We are looking at returning next May for a couple weeks and Id like to spend a few days exploring the Boyne Valley. Right now Im looking for recommendations for a town to stay as a base. My main priority besides a decent hotel is some chance at a music scene at night. Navan and Drogheda are possibilities but I dont want to see other places short.
Trim might suit you. I can recommend Trim Castle Hotel. It is walking distance to everything including Trim Castle.
A little north just over the border into Cavan I had a wonderful stay at St. Kyrans Country House Hotel. Lovely rooms overlooking the lake, fantastic food and walking distance to Virginia town.
If you find yourself in Ballyjamesduff there is a nice little museum there Cavan County Museum. I especially liked listening to all the recorded stories they recorded from old-timers about a past way of life.
Thanks Michele! We didnt travel this year, putting money into our house instead. My wife retired, which frees up travel in the shoulder seasons as she worked for the public school system which restricted our options to summer in the past. I also expect that she will be making additional solo trips because her sister moved permanently back to Dublin from Brooklyn. The plan for next April/May is that she will stay a couple weeks longer than me and stay in Dublin.
I hope your wife is enjoying her retirement! How nice that you will get to travel in shoulder seasons now. As you know, May is my favorite month in Ireland for the flowers, gardens, lambs, etc. Keep us updated on how your trip plans are progressing.
For good or bad, its Dublin. Its also the only way we can get a direct flight from Dulles. Yes, Rita is enjoying retirement, and its making me very envious!
One challenge Im finding is I had a good feel for timing for planning high season holidays. Now I find myself having to create a new planning schedule, which may be entirely off as hopefully the country isnt as overrun by tourists and early planning might not be as critical.
Michele, Trim looks beautiful. My wife spent many summers as a child in Beauparc, Co Meath at her grandmothers. I have a feeling we will be taking a drive there.
Thinking of then going to Clifden for a couple days. Have made several day visits there, but never stayed. We want to spend 1-2 nights on Inishmore. Ive always avoided it because of having to travel during the high season. Weve been to the smaller two, and have overnighted on Inisheer. Probably a couple nights in Salthill as its been a few years. Thats what I have so far.
Were looking at my wife heading over about two weeks ahead of me. When I get in will spend four nights in Navan, three in Clifden, two on Inishmore. Ive been to/stayed on the other two islands but have avoided Inishmore because we have always traveled in the high season. After Inishmore is currently a mystery.
Roy -- If you have the time whilst on 'The Big island' -- I strongly recommend heading south to: http://www.aranislands.ie/eampall-bheanin-st-benan-s-church/
It's close to the airport and rarely visited. You'll pass the ruins of a Round tower along the way, too!
And, while EVERYONE visits Dun Aonghasa, the other forts are every bit worthwhile, although mostly ignored by most 'Daytrippers': http://www.aranislands.ie/stone-forts-of-the-aran-islands/
Will you be heading South from Galway, or North? How much time will you still have available? Flying OUT of Dublin?
__________________
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!
Thats the $1,000,000 question Bob- after Galway not sure. Id like to be somewhere fun (nightlife) for our second and last weekend. Yes, out of Dublin, maybe the last night or two at my SILs in Whitehall. There just arent direct flights from Shannon to anywhere near us. The Washington, DC to Dublin direct is our only reasonable option. Even with that, Im 2 1/2 huts from Dulles airport.
My wife now wants me to look at a plan that is all east coast. The Boyne Valley is still on of course, then heading south. Im thinking Wexford might make a good base.
Thanks Michele, Ill look at some of Bobs recommendations since they are closer. Are you familiar with Faythe Guest House? Reviews on it are quite favorable. Also, we are looking at a few days in Dundalk.
A few days in Navan, quick trip to Co Longford to see family, a few days in Dundalk perhaps, then down to Co Westmeath to drop in on more family, a night somewhere to be identified, then to Wexford. Last couple nights with more family staying in Whitehall, Dublin.
Neither Whitfiord or Rathaspeck have availability for all six nights that Im looking for, although they both look beautiful. Killiane Castle is too far out of town. Thank you Michele for the suggestions, I enjoyed checking them out.
The current draft is 4 nights in Navan, 3 nights in Dundalk, 1 night in Bray, 6 nights in Wexford, and 2 nights in Dublin. Always subject to chew be, which is part of the fun of planning.