are having a Celebration dance on the 14th to honor everyone who helped out during the fires. If you've not done so alrady, you can find Ardara Town on FB

Green Dragon · Guru

I shall! Definitely... I will be in Ardara on the 16, 17 and 18th :(

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Have a great trip, Christie! I'm really wishing I could have planned our trip for May instead of June...I'm getting sooooo antsy. smile But, with school, I just couldn't be gone in May. Haven't been in Ireland in June, July, or August yet, so it'll be something new. LOL

Look forward to hearing about your travels here (and on Twitter?).

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Christy -- Have a Grand and glorious trip! We'll be along, in June -- Leave a light on for us ... biggrin biggrin

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Bon voyage! Have a fantastic time. Hope everything goes exactly the way you've planned with a few "fairy-led" moments along the way. We will be anticipating a great trip report. Enjoy and safe journey.

Michele

msteinberger47 · Newbie

When you are in Dingle I would recommend eating at The Old Pier Restaurant which is in Ballydavid overlooking the Atlantic with views of the Blasket Islands. If you have not already booked your accommodation there are plenty Dingle hotels and B&Bs to be found on the Stay in Kerry Website.

When you are in the Burren in Clare try Cassidy's of Carron for your food and if you like seafood Moran's of The Weir, Kilcolgan is famous for its oysters. Galway Hotels and B&Bs can be booked at stayingalway.info if you have not already done so.

Have a good trip and remember the weather - you never know what's coming!

Green Dragon · Guru

We are here safe and sound without major mishap. Flight and car rental went smoothly and the Riverside B&B is lively! Great hosts, great food and lovely, tasteful decor. Trad sessions across the street at Joe's. We have had wet weather with bouts of sunshine so far, but that hasn't stopped us from seeing what we wanted. Yesterday was a long hike around the waterfalls in Glenariff Forest and the day before was Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Giants Causeway and Torr Scenic road. Love this coast! Oh, and Dunluce Castle, too. Off to Donegal today!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Glad to hear you are enjoying Ireland despite the weather. Thanks for the mini-review of Riverside. Hope the weather improves.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

The weather was better today - overcast with brief drizzles and briefer spots of sunshine. One of which appeared as we stood atop Grianan Aeleach. Retinal mountain was a bust, much too boggy for my piece of mind. We love the second B&B as well. Bauxite in Ardara is gracious, huge rooms, lovely hostess.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Do you have a link for that Ardara B&B? I googled it but couldn't find it.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

http://www.bayviewcountryhouse.com/ is the link. Yesterday was the very best of Ireland. Sun at the top of Slieve League and new friends at Nancy's. I met almost the whole family. And the youngest son, Alan, bought a pair of my earrings for his mum!

stewh · Guru

Nancy's is one of my favorite pubs anywhere. The boys play great music and the Craic is of the finest kind. We've never had fresher or better oysters anywhere. We were lucky enough to spend a week self-catering at the Bridge Bar directly across the street from Nancy's. Sounds like you're having a great trip.

Stewart

-- Edited by stewh on Friday 20th of May 2011 08:30:09 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks Christy. I was googling Bauxite. No wonder I couldn't find it!!

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I'm enjoying the evening at Joe Watty's now :)

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mo Chara,

I hope it was an evening filled with grand craic at Watty's! Where did you stay on the island?

Green Dragon · Guru

At Man of Aran, of course! Joe said you had to change your plans this year? Watty's was great! Grand craic and ceol too! I'm in Ballyvaughan now, enjoying a lovely view from our B&B room window over the bay.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mo Chara,

I hope you gave them my regards. Regretfully, I am not going to be able to see them this year. Our trip for two has morphed into a family tour focused on two areas, Cork & Clare. There is a possibility of a day trip to Inis Mor. I am holding out hope.

I feel more like a tour guide than ever on this trip. Everybody keeps saying "We've not been to Ireland so we will follow your lead" That should be satisfying but it is a little scary at the same time, as I am having to guess at what will appeal to a large age range.

It sounds like you are having the time of your life! Did you make it up "early" whilst on Inis Mor and take the walk up to the seven churches?

Slan agus Barrogs,

Bit

Green Dragon · Guru

We biked there, actually!