Limerick

youngka · Guru

Limerick

Michele Erdvig · Host

Youngka,

I usually don't think of Limerick as a place to do self-catering but it would probably depend on what you want to see from that base. It is one of Ireland's larger cities so you do get the crime that comes with it. However, its moniker Stab City mostly refers to a vendetta and turf war being fought between a couple of crime families. You would have to go waaaay off the beaten path to get involved with that. It is mostly petty crime that might impact a tourist such as pickpockets or mugging. I go to Limerick all the time and have never encountered a problem.

Michele

P.S. We would love to hear about your trip to Ireland when you get the chance.

youngka · Guru

Michelle,

The other place we would be staying is Kenmara and we do like that city very much. Dave, my husband, didn't like driving through the town of Ennis, but I thought it may be a good "home base" to finish seeing things we had missed before more towards the N. West? We plan to use more of the buses for tours, like The Ring of Kerry. Also, next trip want to go to the Aran Islands and spend a night. We missed a lot of major things we had planned to see, but loved the area/s near West Port! Maybe Tipperary would be a better "home base" along with Kenmara, so our drive to and from Shannon would be closer?

Also want to go as far as Youghal - S.E. of Cork. But want to see Dingle - we totally missed it.

Thanks, once again, for all your valuable help!

Youngka

CowboyCraic · Guru

If your husband doesn't like Ennis, and I can only imagine it was because he drove through during "Rush" time, then why not stay in Ennistymon? Ennistymon is sheltered among the surrounding hills. It sits on the southern edge of the Burren, two miles inland from the Atlantic. If there is a "center" of County Clare, this might be it. The Falls Hotel is a wonderful place to stay for a few days.

You might also consider staying in a smaller town around Limerick since you are using it as a base to tour the region. Glin might be a good base. It is one of my favorite small towns. If there is jsut the two of you, Creagh House there might be just the ticket. Adare would be another recommendation. As you might have guessed, I am not a big city kind of gal. I think staying in smaller towns and villages gives you better access to the "true" Ireland. If you are staying for a week in one area, a smaller village as a base affords you the luxury of choice when dealing with te big city bustle & hustle.

If you've a week's stay, Youghal can be done as either a long day trip or an overnight from where ever your self accomodating lodgings might be.

Have a great adventure. I am looking forward to hearing about your last trip!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

youngka · Guru

Bit Devine/Cowboy Craic,

Thanks sooooo much for such good information. I certainly will look into your suggestions. Yes, we do like the smaller villages/cities. I will check with 12travel and see what they can do. They have chosen and given us a site to see one of the self catering places, so far: http://www.12travel.com/ie/accommodation/regional/regional_accom.html?this_accom=267

It looks fine, but does not seem to be a really remote place. Hope 12T can check out the spots you have mentioned! Do it ourselves, otherwise! Just have 12T do flight and car rental......

I should have mentioned other places we wanted to see, but when you see where we have been -- when I post our trip --- you will know what we missed and want to see in April.

Thanks again for your help! I will check into the places you mentioned.....

youngka

CowboyCraic · Guru

Karen,

Before you lock in with 12 travel, make sure you check out rates for booking flights and car rental on your own. Aer Lingus has been running some great deals. Auto Europe usually has the best rates and, since you prepay it, would help you out money wise during the trip. Castle Village is sort of like Residence Inn here in the states. It is a great place to stay but lacks that aymosphere which most are looking for when they travel to Ireland.

I will help you any way that I can to make your second trip, relaxed and memorable.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

youngka · Guru

Thanks so much for your reply. I am also having AAA try and beat 12's price of $3,115.40 for two with Castle Oaks Holiday Village
Castleconnell, Limerick and Kenmare Holiday Village Sneem Road, Kenmare, Kerry as self catering places.

Funny you mentioned that about Nora Roberts. Wondered where the trilogy was written that I loved!

youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Youngka,

Also try www.dreamireland.com They seem to have some excellent properties.

Michele

youngka · Guru

Michelle,

Planning by myself is a little scary, after having 12travel do all the foot work, like you do. However, I have a while to figure this out and your suggestion I will definately look into.

This forum is so good, and everyone is so nice and helpful, thanks for having it AND you book!

youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Youngka,

Glad the forum is helpful. Too bad you don't want to self-cater in Northern Ireland. I just stayed in a fantastic place near the Antrim Coast. It was like going back in time but with all the mod cons (modern conveniences for those unfamiliar with the term). I absolutely adored The Dark Hedges and there will be more about that in my newsletter, which I am working on.

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 18:42, 2006-11-16

youngka · Guru

Michelle

We would love to go North, but another trip. I would love to see the Giants Causeway (?), and other areas my son was able to see when he stayed in Galway.

The South West has so much to offer, right now.

Looking forward to the report of your trip, sorry we didn't bump into you.....

youngka

stewh · Guru

Youngka

Another good possibility in County Clare, close to Shannon is the village of Corofin. My wife and I spent a week self-catering there in May. You can read about it in my trip report. Note that the link to the Burren Holiday Home does not work in the trip report. Here is a current one that works (I hope)http://www.burrenholidayhome.com/magico_builder/www/index.asp?wbid=73&aff=

Stewh

youngka · Guru

Stewh,

The site did work and the place looks very nice and is close to some places we want to get to that we didn't get to this year. Thanks a lot for your input.....

youngka