March Trip with Adult Kids

wren · Member

March Trip with Adult Kids

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Wren,

If you go the last week of March and into the first week of April, the weather should be decent. Your Average High is between 64-73 degrees Farenheit. Your average low will be between 19 - 23 degrees farenheit. However, weather in Ireland is erratic no matter what time of year you go.

If you are staying long enough to make self catering feasible, then the best bet for your family of four would be to let a self catering cottage in the Southwest region and then one in upper Co. Clare or in Co Galway. If you go the B&B route, be aware that most will charge you a supplemental fee for single occupancy. Using self catering as a base allows you to pack/unpack once and gives each person their own space. There are some great places for fly fishing in the Connemara region and in the Southwest area. Here are a few links for you to use for reference:

http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/ghillies/galway.htm

http://www.emlaghmore.com/connemara_fishing.html

http://www.delphi-salmon.com/

http://www.irelandflyfishing.com/home.html

http://www.corkkerry.ie/content.asp?id=521

If you let us know what other things you would be interested in doing and what your approximate dates might be, then we can help you solidify your itinerary so that it is enjoyable for everyone.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit devine

Cowboy Craic

wren · Member

Thanks for the web sites, Cowboy Craic. I will pass them on to the fisher folk in the family.

My husband and I have been to Ireland before - a wonderful two week trip with two to three nights in most places, starting in Dublin, down towards Clonmel (where my husband's family is from) and Cashel, up through Clonmacnoise to Connemara (my personal favorite) and finishing up in the Burren. My daughter has been to the Dublin area and my son hasn't been to Ireland yet at all. This may be one of the last times that "the four of us" can do a trip together like this, as the kids now have their own lives and jobs and other responsibilities will soom loom even larger on the horizon. When this possibility in March arose, we thought we'd better see what we might be able to do.

The areas we're considering would be some configuration that would include some (but not neccesarily all) of the following areas: Clonmel/Cashel, Cobh (where the ships left from), some time down in the southwest region (Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Killarney, Beara, etc.), the Burren and/or Galway and Connemara. Our primary interests are natural settings, history and cultural exploration - the kids are interested in their heritage and we all love trad music. We'd like them to see a good bit of the country but don't want to spend hours in the car - if we could find three to four day self catering options, that would be ideal, but it looks like most places rent by the week.

We don't need luxury but enjoy good food, interesting people and pleasant surroundings. I thoroughly enjoyed the B&B's we stayed at last time - my favorite aspect were the opportunities to talk with local people. I know I'll need to narrow the scope considerably, but that gives a general idea of what we're looking at. This is just the beginning of the process so we're really open to lots of ideas!!!

Thanks all,

Wren

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wren,

Welcome back to the forum again. Cowboy Craic has started you out on the right foot with lots of excellent info. At the time of year you are visiting you may find that self-catering can be done for less than a week (weekends and mid-week rentals). But staying at B&Bs usually gives you the interaction you want with locals plus the hosts know all about the area, where to eat, etc. Take a look at my "Links" page under Accommodations for links to self-catering places. For B&Bs see my "Lodgings" page.

I agree that the closer to April you can get the better. But do go prepared for cool weather. I have even seen snow in April a few times. Connemara and the southwest will have similar weather. Since Ireland is so small there are usually not the temperature differences you would get in a huge country like the US.

Give Tourism Ireland a call for a free vacation package: 1-800-223-6470 (US & Canada). Ask them to send you a self-catering guide that covers the entire country. That will get you started.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Wren,

B&Bs will certainly give you a cross culture connection. There are self catering facilities which will let for 3-4 days instead of seven during the off season. Lough Cutra Castle is a wonderful place to let a cottage. They have three to choose from. I have stayed in Henry's House which has been converted from the old stables. In the past, they have let out the cottages for short breaks. It might be worth contacting them to see what they are offering. They are 28M from the Shannon airport and 25M from Galway, which would make it convenient for exploring the Burren, Galway and the surrounding area.

