First trip to Ireland

Bigmomaok · Member

First trip to Ireland

tony2phones · Guru

Welcome

Staying near Galway?? I live near Galway in Irish terms (an Hour away)

For the area west of Galway http://goo.gl/maps/L5ihu and http://ireland.activeboard.com/t50055177/n59-galway-route/

But it depends how long for?

Then South form Galway lies County Clare, famed for 1/4 mile of Cliffs and a village with 3 pubs a hotel and a reputation for music??Yes the boat ride from Fisher St quay to Inis Oirr with a combines Cliffs cruise is well worth the best part of a day. There is a lot more which deserves seeing in Clare as a whole, which is useful because the drive from Galway to Dingle is 4+ hours without stopping and best done with an overnight between which I usually recommend Ennis. Then drive the Shannon Tunnel, through Adare.

Or stay between Lahinch and Kilkee, then call down and see the Loop Head peninsular for the best view of Dingle, out in the distance from the top of Loop Head Lighthouse.

In either case stop to see Listowel before you head over the Connor Pass into Dingle (Which has just decided to call itself Dingle again).. And at that point I leave the recomendations to other's.

Bigmomaok · Member

Thank you so much for your I suggestions. Howmuch is the toll on N 18 and how do we pay? Is there a toll booth? What is the speed limit on highways and on country roads.

tony2phones · Guru

The Toll for the tunnel is currently E1.80 and there is a Toll booth on all toll roads except the M50 which has cameras between junctions 5&6. Motorways are 120KPH (80mph) All other roads from 50 KPH (30mph) to 100 KPH (65 mph) speed limits are maximums not challenges because even I don't match the permitted speed on some roads. Work on an average of 30-40mph for journey planning.

Bigmomaok · Member

Thank you again.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cong is right on the border of Connemara, which is very scenic. You could do both from Galway as a big loop day trip. Kylemore Abbey is another beautiful site.

A boat ride to see the Cliffs of Moher would very much depend on weather and seas.

Packing: http://www.irelandyes.com/packing.html LAYERS!

tony2phones · Guru

Sorry Michele but Cong and the cliffs as a day trip loop?? Possible but not seeing anything of interest other than the two places... There is a Two day tour that emanates from Galway doing the Cliffs and (some) Burren one day and Kylemore/Cong and (some) Connamara the next Think there is a 3 day package including Inis Mor as well.

Michele Erdvig · Host

No, I wasn't recommending the cliffs on the same day as Connemara. disbelief That would be a separate day.

I just commented on the boat question after recommending Connemara. I should have been more specific.

tony2phones · Guru

My apologies It was me miss reading of course you meant Kylemore and Cong as a loop which is very possible, even tour bus's do that with a couple of gift shops thrown in as well...

Bigmomaok · Member

Thank you again, I think we will take it easy the first day after traveling,and tour Galway, Salthill and go to Trad on the Pond. One day tour Connemara,Cong, Skyroad, and another day tour the Cliffs, Burren and Ennis. Maybe one day tour Westport area and visit the wool mill there. I differently want to go to the Farmers Market in Galway on Sat.
Do you have any favorite pubs and restaurants? My best friend is going to be a first time Grandma and wants to look for baby things from clothes to toys and I love boot sales and flea markets.

Bigmomaok · Member

PS I can't wait to receive your book, Michele.

tony2phones · Guru

Fallers on High St in Galway has some nice Irish theme baby wear without silly price tags. There are some good charity shops you will find on your travels.