Solo trip in November! First time in the winter...

Green Dragon · Guru

Solo trip in November! First time in the winter...

tony2phones · Guru

Not sure of the Northern lights in November? and offering advice to yourself is a bit like teaching Grandma to suck eggs as they say. So where are you stuck for ideas?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Antrim and Derry would be your best bets for Northern lights at that time of year. Malin Head on the Inishowen peninsula would be another. I've always thought it would be fantastic to capture Mussenden Temple in the Northern lights.

I wish I was on Tara with you! How very exciting. Etiquette will be the same as ours, courtesy, respect.

I made my suggestions for Armagh lodging already. I think you would love it there at Dundrum. It is still a doable distance for a Belfast day.

I would probably stay in Roscommon over Athlone.

Green Dragon · Guru

Tony, I've mostly visited the coastal regions of Ireland, and neglected the interior. This time I wanted a little more time 'inside', so to speak. Also, since many things will be closed, I'm looking for things that perhaps don't need visitor centres or admissions - places to explore at will.

One of the reasons I am spending time in Gweedore and Cushendall is to spend more time exploring Donegal/INishowen/Antrim Coast :)

CowboyCraic · Guru

The solitude of the Sliabh Liag is always open...as is An Tra Bhan ...both in Southern Donegal

If you have time for Fore, that is always open... in Westmeath

If you stay in Roscommon town, you will have the Abbey & The Castle at your door

If you're not too tied to Gweedore, might I suggest Teac Jack just outside of Derrybegs in Glassagh? The Craic is mighty there...any time of the year... biggrin

Green Dragon · Guru

Gweedore was an option as a town in Donegal, central, and a new place (I loved Ardara, but I want to try more!)

Sliabh Liag is a definite, as well as exploring more of Inishowen and Glenveigh. I may do 4 days there, instead of 3... too much to see! Shoot, I may just skip another spot entirely. Fore is on my list.

Green Dragon · Guru

I'm thinking of staying someplace other than Oldcastle, as it was my friend Rachel who wanted so badly to stay in a castle. I need to be close enough on the second night to travel to the Hill of Tara for the Full Moon Ceremony. I am also interested in being close enough to explore Loughcrew. Any suggestions?

Also, Athlone - I'm rather iffy on that. I want to explore the area, but Athlone itself doesn't seem to be inspiring my imagination. Suggestions? Places nearby to help inspire me?

Right now, it looks like flying into Dublin and:
2 nights somewhere near Tara
2 nights Armagh
3 nights Cushendall
4 nights Gweedore
3 nights Westport
2 nights Athlone?
Fly out of Dublin

I'm seriously considering getting a manual transmission car again. I always get manual when I'm over there, but I've been concerned about icy roads in November. Thoughts? I can do icy, hilly roads with an automatic, but I have no instincts for that with a manual car. I realize that there is no way to predict such things, but if the likelihood is less than 10%, I'll take the gamble.

Geno · Guru

Would suggest Birr or Tulamore instead of Athlone. We did the distillery tour in Tulamore and really enjoyed it. Both towns are fine and a great area to stay for a night if you have any interest in going to Clonmacnoise.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Navan, Trim and Ashbourne are pretty near Tara. You might be interested in this B&B, which reviews say is almost on the Hill of Tara (I don't know anything about it): http://bit.ly/17SgxIK

I have recommendations in Ashbourne and Trim.

If you are up for something very special (and have money to burn) Tankardstown in Slane is fabulous!

Just a few miles north of Athlone is the little village of Glasson. Although I like Geno's rec for Birr. Don't know what the gardens will be like there in Nov but at other times of year they are wonderful.

I think it is a bit early for ice in November unless something really freaky happens.

Green Dragon · Guru

Ah, Glasson and Birr both look great! Thanks for the suggestions. I've been to Clonmacnoise, but will certainly be happy to visit again. I just needed a place closer to Dublin than Westport for my last couple of days, so I could go from there to the airport, and hopefully a place I hadn't explored much before.

