South African visitors needing help

Cruzn · Newbie

South African visitors needing help

Michele Erdvig · Host

Shaun,

If you really want to see Manorhamilton and Derry it would make more sense to skip an overnight stay in Leenane and proceed on to Westport for your two-night stay instead. That would give you an extra day for going north. That would mean you could have May 8, 9 & 10 for that portion of your trip. Personally, I wouldn't go all the way to Derry from Westport in one day. There are too many great things to do and see along the way (depending on your route). Otherwise, the beginning of your itinerary looks fine.

Whatever you do, don't short yourselves on time to get to Dublin Airport. International check-in is about 3 hours in advance of your flight departure time. Check with your airline for details. You also need time for filling the car with petrol, returning the car, turning in VAT forms, etc. You should be staying pretty near the airport on your last night. By the time you have breakfast and do last minute packing it will be time to get right to the airport.

For good places to stay, please see my "Lodgings" page. It will give you lots of very nice places to stay. Once you have a look there let me know if you need any other suggestions.

Michele

Cruzn · Newbie

Hi Michele,

Thank you for your comments. After a bit of bashing around, our itinerary is staring to look like this:

Tuesday 2 May: Arrive Dublin 12h30, pick up car and drive to Athlone (131kms - 2.5hrs). Overnight in which establishment? Alternatively, drive straight through to Galway (Park House Hotel [expensive but very good reviews] or Glen Oaks Hotel) and spend the night there (Lackray town - most pubs per capita in ireland)? This will depend on traffic situation and how fresh we are feeling.
Wednesday 3 May: Overnight Ballyvaughn at Drumcreechy Country House? Explore area especially Cliffs of Moher and possibly the Burren. [alt: Depart Athlone to Ballyvaughn (108kms - 2hrs)].
Thursday 4 May: More exploring. Overnight Ballyvaughn at Drumcreechy Country House?
Friday 5 May: Early departure to Roundstone (125kms - 3hrs): Explore area and overnight Roundstone at Eldon's Hotel.
Saturday 6 May: Drive to Leenane (45kms - 1hr). Overnight Roundstone but definite day visit to Leenane.
Sunday 7 May: Drive to Westport (32kms - 1 hour). Explore and overnight Westport at Clewbay Hotel - booked.
Monday 8 May: More exploring around Westport and surrounds. Overnight Westport at Clewbay Hotel.
Tuesday 9 May: Drive to Manorhamilton (120kms) and overnight Bluebell House, Clooneen, Manorhamilton? Or or Blacklion? I'm aiming for Armagh - originally to try and get some insight into the attitudes of N Ireland but now I read the "Armagh is strongly Republican...".
Wednesday 10 May: Manorhamilton to Armagh (121kms) and overnight Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57-65 English Street, Armagh, Northern Ireland Tel: 028 3752 2028 http://www.charlemontarmshotel.com/ or Fairlands Country House, 25 Navan Fort Road, Armagh, Tel 0283751 0315 http://www.fairylands.net/ ? Any other ideas for accommodation?
Thursday 11 May: 13h40 depart Dublin airport for London/Johannesburg/Durban.

Any further comments?
Cheers
Shaun

Michele Erdvig · Host

Shaun,

I still stand by my original opinion that you should spend the night before your flight nearby Dublin Airport. I also think that driving from Dublin to Galway on your first day is too much with jet-lag and all. You really need to pull a day from either Ballyvaughan or Roundstone and add it to the Northern part of your trip. However, if you prefer to make a dash for the airport on your last day that is up to you. But the planes wait for no one.

Try a bit more bashing.

Michele

Cruzn · Newbie

Hi Michele,

Armagh to Dublin airport is 121kms - if we leave by 08h00 latest we should be there by 10h30 surely (that's 3 hours before the flight)? Our 13h40 flight is to London Heathrow for a connecting flight at 19h30 to South Africa. I will however bear your warning in mind.

Jet-lag has never been a problem for us flying to the UK - only a 1 hour time difference and a business class seat thesedays (plus a light sleeping pill) ensures a good nights rest between Johannesburg and London. However, if we are feeling a bit too tired we will definitely not drive all the way to Galway.

Changing the last two days is possibly problimatic as we have already booked the Westport accommodation but I will re-look at this aspect.

Cheers and thanks for your help.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Shaun,

I now realize that you already have your reservations for Westport. Are there any others that are set also? If jet-lag is not a problem then you could drive to Galway on your first day. Park House Hotel is very nice and right in the center of things near Eyre Square.

If you don't yet have reservations in Roundstone I recommend Ivy Rock House: http://www.galway.net/pages/ivyrockhouse/ It is a B&B just outside town and very nice. Drumcreehy is extremely nice with great food.

I don't have any personal recommendations in Armagh however these are some options for you:

http://www.ballinahinchhouse.com/

http://www.dundrumhouse.com/

http://www.hillviewlodge.com/

I hope that will help with some of your plans.

Michele

P.S. Just keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic around Dublin Airport for most of the day. Otherwise if you don't mind the early drive you should be okay.

kathy · Veteran Member

Weekday traffic in and around Dublin is HORRIBLE - reminds me of sitting in Los Angeles traffic during the first 30something years of my life.

i have no idea what it will be like southbound for you since i always come from the west, but be prepared - get up as early as you can. you never know what you will face. a later flight to london will always be available but another flight to south africa might be harder to come by if you are delayed. at least you have a long layover to provide wiggle room on that side.

have a great trip!

kathy