I'm new to the forum and have many questions.

Michele Erdvig · Host

RE: I'm new to the forum and have many questions.

Wellsley · Guru

Thank you Michele,

It sounds like Dublin is similar to New York City when it comes to Restaurants. I once paid $180 for hamburgers and fries for six people. Is it cheaper to eat out at Restaurants in Killarney or Galway? And what should I expect to pay for a decent meal for 4 ?

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

Food in Ireland is a lot more expensive than in the USA. We are spoiled here and have so much competition it keeps prices lower. Outside Dublin is can cost less. It all depends on the restaurant you eat at. As mentioned above, choose an "early bird" or pub meal for lower prices. Keep in mind that soft drinks (called minerals in Ireland) are very pricey and do not include free refills. Most of the time coffee is just one cup - no refills except at breakfast. To keep drink prices down ask for a "jug of ice water" for the table. It will be tap water with, hopefully, a few ice cubes.

Michele

Roy · Guru

The one cup of coffee custom was a bit of a surprise the first time I paid what seemed way to much for a cup of coffee! My favorite cup of coffee in Ireland is at Bewley's on Grafton Street. That said, I also found better value in take away service there. Thankfully coffee has been improving throughout Ireland. My wife still prefers a pot of Barry's tea.

Wellsley · Guru

Thank you Michele and Roy,

Restaurants are not a priority in our trip and we will eat in places where we can along the way.

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

Ask your hosts for restaurant recommendations. Many times B&Bs have menus available to look at so you can choose what appeals. In Ireland restaurants post their menus outside their door. It's fun to walk through town and peruse them before making a choice. But on weekends it is a good idea to have reservations.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

I think we are set with questions 3 and 4. The Abbey theatre is penciled in.

5. How late does the hop on hop off bus run? I can find the start time but not how late it runs.

6. Is it easy to get a taxi in Dublin? Such as to and fro say our hotel to the Abbey theatre.

Frank

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I THINK that last run is about 5 or 5:30 on the HO/HO.

Taxis do NOT 'Cruise' in Dublin. You will find them in "Ranks' throughout the city. Your Hotel can advise as to the nearest one and there SHOULD be one near to the Abbey ... confuse

Here's an interactive map.

Bob

Wellsley · Guru

Bob,

The map shows a ranks on upper O'connel st. which is close to our hotel. There is also one near the Abbey.
Thanks again Bob

Frank

EngagingKate · Senior Member

Roy,

I'm a few days behind here and saw your post about coffee and tea. Love to stop in at Bewley's, but it seems like it's always crazy busy, and it is not inexpensive! If your wife likes Barry's, has she ever tried Bewley's Irish Breakfast tea? I bring home boxes of that when we visit Ireland! Even though it's more expensive, there's just something about it...

When we're wandering in the Grafton Street area up near St. Stephen's Green, we stop in at a coffee shop called Insomnia (there are several locations around Dublin). When we were staying at a hotel near the Grand Canal one year, we walked over there every morning on our way to wherever we were going in Dublin and got ourselves a lovely cup of morning joe to get us on our way! (Well, I did. My husband doesn't drink coffee or tea, so he got drinking chocolate. LOL)

Your post brought my mind back around to those places. Sigh...

Roy · Guru

We have indeed tried Bewley's teas. My wife is dyed in the wool Irish and nothing in her mind substitutes for Barry's! She drinks a cup every morning. On Achill Island there is a nice coffee shop appropriately named The Last Drop. I'm looking forward to exploring coffee shops in Galway. My wife says there's a nice one in Spiddal called Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery.

Wellsley · Guru

Wellsley wrote:

I think we are set with questions 3 and 4. The Abbey theatre is penciled in.

5. How late does the hop on hop off bus run? I can find the start time but not how late it runs.

6. Is it easy to get a taxi in Dublin? Such as to and fro say our hotel to the Abbey theatre.

Frank

Except for a few things that we might spontaneous do. I think we are set with Dublin.
We leave Dublin go to the airport, rent a car and head for Blarney see the castle spend the night and head for Killarney.