Trim is possible, but I am hoping for smaller, charming villages (my favorite!). I prefer B&Bs in town, so I can walk to food/pub if I need to, and much prefer the quieter villages. Westport is the largest place I'll be staying, and that's because I've stayed before and love the area around the Mall. :)

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mo chara,

Have you looked at Ma Dwyer's or Bothar Alainn House? Or another nice little spot is Ash cottage. The pub is just down the lane and they have a separate guest entrance.

Green Dragon · Guru

Both Ma Dwyers and Ash Cottage have no availability for my dates. Bothar Alainn is added to my list. I can't tell if it's nearby pubs? It doesn't look like it is, according to the map, but it does look near some gardens, which is a plus :)

I found a lovely place in Glasson, Benown House B&B. As lovely as Tankardstown looks, I've no money to burn :( This is my last 'fling' (hopefully) before I have a baby.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mo Chara,

Check out Yellow House B&B in Navan. It's just off town centre.

Or try the Village B&B in Kilmessan Village. That should suit your needs. They've no website...but here is the rest of their info:

t: +353 46 9025250
e: info@meathvillagebandb.com

Green Dragon · Guru

I shall check those out, thanks :)

Green Dragon · Guru

I have a place to stay the first couple of nights - my publisher, Kemberlee, invited me to stay at her place near Drogheda. Perfect! Also, I got tickets to see Christy Moore. He's playing in Naas Nov 30, not too far from my last stop, so I added a day to Glasson. I also just bought my airfare, so now everything else can be set in place :) WOOOHOO!!! The trigger has been pulled!

Michele Erdvig · Host

That's great Christy. Things are working out and coming together. When in Drogheda be sure to go up to Millmount and if you are into grisly sights you can view St. Oliver Plunkett's head in St. Peter's church.

Green Dragon · Guru

Kemberlee told me about that :) I might have to see it for pure curiosity's sake!

Geno · Guru

I really liked Linden Hall this spring. Tremendous location, great price, and the people were helpful. Might resend the request, as they were quite prompt when I dealt with them. The place has huge rooms and was one of the better places I stayed. I do understand your comment about Boulevard Guesthouse. The location is good, parking great, and rooms are fine, but it's more of hotel feel than a B&B and not real personal. We liked it fine and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again, but enjoyed Linden House much more.

A description is part of my trip report.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 11:01:51 AM

Geno · Guru

Regarding Linden Hall, the proprietor now is Maria, and the onsite host is Paul, so probably much different. It's ranked 6th out of 70-plus places to stay in Westport now on TripAdvisor and is getting good reviews, so I think my experience is typical of what most now feel when they are there.

As far as another trip over ... because of the lower prices, we usually go in March or October, but this next year we might do our first ever summer trip. I know the crowds will be a factor and prices will be higher, but the thought of some of the gardens over there in full glory make it something I think we need to experience.

Or then again, why not both March and sometime in the summer???

See, I'm dreaming once again! smile

-- Edited by Geno on Tuesday 8th of October 2013 12:39:42 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I like May too. Cherry trees, hawthorn, bluebells and wild garlic blooming. Then there is the Glenarm Tulip Festival. Memorable.

Green Dragon · Guru

So... all my B&B reservations are made, except for Westport. I mailed Linden Hall a couple times, and have heard nothing back. Most of the others I've tried (St. Anthony's, McCarthy's) are not open when I'm there (27 and 28 Nov). I wasn't interested in doing The Boulevard again (last time was uninspiring). Suggestions? I prefer to be in town for Westport, thanks!

I'm getting excited - only 5 weeks away!!!

CowboyCraic · Guru

Christy,

Geno has been the most recent guest and if it meets his approval than its all good.