As for a centrally located resting spot for Clonmel and the area, my former english teacher and her partner just returned from a stay at Ardsallagh, which is in Fethard. They said that it was close to all of teh historial sites which they had hoped to see in the area. Ballinacourty House might also be a B&B for you to consider as they have B&B+dinner packages that might be economical. Also, Seskin Farm is a B&B at which I have had the pleasure of staying. It is five minutes from Clonmel, 45 minutes from Kilkenny, Waterford and the Rock of Cashel. Another that comes to mind would be Benuala B&B, as the family who run it are Trad musicians and have a vast knowledge of the area's history. They are about 1km from Clonmel city centre.

As for the weather, I have heard it often said that the only thing consistent about the weather in Ireland is its inconsistency. I have yet to experience snow but I have experienced sleet in June.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

wren · Member

Sounds like we can handle the weather - we're from Seattle. There's many a time that my husband quotes one of our Irish B&B hosts, saying "Ah... tis a fine soft day..." as the rain comes down in one of it's innumberable permutations.

It might be interesting to look into the option of doing shorter stays at some of the self-catering places. We could also probably do a stay of one week somewhere combined with a couple of shorter stopovers using B&Bs. We'll need to keep this under two weeks, with ten days being a bit more likely.

If we decided to stay for a week in one place (West or Southwest), we would probably look for something with the following qualities.

1) In or near a small town or village (as opposed to a city) - we'd like to be within easy walking distance of a village with a store, a pub (with trad music?), and maybe an interesting place to dine or two.

2) Near pleasant and interesting places to walk (natural/historical features a plus) Being able to take hikes (or in my case, strolls) without having to get in the car every day would be nice.

3) A nearby fishing option would be a bonus

4) Centrally located for some day trips to the coast, national parks, heritage sites (round towers, ruined abbeys, standing stones, etc.) and/or scenic drives. We prefer back roads to big highways, for the most part.

5) Options or opportunities for interaction with folks - friendly hosts or a welcoming pub. We'd even be up for learning activities or something like a service project. Both kids have jobs with an environmental emphasis and we've also been very involved in education/literacy issues - I'm an early childhood educator/consultant and my husband's a former school board member.

Based on all that, are there some villages, towns or regions that jump to mind that might make a good base of operations for us? Once I've narrowed the geographical location down, I feel like I can focus more on actual accomodations and activiites.

Thanks again!
Wren

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wren,

Some places that come to mind are Kenmare, Ballyvaughan, Oughterard and Clifden. I'm sure everyone will let you know their favorites too.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Hello Wren,

If it is Trad music you are looking for in the Connemara Region, I would recommend Roundstone. THe Roundstone Music Shop always has something going on. The owner & Bodhran make, Malachy Kearns, can usually be found in the shop and is always willing to stop and talk Trad music and Trad instruments with visitors.

Though Doolin is said to be the heart of Trad music, at the time of year you are looking at visiting, I would recommend Ennis for a Mid west coast base. Custy's Traditional Music Shop is the place to visit for information on the local Trad sessions.

You could easily do Three days in the Clonmel region, Three days in the Mid West Coast area and three days in the Connemaras. That would leave your last night of stay at a hotel close to the airport. This would allow you time to see a good part of each area. If you are staying fourteen days, you could do three days in the Clonmel area, a week's stay in the Connemara region and then four days in the Mid West Coast area.

If you are in the Clonmel area March 31 - April 2, there is a Walking Festival in the Glen of Aherlow which might be worth a look.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

wren · Member

These sound like good suggestions - my husband and I stayed at Errisbeg Lodge near Roundstone and it was probably my very favorite part of our trip.

We missed the stretch of coast from Cork up around Clare last time - while I wouldn't mind going back to any of the places we were before, I am wondering if we shouldn't try to spend some time down there...

It sure is fun to think about all the options!!

Wren

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wren,

It sounds like you missed the whole southwest last time. Since you have seen Connemara why not see what you did not get to last time? The southwest, west Cork and Clare coast are very scenic and well worth your time.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Wren,

I know part of the reason for the trip is to show your children that places that captured your heart the most and that does sound like the Connemara region did that.

