Unregistered User
(1/2/04 5:09 pm)
 
1st time in Ireland....need help!!!

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Hello,
I have been going crazy the past few weeks trying to figure out where to go in Ireland This March. I am planning on going March 7-14, but am unsure if I should just stay in Dublin and take the bus everywhere or should I split it up so I can see more of the western part of the country by renting a car and only staying a few nights in Dublin. Is there enough to do with just staying in Dublin that I wouldn't get bored or would driving take up to much time since I would only be there for a week. I'm debating on using expedia.com to book my plane trip and hotel room at the Grand Canal Hotel (any experience with this hotel?) or using celtictours.com and using the vouchers to stay in different areas while I drive. Both ways are about the same price and I only have 2 months before I plan on going so I need to reserve quick. Please help!!!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2010
(1/3/04 12:21 am)

Re: 1st time in Ireland....need help!!!

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Hi hondasportnh,

Actually either way would work for you. Dublin -- as well as day trips from the city -- would certainly keep you busy for an entire week. It just depends on whether you are a "city person". Dublin is a busy place with lots of people, traffic and construction.

There are always pros and cons whatever you decide. Dublin is Ireland's most expensive city so lodging, food, etc. will cost more than branching out to the countryside. There are many day tours you can get to places like Newgrange, Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt and Glendalough. The tourist office in Dublin can advise you on the various tours available to you.

If you do get B&B vouchers you should know that unless they include an upgrade to a hotel or guesthouse in Dublin you will be in trouble trying to find a B&B that takes vouchers in the city. Most don't.

Since you only have seven days, if you do decide on a fly/drive tour I would suggest sticking closer to the east coast since your arrival and departure city is Dublin. There is plenty to do in places like County Wicklow, Wexford and Kilkenny. The plus with driving yourself is that you can go where you please, when you please. You are not restricted to the pace of day tours from Dublin.

The McEniff Grand Canal Hotel is a new hotel that opens in February 2004 so I have not inspected it.

I guess what it all boils down to is whether you would enjoy spending a week in a busy city atmosphere or prefer to experience a little bit of city life along with some more rural pursuits.

Michele

hondasportnh
Registered User
Posts: 1
(1/3/04 9:23 am)

Thanks so much

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Michele,
Thanks for all the helpful info although I am still unsure of what to do so I'm going to bug you with a few more questions. If I fly/self drive, I would want to fly into Shannon, stay around Galoway for 2 days, head south for a day or two, and then head to Dublin for the remaining couple of days. The only problem I see if that I might be rushed everyday and I don't want that. Also, being my first time over there, how hard is it to navigate through the roads between the west and east coast. Now if I go to Dublin, is Grand canal st. close enough to the city that I can use all the benefits of the public transportation over there? And will the buses take me to all the attractions that I would want to see? Thanks for the help again.

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 327
(1/3/04 9:26 am)

Re: 1st time in Ireland....need help!!!

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If you haven't yet booked your flights and you want to see the west coast, you could fly into Shannon or in to Dublin and out of Shannon or vice versa. That usually won't cost you any mmore money. I'm not sure where you are coming from. If you are flying out of NY, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore or LA, you might get a better deal by going to the Aer Lingus site (www.aerlingus.ie). There are usually deals for that time of year, though the prices will probably go up the next week because of St. Patrick's Day. You can check a few of the sites for good prices (expedia, travelocity, orbitz etc).

My choice would not be to go with a company that provides air, room and car. It's usually more expensive though sometimes you can get a deal. But the freedom of not having to use vouchers is a huge plus. They can make it sound like a good deal but you have to remember that the prices are per person which means you are paying per person to rent the car.

Michele has some great suggestions for places to stay and the Town and Country web site (www.townandcountry.ie)is another choice. Most of the places aren't rated in there, but the choices are enormous. I've only had one bad pick and a couple so-so picks in 5 trips. Get Michele's book though. It's not a picture book, (which are nice for initial planning), but an information book which is good to carry with you on the trip. This is the one I travel with.

