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annettemcgrath


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Malahide for our first night??
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Hi all,


I've been reading a lot of the old posts (it is so addicting - and informative!).  Because of what I've read I'm considering staying our first night in Malahide instead of Dublin City.  I guess I just want to bounce some ideas around. 


We could get the car upon arrival in Dublin Airport.  Then we could drive up to Malahide and take the DART into the city.  Do our exploring, and DART back to Malahide to stay.  Next morning we could leave and head for Newgrange and Tara and on to Cavan to stay. 


The upsides as I see them are a quiet setting to ensure a good nights sleep the first night and less messing around to get the car.  We wouldn't have a repeat visit to the airport or other rental car venue the next morning.  Also, a more "Irish" welcome at a B&B to start our trip in a more personal way than staying at a big city hotel.  The Beechwood House sounds great! 


The downside is the time factor.  I'm not sure if we'd be wasting valuable Dublin time by staying away from the city.  However, there are only a couple of must see tourist attractions for us in Dublin - Guinness Storehouse and Kilmainham Gaol.  I'm also interested in "non-attraction" type sites like Ha'Penny Bridge, the Famine Memorial, the Molly Malone Statue, a stroll through Temple Bar.  Other than that, I'd really just like a chance to experience Dublin. 


I'm also wondering about the DART system.  I printed out the Malahide timetable and it looks like the train runs very late.  So I'm thinking we could spend the whole day (even dinner and a pub or two) in Dublin and train back late to our quiet B&B. 


What does everyone think?  Are we better off staying in the city?  Could we pull this off without feeling like we're missing Dublin? 


Thanks!


Annette



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Dude


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On our most recent trip we stayed in Dunshaughlin, drove down to Blanchardstown and left the car in a big shopping center parking lot and took the bus into Dublin. Most things that you really want to see are on the hop-on-hop-off tours and you can choose from the other stops what really interests you. I don't recommend driving in Dublin if you can possibly avoid it. I'm not sure how late the buses run but they would be an alternative to the DART if that schedule doesn't mesh with your plans.

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Michele Erdvig


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Annette,


If you were spending a few days in Dublin you might want to stay in the city center without a car. However, if just going in for the day I would vote for staying in Malahide and DARTing in. You can get the hopper bus for a good overview tour of the city and then get on and off as much as you like during the day. Beechwood is tops. I know you will like it there.


Michele


 



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annettemcgrath


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Michele and Dude,


Thanks for the feedback.  I love when things start to fall together.  I even got the ok from my husband for staying in Malahide vs Dublin - and he loves the feel of big cities. 


Beechwood looks absolutely amazing.  And your book gave me something else to consider - since the flights we're looking at arrive so early into Dublin I'm wondering if we should book the prior night also so that we can check in immediately upon arrival, have a place to freshen up, and get some breakfast before hitting the city....has anyone ever done this before?  Do B&B proprietors think this is weird or is it a pretty normal thing.  From all the trip reports I've read I don't remember ever coming across something like this.


Thanks!


Annette



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Michele Erdvig


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Annette,


I recommend doing that in my book for those who want to be assured of a room on early arrival. In the off-season it may not be necessary. Your B&B can advise you on whether that is a good idea or not since they know how many people are booking in. People do it all the time and no one will think you are crazy.


It is nice to check in, have breakfast, maybe a shower or an hour's nap and then set out refreshed. You will love Beechwood. Get Joe to give you a grand tour of the house. It is a mansion.


Michele


 



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.
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