Big Town, Small Town

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Big Town, Small Town

Mark · Veteran Member

Kevin,

It's definately a trade off. Yes there is a lot more to do in a city like Galway than a small town out in the country. Although there is plenty to do at night in Kinvara as well. Kinvara has somewhere around 10-12 pubs all within walking distance of each other and there is often music going on in one of them particularly on a weekend. Although small Kinvara is fairly busy in its own right. Plus you've got the castle right down the road.

Personally I like the small town/village feel of Ireland more so than the cities. The more my wife and I go the more we gravitate to the smaller towns and avoid the cities. I just find the pace more relaxing the people more friendly and when you do find a place where live music is being played it is often as good or better than in the city. Somehow I just love sitting outside a countryside pub enjoying a pint and looking across the road at green pastures, cows, sheep, etc. You really get a sense of going back in time somewhat in those places. I much prefer that to the bustle of the city. Of course though I'm the easy going type that doesn't need to be occupied all the time. Sitting quietly with a pint of Guinness for hours on end justing taking it in is perfect for me.

My suggestion to you would simply be to mix it up. Spend some time in a village like Kinvara and some time in the city like Galway (side note: as far as cities go Galway is by far my favorite by the way). This way you'll get to enjoy yourself while you figure out what environment you like best. Then next time you visit Ireland you'll know which way to go.

Mark

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kevin,

I like staying in a mix of places just as Mark does. Of course I have to be on the go quite a bit because I am busy inspecting lodgings and looking for new things. I do wish I had more time to vegatate a bit.

Actually Killarney is not that large a town either. So you do have a few smaller places in your itinerary. Keep in mind that in April people are on spring break. Places like Galway will be busy especially on weekends. I always recommend having your first and last night booked even when winging everything else.

It really depends on what your needs are. You mentioned you want to enjoy nights on the town so Galway might just suit you. Had you thought of taking a day from Dublin and having an extra day in Dungarvan? I know Dungarvan is important to you.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

It's not a bad idea to include a place outside of town with a great view of the countryside. Many such places can be found within a ten minute drive of many towns, so unless you need to be within staggering distance from the pub scene, you could consider one accommodation that mixes it up a bit.

Staying outside of Killarney or in Connemara (or Dungarvin or Ennis for that matter) could work for that. Regardless, you'll get a mix of different places as you travel from place to place.

oopsy · Senior Member

I apologize if this is a double post. I think I hit the wrong button on my first attempt and lost it, but perhaps it has just been temporarily detained somewhere in cyberspace.

I have only been to Ireland once, so this is based on very limited experience. I think a mix of big (or, as is the case with some of your possible spots, less small) and small/tiny bases mixes up pace nicely on a trip. We really liked all of our bases (Roundstone, Ardara, Donegal, Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Dublin) in our 2002 trip. But, we really loved our time in Roundstone (perhaps about 300 people?). Maybe it was in part because it was our first stop. Maybe we were just lucky with the folks we met there. We were out there later than our other stops, enjoying conversations with many of the same local folks, and a couple from Liverpool, both nights. We felt fairly grounded there, while in other stops we felt like we were on the move trying to see it all, find the best pub, the best music. In Roundstone, options were limited, and that allowed us to just settle in and enjoy. We would have had a very different experience if it was just one of our drive in, park, walk around stops on a one day Connemara tour starting adn ending in Galway. That being said, I would never get my way if I suggested our entire trip this year be in Roundstone-sized towns. Instead, we'll be in Roundstone, Galway, Castlegregory, and Kenmare. Two more notes: First, we loved Dublin but wish we had started our trip there rather than ended it there. Second, we regretted not staying in at least one very small town during our 2004 trip to Spain (stayed in Nerja, Sevilla, and Ronda).

As you suggested, only you can know your preferences based on past experiences. However, if you are going to select several bases anyway, perhaps one could be something a bit different than you would usually try. Maybe you'll find a new preference!

Whatever you decide, enjoy! --oopsy