Yes, starting to plan a fifth trip! August 2013 with friends.

tony2phones · Guru

RE: Yes, starting to plan a fifth trip! August 2013 with friends.

Green Dragon · Guru

Ha! Well, bugs are harmless unless you are sharing a room with a bug-ophobe, which I had on my 2006 trip. A large mosquito-eating mosquito came in the room, and she was hyperventilating in the corner until we managed (with file folders, standing on the beds) to shoo the creature out. Then, because the possibility of recurrence existed, had to sleep a quite warm night with the windows closed.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I almost always sleep with my window open in Ireland. Even at places with a/c. I love the fresh air and it is usually cool. More and more hotels have a/c and I even know some guesthouses in Ireland that have it.

I just couldn't understand the concept of the courtyard rooms at Lough Eske. They could easily have windows instead of the fixed picture windows. The only way to get air is to leave the door to your room open all night. I wouldn't want to do that. The rooms felt like greenhouses with the sun beating down on the glass. They need either a/c or windows. If I was staying I would get a room in the main part of the hotel.

Green Dragon · Guru

I'm thinking of making our 'Drogheda' stay a little farther north - perhaps between Drogheda and Belfast, long enough for a day trip to the north... any thoughts? I would rather go north and visit Belfast or Ards Peninsula than do Newgrange again, and we have two carloads so some can go one way and the rest another, if need be.

Michele Erdvig · Host

How about Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula? You can see the Mountains of Mourne across the water.

Green Dragon · Guru

Carlingford looks perfect, thank you! Researching now - it is a perfect in between place, and right on the water, with castles and abbey to boot! I'm looking into Carlingford House, Grove House, and Belvedere House B&Bs.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I stayed at Beaufort House last time and enjoyed it. Overlooking the water and mountains, comfortable, quiet, short walk to town. Very nice breakfast.

Green Dragon · Guru

We stayed at Bayview Country House B&B http://www.bayviewcountryhouse.com/ - and it was delightful! We would stay again, but I wanted to sample another part of County Donegal.

Bayview has HUGE rooms, very large bathrooms, everything was spotless, breakfast was delicious. Views of the mountains all around. Lots of parking. The hostess is sweet, but a bit flighty. Lovely lounge with a fire downstairs. The only downside (for us) was that it was 1km out of town. We prefer to be in staggering distance of a pub. With a large group next trip, that will be more important.

My tripadvisor review is the third one down, "Huge rooms, beautifully decorated" http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g212511-d1147901-Reviews-Bayview_Country_House-Ardara_County_Donegal.html

-- Edited by Green Dragon on Friday 11th of May 2012 02:05:20 PM

Bertrand · Veteran Member

That's great -- that is it! It really is just two or three houses (or about a minute or two) from Nancy's Pub. Wonder if anyone on here has ever stayed there? I stayed in Donegal Town the last time I was in that region, but just really thought Ardara was wonderful small town.

Thanks!

-- Edited by Bertrand on Friday 11th of May 2012 03:47:55 PM

Green Dragon · Guru

I just noticed Smarmore Castle on your site - tell me more about this spot! Right now, Carlingford House and Smarmore Castle look like the best options, even though the castle is 2km from town.

Our choices right now look like:
Dublin: O'Neill's Victorian Pub (been there before), Trinity Lodge, Staunton's on the Green Hotel, Waterloo Lodge B&B, Clontarf Castle
Carlingford/Ardee: Carlingford House, Smarmore Castle B&B, Belvedere House, Grove House

Still looking into Donegal areas. While we stayed in Ardara last time, and that was DELIGHTFUL, I'm looking into the possibility of a different base this time. I love the size of Ardara, and seaside location - but it's a bit far away for, say, a day trip around Inishowen which includes horseback riding :) I'm open to suggestions all around County Donegal.

Bertrand · Veteran Member

Do you recall where you stayed in Ardara? Not many options it would appear, but I really thought it was a wonderful village when we travelled through there.

Bert

Bertrand · Veteran Member

We usually stay in town as well -- for the same reasons -- but I know the options in Ardara are not great. There was some sort of a B&B or guesthouse about three doors down from Nancy's Pub, but I didn't get the name of it. It looked nice, but rather simple --- but the location was top notch.

Green Dragon · Guru

That sounds like Drumbarron House? http://www.ardara.ie/Article_Listings.aspx?tscategory_id=175&category_name=Drumbaron+House+B+%26+B - it looks pleasant and convenient, but doesn't seem to have it's own website, which I'm a bit leery of nowadays.

Bertrand · Veteran Member

That might be it -- was thinking the place I saw was smaller, but there can't be many places like that in town.

