Kissing the Irish Soil: Advice for 1st night in Ireland? (Shannon arrival)

Melissa5 · Guru

Kissing the Irish Soil: Advice for 1st night in Ireland? (Shannon arrival)

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Melissa..I love reading your questions because I'm learning so much from the answers and I love your enthusiasm because in a few short weeks I'll be heading to Ireland for my first time too! I'm so happy for you and your family to be having this dream come true too! I can't wait to read your trip report before I go, because I'm sure I will glean some great info from you. This is my favourite place to go on the web, it's just so informative! Happy planning...I will be reading!

Mark D · Senior Member

Our first taste of Ireland was a snaek peek of Galway.

Our rooms were not going to be ready for a few hrs, so our guide dropped us in front of the Skef in Galway. I soon had a pint in hand ( yes it was only 9:30 am) We had a great time getting to know the other folks on our tour. We also had a chance to do a little shopping. My wife loved Faller's Jewelry store ! We would be spending the last day of our trip in Galway, so this little taste gave us something really to look forward to.

I also found out that my high school english teacher was in our group! We spent the rest of the trip talking about old times ! It was really fun getting to know a teacher as a real person ! After 25 yrs we had tons to catch up on !

We then made a trip to the Connemara Marble Factory, than to our hotel in Oughterard. While others took a nap to shake off the jet lag, we took a walk downtown. We came about this wonderful little place called the Yew Tea Shop which had the most delicious scones. We just looked at each other and said " YES WE ARE IN IRELAND !"

Cheers!

Mark D.

-- Edited by Mark D at 22:35, 2006-06-27

-- Edited by Mark D at 23:07, 2006-06-27

Dude · Guru

Our first day, first trip we set down into record-breaking gale force winds and cold (in mid April). Somehow we made our way to a B&B (Alpine Heights,which doesn't seem to be there any more, from what I can find) right up near the Gap of Dunloe. We had down comforters and hot water bottles, and tea and slices of apple tart. To be honest, we wondered whether we had made a mistake. But the next morning dawned clear and cool and we walked up in the Gap all alone and knew that we were right.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

When I touch down in Ireland I am generally looking for a cup of tea and a bed. You know you are really jet-lagged when you take a shower with your glasses on!! Been there, done that. If you are totally beat I suggest a short nap. Set your alarm because if you don't you may sleep right through.

If I wasn't beat and looking for my bed with wet glasses then I might drive out to Knappogue Castle and walk through the gardens and then explore Quin Abbey. If I felt peppy I would do the Craggaunowen Project. You could also drive into Limerick for shopping or a bit of sightseeing like King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral & the Hunt Museum.

Good idea to see Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in the morning. The earlier in the day, the less crowds.

Michele

Susan in Wi · Member

Melissa,

We spent our first afternoon at Knappogue Castle, exploring the castle and gardens. It was very relaxing and peaceful. And it was a real castle! in Ireland!

We then drove to Craggaunowen. We did not do the guided tour, which is maybe why we were not too impressed with it. But there was a nice forest to walk in which we did enjoy. By then jet lag was starting to hit us so we returned to Ennis, where we were staying and had an early pub dinner at Brogan's - fish and chips for the gang and a toasted sandwich for me, along wiith a couple of pints. Our friends agreed - the Guinness IS better in Ireland.

For us it was a great way to start our trip -a castle and a pub.

If you do go into Ennis, Cruises is great for trad. I think in the summer they have it every night of the week.

Susan in WI

Melissa5 · Guru

I have been enjoying experiencing (vicariously) all of your first days in Ireland! Like Irisheyesdreaming, I am eagerly waiting for our first trip to begin.

I had a pint of Guiness at 9:30 am with Mark D and his wife.

It was the most Irish breakfast I've ever had. Then I enjoyed delicious scones at Yew Tea Shop. Thanks, Mark D!

Next I was swept into record-breaking gale force winds with Dude and family.

Whew! Love the hot water bottles.

A cup of tea with Michele Erdvig and family was perfect. I thought maybe Dude's gale had swept indoors but then I realized I'd worn my glasses into the shower.

Next I visited Knappogue Castle and gardens with Michele and "Susan in Wi". And Quin Abbey too. So peaceful after that storm...

Finally I finished the day up at Cruise's in Ennis for great trad with Susan!

Thanks you all for sharing. It seems like no matter what, good weather or bad, we all have a great time in Ireland! Looking forward to reporting about my REAL first day!

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, how far a drive from Bunratty Lodge are Knappogue Castle and Quin Abbey? They sound peaceful and intriguing and maybe a good way to spend our first afternoon, with jet lag.

(Hubby is always restless even with jet-lag.)

I notice that Ennis is perhaps not your cup of tea. May I ask why? (Is it because you prefer the peaceful countryside?) Ennis is a city atmosphere, I think? With shops and pubs? How far a drive from Bunratty Lodge is Ennis?

