KAYFrfx
Registered User
Posts: 1
(4/22/04 10:47 am)

Reservations needed??

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I sent a check for your book yesterday, but have many
immediate concerns planning our first trip to Ireland.
Tentative itinerary. Looking for good B&B suggestions.
Do we need reservations ahead? Would love to maintain
flexibility, but am also a little particular about
accommodations.
Tuesday,June 15th-Arrive Shannon-7:45AM-Clare coast
June 16th- Salthill, Galway
17th - Westport, Mayo
18th-22nd- Ballybofey, Donegal - family
history, touring & fishing
23rd-25th - Dublin - Newgrange, city &
Powerscourt Estate
June 26th - Waterford
27 & 28th - Killarney
June 29th - Tralee
30th - Shannon airport-Oakwood Arms?
July 1st - Depart Shannon - 3:10 PM

Thanks much for all suggestions. This board is
so amazing.
kay

garyvol
Unregistered User
(4/22/04 11:06 am)

let's plan

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Hi,
Soo, how many are going with you????

Yeah, we all here enjoy Queen Michele's forum.

-gary

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2444
(4/23/04 12:45 am)

Re: Reservations needed??

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Hi Kay,

Welcome to my forum. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Once my book arrives you will have B&B recommendations for most (but not all) of the places you mention below. June is the season. It is always possible to find lodgings in Ireland at any time of year but you said that you are particular about accommodations. Generally, the nicer places will book up first. If you want to be assured of your first choice it is a good idea to make reservations in advance once you have a firm itinerary. Besides, do you really want to spend time looking for accommodations when you could be having fun instead? I will comment below:

Tuesday,June 15th-Arrive Shannon-7:45AM-Clare coast. Michele's Answer:  * Fine.
June 16th- Salthill, Galway. Michele's Answer:  * Fine.

17th - Westport, Mayo. Michele's Answer:  * Fine. I assume you will do Connemara and end up in Westport?

18th-22nd- Ballybofey, Donegal - family history, touring & fishing. Michele's Answer:  * Sounds like fun!

23rd-25th - Dublin - Newgrange, city &
Powerscourt Estate. Michele's Answer:  * The drive from Ballybofey to the Newgrange area will take you around 4-5 hours without stops. Once you get to Newgrange you must get you names on a list to visit the tomb. Since tours are limited to the amount of people that can actually fit inside, you might have a wait. You might consider spending the night nearby just in case you don't get to tour Newgrange on the 23rd. You could then do it first thing in the morning. Or you could decide to skip it in favor of more time in Dublin. You could see Powerscourt on the day you drive to Waterford.

June 26th - Waterford. Michele's Answer:  * Are you going to the crystal factory? If so it is on the southside of the city. You might enjoy staying just south of Waterford in Tramore.

27 & 28th - Killarney. Michele's Answer:  * Fine.

June 29th - Tralee. Michele's Answer:  * Why Tralee? I would rather have three days in Killarney or two in Killarney and one in Dingle.

30th - Shannon airport-Oakwood Arms? Michele's Answer:  * The Oakwood Arms is a very nice hotel near the airport. But since you don't depart till 3:10pm, you could consider staying in Bunratty (10-15 minutes from the airport). There is more to do in Bunratty than Shannon town. You could even consider a castle banquet or the Irish Traditional Night Ceili for your last night. And Bunratty Castle and Folk Park are very interesting sites.

Michele

P.S. You always need reservations in Dublin. Make them ASAP!