Wellsley · Guru

In Killarny we have three definate things we are going to do. The first day visit Tatler Jacks, take the Lily of Killarney cruise. Depending on time we might go to Muckross Farms would be next on the list then Muckross House. The second day we will take the Deros tour to ring of Kerry.
Since we are only there for 2 days our time is limited.
# 7 Is there any sites near Killarny that anyone feels is a must?
#8 What traditional Irish entertaintment is there in Killarney? I looking for something early evening. We are getting an early start the next morning.

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

Most entertainment in and around Killarney starts later in the evening. 9 or even 10 is the norm. You could check out the Laurels singing pub to see when they start. But it is a touristy venue.

Some other things to see would be Ross Castle and Torc Waterfall. Definitely a stroll around Muckross Gardens.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Michele,

Thank you for the suggestions. I will keep Laurels in mind. I also found Murphy's bar looks interesting. I noticed in my search that everything starts after 9pm. We will have to play it by ear and see how tired we are.
We will likely take the stroll around Muckross Gardens then see what kind of time we have.

Frank

Wellsley · Guru

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY
We leave Killarney and head for Dingle. What disappoints me the most on this trip is we will only be able to stay there one night. So we will be on the road early. The weather will dictate just what we will do. Slea head drive is a must. We will do Conner pass when we leave the next day. If the weather and the sea's permit take the eco tour to Blasket Islands. Which leads me to my next question. #9 Is it better to take the tour from Dingle Bay Charters or from Dun Chaoin. I can't find the departure time for the Dingle bay Charters.Before I ask question # 10 let me tell you all what else I have in mind. Some of the things we hope to do in Dingle are; go to Dick Mack's pub, Murphy's ice cream, if the weather isn't good for Blasket islands go to inch beach. Ok next question.# 10 What should not miss while on the Dingle Peninsula. (things on slea head drive and in Dingle itself)Thanks for your replies.Frank

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

About 45 minutes into your drive from Killarney to Dingle, you'll drive RIGHT past Inch. We always pause there for a bit biggrin

You might enjoy Dunbeg, and I'm sure the plan is to visit Gallrus Oratory, but also nearby is Kilmakedar Church and it's hard to NOT stop by Louis Mulcahey's Pottery. I also found the Celtic & Prehistoric Museum a funky, entertaining stop ...

Info on most Dingle highlights:

http://www.dodingle.com/pages/visitor_attractions.html

If you stop in Annascaul, enroute to Dingle, visit the South Pole Inn and learn about Dingle's Antartica connection -- Tom Crean.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Pole-Inn-Annascaul/95207213537

My wife bought some Annascaul Pottery pieces last year, as well.

Bob

murphy · Guru

Don't by-pass Murphy's Homemade Icecream. We were in the homemade icecream business ourselves for 10 years starting in 1996. After we sold the business, we took my parents to Ireland....1st trip there, for all of us. A friend had been to Ireland on a honeymoon trip in 2000, found Murphy's in Dingle Ireland (our's was also called "Murphy's" here in Washington) and brougnt us back the recipe for their best selling homemade icecream...."Baily's Irish Cream Icecream" We put it in our case, and it was an instant success....but had real alcohol in it, so was reluctant to keep it on hand in July/August due to all the kids coming in....it was easier to just not have it, than to have to explain why we couldn't serve it to them. The other 10 months, we went thru a lot of whiskey and vodka biggrin

....2 of the ingredients for the recipe!

To make a long story short, we spent a considerable amount of time at the Dingle "Murphy's" and got to meet both brothers. One went to college in business here in the Pacific NW at PLU, and the other brother went to Penn St. and took their Icecream courses. At that time in 2006, they only had the one outlet....in Dingle, but were thinking about branching out to other cities. When we went back in 09, we saw that they had branched out, and now, if I remember right, they are also in Dublin....it was on Bobby's food show the other night.

Once again, don't bypass Dingle without stopping in. No, this is not a commercial....we are not related (as far as we know!) biggrin

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I agree. I cannot pass by Mulcahy's Pottery either. Such beautiful colors - just like the Dingle Peninsula!

I remember when Dunbeg was a little pile of stones. Now they have re-built it to become a tourist attraction.

