Holy Week in Ireland

xaviermatt · Member

Holy Week in Ireland

Michele Erdvig · Host

Matt,

Welcome to my forum. You are correct that Good Friday is a holiday in Ireland accompanied by many closings, including pubs and most restaurants. Since Galway is a larger city you are probably okay there. I would suggest staying at a hotel as opposed to a B&B simply because a hotel will have a bar and restaurant. So even though most other things are closed the hotels will cater to their guests with food and drink. One good thing is that the scenery in Ireland never closes. A scenic drive on GF would be a good idea. Where are you coming from the night before?

Michele

xaviermatt · Member

Hi Michele

Thanks! I stumbled upon this site last night and it's great how much information is here for our trip! We booked a package that gives us 3 B&B vouchers that we will use Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Good Friday) nights. We do not have a definite plan yet. We leave Dublin on Wednesday and we need to be in Mayo (Ashford Hotel) on Saturday. We have a car and had thought to visit Cork, Dingle, Conemarra, and Galway.

It's good to hear Galway won't be a ghost town like we were afraid of. It makes most sense to be in Galway the night before Mayo I think.

Thanks so much for your expertise!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Matt,

That is a lot of territory to cover in 3 days. Galway is a popular place and it would be a good idea to have reservations there because of the holiday weekend.

Michele

bikerchic · Newbie

Glad someone else asked! This was my question as well. We are going to be in Ireland for most of 2 weeks with Easter weekend being in the middle. There will be 7 of us (family) for the 1st week until Easter. So if everything is closed on Good Friday what about Saturday inbetween GF and Easter Sunday?
We have made some reservations already, and were planning to stay in Kilkenny Thus and Fri night (good friday) as we have motorcycles reserved for April 21-23 to tour on. I guess it will be just scenery and no castles and ruins then on Friday.
I have inquiries in to 2 B&Bs in Kilkenny for those nights, and one has replied and available and are close to city center.
But now I am wondering if we should try to do Galway those dates as scenic riding seems abundunt on the west coast.
Unfortunately since part of the group is leaving on Easter Sunday morning, and we can't leave Dublin until Thursday, we can't really adjust these dates.
Any suggestions?

Michele Erdvig · Host

bikerchic,

Welcome to my forum. Not everything will be closed. It will be selective. For instance one GF I found that the Foynes Flying Boat Museum was open in the area I was staying. You will have to make inquiries to whatever venue you are interested in seeing to determine if it will be open. Sat & Sun should be fine, but Sundays almost always have limited opening hours.

There are scenic things to see and do around Kilkenny so don't change your plans. But do make firm reservations for that long weekend.

Michele

bikerchic · Newbie

Michele -
Thank you!!!! That helps. We wll make some inquiries about what is open on Friday.
Rebecca (aka Bikerchic)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Rebecca,

This link might help with opening times for many different places: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/

Michele

xaviermatt · Member

Hi Michelle,

It's been a little while since I posted, but I thought you might have some advice for my situation. My girlfriend and I are thinking of hiring bikes to have in Galway to ride into town and back from our B&B. Do you know anything about riding bikes around Galway? Is it safe or is traffic crazy? Would it be safe at night? Thanks for any help you can offer!

xaviermatt · Member

Sorry for adding an "L" to your name Michele!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Matt,

The traffic in Galway is crazy. I wouldn't rent bikes there to do the city. Use eilther your rental car, public transportation or taxi.

Michele