Once more, into the breach! --- Finally!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Once more, into the breach! --- Finally!

Judy · Guru

Bob, will you be our agent for our next trip? biggrin Hopefully the euro will stay down for next May so we can get some deals like you have. We'll be doing the southeast this time from the Wicklow mountains down to Hook Head and over to Cashel. Thought we might base in Kilkenny. Does that sound logical? We'll do a week in Killarney as usual and a few days north to the Galway/Mayo area to visit Cong and Knock and Connemara.

I look forward to your trip report.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Judy -- I'm not much of an Agent -- but, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then! biggrin biggrin

What you've outlined seems quite do-able. See the first few days of my Trip Report from April of 2012: http://ireland.activeboard.com/t49038325/scenes-from-a-wedding-april-2012/

Judy · Guru

Bob, I enjoyed reading your Trip Report from April 2012. I took some notes for the S.E. and will be reviewing the report again as more detailed planning for our May 2017 trip gets closer. I like that you list the route numbers as I was able to follow on my Ireland map.

Two things jumped out at me, your visit to North Kerry Abbeydorney and Ballyduff. Those two places were my moms old stomping grounds as she lived in Lixnaw, a short pony and trap ride away.

One other place I want to visit would be Carrick-on-Suir which you mentioned. I was there in 1966 and visited Ormond Castle which has since been restored, but closed last year for restoration. Hopefully it will be open again by next spring. However, I won't really court on it, knowing how long it took to restore Ross Castle. hmm

Michele Erdvig · Host

Way to go Bob. Glad you are headed back to the "old sod" again. I totally understand the moving deal as I did it myself about 2 years ago. After 32 years in the same house it was quite an ordeal but worth it in the end.

Judy, I stayed at a fabulous self-catering cottage a few miles outside Wexford if you are interested.

Judy · Guru

Yes Michele, Wexford would be a possibility for self catering. We will need 3 bedrooms which makes it a little harder to find.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sorry, the self-catering place I stayed only had two bedrooms. But there are plenty of places that have 3+ bedrooms.

Judy · Guru

Thanks Michele. I'll keep looking.

murphy · Guru

Bob, Way to go! I was beginning to wondering why we had not gotten our 1 or 2 times/year trip reports from you lately? We too have our home up for sale at this time, and am nervous about someone wanting possession right before or during the time we are gone.

I have read most all of your trip reports, and don't recall you going this late in the season. Is this your first Nov trip? We have been there a couple of times right up to the end of Oct and this year it will be Oct 25th for us. It was noticeably cooler and wetter later in Oct. Are you prepared for shorter days, more rain, cold, and wind? If you are spending lots of time visiting with relatives, I suppose the weather doesn't matter that much!

If I remember correctly, you still have a few round towers yet to visit? Any plans for that?

Looks like we will depart Dublin 2 days before you arrive.....unless we get stranded by a hurricane again! If I recall, we could have literally crossed paths during our 3 day bonus holdover during Hurricane Sandy!

Great job using your sky miles to make the trip more affordable. We likewise used credit card points to cut 50% off our fares this year! Don't know what I'll do when we retire and can no longer pad our credit card points with as many business purchases as possible! (That only works if you pay off the monthly bill every time, on time and "0" interest!)

Have fun planning! That is almost as much fun for me as the actual trip!

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Monday 29th of August 2016 11:07:25 PM

-- Edited by murphy on Monday 29th of August 2016 11:09:14 PM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Thanks Dan --

Yes, we semi-crossed paths because of Sandy. Would have, too, if you had stayed at Premier Inn rather than moving to the free hotel! biggrin

Hope you don't get stranded again -- I actually live -- and will depart from -- Hurricane Country! furious furious

We spent the month of October in Ireland (except for a mid-month, 4 night 'jaunt' to Paris and Belgium) during the 'Retirement Tour' in 2012. We also did a 9 night visit in Feb of 2002, so I'm well aware of the reduced daylight issue. The weather can be a 'crap-shoot' ANY month -- we've been roasted in April and chilled in June -- so, as long as it isn't too rainy, we'll be happy.

Given your Tour Guide status this trip, I think you will be having tougher logistics than I will. I've done about four of those and they are NEVER easy.... aww

Thinking about self-catering in Galway and Kerry for a week each -- give or take a day or two and a few nights in Dublin at the end, but it's still pretty much up in the air.

I use my Skymiles AMEX card for any purchase over $50 whenever possible -- and, yes, making sure to pay it off each and every month! Outfitting the new house racked up quite a few miles and I was also able to use the card for a few 'big ticket' items like Home Owner's Insurance, etc . . .

The few Round Towers left will need to wait -- Ram's Island, Tory Island, Scattery Island and Inis Mor (can't believe I missed it on our visit there!) --- hmm

Oh, well -- It's not like I really NEED an excuse to return! biggrin biggrin

murphy · Guru

Bob,

It will be interesting to see how the weather affects your trip.

