jen
Unregistered User
(12/5/03 9:17 am)

Where to stay near Shannon

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We are flying into Shannon at 6am, kids are 7 & 9, so we want an easy first day. What would you suggest for first day/night fairly close to the airport (within 2 hours). (Also B&B and/or farmhouse accommodations)
The next day we are heading near Galway (Cregg Castle), so that is general direction.
Thanks!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1965
(12/5/03 4:59 pm)

Bunratty

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Hi Jen,

Six am is a pretty early arrival. If you feel the kids may need a nap at that time your best option might be to pre-book a B&B in the area for the night before your arrival and the day of your arrival. This will assure you of having a room that you can crash in when you arrive. If you don't feel this is necessary you probably shouldn't expect to get into a B&B room till afternoon since rooms have to be vacated and cleaned before new guests can check in.

In Bunratty I would recommend Headley Court. It is very nice and child-friendly. You might also enjoy having my book Best Little Guide to Ireland to help with your trip. You can read more about it and see if it fits your needs: www.irelandyes.com/book.html

Michele



wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 316
(12/5/03 6:10 pm)

Re: Where to stay near Shannon

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Hi Jen:

There is a fair amount to do around the Bunratty area, so Bunratty may be as good a choice as any and you will be within 10 minutes of the airport. The folk park and the castle are certainly worth a look and would probably provide some interesting entertainment for the kids. You could make it to the Cliffs of Moher area also, but with kids after a long flight, why not just stay around Bunratty. Bunratty Lodge is a fine place to stay. I stayed at the Park House in Bunratty and it was very nice. It's quite a bit closer to the village. We didn't have breakfast because we had to leave at 6:00 AM, but she left some cereal and bread out for us.

You'll enjoy Cregg Castle. I was just there on Thanksgiving and Anne Marie and Pat are great. It is incredibly casual. They played for us and then we played some tunes with them. It was great fun sitting around the fire and listening to tunes. Cregg is a pretty easy drive from Bunratty. Her instructions have you taking N84, but from Bunratty, I would stay on N18 to N17. When you arrive in Claregalway, turn right through the town. You'll go through the town and see a road that veers diagonally to the left off of N17. It is marked to Headford (there is a bar and lounge across the street for the turn off). Follow that road and stay on it following the signs to Corandulla (sp?). Cregg Castle is well marked on the left.

Have a great trip!!

Bill

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 63
(12/8/03 1:42 pm)

near airport

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the only thing i would say about going to Bunratty that early is that NOTHING is open exept the hotel dining room and we were starving....the breakfast was aweful and 13 euros each. Many of the B&Bs i guess won't check you in until later in the day. So, with that in mind, maybe it's better to drive a little further when you get there and maybe do Bunratty before you leave. I enjoyed Bunratty but if you go there first (that early) - bring something to eat

jen
Unregistered User
(12/8/03 2:16 pm)

near airport

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Thanks for the good advice--one queston: will anything be open that early in the morning?? I was thinking about driving around the first morning if we have the energy and maybe seeing the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren. Maybe just going to Cregg Castle later in the day and making it our first couple of nights lodging.
Does this sound doable to anyone?
Thanks

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1971
(12/8/03 11:25 pm)
 
Early Morning

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Hi Jen,

Nothing is open that early but the scenery! The Irish are not early risers. If your flight doesn't serve breakfast (some don't) be sure to bring along snacks with you on the plane.

You could certainly see the cliffs and Burren on your way to Cregg Castle. The drive from Shannon to the cliffs is about 1 1/2 hours. Then another 1 to 1 1/2 hours to the Galway area. I suppose if the kids are tired they can always sleep in the back of the car.
Of course if the weather is dreadful you will probably skip the cliffs.

Michele