Plans for May

Marie · Guru

Plans for May

CowboyCraic · Guru

Marie, mo chara,

Good to hear that you are going back! For Newgrange, you would probably be best to arrange to go on one of Mary Gibbons' tours. They are small groups. Going with a tour usually gives you a betetr chance of gaining entrance to the chambers.

Where abouts in Donegal are you headed?

Slan Beo,

Bit

Marie · Guru

Hi, Bit!

I will be going to Donegal Town and to Creevy, where my mother's family still lives. I have not seen the homeplace since I was 3. I am really looking forward to meeting my first cousin.

Any thoughts on where I might venture by bus or train from Dublin, other than Newgrange? I will definitely be taking the tour there.

Thanks,

Marie

tony2phones · Guru

Can I suggest that you take the Northern route to Donegal. You could head to Belfast hire a car there, drive the coast round and into Donegal from either Derry or over the Foyle ferry. by hiring and returning your car in Belfast you could make some savings on cost or you hire and return at Dublin Airport and use the M1.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

Agree with Bit about Mary Gibbons Tour of Newgrange. She did have a tour to Wicklow, Powerscourt & Glendalough on her website but it has disappeared. However, I think Dublin Bus does a similar tour. There are other various tours south to Wicklow that include other places like Russborough House, Avoca, etc. There are also tours to Malahide Castle, Howth and areas north of Dublin. You could hop a train to Kilkenny and do your own tour. Go to my Discounts page for Corey's Walking Tour of Kilkenny...or take an organized tour from the tourist office. Kilkenny is very walkable and you can see the whole town, abbeys, cathedral & round tower and castle in a day.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mo Chara,

If it is a tour to Wicklow you desire, I would suggest Wild Wicklow Tours. They are another small group business. They don't stop at Powerscourt, if memory serves. However, they do the Sally Gap, which was the filming location for Braveheart. They spend a good deal of time at Glendalough.

Another tour company that offers a great tour is Collins. They offer a full day tour that covers Glendalough, Kilkenny and the Black Abbey. They have larger buses though so it isn't quite a small group experience.

Marie · Guru

Thanks! Wonderful sugegstions...

Tony: I like the idea of driving to Donegal via Belfast, although I will definitely return the car in Belfast and NOT Dublin.

Michele and Bit: I will take one of those tours back to Glendalough. I LOVED it there and did not spend near enough time....

I have been to Powerscourt. I loved it, but I don't need to return this time. The walking tour of Kilkenny sounds great, too. We were there, but it was a bit of rush. As you know, Michele, I did not take your advice 4 years ago, and I drove like a madwoman over 1600 km. I won't make that mistake again. wink

You guys are the best.

Marie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Marie,

This tour has a 3 hour stop at Glendalough: http://irishcitytours.com/cswicklowtour.htm

You should try to do it on a weekday. Weekends at Glendalough are chock a block.

Take a look at Daytours Unplugged as they go to Trim Castle.

Michele