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Creativitychick


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We're back, and already talking about NEXT TIME!
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We very much enjoyed our first trip! Many of the places we stayed had Michele's book proudly displayed in their reception area! Here are some comments...


*We weren't really smitten with Dublin. The driving was hell! We picked up our car off site from the airport around 9AM(the car rental shuttle took us) and had no clue what road we were on! They said there would be a map in the car on the front seat. There wasn't. Good thing Michele had sent me one! So after driving in Dublin rush hour/construction traffic and not being able to turn left (buses only...) to get to the hotel in Dublin 2- we were spent! Dublin is a big European city. We didn't find people helpful or particularly friendly, unfortunately. We were happy to make our way out mid-way on our second day.


*Glendalough if fabulous! *Dunmare East is a lovely little town south of Waterford. We had a wonderful meal at Spinnaker's (recommended by Karen at Brookside B&B.)


*We liked Kinsale. *We loved Kenmare and Dingle!!! Next time,we will fly into Shannon and stick to the west half of the island.


*There is construction on a lot of roads- even in certain places on the tiny roads on the ring of Kerry. Freaky driving!!


*We did not know (until we got to Garinish Island/Ilnocullin- which is beautiful, and worth the trip!) that you could purchase a pass for all the national parks sites! We should have done that. It would have saved us a little money. We picked up a map on Garinish Island that had all the spots marked. We had been to Glendalough already. We also went to Muckross House, Gallarus Oratory... Lots of wonderful sites. The admission prizes vary depending on what you are seeing/doing- but all together I think it is a good idea. If I find where I tucked the map I will edit this post with the more specific information.


*Last tip- the shopping (without tax!) at the Shannon Airport was really friendly, and surprising! My husband wanted a silver ring with Gaelic on it. All we ever saw were Celtic knot designs. But he found the perfect ring at the airport! I got a Beleeck (I think I misspelled that!) vase that I had seen often but hadn't gotten it. It was the cheapest at the airport-even taking into account the VAT.


Hope all of you who are going have a wonderful time! We only had rain the last day and a half (of an 8 day trip!) so it was marvelous.


Best wishes!


L


 



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Melissa5


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Creativity Chick, thanks for sharing. I'm getting excited, and also my brain is twirling insanely with packing, organizing, shopping...Ah! Reports like yours remind me why I'm going to all this trouble.

From your report, glad we're skipping Dublin on this first trip. Hope to see Dublin someday during slower season. Our trip is coming up in busy July.

Glad to hear you loved Dingle...we will spend 3 nights there and really looking foward to it.

I will remember to check the airport shopping, in case we feel we didn't get enough souveneirs! A silver ring with Gaelic on it sounds cool to me. Happy second trip planning! Will you concentrate on the west coast, do you think?

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Dude


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Melissa, I have a silver ring that says, around the outside "Is D'éirinn mé" with a little runish looking figure, and on the inside the translation "I am of Ireland." Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I won't mind a bit if you get one too. I got mine from a mailorder catalog, but they had them for sale at Galway Crystal and I think my sister found one in her size at a jeweler in Eyre Square in Galway. I know they sell them in the Creative Irish Gifts catalog if you can't find one in Ireland, but I'll bet you will.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Michele Erdvig


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Creativitychick,


Welcome back. I'm glad to her you had a good trip. The Heritage Pass can more than pay for itself in Ireland if you go to several sightseeing attractions they sponsor. I have info about it on page 47 of my 2006 book.


Dublin can be very confusing and gridlocked. That is why I usually recommend no car there and taking DART or buses.


When you have the time we will look forward to hearing all the details of your trip.


Michele



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"Ireland Expert"  Michele Erdvig

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