I had stayed at Linden hall on several trips prior to my 2009 solo trip. So I happily made a reservation and was thrilled to hear back quickly that she had two rooms available, one of which was a single room. I thought I would be money prudent and booked the single. I ended up not staying at Linden Hall and heading on to Roscommon after checking out my room. It was dismal.

In looking at her website now though, I don't see her offering the single room, so perhaps she decided not to offer it any longer and reverted it back to a closet or storage room.

Angela, herself, is most delightful. I explained to her my desire to be in Roscommon and she gave me an out for staying there. I did tell her what I found displeasing about the room and offered to pay. She said she wouldn't take my money and hoped that I would give her another chance on a future trip. I promised her I would be back.

So excited for your trip! You will have a grand time!

Geno · Guru

Bit:

We had three rooms, and all were massive. Whatever they gave you must now not be in the mix, and perhaps since that was almost five years ago it might be different management. The place was spotless and nice, with attentive staff and a great location. I know that properties are often just as good as the people who manage them -- we have all found that out.

When is your next trip over? I went in March and mentally started planning another as soon as I got back here! smile

Take care,

Geno

CowboyCraic · Guru

Geno,

It was Angela whom I dealt with five years ago. You are right when you say that five years makes a difference.

We are headed over in either May or June of next year. I had hoped to be there for my Fiftieth at the end of June. However, it is $400 per ticket RT cheaper if we go in May. We are taking my parents and FLANO's mother so that makes a difference. So, perhaps an earlier fiftieth celebration will be in the works.

We will do two week or three weeks in Ireland, mostly in the North and Central areas, Roscommon, Armagh, Antrim, Donegal and then head over to Scotland for two weeks. My momma has said that she wants to see Inis Mor. I am just not too sure about the Ferry ride for her.

As my mother is 86 and my father is 79, it will be a different sort of trip, slower, more village and town focused. There will be visiting with relatives and self-catering cottages in the mix.

I am lucky in that, in between trips, I have itineraries to plan for clients. That keeps everything fresh and alive for me.

When do you head back?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Geno, if it Blooms you are wanting early June is best...and still off-season...sorta biggrin

Green Dragon · Guru

June is brilliant in Ireland :) Flowers everywhere!

Green Dragon · Guru

May is gorgeous, yes. April is like someone spilled butter across the countryside with the gorse everywhere :)

CowboyCraic · Guru

We are looking at the best of it...Late May into early June. I am trying to stay out of The Marching Season all together, whether in Scotland or the North counties

As it, with next year being 2014, Scotland will be an interesting adventure.

Carla · Veteran Member

We really liked Cedar Lodge in Westport, but it was in 2007 that we stayed there, so don't know if things have changed. They still have a high rating on Trip Advisor. It's easy walking distance to town.

Green Dragon · Guru

I did finally secure the Cedar Lodge B&B in Westport, so that's all the places to stay worked out. They are:

The couch of my friend and publisher, Kemberlee, near Drogheda for the first two nights
Armagh: Dundrum House B&B for 2 nights
Cushendall: Riverside B&B for 3 nights (I stayed here last trip, fantastic place!)
Gweedore: Teac Campbell Guest House for 4 nights (recommended by Bit!)
Westport: Cedar Lodge B&B for 2 nights
Glasson: Benown House B&B for 3 nights

I've a full list of things to try to see, though I know I won't see them all, especially with iffy weather and short days, but I'm on my own, so I don't have to cater to anyone else. I have an app on my phone to alert me when Northern Lights are more likely :) I've got my car rented through Dan Dooley already, my airfare done, and I'm raring to go! I've got a full moon ceremony on Hill of Tara to attend with the Irish Druids on Nov 17, and a Christy Moore concert to attend on Nov 30. I've even got a list of places used in the Game of Thrones filming to visit (including Dark Hedges again, of course!)

Thanks for everyone's help!

t: +353 46 9025250 e: info@meathvillagebandb.com

t: +353 46 9025250
e: info@meathvillagebandb.com