March 2013 Shaping up!!!

Geno · Guru

March 2013 Shaping up!!!

Geno · Guru

Tony:

I have no idea on bus service, so great you noted that. I've always had a car, and either way I would have suggested staying there that night and not doing it in one day.

Would think Galway for St. Pat's would be great!

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Friday 7th of December 2012 12:57:06 PM

Maggie117 · Guru

Hi,

* Flights booked.

* Dublin lodging secured (2 nights at Eliza Lodge, top floor with balcony.)

* CIE tour reserved (5 Day/4 nights Taste of Ireland).

* Galway Accomodations secured (3 nights at Park House Hotel with great Irish hospitality)

* Adare Accomodations secured (7 nights at Gate Lodge Cottage)

So far so good. We'll post questions as we think of them. If anyone wants to share their wisdom on places we're going please share away!

Mom and I are on our way to a fantatic 16 nights in Ireland!!!

Geno · Guru

Hi Maggie:

Sure you will have a wonderful time, and how nice that you are able to stay that long.

A few thoughts:

In Dublin, do the hop-on-hop-off if you never have before, as it is a wonderful way to get a quick taste of the city. For a wonderful old pub that was first opened in the 1770s, find the Stag's Head Pub (not certain how to explain where it is -- sort of down an alley, but people there can quickly point you to the place). Some of the most amazing woodwork I've seen in an classic pub. Also, I tend to think that the Guinness Storehouse is not worth the price, but that is me. They call it a tour, which it is certainly not, and if the weather is bad, the Gravity Bar view will not be something that impresses you. Probably the most amazing place we saw was the tour of Kilmainham Jail, an experience we enjoyed and felt we learned a great deal from. Obviously there are many things to do in Dublin that will be ranked by your interest.

In Galway, some tremendous opportunities to hear great traditional music. Would suggest this site ... we used it as a guide. Also if you are there on a Sunday, would suggest a stop and a service at the Galway Cathedral, as it was extremely nice. Many wonderful places to eat in the city, and you could even take a short bus ride out to Salthill to see that area by the bay.

Have been in Adare, but not stayed there. For that amount of time are you renting a car and doing day trips?

Best regards on the planning -- that is a great way enjoy the time before you go there!

Geno

Maggie117 · Guru

Hi Geno, Great choices for Dublin. I've done what you listed except for Stag's Head. Sounds like we'll have to find it! :) Have to agree that Kilmainham was simply amazing.

I'll check out that site for information for Galway. One day while in Galway we'll be heading to the Aran Islands.

In Adare we are not renting a car. We will be taking a bus one day to Limerick. Most likely for St. Patrick's Day. If we get restless we'll can consider renting a car but that's not in our plans right now.

Maggie

Maggie117 · Guru

Stag's Head is only a 4 minute walk from Eliza Lodge. We will be checking it out. :)

tony2phones · Guru

Bus from Adare to Dingle and Back on St Pats day?? Sunday service and over 3 hours each way.. even Rick Steves might baulk at that.

Limerick is one of the best St Pats festivals. If you don't fancy that then Ennis has a mainly for the youngsters event or we will be in Galway but that's close to a couple of hours by Bus/train from Limerick

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

As you know I spent a week in Gate Lodge Cottage in Adare. There is a Centra supermarket in town within walking distance. They should have everything you need. Take your rolling suitcase (empty) to bring your groceries back to the cottage. Don't forget to bring a few plastic bags (or pay for them in Ireland!).

I had many a meal at Sean Collins. Family run, good service and great low-cost food. They do trad on some nights but it is very small. You might want to grab a table in advance. The golf club at Adare Manor does nice lunches (much cheaper than the manor). Although you might want to treat yourself to high tea at Adare Manor. You will be right across the street from the Dunraven Arms. Good soup and sandwiches there. I've never had dinner there as it is very expensive. Just a couple of doors down is The Good Room restaurant. I had a couple of so-so meals there. They were newly opened. Maybe by now they have their act together but I wasn't impressed at the time.

The pedestrian gate to Adare Manor is right next to the cottage. Ask Eamon (the owner) for the PIN lock combination so you can walk the estate and gardens without going onto the main road and through the main gates. If he doesn't know it ask one of the estate employees as they go through.

Be sure to see the town park and the place where the village women used to wash their clothes. We loved watching the coming and going at Dunraven Arms, especially the wedding parties. We sat at the front window critiquing the gowns and hats.

If I remember correctly there is a switch on the living room wall that gives you more TV channels. We didn't find out till the last day! confuse

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Oh, I kept wondering why it was so HOT in the living room. Because the radiator was behind the sofa! I didn't realize there was one there blasting away. But perhaps in March you will need it blasting out the heat.

Maggie117 · Guru

Thanks for all those great tips about Adare and the cottage. :) We will be doing high tea at the Manor, as well as walking the grounds... Mom and I are hoping to keep track of this trip and finally report back!!! Three trips and no trip report...LOL!!! I have two HUGE scrapebooks of our first two trips and need to finish journaling in them before this third trip!!!

