Going to Ireland for the first time in less than two months - need help planning

ARG2132 · Member

RE: Going to Ireland for the first time in less than two months - need help planning

Michele Erdvig · Host

These are the opening hours:

Open Year Round, 7 days a week;
April – October: 9am – 6pm
November – March: 10am – 4pm

Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day
Open: Bank Holiday

Phone: (01) 833 2833

You don't have to pre-book. If you read the article I linked to, Corey called ahead and got the VIP tour. You could call in advance to see if available. Otherwise, just show up.

ARG2132 · Member

Thanks Michele.

What type of advice would you offer for doing to the Ring of Kerry? Any particular route? I think we're going to attempt driving it on our own, so we can go at our own pace. We'd be leaving from Killarney to do so.

I also think we'll attempt to do the Beara Peninsula en route to Killarney on our drive from Cork. Too ambitious or no?

Michele Erdvig · Host

You can do the ROK either clockwise or counter-clockwise. When doing it counter-clockwise you may find yourself behind buses as they traverse the ring. I generally prefer clockwise because I think the views are better going that way. But that's just my opinion. 95% of people do it counter-clockwise because that is what they are told to do. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

Are you driving the coastline of West Cork to Killarney or another route?

ARG2132 · Member

I have not planned out a specific route yet. I was thinking of doing R585/4 which empties out around Ballylicky, or would you suggest the longer route along the coast (down to Kinsale, and then west) instead?

Either way, I'd still like to get at least half of Beara in, and see the Healy Pass.

ARG2132 · Member

Also...

Are the Heritage Card and/or the Dublin Pass worth the money? I know it depends on what you want to see, but for both, I'm having trouble coming up with at least 5 sites for each.

The Heritage Card sites I'd like to see:
-Rock of Cashel
-Kilkenny Castle
-Cahir Castle
-Charles Fort
-Kilmainham Gaol

Dublin Pass:
-Kilmainham Gaol (I know, it's listed on both passes)
-Guinness Storehouse Tour
-Jameson Distillery Tour
-Christ Church Cathedral

Are there others on either list that are worth seeing?

tony2phones · Guru

Have you looked at which sites are on Free issue Discount cards as well as Pay For Discount cards?

http://www.cultureheritageireland.com/index.php

www.cultureheritageireland.com/index.php

Michele Erdvig · Host

Of course there are plenty more places worth seeing. But you might not be in all the areas to see them. You have to do your homework. Go to the websites such as http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/ and look up each site. It will list the admission prices. Add them up to see if you will save money by purchasing the passes or not.

Yes, it does take time. evileye But that is the only way to determine if the passes will save you money or not.

Carla · Veteran Member

I like this site better than Google for directions and route planning, as well as estimated time of travel.

http://routes.aaireland.ie/

-- Edited by Carla on Thursday 16th of August 2012 09:12:42 AM

ARG2132 · Member

How much time would you allow for doing the ROK one day and the Beara another day? I'm trying to base my times off of Google directions, but as I've learned already, times tend to be slower than what they actually give an estimate for.

Michele Erdvig · Host

The peninsulas of the SW each take almost a full day to drive and explore. If you just drive and don't stop probably several hours. But who wants to do that? Plan on a day for each one you want to do.

My "rule of thumb" is get the mileage (not kilometers) and divide by 35 to get the drive time.

Geno · Guru

Great point -- while the peninsulas often offer some amazing, winding vistas, they do not work well with quick travel itineraries. Often the roads in such areas are more of a challenge, so just plan to take your time and soak it all in. The experience will be more than worthwhile. And as Michele points out, you will be wanting to stop often to get the full effect!

Enjoy yourself.

Geno

GMorris · Newbie

Have you thought about goign to see a traditional Irish Show on your first night to start your trip on a good note? www.taylorsthreerock.ie has a Traditional Irish Cabaret which is amazing. Check it out :)

ARG2132 · Member

What a nightmare! We're a week out from leaving and I get a random cancellation of our car hire for next week! When in fact I did NOT cancel our reservation. I'm so confused right now.

I rented through Holiday Autos, and I believe they set me up with Budget. Does this happen often??

I just sent Holiday Autos an urgent and very angry e-mail stating that I'm a week out from out travel dates, and now technically do not have a car for hire. Any suggestions in the meantime?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If Holiday doesn't offer any satisfaction, you could try calling Budget directly and see if they will honor the original terms.

If not, I suggest you call Dan Dooley. They have an office in New Jersey, where you can talk to real, live human folk. They've always been quite helpful whenever I've had questions. Dooley is one of the more reputable of Car Hire companies operating in Ireland.

Hope this helps -- Good Luck.

Bob

ARG2132 · Member

Itallian Chauffeur wrote:
If Holiday doesn't offer any satisfaction, you could try calling Budget directly and see if they will honor the original terms.
If not, I suggest you call Dan Dooley. They have an office in New Jersey, where you can talk to real, live human folk. They've always been quite helpful whenever I've had questions. Dooley is one of the more reputable of Car Hire companies operating in Ireland.
Hope this helps -- Good Luck.
Bob

Thanks for the suggestion.

This is the 2nd issue I've had with Holiday, and I've not even gone on vacation yet. They overcharged me $50 USD on my invoice amount, and I've already disputed that with my credit card company. Now I've disputed the remaining amount, as I've already been charged and have not recieved any services. Michele, I would add Holiday Auto to your list of car hires to NOT use.

I'll keep looking for a car in the meantime, and may contact Budget, per your advice, if I do not recieve any response from Holiday Autos.

tony2phones · Guru

95% of all car hire complaints across the Ireland Forums come from people who have booked through 3d party agents. It is quite possible the agent has had your cash in their bank and have only just submitted the booking to Budget who have no availability or the price they are passing is more than the agents can absorb.

Email your requirements to the main players directly Dooley, Budget, Thrifty, even Hertz or the Herz sub agents who are getting lots of press just now (name escapes me).

ARG2132 · Member

Just got a response...

Dear Mr.______,

Holiday autos booking reference number: 1******

Thank you for contacting Holiday autos and please accept my apologies for the delay in replying.

In reference to your e-mail, please be advised that there was no cars available with the supplier that is why the booking got canceled.

If you require any further assistance, please feel free to reply to my e-mail and I will be happy to assist you.

You may also call us on on 0871 472 5253, between 07:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs, 7 days a week.

Kind Regards

Sanjay Kumar
Customer Service Administration Team
Holiday autos

How does this even happen? Well, go to know a week in advance so I can make other arrangments! I read the sticky, and people seem to have success with Budget and Dooley. I like that Dooley has a US office, I'll try calling them over my lunch to speak with someone.

ARG2132 · Member

Just made a new booking with Budget, upon reading good reviews here and TripAdvisor.

Any other suggestions or anything I should be concerned with in the meantime? Thanks again for the advice.

JeanneV · Member

Try easytourireland.com--they have a US number also and you can talk directly to a LIVE PERSON. I can recommend them myself.

Michele Erdvig · Host

The only concern I have with Budget is when declining CDW. If you are purchasing that from them, no problem.

murphy · Guru

The Hertz sub agents Tony mentioned were: Jeannie V's post above, and the Hertz sub agent we have used twice: journeythroughireland.com We had no issues, prepaid getting a 15 percent discount, vCard run here in the US with "0" transaction fees, no hassles and no surprise extra charges ! Dan