Flying out of Atlanta

Geno · Guru

Flying out of Atlanta

Geno · Guru

On our trip this March, we will have a connecting flight on Delta and will be travelling from Atlanta to Dublin. Usually we go out of Chicago on Aer Lingus or American, but the rate was much better via Atlanta so that is what we are taking. What has anyone's experience been flying Delta out of Atlanta? Have they usually been on time, are there on-flight movies, meals served, etc.?

Thanks for any feedback. Looking forward to being in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day for the second time!

Best regards,

Geno

Michele Erdvig · Host

Geno,

I live in Atlanta and used to fly Delta to Ireland all the time. They are usually on time. There are in-flight movies. They serve dinner and breakfast. There is a new international terminal, which I've not used because last time I went through Newark to Shannon. So you may have to take the train from your connecting flight to your Atlanta gate.

How fun to be in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. Do you have plans to be in a certain town or city?

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Geno,

You will be on the go! I love Loop Head. The drive down the coast is beautiful. If you go be sure to stop for the Bridges of Ross. Take the pathway to the left for the sea arch you can walk over. If you have time you could stop to see The Little Ark. At Loop Head be sure to take a long walk around the headland. It is like being at the end of the world.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Try Oughterard or Moycullen as a half way spot on the way down before Galway

murphy · Guru

We flew Delta from Boston to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Phoenix after crossing the puddle on Aer Lingus. Had a short connection time in Atlanta, but the tram system (located adjacent on both sides of the wide walkway/moving walkway) makes it quite easy to get from one side to the other rather quickly. BIG BIG airport, but had no problems with Atlanta airport or Delta.
Also flew Delta the time before; JFK-Dublin...just ok...typical cattle car long haul carrier. A wide body jet seems to me to be more comfortable, less claustrophobic, less crowded in the isles/RR compared to the narrow body 3 seat-center aisle-3 seat configuration. What fun to be IN Ireland on St Patricks Day! We went about a week after St. Pat's 2 years ago, and the weather was not too bad! Hope it is that way for you! Have fun, and tip a black beverage or 2 for me!

Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Atlanta is our HUB airport. We have flown to Ireland from ATL on numerous occassions -- most recently, in April and Oct of 2012.

Delta is no better (and no worse) than most US based airlines, in terms of service, etcetera.

ATL airport is big and busy, but well laid out and relatively easy to move around in. The train/shuttle is quick and frequent.

I have flown through ATL with connection times of as little as 45 minutes and still made my connection. They only significant delay problem we've ever experienced came DEPARTING Dublin -- we didn't take off until almost 3 hours after our scheduled time. Dunno if the delay was caused by a late ATL departure, or by mechanical problems, though.

Would think reliabilty (weather-wise) would be MUCH better in March via ATL, rather than Chicago. ... confuse confuse

JFK is usually too unpredictable and chaotic -- since they seem to bein a perpetual state of remodeling --

Bob

Geno · Guru

Thanks everyone! Sounds great and we are getting excited about going back again.

Geno

Geno · Guru

Tony:

What is petrol going for in Ireland right now?

Thanks,

Geno

tony2phones · Guru

Thats one of those questions that needs a coat of thinking about. normally its just nip and put 25 in the tank for the week? Say 1.55/ltr petrol and a few cent cheaper for Diesel. but then we get 45mpg out of the Renault Megan which is a good bit more than you would out of a US version of the same.

Geno · Guru

Initially we wanted to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon, but got a wonderful deal on airfare in and out of Dublin, so things were changed to handle that.

Here are the B&Bs for the trip.

Birr -- The Maltings

Westport -- Linden Hall

Ennistymon -- Station House

Dingle -- Emlagh Lodge

Cashel -- Peggy O'Neill's

Dublin -- Bewley's Airport Hotel (early flight). Turn in car before we go to hotel, rest of the time bus or cabs to city.

Avoca didn't make the cut -- too much driving. We added another night in Dublin, so we now have multiple nights in Westport, Dingle, and Dublin.

Thanks to all -- we leave second week of March.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Monday 28th of January 2013 04:59:05 PM

CowboyCraic · Guru

Geno, mo chara,

If you've not booked your night's stay in Birr, I highly recommend Minnock's Farmhouse. You will be well rested and well fed, to be sure.

If you wanted something closer in, The Maltings House is at town centre almost. Homemade jams....need I say any more?...Next door to the Castle Demense...breakfast room overlooks the river.....Originally was a Malt House for the Guinness company.... biggrin biggrin biggrin

Lucky you to be spending St Patrick's in Dingle! I love their celebration...and the fact that they had two parades...one in the morning and one in the afternoon...so that even the hungover could participate...LOL

I would definitely choose teh Loophead over the Cliffs. Less crowded, more unspoilt. TAke a picnic lunch, if it isn't a windy day...and have yourselves a nice lunch on the edge of beyond

Geno · Guru

How doable would a day trip to Kylemore Abbey and Crough Patrick (just to see it, not hike) be from Westport in one day?

And has anyone driven from Dingle to Dublin Airport in one day? I know that is a long stretch, but we have all day to get there and just need to get the car turned in that evening. We drove from Doolin to Dublin once and it wasn't too nuts, but I haven't tried this and what might be the best route. Maybe splitting the trip up with a leg stretching hour or so at Rock of Cashel? Still trying to decide.

Thanks,

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 31st of January 2013 01:05:46 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Guestimate: 6-1/2 hours. Dingle - Killarney - Limerick - Dublin.

Geno · Guru

Tony, Bob, Michele -- thanks!

Bob, we sort of stumbled into Doo Lough a few years ago and were so taken with it that we pulled the car off to the side and just took in the sights for about an hour. Didn't hardly see another car that day. It is quite an area and I was not aware of it until we came through the winding roads and the magnificant countryside.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 31st of January 2013 02:31:22 PM

tony2phones · Guru

Crough Patrick and Kylemore are almost each end of the Doonlough drive so no problem down and back up the N59.
Dingle to Dublin is possible but I would stick with the Cashel or Cahir plan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

It should be fine, Geno. I would head out to Kylemore, via Lenane (N59) and return via Doo Lough (Delphi and Louisburgh, on the R 335) -- or, reverse.

Google maps calls that at 111 miles and claims 3 hours of drive time -- without stops. I don't have to tell YOU that it would probably be a full day, though.

Enjoy! The Doo Lough drive is one of my ALL TIME favorites!

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Always happy to help. Isn't it wonderful to be able to visit Ireland repeatedly? That is when you can really explore and find such off-the-beaten-path places.