You don't need to book a hotel for any place other than Dublin. Use B&Bs the rest of the way. Gotta run. Have FUN!!!

Bill

hondasportnh
Registered User
Posts: 2
(1/3/04 9:39 am)

Thanks

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Thanks for your help also. I forgot to mention that I would be flying out of Boston using Aer Lingus, into either Shannon or Dublin, then flying home from the opposite if I chose to drive. Problem is I'm debating on whether or not I really want to do all that driving, or stay in Dublin the whole week and just use buses to get everywhere.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2011
(1/3/04 10:28 pm)

Answers

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Hi hondasportnh,

Driving in Ireland is on the left and can be a challenge when first starting out. Most people get accustomed to it quickly. Ireland's roads are generally small and winding with few expressways. It takes time to get anywhere in Ireland. Navigating around Ireland really isn't that bad as long as you familiarize yourself with your route (and towns along the way) before setting off. But it sounds as if you are leaning toward staying in Dublin and that is perfectly okay now that you know what the city is like.

The hotel you mentioned is in Ballsbridge a suburb of Dublin that is convenient (via bus) to the city center where most of what you want to see is. So the location is fine. The various places I mentioned previously as day trips from Dublin can be seen via different tour companies. You won't be able to do things like the southwest or Galway as a day trip from Dublin unless you use Railtours and these trips would take lots of time traveling back and forth and you would definitely feel rushed with them.

So my advice is that if you decide on Dublin for the week do the tours I originally outlined, see the city and get oriented for another trip to Ireland when you have more time and are ready to drive and see the countryside.

Let us know how it goes when you return. We would love to hear about your trip and how you liked the hotel.

Michele

hondasportnh
Registered User
Posts: 3
(1/4/04 6:09 pm)

Revised plan

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OK, after much discussion with my girlfriend, we have narrowed down what we want to do. Since she really wants to see the Cliffs of Moher, I figured that we could fly into SHannon on Monday March 8, at about 7 am, pick up a rental car, get a room at a hotel in the Doolin/Ennis area, and see the cliffs whether it was that day or the nest morning. Then on Tuesday, head to Galway for a night or 2. I plan on spending Thursday night thru Sat night in Dublin at the Grand Canal Hotel, and depart the next morning from the Dublin Airport. My question is this, will I see enough in Galway for 2 nights, or is there somewhere I should go halfway in between Galway and Dublin that would be of some interest for a night. I like nightlife and when things are happening so that would be helpful. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2014
(1/4/04 11:26 pm)
 
Re: Revised plan

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Hi hondasportnh,

I'm glad you have come to a decision with the input from your girlfriend. It sounds like a good plan. Definitely spend two nights in Galway. There is plenty to do and good nightlife. Then drive directly to Dublin for the remainder of your trip. The drive should take around four hours or so. You could stop partway and visit Clonmacnoise monastic site south of Athlone. That would break up the journey. In Dublin you will not need your car.

Michele

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 69
(1/5/04 11:02 am)
 
doolin

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Seaview in Doolin is a great B&B - very clean, new and with a beautiful view. The food was good, the host/hostess very pleasant and you walk right down into the row of buildings that is the town (a 1 minute walk)
www.ireland-doolin.com/

hondasportnh
Registered User
Posts: 4
(1/5/04 6:30 pm)
 
All booked

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Well I finally did it... Booked my flight into Shannon, returning home from Dublin. 1st three night are open voucher hotel stays with a car rental, which I will stay in or around Doolin the 1st night, and Galway the 2nd and 3rd nights. For the last 3 nights I will stay in Dublin after dropping the rental off at the Dublin airport and taking a bus into the city so I don't have to worry about driving. Now that it is all booked I can finally get excited.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2018
(1/6/04 12:31 am)
 
Re: All booked

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Hi hondasportnh,

Congratulations on getting your bookings made. Now that the pressure is off you can start looking forward to your trip. I hope you enjoy every minute of it. Please let us know how you like it when you return.

Michele