First vacation to Ireland

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

First vacation to Ireland

tony2phones · Guru

Not much of this in Ireland and a bit of a dash. You might be better to identify just where you have the free time and aim for specifics. Perhaps post on TA UK forum for the Scotland section. I will read through again in the morning it's been a long day over here and getting late.

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

all I know our free time is the places or towns we are staying at. my main concern is just Ireland not really of scottland because ive always wanted to go to Ireland.
I really want to visit any beaches or lakes in Ireland. MY most concern is the currency and weather

Im new to traveling period and not sure how to do anything really lol =-)

susan · Senior Member

Hi Stephm1013
The money is the easy part use ATMs to get Euro.They work the same way as in the states.The weather who knows 2 weeks ago when I was in Ireland they had a heatwave and so many Irish had sunburns.A friend who lives in Ireland said he thinks winter is back.The best advice you will get about what to wear is to dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket with a hood.

Susan

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

thank you that helps me very much! so im guessing the the ATM echanges american money for euros how cool. Im very excited to see the beaches and castles!

I also hear everyhing is more expensive compared to the US dollar is that true?

tony2phones · Guru

Friday is a Dash from Shannon to Killarney, nice place, no Beach. I don't know what accommodation you will have but O'Connors bar and Tattler Jacks are semi local bars and my general watering holes.

Saturday, Round the Ring of Kerry back to Killarney. Take 10 mins just to stand in the Cathedral. Nothing religious just an amazing building.

Sunday, Hit the road early (again?) to Blarney, join a long procession to climb the stairs and snog the rock, personally I would explore a bit of the grounds but don't think you will have time allowed. Back on the Bus for Dublin. No stops at Cahir or the Rock of Cashel (big mistake). One of Dublins Oirish shows,

Monday, Hopper Bus see Dublin.

Tuesday, 8.00 am ferry to Holyhead and another mad dash to the Lake District. Don't know where so can't make recommendations.

Wednesday same old same old on the bus off the bus and the road to Scotland.

You will get to see a fair bit through the windows and get a bit of a feeling for the countries as you pass through, It is a Lot, in honesty too much for 12 days.

In addition to Susan's recommendations, Insect repellent, might be an idea for a couple of the Scotland days, Midges are tiny but give a nasty bite.

I am sure that as a group you will have a great time.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Stephm,

Since you are taking an organized tour I'm sure that they will give you most of the info you need. But it is exciting to get the planning under way. Click on the links below and be sure to explore my website for more.

Michele

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

thanks this help alot! im so excited even though its not untill next year i just like to know everything ahead of time. I really do hope that we get to see some beaches or lakes though!

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

hi michele

do you have any suggestions on where i can have a chance to swim like a lake or river during my stay in Dublin and Killarney?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Aren't you the brave one. The water in Ireland is usually frigid. There are plenty of lakes in Killarney although I have never seen anyone swimming in them. This article about beaches around Dublin might be interesting:

http://www.independent.ie/travel/inside-ireland/the-ultimate-guide-to-dublin-beaches-1772748.html

More beaches: http://www.visitdublin.com/see_and_do/beyond_the_city/Beaches

Michele

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

lol well this is my first trip and once in a lifetime opportunity for me so i might as well as do something daring while im in Ireland =-)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Yes, their summer is at the same TIME as our summer, but it is a SUBJECTIVE thing -- confuse confuse confuse

Michele is based, as you know, in Atlanta. I reside in North-Central Florida. The Irish tend to complain about the 'Sweltering Heat' at about 75 Degrees Farenheit!.

That's about the time that I CONSIDER removing my jacket ... biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

In Dublin, you can take the DART -- North, to Howth, or South, to Dalkey, Bray or Greystones, for the beaches there.

As Michele says, the Lakes of Killarney are world famous -- but I don't believe I've EVER seen anyone swimming there. A bit North of Killarney is the famous Inch Strand (beach) -- I've seen LOTS of swimmers and surfers there -- but they were either wearing wet suits, or sporting a LOVELY shade of Blue! biggrin biggrin

Torc Falls is just South of Killarney. Here's a link to some of my Killarney Pix, including Inch and Torc Falls: http://www.flickr.com/photos/itallian_chauffeur/sets/72157621258008128/

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 19th of June 2012 08:41:38 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maybe you will stay at some hotels with pools!

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

is it summer time there in Ireland like it is here in the a U.S ? is the waters over there always freezing? I hope the hotels we stay in have pools but I would still like to be at the lakes and rivers

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

Waterfalls would be most beautiful to see

tony2phones · Guru

They are swimming in the Shannon bay in Portumna this afternoon, Loughrea is a Blue Flag standard lake and always packed and they will be swimming in the lakes of Killarney for the Iron Man evileye

http://www.hardman.ie/?page_id=64

Dont swim in Lough Ree though because of the Monster furious Like Lough Ness only newer

And lots of opertunities to swim in Scotland

-- Edited by tony2phones on Wednesday 20th of June 2012 08:54:41 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I'll never forget the time I was at Dog's Bay and a young Irish couple decided to go swimming. She jumped in the ocean and came up screaming. She exited the water like a flying fish and ran screaming down the beach. He was amused. I was wearing a coat, scarf, hat and gloves.

Then there was the guy skinny dipping at Rosses Point...but that's a whole 'nother story. wink

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

Ha that sounds really funny! =-)

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

your scenic picture were very beautiful especiallly the water fall! biggrin

The picture makes me even more anxious and excited for my trip that I dont even want to sleep yawn

I can't wait to touch the freezing waters and come back home to tell my family that I actually got wet in the Irish waters lol biggrin

I dont think I'm going to skinny dip or anything crazy like what michele saw lol! evileye ! biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

I'm also gussing that i should by a wet suit to? huh hmm

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

Wow I forgot completely about Nesse the lock ness monster!! biggrin

That would be an exciting thing and scary thing to see if there is one.

I'm sure there will be more opportunities in Scottland aww I think we are just going to drive through shannon and head in toward Kilarney I was told from there that we would have the rest of the day to unpack and go exploring if we wanted

Michele Erdvig · Host

It gives new meaning to "go jump in the lake!" wink

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

confuse confuse confuse confuse I want go back riding on the beach lake of Killarney and I was wanting to know if I should book ahead of time?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Try Killarney Riding Stables. Send them an email to see what their advice on reservations are.

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

biggrin biggrin biggrin what about Dublin is there any riding stables in dublin?

biggrin biggrin biggrin would you reccomend any places to eat and shop while in Killarney and dublin?

Michele Erdvig · Host

I wouldn't recommend riding horses in Dublin. You will be tripping over restaurants and shopping in Dublin and Killarney. It depends on what you are shopping for. Just walk around and there will be plenty. What type of food do you like?

Stephm1013 · Veteran Member

wow very interesting smile smile wink wink so why do you not reccomend it. I really just want to shop for clothes . and a couple of cook souvenirs for my family but just mainly clothes. . Food wise : hungry: since it is my first out of state travel i was hoping to try ireland's delacacies . . I was reading a post about how they dont like mustard or pepper . I really dont like my food very bland. but I pretty much eat anything especially dessert wise evileye

Michele Erdvig · Host

Riding a horse in Dublin would be like riding one in New York City. It is a busy city with traffic, etc. I would feel unsafe riding a horse down the streets of any city. Best to do that in a scenic rural area.

The Irish have pepper and mustard. In fact most of the mustard there will explode the top of your head off. So much for bland.

For dessert try banoffee pie and sticky toffee pudding. In Killarney I like Bricin and Mac's.