Boyne Valley

Roy · Guru

Boyne Valley

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Navan might suffice. Central to places like Bective, Trim, Tara, Newgrange and Kells.

Music options include: https://www.thecentral.ie/

https://www.royalmeathbar.ie/

https://www.pclarkesbar.ie/

http://berminghams.ie/

Gig info for Navan: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ireland--navan/music--events/

I've not ever over-nighted in Navan, but I've heard good things about: http://www.bectivemill.com/

Closer in, https://www.newgrangehotel.ie/index.html looks like a decent spot -- and should be walking distance to the various pubs.

Roy · Guru

Thanks Bob- great resources!

Michele Erdvig · Host

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.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Almost forgot...there is an article on my blog about Co. Meath and the Boyne Valley.

Roy · Guru

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.

Michele Erdvig · Host

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.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I guess that means you'll be flying into Dublin every trip now.

I've mostly given up on SNN or ORK given the logistics from our home in Florida. hmm hmm

Hope your wife enjoys her retirement as much as my wife does!

Roy · Guru

Bob,

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!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I know your pain, Roy.

My Public School teaching wife retired in May of 2010 -- but I had to 'soldier on' until October of 2012. furious furious furious

Roy · Guru

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.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, You don't have to plan so far in advance for shoulder season unless a Bank Holiday or something like that is involved.

Roy, I spent several days near Slane at Tankardstown several years ago but it might break the bank! The best bed I ever slept in though.

Roy · Guru

Always try to plan to avoid Bank Holidays whenever possible.

Roy · Guru

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.

Roy · Guru

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.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I enjoyed a stay at Sea Mist in Clifden. Walking distance to town but quiet at night.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

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! biggrin biggrin

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?

Roy · Guru

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.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

How many days after leaving Galway?

Roy · Guru

Seven

Roy · Guru

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.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow have a LOT to offer.

Of course, you can't really go wrong anywhere -- or heading in any direction . . . biggrin biggrin biggrin

Is Inis Mor still 'On' -- or are you skipping Galway entirely?

Michele Erdvig · Host

I stayed at a fab self-catering place in Wexford. Also have recs for b&bs and a hotel. Let me know if interested.

Roy · Guru

All recommendations for Wexford would be appreciated, preferably walking distance to town. Thank you!

Michele Erdvig · Host

My recs are really not walking distance. I think the closest would be about 2 miles. Still interested?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Roy -- It's been a couple of years, but we enjoyed our stay at: https://www.riverbankhousehotel.com/

It's just across the bridge from down town.

The Talbot looked nice and is also conveniently located: https://www.talbotwexford.ie/Standard-Rooms.html

The Clayton White is also 'Close In': https://www.claytonwhiteshotel.com/rooms/?_ga=2.108430146.1122701707.1570715661-802603977.1570715661

Roy · Guru

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.

Michele Erdvig · Host

I am not familiar with Faythe Guest House. Whitford House Hotel is very nice. Rathaspeck Manor is a historic house with wonderfully updated rooms and baths. Killiane Castle is lovely.

Be sure to visit Johnstown Castle when you are there. There is a pretty walk around the lake.

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig on Friday 11th of October 2019 05:38:14 PM

Roy · Guru

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.

Roy · Guru

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.