Getting ready for the next Ireland adventure!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Getting ready for the next Ireland adventure!

luckygreen · Veteran Member

Hello Michele, It's been a while but we are preparing to return to Ireland to feed our souls. Bill and I fell in love with the Fleadh Nua in Ennis 4 years ago and will be trying to recapture some of that magic this May as well. From there perhaps a quick Dingle Peninsula "fix" then on to parts unknown. I'm considering Goleen as a base for exploring both the Beara Peninsula and Mizen Head but I'm still up in the air. We like to stay at friendly, scenic, cozy towns with a pub or two after a good day of exploration. I'm also thinking about a couple nights in either Ardmore, Tramore, Dunmore East, or Kimore Quay but I'm not finding a whole lot of information regarding the little communities themselves. I was hoping that some of your forum members might chime in.

So here we are so far, flying in and out of Shannon May 23 - June 1st.

May 24-25 Ennis

May 26 Dingle (Maybe. I've got to decide if we MUST see this again. I find the Slea Head drive beautiful and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the pubs in Dingle.)

May 27-28 Goleen (?) Might even add a day. Please feel free to share if you think this is a reasonable base. I can see that it's not exactly on the main drag but we're not exactly "main drag" folks.

May 29 - 30 I'd like to spend at least a couple days either in Waterford/Wexford/or maybe even Wicklow County towards the water.

May 31 Maybe Doolin. Just one more night with music and sea would be awesome before we fly home to Central (and flat) Michigan!

As always, I appreciate whatever feedback folks are willing to share.

Warmly,

Kelly G.

P.S. I purchased an Aer Lingus package on impulse. We've recently lost Bill's mom and needed something to cheer us up. I think we got a very good price flying out of Detroit and we're only using the vouchers for 5 or 6 nights. Mostly, I appreciate not having to figure out the car rental as it's in the package. Yes, I know I could have done it all myself. I've done it before. I just had a weak moment and now we're going to make it as wonderful as we can!

CowboyCraic · Guru

If you are looking for something along the Beara, I would choose Allihies. Mary O'Syullivan has a wonderful B&B right in the Village itself. If you are settled on Goleen, I would recommend Heron's Cove B&B. You could also look to Glengarriff as a base for both peninsulas. Beechwood House would be my choice in Glengarriff. Just outside of Ardigole is Dromagowlane House, a great B&B with a long history and a Pub, the Sugarloaf, just 5-10 minutes walk away.

If you have vouchers, you would need to take a look at their booklet and see what they offer, as not all B&Bs take vouchers. You could also opt not to use the vouchers at every stop. Vouchers might be a tough nut during the Fleadh in Ennis for example, as Festival time is considered a prime opportunity.

That should get ya started...I am sure the others will be along soon with their input, as well

tony2phones · Guru

B&B Ireland accommodation is far enough out of Ennis not to be affected too much by the Fledh most folk wanting to be within Walking distance, Ryehill or Brookville might be about the closest 6or7 Euro by cab from O'Connell St. (Brogans does great bar food)

Be interesting to get your view on the Changes in Dingle over the past 4 years but the day could be spent seeing somewhere new. (freedom of speech is permitted on here) So, 26-28th for the South West corner.

Really speaking the East coast and back might be a little too far? as on TA Cobh is an option

Doolin falls into the category of a nice place to visit but not on my list of places to stay, The Station House in Ennistymon might be an option Clonmore Lodge in Quilty would get my 2nd vote

Geno · Guru

Tony:

I have booked the Station House for a night, and know little about it. You like the place?

Thanks

tony2phones · Guru

Station house is up on Deerpark north end of town, I haven't stayed there myself just had the place well recommended by a few (trusted) people. My problem is I am limited walking these days and its just pushing my limit especially after a couple of drinks. B&B Ireland places tend to be either outside locations or not the most popular places centrally. They are all Tourist board approved

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kelly,

Nice to hear you are planning another trip to Ireland. In Goleen I would recommend Fortview House. If you want something extra special then take a look at Henry's, which is south of Skibbereen on a headland overlooking the ocean, beach and lighthouse. I stayed there in Oct. and it was fabulous.

Dunmore East is a charming fishing village and quite small. Tramore is much larger with an amusement center, which appeals to Irish families planning seaside vacations. Kilmore Quay is a very small village with lots of thatched houses but limited accommodations.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Are vouchers in the mix?

luckygreen · Veteran Member

Yep. Vouchers. But, several of CowboyCraic's and Tony's suggestions are voucher accepting B&Bs. We are already staying without vouchers in Ennis. We're really not letting the vouchers limit us.