Maggie117 · Guru

Happy New Year Michele and friends,

Well, I purchased our tickets for $875 leaving and returning from our airport of choice (Bradley), so super happy about that. A couple of stops but well worth the convenience of not going to Logan again. It's been three weeks since I purchased them and flights have gone up. I'm so happy I locked in at a price that made me happy and stopped waiting for a better price.

I still can't believe our trip is just about 11 weeks away. (Departing March 6th!!!)

Is there a town in North Tipperary that would be worth a trip from Adare? My paternal grandfather (O'Meara) comes from that area and I thought it may be nice to check it out.

Maggie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Congrats on getting your tickets. Don't look back!

Lough Derg is partly in Clare and partly north Tipp. Quite scenic if you can get bus service there. The twin towns of Killaloe/Ballina are very nice as is Mountshannon in Clare.

Maggie117 · Guru

Thanks Michele I'll look into those towns.

And I can't help but looking at airline prices...it's like yummy chocolate chip cookies with a tall glass of milk...hard to resist... ;)

tony2phones · Guru

Clare Acsessable Transport serves Lough Derg West http://www.catconnects.ie/?ID=17&area=East from Ennis. Where in North Tipp are you considering as there are places served by Bus Eireann and Rail

Maggie117 · Guru

Oh, where am I considering...I don't know. I couldn't find public transport to Lough Derg (from Adare). Mountshannon seems like a doable option.

Maggie117 · Guru

What towns, within a hour to and hour and 1/2 can we get to on bus from Adare that are worth consideration? We're open to anything attractive, and inviting. Or just inviting. :) One day we'll go to Limerick. Probably on St. Patrick's day to check out the activities and visit the farmers market. Any other place recommendations are welcome. I didn't have much luck looking into North Tipp via train...

Michele Erdvig · Host

You'll have to check on the bus schedules yourself but here are some things that might interest you:

Kilmallock
Lough Gur (check opening times)
Foynes Flying Boat Museum (Foynes)
Knockpatrick Gardens (Foynes)
Ballybunion (beaches & cliff walk)
Kerry Writer's Museum (Listowel)
Limerick
Loop Head - this one might be too far afield and I don't know if buses go there

Maggie117 · Guru

Thank you Michele!!! This is why I used your full services for my first trip! It made it seamless and perfect.

This time around I just don't want us to be in Adare twiddling our thumbs OR worse getting home and then realizing what we should have / could have seen! Thanks for your help!

tony2phones · Guru

No Bus's to Loop Head.

Listowel is on my list of the best Heritage towns in Ireland http://www.listowel365.com/places.asp The Horseshoe is good for a pub lunch.

Maggie117 · Guru

Thanks Tony! :) I'll def. take a look at that pub and town.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Yeah. I didn't think there were buses to Loop Head. I've never seen any there. Might be fun to bike down the coast to Loop from Kilkee.

Maggie117 · Guru

Oh a bike ride...that would certainly change our trip. I don't think that's something we would willingly choose to do... :) I may just give in and rent a car from Limerick if we get really restless...In theory it sounds wonderful to spend a week in a quaint Irish town, but I'm a super restless person... we'll just have to wait and see.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've seen a lot of people biking down to Loop Head. It is such a scenic road with not much traffic. But not for everyone.

Maggie117 · Guru

:). Sounds like it would be great...but yeah not for us.

Maggie117 · Guru

Just checked my passport and it's good 'til 2016 (yeah I should have checked sooner just in case).
Just confirmed seat selection (all window and aisle) for us.
Confirmed meal selection...vegetarian for me. (I'm not a vegetarian but don't want to chance getting a meat prepared in a way I won't like...)
Told my husband I didn't need to buy anything for the trip and, well, that's not completely true...new fitted camera bag (didn't have one like that), new pair of boots, new LL Bean travel organizer...hopefully I'm all set now! ;)

Awe...the sweet process of preparing for a trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie, You are chomping at the bit! biggrin Sounds like everything is perfect.

Maggie117 · Guru

I really am... I don't work anymore so I have TONS of time on my hands to think about ONLY IRELAND!!! LOL!!!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Friday 11th of January 2013 06:27:05 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Trying AGAIN ... furious furious

I posted an answer, but the Telco Cloud ate it! furious furious

The X51 is the Galway to Limerick bus. In Limerick you would change onto the 14 Bus (Destined for Killarney).

See: http://journeyplanner.buseireann.ie/jp/bin/query.exe/en?currentCSS=theme_be&

You could take the 14 into Killarney, for a daytrip, if you get bored.

Likewise, since you do NOT want to drive -- Have you considered hiring a hackney for a day or two?

Not sure what cost or availability in Adare would be, but it might be worth looking into.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Friday 11th of January 2013 06:44:53 PM

tony2phones · Guru

X51 is express bus service the 51 is the regular hourly service running between Cork and Galway. The 14 Killarney service is good and the 13 will take you Tralee but I would be getting off in Listowel.

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 11th of January 2013 07:29:27 PM