Hi, I'm a newbie to the forum. Glad to have found it! I'm sure I will have more questions as the planning progresses. I have been exploring the cell phone and car rental posts (OMG).
We are planning a trip to Ireland in May. I see that I can catch the Wexford bus at 8:30 from the airport. We need to pick up a car in Ferrybank by 1:00. Can anyone tell me approximately how long the bus ride is? It doesn't give an arrival time and the AA route says by car about 2.5 hours. This will be on a Saturday. Thanks in advance for any insights.
FYI: The Hertz Office is a 5 minute taxi ride, or a 20 minute walk from Redmond Square, according to Google Maps. The Enterprise Office is a further 1.06 Kilometers further.
Are you taking the bus just after arriving, or after having spent some time IN Dublin? I ask because the Wexford Bus has a City Center stop or two that could save you heading back to the airport. Likewise, the train would also be a viable option from City Center (Connolly Station to Wexford O'Hanrahan departs at 9:40 and arrives at 12:01. Tickets bought online, up to 60 days in advance, cost 12.99 Euro for an Adult Single. http://journeyplanner.irishrail.ie/bin/query.exe/en?OK#focus
The train station is on the opposite side of Redmond Square from the Bus stop.
If you are AT the airport (having just flown in) be sure to allow at least 1 1/2 hours between your flight's scheduled arrival and the 8:30 Bus departure, to allow for clearing Customs & Immigration, Baggage claim and time to make it to the Bus Parking Lot.
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
Thank you for the info Italian chauffeur. If all goes well we should hit DUB at 7 am. Headed straight for Wexford and on to Enniscorthy. We will be wrapping up the tour in Dublin for the last 3 days of the trip. A little ancestor hunting and lots of scenic touring in between. We are using Hertz via a CAA booking. My hindsight is better than my foesight. We didn't want to familiarize left side driving out of Dublin. Hear Dublin traffic is pretty crazy. First time to Ireland. So excited!
Glad to help. We would love to hear more -- and add suggestions / ideas about your trip!
Wexford will make an excellent base -- there are lots of stunning vistas and interesting sites in and around both Wexford and Enniscorthy.
Just to give you something to think about -- The train from Dublin to Wexford follow the coast from Bray to Greystones while hugging the hillside and the views are quite stunning. My wife and I rode that stretch this past November and were impressed by the views, although I'm not sure how scenic the rest of the route is, I'm sure it's every bit as nice as the Bus, which follows the N11. Both actually pass through Enniscorthy about 20 minutes (train) or 30 minutes (bus) before reaching Wexford town.
Where else are you planning to go / see / spend time in?
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
We are planning to spend a few days in Enniscorthy as a base, travelling to Wexford, New Ross and Hook Peninsula area from there. Ferns probably too. It's close.
Then on to Kilkenny and Bodyke for some sightseeing in Clare County. After that Armagh as a base. Ancestry mysteries to check there and maybe visit a friend's relatives in Portadown who we met on their trip over here. My husband wants to go to The Giant's Causeway. I would like to go to Newgrange and Dublin ends the tour for a couple of days before heading home. Busy, lots of driving the countryside. We live in a rural area of Ontario and drive everywhere so we are used to that. We didn't want to do the standard Bus tour routes.
No, Wexford, Kilkenny, East Clare and Armagh really are mostly off the Big-Bus Circuit!
For Kilkenny: http://www.knockahopple.com/downloadkilkenny.html has a terrific FREE Self-guided Walking Tour itinerary courtesy of Corey and Liam at www.IrishFireside.com
There are a number of terrific Medieval, Neolithic and Religious sites in the vicinity, too -- For a pretty comprehensive list, see: http://www.megalithicireland.com/
They are organized by county.
I am a HUGE fan of Irish Round Towers and Kilkenny has a Great one. It is one of only three remaining towers that allow you to climb up inside and stand at the top -- so it's a unique and impressive experience.
From Bodyke, I think you will find Lough Derg enticing: From an excellent Chocolate place and Heritage Cente, in Tomgraney, to gorgeous Montshannon, to the slightly eerie and disquieting somber history of the newly-restored Portumna Workhouse. http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/
Part of the Lough Derg Drive is included on the way to Armagh, if you travel via Athlone, rather than Dublin. Some possible sites along the way are Clonmacnoise and a boat ride from Athlone. Also there, Sean's Bar might be of interest. Further along, is Cavan and Clones, as well.
You'll be spoilt for choice!
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Bob
Help Us to Help You. The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