I liked the Blasket Island Center as it tells you about a lost way of life. It may not be for everyone (especially kids) but I found it fascinating. If you can read up before you trip it will enhance the experience.

You may not have time for the boat ride. Best to go into the tourist office in Dingle and ask them. They will have the times, fares, etc. The one going from Dingle will require a longer boat ride.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Bob,

Inch beach, Dunbeg and Gallrus Oratory are in. The Celtic & Prehistoric museum will be if the weather is bad or we have time.

Thanks Bob

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

There is a visitor center at Gallarus Oratory that charges admission. There is actually free admission to the oratory if you can skip the center and the A/V. Drive past the center and park on the road to visit the oratory free.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Dan,

Check this out. http://www.murphysicecream.ie/

After looking at this site I see there is one in Killarney, so if I get a chance I will hit that one and free up time in Dingle. But Murphy's ice cream is on the list.

Thanks Dan

Frank

Wellsley · Guru

Michele,

The Blasket Island visitor center is in and the Blasket Island Eco tour is very high on the list. If the weather is beautiful it will be hard not to do it. I was hoping the tour in Dingle bay would be late afternoon. Thanks for the tip on the Gallarus Oratory that should also save some time.

Thanks Michele

Frank

Wellsley · Guru

It's been awhile and I've been very busy with the weather here in the great northeast. Over the last couple of weeks we have had snow and more snow and well you get the point. Today is sunny and 12 degrees fahrenheit no melting here today. Ok back to Ireland.
We leave Dingle and go over Conner Pass to Castlegregory from there we go to and take the Tarbert Ferry to Killimer. Depending on time and weather we might take a side trip to Carrigaholt Castle ( possibly in my ancestry) on to the Cliffs of Moher, O'Brien's tower and time and weather permitting Doolin tours Cliffs of Moher Ferry. After that on to Galway for a couple of nights. I know this seems like a blur but we like to keep busy if I want to just sit around and relax I can do that at home. I think this day is pretty much set I wouldn't want to add any more without cutting something out.

Question # 11 Is there long lines for the Tarbert Ferry?

Question # 12 How do you dial a phone in Ireland? Example: if the # is 353 (0) 61 70806 do you have to dial all those #'s while your in Ireland? I've never used a phone in a foreign country.

Thanks for any replies,

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

Sometimes there are lines for the ferry. Depends on time of day and if anything is going on in the area.

When in Ireland dial area code 062 plus number 70806. If you are in the 062 area code already you don't have to dial it. However, if the call does not go through then use it. That is assuming you are using an Irish phone. However, I have a UK phone number on my cell phone so must dial 00 353 + area code (minus zero) and phone number.

What kind of phone will you have?

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Michele,

I believe it will be a Vodafone. We plan on renting a couple of phones in Dublin when we arrive.

As far as the ferry goes if there are lines how long of a wait is common?

Thanks for the moble phone advice.

Frank

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frank,

Since you are renting phones in Ireland use the first forumla I gave you.

If the ferry fills up with cars, then you would have to wait for the next one.

Queue for the ferry:

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Well the snow has finally stopped and the sun is shining here in upstate NY
Now back to Ireland. We leave the cliffs of Moher and onto Galway. We are staying in Galway 2nights and 1 full day. We have made no plans at this point. One thought was to take the princess of Corrib cruise. But nothing set. Any idea's.

Thank you.

Frank

tony2phones · Guru

This thread had got a bit long for my brain but coming back to the latest posts.

Don't rent a Vodaphone cell but get to Tesco and buy a couple of phones @ E20 each. Top one up by E20 and one by E10. Total cost E70 the 20 top up will give free calls to the other for keeping in touch plus the eqivelent of E40 credit which with the E20 equivelent on the 10 top up should more than handle your needs. You will always have to put the full number when using a cell phone so the Limerick number you quote would be 06170806 from an Irish mobile.

Forgot the link

http://www.tescomobile.ie/

-- Edited by tony2phones on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 01:30:12 PM

-- Edited by tony2phones on Sunday 3rd of April 2011 04:13:54 AM

Wellsley · Guru

Thanks Tony for the advise on the cell phones.

Frank biggrin