First Dream Trip to Ireland in August 2014

tampacb · Veteran Member

First Dream Trip to Ireland in August 2014

Michele Erdvig · Host

These maps should help with Dublin's different districts:

http://www.irishtourist.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dublin-postal-code-map.png

http://www.dublinmapped.com/

You can use this to determine mileage: http://www.theaa.ie/routes/

Beechwood is 8 or 9 miles from Croke Park. It is north of Dublin City not far from the airport.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I would think that blocks of rooms were reserved in advance by alumni groups for Croke Park. Have you thought of checking with them? Also check on this link: http://www.crokepark.ie/crokeparkclassic/booknow.aspx

tampacb · Veteran Member

Yes Michele,

i am finding some of the nicer hotels and b &b's are booked but that actually means blocked out. I have reached out to Anthony travel For assistance, they have no rooms availajoiner recommendations available unless you are a part of the tour.

There are several b&b 's with availability in Dublin2 searches on the web . But the reviews on trip advisor are so mixed and not very complimentary of them. So it is taking awhile to work my way through them...but time is of the essence as far as Dublin is concerned. I still haven't heard back from Beechwood or Smarmore Castle either. I may call them over the weekend if I haven't heard by then. I'm interested in the avaiability at Ballinahinch too and still waiting to hear from them.

Baggot Court Townehouse and Fitzwilliam towne house B&B have mixed reviews. But in Dublin 2 and very reasonable...we're only sleeping there and will be out in Dublin every other minute...so what does it matter if its a REAL 3 star I guess, I'll be doing a lot of research and reading tonight. Thanks Michele!

-- Edited by tampacb on Monday 3rd of February 2014 05:06:31 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Have you tried the Premier Inn near Dublin Airport? Not an ideal location but you can bus into Dublin.

tony2phones · Guru

Try the Maldron on Parnell Sq its about a 20 minute walk to the stadium. We use the Maldron Smithfield which is a little further out but still easy reach.

tampacb · Veteran Member

Michele, The Ashling now has availability, it is Dublin 9 I see. What does that mean when you say the bus will whisk me right in to city center? 20 minutes? Thanks

Im also very interested in the Andora b&b in Ballsbridge, also a bus ride to the city centre but pretty close I believe.

The Kildare Street Hotel in Dublin2 looks really nice , a bit pricey for 2 nights at 978 euros but I'm seriously considering taking it...getting closer.

Thanks,

Cindi

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

We stayed at the Ashling in April of 2012. It is on the edge of the city, near the Guinness Store and almost directly opposite Heuston Train Station, on the North side of the Liffy. The Airport Shuttle and the Luas stop, right in front of Heuston Station. Map: http://www.luas.ie/luas-red-line-stops/

Heading back toward City Center from Heuston, the stops are as follows:

1) Collins Barracks/Croppies Acre/Museum

2) Smithfield

3) Four Courts

4) Jervis Street

5) Abbey Street

Museum is about the same distance from the Aisling as Heuston Station. Smithfield is famous for the Cobblestone Pub and the Jameson Distillery Tour. The Maldron Hotel is also here.

Four Courts is the famous building, of course, but if you exit here and cross the river, a brisk walk leads to the Brazen Head. If you continue along Upper Bridge Street, you pass St Audoen's Church, Dublinia and Christchurch Cathedral. St Patrick's Cathedral is nearby, on Nicholas Street. Jury's Inn Christchurch is opposite the Cathedral. Continuing along Lord Edward Street a few blocks, you'll pass Dublin Castle, then take a left, onto Sycamore Street and it will lead you to Templebar.

Alternately, O'Connel Street is 1/2 way between the Jervis and Abbey stops, although Abbey Street is closer.

Google maps says that the Aisling Hotel is 2.2 Kilometers (1.367 miles) from the O'Connell Street Bridge, along the quay. Luas stops about every 500 metres (1500 feet).

tampacb · Veteran Member

Well,

I am feeling very excited and happy now. I have booked our accommodations in Dublin. My husband and I are staying at the Morgan Hotel in Temple Bar, in a deluxe Queen Room. The Morgan looks beautiful and is a four star hotel. The rate is $458 in dollars for the two nights.They are listed as a Dublin Hotel being used on the UCF tour as well, so there will be fellow Florida fans there.

The boys wanted to stay in a hostel during these two days,as it will be there only chance while on this trip to do so. The older two boys backpacked for five weeks through Europe two years ago and want to show the youngest brother a hostel adventure. My oldest son booked the hostel and says it is just three short blocks from the Morgan.

So now I'll move to booking the castle and farm and be ready for an itinerary!

We'll read your book Michele and ask the locals for the best places to Eat. The Morgan isn't a B&B so well be out for breakfast both days with the boys as well.

Ahh...this is getting fun now!

markan · Senior Member

"We'll read your book Michele and ask the locals for the best places to Eat"

I'm going to give you one very, very good tip as far as where to eat.

L. Mulligan Grocer in Stoneybatter

www.lmulligangrocer.com/

A fantastic gastropub with not only great food but the best beer selection in Dublin. I went on a Sunday afternoon for their Sunday roast and had a wonderful IPA brewed in Cork City and an equally delicious pumpkin ale brewed in Waterford. You can walk there from the Morgan but it's on the north side of the river.

For an added bonus just a couple of blocks from L Mulligans and across the street from Smithfield square is The Cobblestones pub. IMO the best pub for traditional irish music in the city. It's where the musicians go to get away from the hordes of tourists in other parts of the city like Temple Bar. They have a facebook page for more info: www.facebook.com/thecobblestone

tampacb · Veteran Member

Thank you so very much for these two suggestions they will definitely be a part of our trip now!!

