TxDevil
Registered User
Posts: 1
(2/4/04 11:38 pm)

My upcoming trip

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Hello. My mother posted a post a while back (Scorpio044) and posted our itinerary. Which was:

March 12 - Dublin (pre-booked)
March 13 - Doolin (Churchfield B&B)
March 14 - Doolin (Churchfield B&B)
March 15 - Crumlin/Belfast (Keef Halla/Caldhame)
March 16 - Co. Louth
March 17 - Dublin/surrounding areas
March 18 - Depart back to US

Anyway, I have a few comments/questions. We have been researching (only for a short time, this was almost an impromptu decision for a trip) and I have seen some people say you don't really need reservations at a B&B (using vouchers). Is this so totally wrong?

We don't mind all the driving, because we are really not interested in alot of the 'touristy' things. Our family originates from Northern Ireland and we just kind of want to see the countryside. Also, for 3 days of our stay my mother has to endure medical procedures that her life depends on and she has to pay out of pocket for... so our budget doesn't allow for too much extra (aside from the necessary souvenirs and beers haha). The medical procedures are the main reason why we have not attempted to make reservations anywhere, as we are waiting on times and places of the procedures. My other question is, of the B&Bs I have written above... have you heard of them and/or have any feedback about them? Or have any suggestions of any that accept T&C Vouchers in the appropriate counties?

Whew! That was a long winded post, I hope it was easy to follow. Thanks for you time.

Shawn

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2112
(2/5/04 1:43 am)
 
Re: My upcoming trip

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Hi Shawn,

Sorry to hear that your mother's health is not the best. I assume that the medical procedures must take place in a hospital? If that is the case, perhaps you should wait till you have the appointments made before deciding on an intierary. The places where she will have her procedure will determine your itinerary. And small places like Doolin will probably not be able to do such things.

I do want to let you know that March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and reservations are a must if you will be in the Dublin area. Staying farther out from the city is probably necessary at this time.

Since you have vouchers, you should also have a list of the places that take them. Are they Town & Country vouchers? If so you can go to this web site: www.townandcountry.ie/ When you do a search for accommodations you can select the option that says "vouchers accepted" to see what is available.

Of the B&Bs you mentioned I have heard very favorable feedback about Keef Halla. Churchfield is not one that I would personally recommend.

Michele

TxDevil
Posts: 2
(2/5/04 8:20 am)

Reply

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Thank you for your response.

Yes my mother has to undergo kidney dialysis 3 times during our stay (March 12th, 15th and 17th). The ones on the 12th and 17th will be done in Dublin (Beaumont Hospital, still waiting on confirmation) and the one on the 15th will be done in Belfast.

We are looking at Ashmore in Swords for the night of the 17th, they accept T&C Vouchers. Is that a decent B&B in a decent part of town? It is close to Dublin International, that is all I know.

Also, we also were looking at 'Harbour View' in Doolin and 'Crosswinds'/'Sunville' in Lisdoonvarna. Reccomendations?

All your help is GREATLY appreciated. We have been finding so much out through your lovely message board. Thank you.

-Shawn

DarrenA
Registered User
Posts: 51
(2/5/04 7:01 pm)

:)

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Friends of mine stayed in the Keef Halla last year - they said it was excellent (particularly the breakfasts).

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2115
(2/8/04 1:06 am)

Re: My upcoming trip

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Hi Shawn,

I will get back to you tomorrow with a few recommendations. I don't have my books with me at the moment (it makes me feel handicapped!). Be patient.

Michele

TxDevil
Posts: 5
(2/8/04 1:15 am)

Reply

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Hello again.

We (Scorpio044(my mom)and myself) have *once again* revised our itinerary. We are no longer using the voucher system, as we figured we could actually make our own itinerary for cheaper than what the travel agent was trying for.

March 11th: Arrive @ Shannon and we need a good B&B in/near Galway for mom's dialysis
12-13th: Travelling North heading towards Belfast, so any B&Bs on the way or even the Northern tip would suffice
14th-15th: Staying in Belfast @ Keef Halla
16th: Heading south, with a hopeful stay in Downpatrick or nearby
17th: need to be back in Limerick/Shannon for mom's dialysis treatment
18th: fly home

Edited by: TxDevil at: 2/8/04 12:47 pm


Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2125
(2/9/04 12:04 am)

Info

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Hi Shawn,

Bunratty (Shannon area): Headley Court or Bunratty Lodge

You could possibly stop in Galway and/or Sligo on your way north. Galway: Marless House. Sligo: Carbury House.

Downpatrick is not all that far from Belfast so you could see it while staying near Belfast.

What time is the dialysis on the 17th? You will need to arrive in time so that may determine where you stay the night before.

It really is a lot of driving for only seven days. Perhaps you will have another opportunity to visit Ireland again in the future.

Michele

TxDevil
Posts: 6
(2/9/04 6:06 pm)

rply

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Oh, I am more than postive that once I visit for the first time I will want to make it a yearly affair.

We are still waiting on confirmation from the Dialysis centers for times. Do you think that staying in Crumlin (Keef Halla) would be too far off from Belfast? I don't know how close the towns are, all I have seen are on maps and that really does no justice I am sure.

We plan on sightseeing around the Cliffs of Moher on the day we land since we arrive in Shannon at 6:20am and no B&B will be accepting new guests that early, so we may actually *try* to make it to Galway (or the southern tip of it anyway) by late afternoon/early evening on the 11th, stay that night and also on the 12th. We had also talked about hopefully making it up to Sligo on the 13th then on the morning of the 14th travelling the rest of the way to Belfast (so your recommendation in Sligo was right on the mark).

My mom's major concern is the trip back to Shannon from Belfast on the 16th. Roughly, does anyone know the guesstimated time that might take and also the shortest route?! Since we really dont need to go to Downpatrick on the way back to Shannon, since you stated it is close enough for a day trip during our Belfast stay.

I entered in our trip(s) on theaa.com site and it said about 6 hours. But I figure add 1-2 more hours. Whew. The 16th sounds like our major driving day. It just all depends on the time Limerick gives us for mom's 17th dialysis treatment. If it's early AM, then we need to be back in Limerick on the 16th... but if not, we can possibly stay somewhere along the way.

I really really appreciate all of your help. My mother ordered your book for even more of your expertise. So, does most of this sound feasible? I hope so. But I am sure it will not be my last trip to the Emerald Isle, especially since my boyfriend has now expressed interest.

Thanks again,
Shawn

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2131
(2/9/04 11:43 pm)

Re: rply

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Hi Shawn,

I'm glad to hear that you are already contemplating another trip to Ireland even before your first! You will just have to become a regular here.

Keef Halla is near Belfast International Airport which is approximately 10 miles from Belfast.

From Belfast to Shannon you will be better off taking the main road to Dublin, the M50 around the city and the main N7 across the country. Drive time will probably be 6-7 hours. Plus you will want to stop for lunch. Add time for that.

The trip is feasible but lots of driving as I said before. Too much for me or many on the forum. But fortunately your mother can sit back and relax...or maybe help with the navigation.

Michele