79 yr. old mom and I - just decided to do Ireland in July/Aug. Need adv

Caroline · Veteran Member

79 yr. old mom and I - just decided to do Ireland in July/Aug. Need adv

Michele Erdvig · Host

Caroline,

Welcome to the forum! I think you are on the right track. Renting a car and driving will mean setting your own pace and no schedules to meet. From the info you have given so far I think you should fly into and out of Shannon. It is very rural and easy to negotiate. Since you are not interested in large cities you won't want to do Dublin anyway on this trip.

Once you have your dates fixed you will want to move right along on making an itinerary. This year is shaping up to be a busy one in Ireland. Since you will be there at the height of the season you will want to get your reservations in place soon.

With only 12 days you will want to either think of going north to Galway, Mayo and Donegal or south to Kerry, Kenmare, etc. You say your mother has been before? Where has she been and does she want to repeat anything?

Michele

Caroline · Veteran Member

Michelle,

Thank you for the information. I'm not sure where she went before. She did mention she would like to see Ring of Kerry and that she did not 'Limerick'. My real concern at this point is whether or not we could get the highly rated accommodations. I can get the air out of Seatle for around $900. We went to Norway last year and paid more than that - and I booked far in advance. Somebody recommended perhaps renting a cottage for about a week and venturing out from there. But my mom said she'd like to be more on the go than that. I think they said Clare for a couple nights; Galway for a week and Mayo for a couple nights.

I know I need to spend time on this, but I also know I don't want to wait too much longer.

Thank you very much

Caroline

Dude · Guru

Caroline, I'm not quite 79 but I know that on my next trip, one major consideration in choosing accommodations will be Ground Floor Rooms! If you and your mom are interested, I have recommendations in Spiddal, just outside Galway (lovely thatched cottage) and a working farm outside of Ennis. Either of these would be good hubs to do some daytrips and see some of the thingsyou and your mom want. Ennis is very convenient to Bunratty, so you could do the "shows" at the Castle and Folkpark.

yesiree · Guru

The standard of Irish B&Bs is high, so you will still be able to find great places...especially since it will be just the two of you. Michele's book will be very helpful...and if her recommendations are full, the B&B owners or others on the boards can give you some referals once you decide which towns you prefer.

Spending three nights in a row at a B&B is a great way to block your itinerary and still cover a lot of ground.

Consider a driving trip around Lough Derg (a good, less-traveled route in high season). It' s beautiful and you could take a cruise on the lake from Killaloe/Ballina. Some other boat rides go to the Aran Islands and another offers views of the Cliffs of Moher.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Caroline,

Good points from everyone here. I especially liked Corey's suggestion of spending three nights in each place. That will make for a relaxing trip for your mother and you can do day trips from each "home base". Dude's suggestion of ground-floor rooms is excellent.

The Ring of Kerry is in the southwest, as are a lot of the most popular places to see. It is a very scenic portion of Ireland, which appeals to a lot of people.

There are still nice accommodations available. But do your planning soon. If you feel you need extra added help with an itinerary you can contact me or look at this page: http://www.irelandyes.com/itinerary.html Otherwise, everyone on the forum is happy to chime in and give advice. So get busy!

Michele

Maggie L · Senior Member

Just a thought, Caroline, after looking at the areas you're interested in. Perhaps you could start with Galway and do day trips to the Connemara region and around County Clare. Then head down towards Dingle -- Ring of Kerry (since your mom wants to see it) -- Beara Peninsula, etc.

Maggie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

Some excellent ideas. Actually, Caroline has just contacted me for an itinerary. She doesn't have the time to devote to it herself so has passed it on to me.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

I think Caroline will be very pleased with her itinerary when you get through with it...now the burden (and the joy) of putting the pieces together is on you.

Caroline, be sure to share a trip report with us when you return. We always love to live vicariously through the trips of others.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Corey,

A bit of an update. Caroline has decided to give it another go on her own. She is having too much fun with the planning stages. If she bogs down she may decide to turn it over to me again. But for the moment it is onward and upward!

Michele