Planning a trip - last trip was 2003

stannseniors · Veteran Member

Planning a trip - last trip was 2003

tony2phones · Guru

Hello. Welcome back and ask away

Michele Erdvig · Host

Glad to hear you are planning another trip to Ireland. Yes, we are still dispensing advice and info. Things are slower here lately as I think most people just "lurk", read the posts and never ask for advice if they find the answers in previous posts. Also, the big-time forums and travel websites siphon travelers off to their sites and forums with big advertising budgets. That gives us more time to help those who do finally post. biggrin Just noted that 365 people accessed the forum today and (including me) three have posted.

Roy · Guru

It's a great place for advice!

stannseniors · Veteran Member

I was a newby back in 2003 and planned the whole thing with advice I got here and Michele's book (thank you Michele!)>
My parents, who had been several times, thought we were crazy just planning the B&Bs for the first and last night but it worked out so well with the suggestions from the B&B owners that there really was no need to think that far ahead as long as we knew where we were going.
This time is for our 25th anniversary and we are bringing our 10 year old! Last time we landed in Shannon and stayed with Mary (I'll have to look up the name but Maureen O'Hara always stayed there and I know Michele will know the name). Went to Bunratty for the Ceili and the last night did the medieval dinner. Loved that and really want to do those again. We went to Kilkenny (my roots), Jerpoint Abby, Rock of Cashel, Dingle, Muckross House, Cobh, Blarney and Cliffs of Moher. Don't have to do those all again but would like to go back to the cliffs. I love the coast but wonder what there is north of the cliffs on the coast?
I know there are things we missed...
Any suggestions?
Also, Dan Dooley was a good rental - wondered if they still are
Cell phones - is there a plan through sprint you can use the internet and texts if you have wifi?
That's the questions so far. we haven't picked a date (probably fall) and haven't looked for air - so I'm trying to get that ironed out.

tony2phones · Guru

North of the Cliffs on the coast. only the top half of the Wild Atlantic Way as the west coast is now being marketed. Cliffs, Doolin, round the coast under the Burren Moonscape past Fanor Beach where we take the grandkids when they are over, Then Blackhead to Ballyvaughan. Little bit hit and miss then to Kinvara which has Dunguaire Castle (another Shannon Heritage castle banquet spot). https://goo.gl/UtW24m To be honest the rest of the coast round Galway bay isn't that fantastic untill you get to the Salthill Prom and Blackrock. West of Galway the Connemara https://goo.gl/UL09QA which has a few Coral beaches and some other coastal features including the Sky Rd drive anyway lots north of the Cliffs which get my vote over anything between the Shannon estuary and Beara.

Phones. Sim only plan with Tesco Mobile is a reasonable deal http://www.tescomobile.ie/sim-only-plans.aspx

Dooleys are still a good rental option. Basically its a case of knowing what you are getting for the price you get quoted in respect of insurance and any other extras.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I'm afraid that Mary Browne at Bunratty Lodge retired a couple of years ago. But her daughter-in-law (who lives right next door) runs a first-class B&B that you would be pleased with: Headley Court. Mary taught Kathleen Browne how to do B&B right.

There is much to see and do north of the Cliffs of Moher. The whole NW of the country is your oyster. Connemara, Westport & Achill Island, Sligo, Donegal...and don't forget Northern Ireland. It is wonderful too.

For car rentals I have used these in the past few years with good results: Dooley, Avis, Fox.

Call Sprint for pricing as each plan is different. If it is too pricey you can get a phone at Tesco as Tony mentioned. Although last time when I was at various Tescos I noticed they were out of the cheap phones. But you can order in advance and have one sent to your first B&B or pick it up in a store.

tony2phones · Guru

If you don't have an unlocked European compatible phone get a cheap one off flEbay you just need a sim card and you can sell the thing again when you get home.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The Sprint network utilizes CDMA protocol whereas Ireland (and most of the rest of the world) operates on GSM. Your Sprint phone will operate on WIFI however, when available. Provided you turn off the phone and data functions, there should be no charges or fees. We used my wife's Sprint phone (then an iPhone 4s) via WiFi to FaceTime with our grand daughters.

When are you planning to visit? For how long?

stannseniors · Veteran Member

My husbands work will only allow him to sign up for days (even if 6 months ahead) if he has the vacation days built up already furious so we are waiting for that. But we hope to go in September - around labor day. Last time we went in early October and it gave us the freedom to have the B&B owners to call ahead for us - it wasn't quite as busy. We plan to work it to stay about 12 days....although I prefer 14-16.

Oh how I would have loved to be there for St. Patrick's day! And during the summer I do like the idea of later daylight hours but then again, you eat in a pub and stay there for the music so what's the difference?

I will be popping in and out - thank you all for any advice and answers.... was so happy you were all still around - couldn't bear looking here the last few years - it was just too much of a torment :)

cheers,

Patty

-- Edited by stannseniors on Tuesday 29th of March 2016 08:33:27 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

You might enjoy my Facebook group Postcards From Ireland: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1683336788590715/