I Have been toying with the idea of trying Nov and/or Feb sometime. Our late Mar/early April trip had weather/temps similar to October.

AND I think it would be interesting to be there over the Christmas/New Years holidays some day, BUT, our GD may have influence over that decision for a few more years! Unless we take her....but then we would need to take Mom and Dad....

I guess the big appeal for going in the late shoulder/off season are the low airfares that pop up on my airfare "alerts" for that time period. That is tempered by us spending the winters in Yuma, and leaving 70-80 degree weather to head for the same kind of weather that we had just left behind in the Pacific NW.... would that decision really make sense?

Bottom line....Ireland keeps messing with my head..... biggrin

Dan

-- Edited by murphy on Tuesday 30th of August 2016 10:08:22 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, If you want a rec for self-catering in Kenmare let me know. I know of several really good ones. A couple very close to town and a couple a few miles out. One was overlooking he Kenmare River and another on a farm with the nicest hosts ever.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Thanks. I'm sure they are all excellent and we trust your judgement completely. smile

However, I've never felt the attraction to Kenmare, at least, compared to Killarney. Of course, we have good friends living in Beaufort, so that MAY sway our judgement a bit! biggrin biggrin

I'm toying with renting the same apartment as we had in 2014 -- located at the top of High Street and comes complete with Underground parking. We really liked the Penthouse a few blocks over (near the Train Station), but it comes with NO parking and I had to keep running out to the Pay Point every 12 hours! furious furious

Anything in or near Galway town center? ?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sorry, nothing to report on the self-catering front for Galway. But I notice a lot of apartments there look like they are for college students and they probably are. I agree that parking is essential where ever you stay.

suehar2000 · Newbie

Moved to a new thread.

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 6th of September 2016 01:15:40 AM

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I found a beautiful place outside of Oranmore, but it sleeps 12 and runs 500 Euro for the week. Now, I'm looking at a few slightly smaller and less expensive places in Athenry.

It's supposedly just a 13 minute train ride into Galway Station.

Any thoughts on the town? I know they have some town walls, one remaining gate and a castle, but I've somehow managed to never visit it before. confuse confuse

Michele Erdvig · Host

Like you I have never spent any time in Athenry. Just drove through. If my memory is correct I think Bit Devine has stayed there. If you want her contact info PM me.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just had a thought about the large place in Oranmore. Sometimes if you are not using the whole cottage they will lock some of the rooms so you can't use them and reduce the price for less people. I know of a place in NI that does that. Worth asking.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Well, I finally gave up on Athenry, as well. Rental for the week was only 200 GBP -- but they wanted a 900 GBP damage deposit and pre-payment! confuse furious confuse

Bit the bullet and booked this: http://www.hogansirishcottages.com/cottage/County-Galway-Newtown/Rockfield-House-3992.html#duration=7&start=2016-10-29&calendar=2016-10&changeover=6 for a total cost of about $320. We weren't even sure if we would stay the entire week, so now we can afford NOT to, if the mood / weather suits.

I also switched our Arrival night's lodging to the Premier Inn at the airport, for 98 Euro. Wanted to stay 'close in' and everybody else wanted 125-200 Euro per -- due to the Bank Holiday. furious furious

This will give us a chance to rest, sort out the Mobile and Mifi SIMs and maybe take in a site or two, North of the City.

Conversely, our LAST two nights, also at the Premier Inn, are costing only 63 Euro -- TOTAL! -- as 'Pre-Pay, Non-Cancelable' specials! biggrin biggrin

Our last week, we'll vacillate between Cork andÂ Kerry (and possibly Kildare?) depending on the Cousins and our friends that live 'over', so we'll probably opt to go the 'B&B' route for most of it. smile

Moving along slowly -- but surely! biggrin biggrin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Things are shaping up.

murphy · Guru

Bob, A question for you regarding self catering in/near Galway: Did you find the Galway area lacking in possible self catering facilities, or were they plentiful and had already been booked up? You guess it....I'm thinking about our NEXT trip to Ireland after the one coming up shortly! Galway area has a lot to offer if you are considering a one week stay. Dan

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dan -- A lot of the Self-catering options IN Galway city are only available June, July and August. I suspect that the double as Student Housing the rest of the year. Compounding MY problem is that I am arriving in Galway on the Saturday of a Bank Holiday Weekend -- so demand and prices are high. Most of what WAS available were larger homes (sleeping 8 - 12!) so they were even pricier. They also required some rather outlandish damage deposits -- I'm guessing, in fear of Hen and Stag groups.

