Andrew
Unregistered User
(1/24/04 8:40 pm)

February Visit

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Michele - I'm joining my wife on her business trip to Ireland in mid-February. We'll spend the first two days (Saturday and Sunday) in Dublin. What are the "must sees" in this city? The next five days we'll be staying in Carrickmacross. While my wife attends to business, I'd like to take some short day trips in the area. Any suggestions? We'll have two days together at the end of the week. Where do you recommend we go before we leave from Dublin on Monday? One last request. How do you think we should dress for Ireland in February? Thank you for any advice you or your subscribers can offer.

Andrew

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2075
(1/25/04 12:41 am)
 
Re: February Visit

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Hi Andrew,

So much depends on what you like and are interested in. Do you like museums and cathedrals or Guinness and pubs? Do you like hiking or golfing or would you rather go shopping? You get the picture. The more info you can give the better an answer can be.

Will you have a car in Carrickmacross while your wife is at her business meetings? If not, it will limit you to public transportation.

Dress in layers in February. Definitely be prepared for rain and take a windbreaker with a hood that is large enough to fit over sweaters and the other layers you might have on. You can take a look at both my "Weather" page and "Packing" page for more info.

What sort of experience are you looking for in your last two days in Ireland? City, country or a little of both? What about Northern Ireland?

Get back to me with more info and I will be happy to help you. Meanwhile, you might want to look at these web sites for more sightseeing options:

www.visit.ie/dublin/top_at/index.html
www.carrickmacross.ie/

Michele

Andrew
Unregistered User
(1/25/04 12:22 pm)

February Visit

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Michele - Thanks for your quick reply. I'd be interested in museums, cathedrals, biking, and gardens. I'll have a rental car while in Ireland. For the last two days, we were thinking about traveling to Galway or the Aran Islands. Are these too far away to enjoy and reasonably expect to make it back to Dublin for our flight? Thank you for the clothing information and the helpful web links.

Andrew

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2076
(1/26/04 1:07 am)

Re: February Visit

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Hi Andrew,

Because of the time of year you are traveling you will have to check on the opening times of all attractions. Many times even though they are supposed to be open if there are not many tourists around the operators will close them. Also, gardens will not be at their best in February.

Dublin:

Hop on/hop off bus tour
Trinity College & Book of Kells
National Museum of Ireland
The National Gallery
Kilmainham Gaol
Aras an Uachtarain - The Presidents House (Saturday only)
Farmleigh House & Estate
Phoenix Park
Christ Church Cathedral
St. Michan's Church
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin Castle
Dublin City Hall

Carrickmacross & Area:

Dun an Ri Forest Park
Monaghan County Museum
Drumlane Monastic Site & Round Tower (Co. Cavan)
The Cathedral in Monaghan

Co Meath:

Bru na Boinne and Newgrange
Hill of Tara
Monasterboice Monastery & High Cross
Trim Castle (probably not open but you can see the outside)

As for Galway, it is a four hour drive there and four hours back. Since you need an entire day for the Aran Islands it really is not doable. You would spend most of your time on the road. You could spend two days in Northern Ireland. The Enniskillen area is lovely and not too far from Carrickmacross.

Michele

andrew
Unregistered User
(1/26/04 7:47 pm)

February Visit

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Thanks for the information. I appreciate you taking the time to give me some ideas. I will let you know how the trip comes out.

Andrew

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2083
(1/27/04 1:51 am)

Re: February Visit

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Hi Andrew,

I'm delighted to have been able to share some ideas and tips with you. Also, be sure to ask locally about sightseeing, especially when you are in Carrickmacross. Did you know the town is famous for lace-making? I hope you get some good weather. We will look forward to hearing from you when you return.

Enjoy your trip!

Michele