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Post Info TOPIC: itinerary help doolin or westport??
judyjo


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itinerary help doolin or westport??
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Hi Everyone,
I just found this website and it looks great. I need some help with 3 days that I'm staying in Ireland after my tour ends. I'm going on an 11 day tour with Danny O'Flaherety tours. The tour was going to end in Ennis on the 29th of Oct.

So my Mom and I were going to hop on a bus from Ennis to Galway and then on to Westport and stay at the Boulevard Guesthouse. I think the whole bus trip would take 3 hours depending on what times we went and the connections. But then our last night got changed and we're staying in Ennistymon at the Falls Hotel. Our tour is leaving the hotel at 11am to go back to Shannon and said they would drop us off at the bus station in Ennis or at Shannon airport.

With the change of towns, I thought maybe we should just stay in that area. I had thought that we could get a bus from Ennistymon to Galway, but it looks like we would have to change buses at Cliffs of Mohr. That would be no problem, but then it says that that route only runs until Sept 24 or so. I thought maybe we could just get to Doolin and spend a night or two. I've looked at the bus timetable so much I'm going crazy. I think we can get to Doolin. I know Sea View House which I've read good reviews of is full, so I've emailed another place.

The problem is we won't have a car and I don't know if there is enough to do in these small towns to keep us busy. We like to look in shops and eat in pubs and then listen to the music at night and enjoy some Guiness. I wouldn't mind gentle walks if isn't pouring down rain. My Mom is 71. We also like museum and cultural centres, but we might have to get a taxi to them. I was thinking we could stay a night or two in Doolin and maybe visit Lisdoornvarna and maybe stay in Kinvara one night. Or maybe Doolin one night and Kinvara 2 nights. We have stayed in Galway before so we thought we would skip that this time. Last time we stayed in Limerick for 2 nights and enjoyed talking walking tours of Angelas Ashes and King Johns Castle.

We are leaving on Novemember 2 and we have a reservation at Ashgrove House B&B in Bunratty for our last night. So I am looking for help for 3 nights. I guess we can still do Westport, but we'll get a later start than we had planned. We could just start again in Ennis. Also, it will be bank holiday weekend. We've never spent any time in Ennis, so that could be a possibility. And someday I would like to see Kilkee and Kilrush if I can be sure of the bus running. Sorry to have such a long question. I guess I just want to know is Westport really worth the visit or should I just stay in County Clare?? Thanks for any thoughts and comments someone can give me.

-- Edited by judyjo at 14:59, 2006-09-27

-- Edited by judyjo at 15:05, 2006-09-27

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JUDY JOHNSON
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For what it is worth, my 2 cents says to keep the Westport plan. Westport is one of my favorite areasm plus much more to do then in Doolin

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stewh


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I agree that 3 days in Doolin could be boring, not much going on except the pubs. We spent 2 nights in Ennis in May before we flew home and found it a vibrant town with good pubs, restaurants and shopping. having no car in Ennis is an advantage as the driving can be a bit difficult. Westport is also a great town but a fair distance from Shannon. I would be happy with 3 nights in Ennis or Westport.

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CowboyCraic


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Judy,


You would probably enjoy yourself more in Ennis, as it is walking friendly. There are plenty of great shops, restaurants and pubs at City Centre. Temple Gate & Old Ground are the two best hotels in Ennis and they are located at City Centre. Westbrook is a guesthouse which sets directly cross from Cois na hAbhna, Ennis' centre for Irish music and dance.  Ennis' proximity to the Shannon Airport is also a plus. I would recommend stay at the Great Southern Shannon Hotel on the night before your departure. It will allow for a more relaxed start on the morning you leave. All you have to do is walk across the parking lot and into the terminal.


Have a wonderful trip!



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judyjo


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Thanks for all of the help everyone. I think I will just stay in Ennis, I'm researching B&B's now. I'd love to stay at the OLD GROUND HOTEL but I'm sure it's too much money.


JUDY

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JUDY JOHNSON
CowboyCraic


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Howdy Judy,


If you are looking for B&Bs in Ennis, there is Adobe Bed & Breakfast. Their breakfasts are amazing and they actually take credit cards. They are located just a short walk away from town centre. Kelly's Bed & Breakfast is also great B&B. It is about an 8 minute walk from Kelly's to City Centre.


Staying at Old Ground is definitely a bit hard on the wallet. However, dining there, whether at the Poet's Bar or at the Town Hall Bistro would be a way to experience Old Ground without the cost.



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Dude


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Just out of Ennis, toward Bunratty and Shannon, is Eden Hill Farmhouse. I highly recommend it.
http://www.bed-breakfast-ennis.com/
Working farm, rooms on ground floor (great for those last nights), all the amenities and really easy to get to the highway to Shannon.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Michele Erdvig


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Judy,


Everyone has given you good advice. Another thought is to stay in Galway. Since the tour is going back to Shannon, you could get the bus from Shannon to Galway direct. There are also many different day tours from Galway. However, Ennis is a fun town too with lots of trad music. Either one would work well for you.


Michele



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stewh


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we stayed at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis - excellent. Try http://www.hotelclub.com/ for a good rate.

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