Beyond Ennis our "must sees" are the Beara Peninsula and Mizen Head. So, after a couple more hours of tinkering tonight I'm learning towards this:

May 24 -25 Ennis
May 26 -28 Bantry (Doire Liath if available)
May 29 - 30 Suggestions?
May 31 Ennistymon (Station House if available)

I am very familiar with driving and driving times in Ireland. We drive a lot so are not daunted at staying somewhere farther east on the 29 & 30th and cutting cross county back to Ennistymon on our last full day.

I'm looking for ideas for those two days. Opinions are welcome. We like smaller towns with maybe 2 - 3 pubs and eateries from which to chose. Last trip we stayed in Cahir and enjoyed running into the same locals from the pubs to the restaurants. Ardmore? Some little hidden gem in County Carlow, Kilkenny or Wexford? We're open to new ideas.

Thanks!

Faoicheilt · Member

Dungarvan is a nice town in County Waterford. it is handy for exploring the nearby Copper Coast, which is often overlooked by visitors

luckygreen · Veteran Member

Hello Bit, and thanks!
Kilmore Quay looks as though it would be a good location in which to relax or head out on day trips. I'm thinking it looks easier to get and out of than Dunmore East?

Which, of the two, would you say has the most small town charm?

-- Edited by luckygreen on Tuesday 29th of January 2013 04:57:47 PM

CowboyCraic · Guru

HIdden gems in Carlow or Wexford... I can think of a couple:

St Mullins in Co Carlow gives you the River Barrow, One pub...an ancient but still in use cemetery and monastic settlement and 3 B&Bs... I usually head to Mulvarra House B&B...they take excellent care of their guests and everything in the village is within walking distance...THey even have four-legged tour guides!...Too small?

As Faoicheilt just mentioned, Dungarvan is a great choice... I usually stay at the Old Rectory when I am there...just outside of town but within walking distance...The Copper Coast they mentioned is a day trip which takes you through Fenore, Annstown, Boatstrand and Bunmahon... It will also take you through Stradbally, one of my favorite little villages. Along the Copper Coast, you will be treated to beautiful beaches and Cliffswalks... You will also find Ring, a Gaeltacht speaking town.... which might also be a good choice for your stay...Gortnadiha Lodge is another favourite...closer to Ring...ask for the Blue Room...and enjoy the Porridge with Irish Mist....Mmmmmmmmm biggrin biggrin biggrin

As to wexford...if you want to explore the North end of it...I would look to Gorey ... If you are looking to the Hook, then New Ross might be a good launching pad for exploring that area...In fact, New Ross is a great spot to head out for quite a few day trips.... There is also Kilmore Quay and a visit out to the Saltee Islands...I love the Quay House B&B there...just steps from a couple of pubs

CowboyCraic · Guru

I would choose Kilmore Quay simply because I enjoy the energy of the location and the town itself. Something about the mix of architecture and Thatchies always makes me feel at home. There is so muchto do in and around the Quay. Besides the Saltees, which are phenomenal in their own right, you have Ballyteigue Castle, Ballyhealy Castle, St. PAtrick's Bridge, the Grange Cemetery and the Burrow at Ballyteigue...add to that beautiful beaches and warm, friendly people

Ballyteigue Burrow is the name they have given to the awesome Sand Dunes which run between teh Quay and Cullenstown. It is something to seeand experience taht is different than any other area in Ireland.

Kehoe's Pub is a great place to meet the locals, grab some great pub grub and, if you're lucky, find a bit of music.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Either place is good. There is a ferry from the Waterford side to the Wexford side: http://www.passageferry.ie/

Roy · Guru

How far (and safe) a walk is Beechwood House from Glengarriff? I'm at the point of prefering to stay where I can walk back from a night out.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

I had a look at Beechwood and the map on their website seems to show it outside town. I toured the Glengarriff Park Hotel last time and it is very nice. Good food there too.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

The Hawthorn in Glengarriff has B&B accommodation not a bad bar for a night out either if memory serves.

Roy · Guru

Thanks Michele and Tony! I'm still airfare shopping. Once I pin down exact travel dates I'll be making reservations. It looks my wife will stay on for two or more weeks with her family after I head back.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Aer Lingus is having some sales now. Depends on your dates though.

tony2phones · Guru

Roy...A little off track but maybe of use to Kelly.. How did you find Youghal last year?