Thanks

Green Dragon · Guru

There's another one in town called Brae House? http://www.ardara.ie/Article_Listings.aspx?tscategory_id=142&category_name=Brae+House

Green Dragon · Guru

Ardara is truly lovely. Nearby beach inlet, waterfall, sea caves, a lovely cemetery (I love cemeteries). Great pubs (Nancy's!!) and the town is very walkable.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

I liked Smarmore Castle a lot. I stayed there a couple of years ago and it's in my book now. Ask if they are still giving my readers a discount. It is a very small family-owned castle/manor farmhouse. It is about as inexpensive as you are liable to get with a castle stay. Lovely people and setting. Clean and comfortable.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

Smarmore is looking like an excellent choice :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

There is a good Italian restaurant in the courtyard of the castle. Smarmore does not own it and it is run by real Italians.

Green Dragon · Guru

La Cucina - I saw that. How far is it to the nearest pub/bar? It looks like it's at least a couple km to the next town.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yes, a few miles to the nearest pub.

Green Dragon · Guru

That's the biggest drawback for our needs, but not insurmountable :)

hammsb · Veteran Member

We just got back from two weeks in Ireland. Stayed 4 nights at Gort Na Mona in Ardara. Great home and family. Spotless accomodations and good food. Laurence and Fiona were the most welcoming hosts and really went out of their way to make our visit memorable. Would highly recommend staying there. The village is a five minute drive and Nancy's Pub and The Bee Hive were great pubs. We really enjoyed the music too. We thoroughly enjoyed Ardara.

Green Dragon · Guru

Gort na Mona is on my list, thanks to Michele, as well. However, we're also thinking of staying in Gweedore area, perhaps at the Teac Campbell in Bunbeg, as Bit recommended to me. It is currently winning the vote on our page. So far, the selected places are as follows - comments and first-hand knowledge appreciated:

Dublin: Waterloo Lodge B&B http://www.waterloolodge.com/
Ardree: Smarmore Castle B&B http://www.smarmorecastle.com/

Voting is still going on for stop 3 (County Donegal). I haven't yet posted the options for Westport, Dingle or Kenmare :)

Since I absolutely LOVE travel planning, and this trip is still so far in the future, it's difficult to keep from bombarding my fellow travelers with information, and meting it out in small, digestible amounts. Most of them aren't online a lot, but several of them are. The people responding to my posts/polls aren't always the same ones. Robyn will come up one day, and post about 5-6 responses, and then be quiet for weeks, same with Kim and Adhara. Vicki, Carla and Natile are online fairly constantly. Oh, and we have an 8th person! Kim's friend Janet is interested in coming, as well. I've set that as the upper limit - 8. Two cars' worth - and any more than that makes B&B reservations very difficult, as well as eating out en masse. I truly don't expect more than 5-6 to actually still be part of the trip when the planes take off. I know my friends, and life happens. Natile already is a strong maybe, as she is also getting married next year, and likely won't be able to afford both a wedding and a trip to Europe. Vicki is looking for a new job, as her boss just quit and she's doing both jobs for no extra pay. Robyn was laid off, and while hopeful, isn't currently working - so life is fluid.

Green Dragon · Guru

Quick question - those of you who have organized group trips. Have you found any significant discounts in working through an agent or group tour operator? Since there are now 8 of us, and coming from different areas of the country, I thought a package deal might help with airfare and rental cars (2). Any thoughts or recommendations? Our flights will be: 2 from SFO, 2 from PIT, 2 from MIA, one from JAX and one from Greenville, SC. I am not a fan of voucher programs, but I would think you could substitute your own B&Bs and not buy so many vouchers for the days? Am I making sense?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

I'm really not sure if you have enough people for a group discount. Perhaps call around to see?

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I checked with a few fly-n-drive packagers, but most of them don't handle airfare. And most of my B&Bs aren't on their program, so we are just looking at car discounts... and I prefer Dan Dooley.

Stephanie at Tenon Tours is one who said they can work with airfare, and work with a consolidator, but also for us to check on our own, as they can't always get good discounts. I liked her honesty. She also said she had no problem with us having B&Bs not on their list, that can be adjusted as well. She was the most helpful of those I contacted.

Irish Tourism said they don't handle flights, as did Exploring Ireland. Authentic Ireland said they could handle the flights, but again that we might be able to find better/more convenient flights on our own. So, a mixed bag, I suppose!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Call Dooley's NJ office and talk with them. They will usually cut you a deal.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

Anyone want an update?

There are 9 people invited on this trip now, but I think that, in reality, only 4 of us will go. Kim, me, Vicki and Sarah (a new addition) are the most likely suspects. Carla and her friend Adhara are concentrating on their belly dancing classes and performances, and therefore won't have any leftover vacation time. Natile is getting married, so has no cash. Janet is Kim's friend - her health is declining, she has diabetes and other issues, so likely can't go. Robyn has been laid off, so no cash.

Vicki came with me in 2011, Kim in 2006 (and to Scotland with me in 2008). Sarah went to Ireland in high school, so we'll all be returning veterans. That makes some choices easier, and others more difficult. We shall see! The ages range from 22 (Sarah) to 43 (me). Fun fun!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks for the update. Four people is definitely less cumbersome than nine to deal with. Everything will be easier with four: car, B&Bs, restaurants, etc. Have fun planning the new logistics!