If I was planning far in advance, I'm sure I could have negotiated something more reasonable, but on my short timeline, I didn't want to waste time doing that. My outlook is that in order to justify self-catering, a cost average of $50 per night is my maximum unless the location or building is REALLY unique. Otherwise, factoring in breakfasts, it's just as cost effective to stay at B&Bs.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've searched for self-catering in the Galway area before too. Bob is right that a lot is used for student housing so is not available for most of the year. For some reason I don't find as much available as in other parts of the country.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Since I'm leaving for Ireland in less than a week, I thought I would update some information on my (Barely) Planned Trip! biggrin biggrin

I also thought that I would TRY to document all major expenses and costs in hopes it might assist others in the planning / dreaming stage of their own Irish Adventure. Actions / Decisions / Choices listed in Chronological Order -- FYI aww

Spotted and bought airfare tickets (as noted): 2 seats, MCO (Orlando, FL) to Dublin: Used 50,000 Skymiles to reduce cash price to $1,110.32 (including "Comfort Plus" seating on BOTH Trans-Atlantic flights) on Delta for Thursday, 27 Oct until Tuesday, 15 November.

Booked a 3 bedroom Self-Catering Farmhouse Cottage through Hogan's Cottages at http://www.hogansirishcottages.com/cottage/County-Galway-Newtown/Rockfield-House-3992.html#duration=7&start=2016-10-29&calendar=2016-10&changeover=6 for 234 GBP (about $290), which we prepaid, from 29 Oct through 5 Nov, after MUCH deliberation. The problem I faced was due to it being: 1) a Bank Holiday Weekend, 2) a popular destination (Galway City area) and 3) a preponderance of really nice places that mostly charged inordinately LARGE Damage Deposits. Didn't feel comfortable about paying 500 Euro which would be held beyond check out - above and beyond the rental. Granted, most of the places were much larger than needed ( sleeping between 6 and 10 people ) and, given the location, I'm sure damage from Hen and Stag parties doubtless make a large deposit necessary, but rather than contest the issue, I opted to look elsewhere. I think we will be happy with our choice.

Since we arrive around 8:30 AM on the morning of 28 October, I booked us into the Premier Inn Airport for the night of 28 October (The Friday night of a Bank Holiday Weekend) to allow us to recover from our 20+ hour trip and over-night flight. I figured that the odds of getting an Early Check-In would be better at an Airport Hotel rather than elsewhere and the price is competitive given the date. I will also use that time to purchase working SIM cards for our two Mobile (Cell) phones and Update our Mobile WiFi device. Price will be 98 Euro ($106.65) for the Cancelable reservation. I could have saved about 10 Euro had I prepaid, but I opted NOT to as it allows us the option of canceling, should they deny us an early check in or if our schedule changes for some other reason.

Since we planned to spend our final nights in Dublin, I also Booked and Prepaid for two nights (13 - 15 Nov) at the same hotel, securing their "Non-Peak", Non-Cancellable, Discount rate of 31 Euro ($33.73) per night. So, two nights in commute distance of Dublin for 63 Euro ($68.56), Room Only -- about 1/2 of the going rate for ONE night IN the city. The #41 Dublin Bus stops nearby, plus we will have our rental car, for any trips further afield.

Speaking of rental cars: I next verified that my MasterCard STILL covered Irish Car Hire Insurance and secured an emailed Letter of Coverage (which is only valid for 60 days) and THEN booked our Rental car. I used Dan Dooley for this trip -- a Ford Focus Class (Compact / Group C / CDMR), with manual transmission from 28 Oct until 15 Nov -- DECLINING the Insurance. I used the 'PADDYABU' code to get the 10% discount, resulting in a price of $229.91 (195.3 Euro), which I pre-paid using my COVERED MasterCard. At pick up, I expect to be charged only a deposit for potential damage (2 or 3,000 Euro) and initial fuel (approx. 100 Euro) -- BOTH refundable, in full, if I return an undamaged vehicle with the tank full. A direct quote from Hertz was slightly cheaper, but I like to reward Dan Dooley for their Transparency whenever they are competitively priced and, in all honesty I was VERY pleased with the rates to begin with. I also opted to hang onto the car until Departure day, as the difference in price was negligible for an earlier return - and the Premier Inn provides free parking. That's a "Win-Win" in my book!