I'm beginning to keep a journal of places to see, what to do, and where to eat.... I was feeling a bit overwhelmed until I had Dublin booked...the other cities we choose will be B&B 'a I read about and much more relaxed to plan. What a phenomenal site this is.

My husband and I sit for some time every night and read something else very interesting and my boys text and call their thoughts about everything I send them.

Thanks Michele and everyone....

Michele Erdvig · Host

Happy to help. I'm glad you got your Dublin reservations sorted. That was the most problematic part of your trip because of the big game at Croke Park. The rest should be much easier.

tampacb · Veteran Member

Hi Michele,
I'm starting to plan our stay now beginning when we land in Shannon on 8/23. I have been emailing Nancy and Tomas at the Thatch Cottage, they have B &B availability. I forgot to make a note of their website and now I am trying to remember which city I found them in. I know I read about that cottage on your forum somewhere, and I hate to email her again and ask...Can you tell me where they are in relation to the airport. I think they are near Galaway and that Galaway was recommended for our first nights staying Ireland.
I think the difficulty I had in finding accommodations in Dublin and all the dozens of places I emailed about that....got me all discombobulated concerning Galaway..lol..but now that Dublin is settled this will be fun.
What would your recommendations be for the first night in Ireland?

CowboyCraic · Guru

Is it Cloch na Scith B&B that you are looking for in Spiddal? That would be Thomas & Nancy....

tampacb · Veteran Member

Yes this is it Thanks,
We thought from the Shannon airport we would head to Galaway for two days -would this be a good choice ? What would be a good suggestion for another night in Galloway maybe? We thought we would try two different places for the new experiences at each?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Cloch na Scith is maybe 12 miles from Galway out on the coast road in Spiddal - a small village. You could easily spend two nights there and use it as a base for Connemara/Galway. If you must split up the time Clifden or Westport might suit. But without knowing the rest of your itinerary and where you are heading afterwards, our advice might vary.

Oh, you mentioned a castle stay. In Connemara is Ballynahinch. Although it is a fishing lodge it might fulfill your "castle" experience. Take a look at it to see if it might.

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig on Thursday 6th of February 2014 01:30:34 PM

tampacb · Veteran Member

Michele,

Other than ending up in Dublin, I really have no idea what I want our itinerary to look like, everyone who writes about theirs seems interesting to me and the more I read the more unsure I become of my choices.

Galaway sounds very interesting to me. The town sounds quaint and fun for my boys.It sounds like there is lots of irish pub life. I think that staying in a thatched cottage is very Irish and unusually rare and therefore its important to me. Have you ever stayed there? I would really love a personal recommendation.

I have read that visiting one of the Aran islands would be a good thing to do while in Galaway, I believe some people have rented bikes there. Is it a boat ride over to them from Galaway.? I have looked into that castle Michele and sent the information to my some to see what they think.

What might some of our must sees be on the way to Dublin from Galaway.

ahhh. I just read my notes again. Tony2phones recommended the thatched cottage in Spiddal and said you like it as we'll Michele. He also made the following suggestions based on the things I mentioned liking while i am reading your book: 7 days to fit in Galway, one of the Arans, Cliffs of Moher north of SNN and Dingle and Inveragh (ring of Kerry) south of the Shannon before heading to Dublin.

Possibly start by driving up to Galway. 1 1/2 hours north on good roads to introduce yourselves to Irish driving. 2 nights Galway before dropping down past the Cliffs and Doolin with 1 night somewhere from Ennis to Adare (inclusive).

Cross the Shannon and drive round Dingle to Killarney or Kenmare, 2 nights for Inveragh and Kerry national Park maybe cycle the Gap of Dunloe.

That leaves 2 days before you need to be in Dublin? or just fit one night between, Maybe Kilkenny?.....any thoughts ...

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 6th of February 2014 04:08:19 PM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 6th of February 2014 04:24:38 PM

-- Edited by tampacb on Thursday 6th of February 2014 04:29:06 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I have not stayed at or been able to inspect the inside of the thatched B&B in Spiddal. Although I have seen the outside, the lady of the house has not been in when I have stopped by and the husband was unable to show me around. I do know that someone else on my forum has stayed there and enjoyed her experience.

If you go to my Transport page you will find links to various ferries (including Aran Islands). There is also a short flight you can take on Aer Arann. Yes, you can rent bikes there.

Tony's plan will work. I like Kilkenny. If only spending one night enroute to Dublin maybe Cashel and seeing Cahir Castle, Swiss Cottage and Rock of Cashel?

Roy · Guru

tony2phones wrote:
EasytourIreland are a relatively new player and are getting good press on the forums.. The man in charge was with some other US specialist and deals by default with Hertz but seems to negotiate a decent rate for US license holders.

I rented from EasytourIreland last summer. Everything went smoothly transaction wise though the Suzuki Alto was like driving a tuna can. At one point my wife got so concerned about the jingling noises the rear suspension was making I told her to put up her window so she wouldn't hear it. A poor excuse of a car it was.

tony2phones · Guru

To be fair that's Hertz not the broker..The Alto's are not known for ride quality and along with other micro type cars are becoming common in the Hire car market..

One problem is that new cars do not have to undergo NCT (road worthiness test) until 4 years old, given the abuse some of these cars get on hire fleets I would support annual tests from Year One.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I was going to say that IN ALL FAIRNESS -- that's a Suzuki Alto! biggrin biggrin biggrin

BIL rented one, in April of 2011. I offered to let him put it in the trunk of my Mondeo. aww aww

HE was NOT amused! furious biggrin furious