Seventeen nights in June

Roy · Guru

Seventeen nights in June

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Bit has left her car in the ferry parking lot at Rossaveal for multiple overnights with no problems. You could also check out flying on Aer Aran. If you are worried about your car, perhaps you could put it in a secure parking garage in Galway and take the bus to the ferry. Or if you stay in Doolin you could ask your B&B if you can leave the car in their lot and walk to the ferry. However, I have not heard of theft problems with cars parked at the ferry.

Are you going to self cater the second week or do B&Bs? So many choices. West Cork is lovely too.

Michele

Roy · Guru

My wife still does not consider self-catering a holiday! I would, but she trumps- B&B's are in! We have thought about asking B&B in Galway if we could leave the car and take the bus. I wasn't sure if leaving cars overnight at the ferry carpark in Rossaveal was a common practice. Yes, West Cork is a very possible option.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I thought your wife might nix the self catering. You know that you can eat every meal out if self catering? But you do have to make your own bed! If you stay in Donegal town, Donegal Manor is great. Send Sian an email, mention my name and see what she can do for you.

Michele

Roy · Guru

Thanks Michelle. Yes, I have tried to reason with her- but she is Irish after all! She has done self-catering with her sisters in Galway. She likes the breakfast experience, I suppose. Thanks on the tip on Donegal Manor.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I can't blame your wife for wanting a real vacation away from chores and cooking. Indulge her. It will work out best for you in the long run. wink

Michele

Roy · Guru

Itinerary starting to take a rough form:
13 June - Co. Westmeath at brother-in-laws
14- 20 June - Donegal Town as base
21-22 June - Co Longford at sister-in-laws
23-28 June Co Cork Youghal as base
29 June ?
30 JUne - fly out of Shannon

This is my favorite part short of actually being in Ireland!

-- Edited by Roy on Saturday 21st of January 2012 08:38:05 AM

tony2phones · Guru

The way I would go from Longford to Youghal would be east of Athlone to Clonmacnoise, down to Birr by Shannonbridge (lunch stop?). Roscrea is one of my favorite Heritage towns and might make a good midway overnight. The N62 takes you down through Tempelmore and Thurles before joining the M8. Pass Cashel and Cahir stopping if you want turn off the M8 at Scart for the R668 this road includes "The Vee" one of the most scenic routes in Ireland according to many. Lismore and its castle (private house) are at the end of the Vee 30 miles before Youghal.

If you fancy another route you could go Tullamore. Portlaouse through Abbeflex to Kilkenny for the night then Clonmel, Cahir and the Vee or Waterford then Dungarvan (main or coast rd)

-- Edited by tony2phones on Saturday 21st of January 2012 02:29:35 PM

tony2phones · Guru

I would pinch the first night from Youghal and break the trip down from Longford...Yes it can be done in about 4 1/2 hours but there's an awful lot to see and do whichever route you take down. Can you not put the Brother in law in here as you will be passing or crossing the county. The night before Shannon might fall into teaching my nan to suck eggs category.

Roy · Guru

Tony- I know it's some backtracking to put my brother-in-law first. If we don't do that, we need a break between Shannon on 13 June and Donegal. Yes, there is a lot between Longford and Youghal, but much of it I've seen, unless you have some specific suggestions. I wouldn't make the Longford-Youghal trip without a stop or two along the way. Appreciate your ideas! If you recall, you had suggested Youghal as a base a while back on a different post. Last year we were in Killaloe our last two nights, a doable drive to Shannon.

Roy · Guru

Tony- picked up an extra day without losing any off Youghal. So, I have a night between Co Longford and Youghal.

Roy · Guru

I was just looking at the possibility of taking the route to stay in Kilkenny for the night. The coast road down might be a pretty drive.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

What time is your flight from Shannon on departure?

Michele

Roy · Guru

12:40. This is seriously almost as much fun as actually being there! We are trying to be in places new to us as much as possible.

Michele Erdvig · Host

So you need to be in the general area the night before for your departure. At least it's not a dawn patrol where you have to miss breakfast. Will you be returning the car that morning too?

Roy · Guru

Probably will return the car that morning. Last year we stayed in Killaloe. It was less than an hour drive. We were at the airport in plenty of time although customs pre-clearance was a nightmare.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, I remember you stayed in Killaloe. How long did the pre-clearance take? It has never taken more than 15 minutes for me.

Roy · Guru

Well, I was "randomly" selected for additional carry on screening, which involved checking me for bomb residue. It went downhill from there, as I was then "randomly" selected for additional baggage screening. Rita and I were taken into another room where our passports were taken away. We were in the well over an hour, including having a beagle sniff us and our carry on! Finally my bag came up an elevator and after being searched, we were allowed to go. My poor wife was a wreck!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ack! What a horrible experience. I hope that never happens again. I've been sniffed by the security dogs and one time had my carry on checked for explosive residue in the US but not in Shannon. And if you carry crystal in carry-on you are sure to be targeted. The X-rays can't penetrate lead crystal.

Roy · Guru

13 June - Co. Westmeath at brother-in-laws
14- 20 June - Donegal Town as base Railway Lodge B&B
20-21 June - Co Longford at sister-in-laws
22 June - Kilkenny Abbeylodge
23-28 June Co Cork Youghal as base La Petite AuBerge
29 June ?
30 June - fly out of Shannon

Another piece of the puzzle completed with 22 June in Kilkenny. My only criteria for our last night, as is my criteria for the other nights, is walking distance to pubs. Sadly, family visits are not.

tony2phones · Guru

Ennis...Grey Gables...2 mins walk from the Old Ground 4 mins walk from Brogans..

Roy · Guru

Thanks for the suggestion Tony. I have some selling to do. My wife has an aversion to Ennis, perhaps from the congested days before the bypass. Each time I mention Ennis, she starts mumbling about narrow and congested streets. Old perceptions are hard to break!

tony2phones · Guru

Arrive at your accommodation. Park up and walk. OK the streets are narrow and the oneway system is a pain but for food and pubs its a good option. Killaloe again, Bunratty if you really have to, Sixmilebridge? of Limerick itself.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

What about Adare?

Michele

Roy · Guru

Michele- Adare would be perfect!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Sounds like you are all set then.

Michele

Roy · Guru

I can't be done- what will I do for the next five months?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Ummm....Help other people here on the forum plan their trips? biggrin

Roy · Guru

Great idea. My wife just made tentative plans to visit an old friend in Tramore while we are in Co. Cork.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Roy,

Joining the conversation late, to be sure. I park in the lot closest to the Ferry terminal in Rossaveal...you will drive past several other lots...the one closest to the terminal is the best and safest. I park my car with luggage in the rear for up to four days. I have yet to have any kind of a problem.