My next planning step was to acquire a "Third Party Excess Cover" Insurance Policy that covers tires, wheels, lost key, etcetera . . . all those things that my Mastercard does NOT. The additional coverage for CDW and Theft "Excess" also provides peace of mind for any charges that Mastercard falls short of paying for. I went to: http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/faq/car-hire-insurance/non-uk-residents-expat-car-hire-insurance where I found only TWO companies that offer coverage for US Citizens and chose to purchase an ANNUAL Policy from World Wide Insure for 47.5 GBP ( about $58 ) . This will provide coverage for multiple trips, from 28 October 2016, until 28 October 2017, so I will hopefully get at least a second use from it, as well. Since it is NOT purchased from the Car Hire company, I BELIEVE it does NOT violate the Credit Card rules of use. biggrin confuse biggrin

Once that was done, I booked long-term parking in Orlando, since we will be flying To / From there, for $102.84 for 21 days, at $3.99 per. And, since we are no longer as young, nor as energetic as we once were, hmm I also booked us into the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport for the night of our return ($155.89) as we are scheduled to land at 7 PM on Tuesday, 15 Nov after departing Dublin at 11:10 AM Dublin Time and a total travel time at =/- 13 hours -- plus 4-5 hours spent pre-flight and at least 1 more, post-flight. That makes us awake for between 18 - 19 hours and it makes an additional 2+ hour drive home from Orlando beyond our "Comfort Level" without rest.

Spent / Scheduled to BE spent (So Far!): $2,122.17 for the two of us -- Or, $1,061.09 Each.

We still have a few "Blanks", though: Lodging for the 8 nights of 5 - 12 November; Meals and groceries; fuel and misc. gifts and entertainment. Our trip MAY involve a few nights free lodging and incidental meals with family and friends, a fair "Guesstimate" would be as follows:

8 nights for 2 at average nightly cost of 70 Euro ($76.18) $609.44

Fuel: Estimating 3 tank fills at 80 Euro (probably High, for THIS trip!) $264

Entertainment: $250

Food (Estimating $80 per day at 20 days: $1600

Food and fuel are probably well above what we will actually spent and Entertainment COULD run higher, depending on any gratuitous "Picking Up The Tab" we do, dining out with friends and relatives, but they will likely balance out -- A free night's lodging, or two, off-set by a dinner out, on me . . . aww

So -- A "Rough Guide" -- as outlined -- shows a total Estimated Expense of $4,845.61 for two -- $2422.81 Each. So, an Over-all Budget of $5000 (for two) should be a reasonable expectation for 21 days as described.

Your mileage may, and probably WILL vary! biggrin confuse biggrin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, Thanks for all the good info. I just got back from 3 weeks in Ireland last night. Only 2days of rain! But when we departed for the airport before dawn the windshield was iced up.

murphy · Guru

Bob,
Have a great trip. We also just got back and the weather was fab. Only 4 rainy days in 4 weeks. Hope this is good karma for your trip! Ironic, west coast of Washington weather is nearly always identical to Ireland. Not this year. Seattle is poised for the wettest Oct in history.
I know you will have a great time DESPITE the weather!
Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just saw on Facebook that Bob got to Ireland safely and is napping in Dublin.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Flights were fine. Plane from ATL only 1/2 full. Made that part restful. About twenty of us had our luggage misdirected IN Dublin. Took an hour to correct. Dooley didn't have our Compact car. Took them over an hour to "find" one for us. Upgraded to a Skoda Octavia. Offered us a GPS, but I turned it down. Probably out of date,I'm not familiar with it, and I planned all along to use my phone and MiFi unit. Made it to the hotel about 1:30 for my nap. cool and drizzling. Off to Galway in the morning.

Michele Erdvig · Host

My flights were all full. Glad you got some room to stretch out. Sounds like the spell of good weather has broken.

I just bought a GPS/SatNav in Ireland for western Europe with lifetime map updates. She led me astray a few times. Handy for roundabouts. The voice is that of an Englishwoman and she mispronounces many Irish towns and places. It makes me laugh. At least the name is also on the GPS screen so I know what she is talking about. My favorite so far is Kill-mac-dog for Kilmacduagh.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I don't know about stretching out, but we each got to curl up in different two row seats. Friday in Dublin was cool and drizzling, but with the multiple delays - baggage, car and setting up the mobiles, we were very happy to check into the Premier Inn abot 1:30 and nap until 4. After a shower we wandered about the nearby stores and grab a lite meal at the TGIFriday's. Saturday AM, we departed around 10. Bright-ish and dry today. Made an interesting stop at Castletown House as I wanted to see the Folly and the Wonderful Barn, but you can't get there from here. Next was lunch at Tyrellspass Castle, which was every bit as good as the crowds there suggested -- I think we waited about 15 or 20 minutes to get seated. A definite recommend from us! Checked in to our self-catering about 4. General consensus is OK, but nothing special. Probably a one - time only. Sunday was a late start in spite of the time change, but it was dry and bits of blue sky and even sun. Headed to Roundstone for lunch and then drove the R340 Loop and stopped for a snack in the Craft Village, in Spiddal. Made it home just before dark, at 5 PM. Today, Monday, we launched about 8 AM and drove to Cong. From there, wemade our way to Knock, before returning home about 5 again. Mostly dry, with a moment or two of bright but an few spots of mist.