hondasport
Unregistered User
(2/22/04 10:56 am)

2 more weeks!!!

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Well its 2 more weeks from today for my first trip to Ireland. I've finally straightened out where I'll be staying for the week, so I figured I'd post where and if anyone has input of what must sees are around those areas, that would be great. I have a rental car for the first 3 days so exploring may be a little easier then.

March 7, Sunday: Fly from Boston to Shannon, depart at 7:30 p.m.

March 8, Monday: Arrive at Shannon at 6:30 a.m. Pick up rental car at Hertz, exchange some money there, and drive toward Spanish Point where I'll be staying at Burke's Armada Hotel. I'm sure we'll be tired so is there anything local to do that afternoon or night?

March 9, Tuesday: Depart hotel, drive up coast to see Cliffs and the burren, slowly making our way to our next hotel in Oranmore, the Galway Bay Hotel. From what I was told, it is only a couple of miles outside the city, and that buses depart on the half hour toward the city. How late they run I am unsure of, but being unfamiliar with the roads, I'd rather not drive into the city. What should we do while in that area?

March 10, Wednesday: Still at Galway Bay, explore more around the area.

March 11, Thursday: Depart hotel, heads toward Dublin. Drop off rental car at Dublin airport, and take bus into city to our hotel at Grand Canal Hotel in Ballsbridge district.

March 12 & 13, Friday and Saturday: Stay in Dublin at same hotel and explore all the sights we can during the day, including some shopping or day trips, and save all the pubs for nighttime. I'm assuming taking buses from the hotel location should be easy enough, or taxis if we have to at night.

March 14, Sunday: Depart hotel, take bus toward Dublin airport, and take off at 9:45, lay over in Shannon for an hour or so, and be back in Boston at 2:30 that afternoon.

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated since this is my 1st time over. Thanks. Jim

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2169
(2/23/04 1:18 am)

Re: 2 more weeks!!!

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Hi Jim,

The anticipation must be building now that your trip is just two weeks away. I'm sure you will have lots to tell us when you return. I will put my comments below:

March 7, Sunday: Fly from Boston to Shannon, depart at 7:30 p.m. Michele's Answer:  Fine.

March 8, Monday: Arrive at Shannon at 6:30 a.m. Pick up rental car at Hertz, exchange some money there, and drive toward Spanish Point where I'll be staying at Burke's Armada Hotel. I'm sure we'll be tired so is there anything local to do that afternoon or night? Michele's Answer: Depending on how tired you are you could do Loop Head Drive. If the weather is nice it is a lovely drive. Ask locally at your hotel to see if anything is going on such as music in the pubs, etc.

March 9, Tuesday: Depart hotel, drive up coast to see Cliffs and the burren, slowly making our way to our next hotel in Oranmore, the Galway Bay Hotel. From what I was told, it is only a couple of miles outside the city, and that buses depart on the half hour toward the city. How late they run I am unsure of, but being unfamiliar with the roads, I'd rather not drive into the city. What should we do while in that area? Michele's Answer: Fine. The Galway Bay Hotel is in Salthill not Oranmore. Actually the drive into Galway is fine and there are parking garages and also parking at Eyre Square (a couple of hours time limit there). Good day to explore the city.

March 10, Wednesday: Still at Galway Bay, explore more around the area. Michele's Answer:  You could day trip to the Aran Islands or Connemara (not both).

March 11, Thursday: Depart hotel, heads toward Dublin. Drop off rental car at Dublin airport, and take bus into city to our hotel at Grand Canal Hotel in Ballsbridge district. Michele's Answer:   About a four hour drive to Dublin.

March 12 & 13, Friday and Saturday: Stay in Dublin at same hotel and explore all the sights we can during the day, including some shopping or day trips, and save all the pubs for nighttime. I'm assuming taking buses from the hotel location should be easy enough, or taxis if we have to at night. Michele's Answer:  Good plan. Take the hop-on hop-off bus for a tour as well as transportation.

March 14, Sunday: Depart hotel, take bus toward Dublin airport, and take off at 9:45, lay over in Shannon for an hour or so, and be back in Boston at 2:30 that afternoon. Michele's Answer: Give yourself time for the journey to the airport and for the 2 hour international check-in.

This trip will give you a little taste of Ireland. Hopefully in the future you can return to see more. If you have read the various comments on my forum you will know that there is so much more to see in Ireland. Let us know how your trip goes. And most of all enjoy the journey.

Michele

hondasport
Unregistered User
(2/23/04 7:31 pm)

Thanks

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I just wanted to thank you once again for all your helpful info. I can't wait to go and I will be sure to post how everything went when I get back. Thanks.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2178
(2/24/04 4:09 pm)

Re: Thanks

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Hi Jim,

I'm delighted to have been of some help. Have a great time in Ireland. We will look forward to your trip report upon your return. Hope the weather cooperates!

Michele

Allison
Unregistered User
(2/24/04 7:39 pm)

Parking in Galway

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Hi Jim,

We stayed in Salthill last spring. I would recommend driving into Galway during the day, but taking the bus at night, especially if you think you might have a pint or two! There is good parking in Galway, as Michele noted. There is a great gargage just by Jury's, and another one at Roches' Dept Store. The buses seem to run loops every 15 minutes or so. Your hotel will be able to help.

I'm jealous!

Allison

hondasport
Unregistered User
(2/25/04 9:44 am)

Re: parking in Galway

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Thnaks for the tips. If bus service is available at night and to my hotel, then that is definitely the way I want to go so that I may unwind a little bit more at the pubs and not worry about driving. I guess I'll ask the hotel when I get there what the scoop is. Thanks.