I also think it is possible I may want to relax a bit at Bunratty Lodge, especially if there is tea, before heading off somewhere. Thanks very much for helping to fill in all the little details of this trip!

I just noticed you did recommend Limerick (but not Ennis.) Any particular reason you like Limerick for shopping?

I think we will want to do something easy, NOT stressful, with no parking hassles on our first afternoon. Something that is a good introduction to Ireland and also hassle-free.

It will be a Saturday night. Will we need dinner reservations in advance? You have a number of nearby places recommended for food in your book. Which one would be an easy drive on a Saturday night with no parking hassles?

We will have a car and don't mind driving, but since we will have jet-lag, it matters if the drive is easy and hassle-free.

We like a place with moderate prices and a local flavor, casual atmosphere. Someplace that makes us feel like we are really in Ireland! (Moderate to expensive prices are okay if some moderate choices are included on the menu.) I am a foodie and I think I travel to eat!

But hubby is most relaxed when he doesn't see giant priced tags on the dinner entrees. We have a deal that I can have a few splurges in exchange for most of our meals being in tasty but moderately-priced places.

We eat everything, but prefer delicious food that isn't too heavy. Prefer grilled and baked food instead of fried food.

Many thanks!

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 16:35, 2006-06-29

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Knappogue Castle and Quin Abbey are about 15 minutes from Bunratty Lodge. Ennis is 25 to 45 minutes (it depends entirely on traffic). Ennis is fine with lots of shops and pubs but it tends to be very crowded and full of traffic. It is a bottleneck that funnels traffic from all over Co. Clare through its narrow streets. Parking is a problem. You will need to find a parking lot and then walk. Lately a lot of refugees are calling Ennis home. It is not my favorite town in Ireland, but neither is it my least favorite. Somewhere in the middle. I wouldn't call Ennis a city. It is more of an overgrown town.

On a Saturday night most pubs and restaurants in Bunratty (and elsewhere) will be very crowded. Moderate prices would be The Creamery and Kathleen's pubs but they will be jumping. Higher prices are Gallagher's, Durty Nelly's & P.J.s. Porter's in the Radisson SAS has an early bird menu from 5:45 till 7 pm. That might be your best bet. I would call on arrival day and make a reservation. Mary at Bunratty Lodge can do that for you. Just skip the steak as it was too chewy for American tastes. However, the atmosphere is a step above informal. No need to dress up as tourists are welcome almost everywhere in jeans and sneakers (or capris!).

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, thanks for your advice. It sure makes me feel more prepared. Now you have filled in the full picture of Ennis for me. I have already heard about why some folks love Ennis. Now I can see the drawbacks of driving over to Ennis as well.

I think with major jet lag, we won't want to run into 45-minute bottle-necked traffic driving into Ennis on our first night.

I am glad you explained about this possible problem.

Knappogue Castle and Quin Abbey sound like a much more relaxing experience, only a 15-minute drive, on our first afternoon.

I will take your advice and have Mary at Bunratty Lodge call and make us a dinner reservation. Perhaps if we go early to dinner we will have less problems with crowds.

I admit I plan my life around the next meal. (And I just lost 8 pounds too, thanks to some great healthy cookbooks!) So I am very interested in my first night's dinner near Bunratty. Of the places you suggested, Gallagher's sounds the most interesting for food and atmosphere, but with hubby's jet lag not sure if we should start with "expensive".

What about Hunter's Lodge in Newmarket-on-Fergus? Looks closer than Ennis. How are the prices? Snug and homey sound good to me.

Dude · Guru

Hey, I just remembered that we ate a meal at Hunter's Lodge in Newmarket-on-Fergus on our first trip (it was 1993 so I don't remember details). As I recall, the staff was all off somewhere (funeral maybe?) but the owner made us a tasty quick meal. The atmosphere was cozy and really Irish, and the limited food selection wasn't a problem for us at the time. No recollection of price, but if it had been outrageous I think I would remember.

-- Edited by Dude at 12:49, 2006-06-30

Melissa5 · Guru

Thanks Dude! So far Hunter's Lodge is sounding good. Maybe Michele has been there more recently?

Dude · Guru

Okay, I just got home to my journal. We ate at Hunter's Lodge because it was recommended by our B&B hostess and was just a short walk down the street. The help had the day off (Tuesday) after the Easter weekend, so the owner was running the place. We ate in the bar and had chips (Freedom Fries), cole slaw and toasted ham, cheese, tomato and onion sandwiches. Sounding good. After 13 years I still remember the cozy pub ambience.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Good idea from Dude. Hunter's Lodge is usually not all that crowded unless something big is going on in town. I ate there last year. The food and service are good. Not gourmet but fresh Irish food. Give a call to see if reservations are needed. Probably not but a call never hurts.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Thanks Dude and Michele! I think we will plan on dinner at Hunter's Lodge on our first night in Ireland. I like to start out with a plan, unless something else spontaneously comes up.