You could spend your three days in Co Clare somewhere in the Burren region. There is Slieve Elva Farmhouse, which I just recommended to another post, which offers short break packages. Deelin House is another wonderful place which offers three night packages.Donour Lodge in Fanore is also a great place. Fanore is often overlooked and that is a pity, as they are rich in Trad music and Crafts, Here is a great page on the Burren which will allow you to explore some of its sites.

I hope this helps you in planning your adventure!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit

wren · Member

I definitely think we want to hit the Southwest - I'm thinking that somewhere around Killarney might be a good base? We could spend 4-5 days there (self-catering?), visiting the coastal areas and maybe Cobh on day trips interspersed with a day or two of fishing or wandering locally. Then maybe we could head up to Galway for a 2-3 days so the twenty-somethings could experience the night scene there and maybe do a day trip into Connemara. We did visit the Burren last time, and can see some of it on the drive from Killarney to Galway. Then maybe finish with a final night fairly near Shannon - maybe even spring for someplace special that might have a decent off-season rate - isn't one of the country house/castle hotels somewhere in that vicinity?

So the itinerary could look like this...

Day 1-5 Self-catering near Killarney (trips to the coast & some fishing)
Day 6 - 8 Galway (See Cliff's of Moher & Burren on the way, music and night life in Galway, day trip to Connemara
Day 9 - Somewhere Special near Shannon
Day 10 - fly home.

How does that sound?

Wren

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wren,

That sounds perfect. For a special place near Shannon for your last night you might want to investigate Dromoland Castle or Glin Castle. I just had a tour of Glin a month ago and it is lovely. The staff is really nice and it is much smaller and more homey than Dromoland (which is on the grand side).

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

wren, enjoy a great trip with the young adult "kids"! We had our adventure to Ireland with young adult kids in July 2006. Our daughters were younger than your "kids"...they were 19 and 20 years old this summer.

The perspective of my biologist husband and I was quite a bit different from the experience of our young adult daughters in Ireland.

Some things we agreed on. We all fell in love with the Cliffs of Moher, in spite of it being a tourist draw. We walked out as far as we could and my daughters lay on the ground, and didn't want to leave the beautiful spot.

We all loved Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula where we spent 3 nights. We all unanimously voted to take the boat over to the Great Blasket Island after seeing the Burren Centre on the Dingle Peninsula. However to our disappointment it was too late in the day to get a boat over and we had to leave for our next destination the next day. Therefore we hope to get back someday to see the Great Blasket Island. These are some of the things we agreed on.

We also all loved having a long walk on the Burren, in a spot away from all the other tourists. We had it to ourselves. We could see the ocean as well.

Areas of disagreement...my daughters were bored on Achill Island day-trip and actually refused to get out of the car. My husband and I were enchanted with Achill Island and enjoyed walking about in various beautiful, peaceful spots on the island (County Mayo.)

Also in County Mayo was the town of Westport, which we all enjoyed. Fun for shopping, pubs, and meeting locals and also meeting other visitors from Europe. Fewer Americans in County Mayo. (We are Americans.) Also Westport is a good sized town to split up and have a bit of time apart. My daughters enjoyed a bit of time together in Westport while we went our own way. It was especially easy to meet locals in Westport we found. My daughters and I met a friendly Irish woman in the chocolate shop and had an interesting chat.

I didn't care for Galway, though we were only stopping for a few hours on our drive through Galway to get to our next b&b in County Clare. I found Galway too crowded and trafficky for my tastes. However my daughters noticed that there were more young people their age in Galway than anyplace else that we visited, and they thought it might have been fun to spend a couple nights there only because of the young people hanging about in the central square.

We all found our own fascinating corners of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, east of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Naturally I have shared about places which are miles apart! But I thought you might enjoy hearing how sometimes we agreed with our young adult daughters, and other times they had totally different experiences.

One of their favorite moments was sitting in the car giggling while I clambered gingerly through sheep poo on a climb up a hill with my husband, on the coast of Antrim, to get to a viewpoint,,,which ended up being fogged in anyway!

Also, much to my surprise, my younger daughter, 19, found herself not at all interested in the pubs. My older daughter, 20, found them interesting at first and then grew tired of them. I myself was utterly fascinated with the craic and the Irish trad music, and my husband enjoyed them as well.

Enjoy your family adventures!