1-2 month stay in ireland

kenny M · Newbie

1-2 month stay in ireland

Irisheyes · Senior Member

Have you thought of self-catering?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kenny,

Welcome to the forum! I agree with Irisheyes that a self-catering cottage may be the way to go. I have a new page all about it: http://www.irelandyes.com/selfcatering.html You can click through to self-catering sites from my "Links" page. Also look at my "Awards" page. I have just given my first award to a self-catering place. Take a look at Limepark: www.limepark.com I had a wonderful experience there. The Little Pig's Cottage would be perfect for you. I don't remember if it had a fireplace though. Send an email to Melanie find out.

Generally is is tough to find a one bedroom self-catering place. Most have several bedrooms. But keep searching because they do exist. You might even consider breaking up your trip a bit and staying in a couple of different places.

Since you want to get around by public transportation look at my "Transport" page too. That should give you a start.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

If you are going over for that long of a period, it would be a shame to limit yourself only to public transportation. Car rental isn't too expensive and a small car would be easy to get used to driving. Check out autoeurope.com for some good rates.

That being said, you could then spend two weeks per area and really get to know an area if you had a vehicle.

In County Cork, I would highly recommend going a bit inland and staying at Croughmore Cottage, http://www.cork-guide.ie/mitchels/croughmore/index.htm. While not a castle, your children will get to stay in a traditional thatched cottage. It is central to the castles of Blarney, Bunratty, Cahir, Lismore and Limerick; the Rock of Cashel, Lakes of Killarney, and Mitchelstown Caves. I had a most enjoyable week there. It allowed me the freedom to plot and plan my next day while relaxing in the quiet. Liam and Ann Moer are the most gracious of hosts.

In Co. Galway, there is no better place to become inspired than the Burren. I would recommend The Burren Way, which is run by two sisters and offers three seperately located cottages, http://www.burren-way.com/or Caheroyan House & Farm, http://www.caheroyanhouseathenry.com, which is just outside of Athenry, one of Ireland's heritage towns. It is a seventy acre organic farm, with some absolutely incredible flowers and Trees! From this base, you can tour the Connemaras, explore the Aran Islands and Down into County Clare.

That leaves you with two weeks to spend in the Donegal area and two weeks to spend in the Kilkenny area.

For the Donegal area, I would heartily recommend Grahams, http://www.grahamscottage.com/, a 300 year old Thatched cottage. From that Base, you can venture into Northern Ireland, up to the Northern most point of Ireland, the Inishowen Peninsula, as well as explore the North western area of Ireland.

For the Kilkenny area, I would recommend Nulty's Cottages, http://www.nultysselfcateringholidaycottages.com/, which would serve as you base for exploring the Medieval City of Kilkenny, southeast Ireland and the Eastern coast.

Another idea for you to consider is a house exchange. There are several online sites that match up folk who are wanting to spend an extended period of time in another country. You would give them your home and they would give you theirs.

To get your best rate, plan to travel over in May, which is also the best time for everything to be in bloom. It is before High season and after Easter break. High season runs from July through the end of September.

Enjoy Your Adventure! Let me know if there is room in your suitcase for a stow-away.

Also, let me know when that Novel you write will be released!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

kenny M · Newbie

Thanks for the welcome Michele :)

Thanks all the great ideas. I will do some more research. and btw, what are you guys doing up at 1:30 in the morning anyway?

I am currently in the process of selling my house, and my trip is really going to be determined on when that happens. It would be great if I can get it sold before May. I am just going to put everything in storage for a couple months and take off. I will worry about where I am moving too when I get back.

I like the idea of staying a week or two at different locations. I just want to be able to relax and not feel like I am rushed. If I do not get to see everything, that is fine. I can always come back. I think I will lean more towards what CowboyCraic is suggesting. I will look into the self catering places, but I am really pretty lazy when it come to taking after myself and will probably still dine out most of my meals. I know it's expensive, but hey, it's not like I get this chance very often.

I took a 9 day coach tour with Trafalgar tours back around 10 years ago and had a (using my best Billy Crystal impression) marvelous time. I went in March and was in Dublin for the St. Patrick’s parade. Went to bunratty, blarney castle, Waterford crystal, cliffs of mohar (which was fantastic), ring of kerry, etc. The weather was unbelievable. It was sunny and clear the whole time. the guide said he never seen anything like it at that time of the year. The only problem with the tour is it was rush rush rush. Up early in the morning to be bused to the next location, usually arriving late in the evening to the next hotel, only to get up early again the next morning. While I got to see allot, I was exhausted at the end of the trip.

I will think a little more on a car rental. I know it's more convenient, but I really just want to kick back and relax mostly, and somehow having a car just doesn't fit in with the mood I am trying to accomplish with this trip. If that makes any sense.

Not sure about room in my suitcase, but I am going solo, so if anyone wants to tag alone or meet up with me while I am over there, your more than welcome. That is, if you can put up with a grumpy 42 year old set in his ways.

Kenny

-- Edited by kenny M at 10:30, 2007-01-04

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kenny,

You can save some money when eating out by having your main meal in the pubs about midday and picking up lunch meats and cheese at the Maxol stations. I have been known to survive quite well on Wexford strawberries and the french baguettes they sell at the Maxol stations. Another way to save money while dining out is to request restaurant value menus (see www.valuemenu.ie) and "early bird" dining specials. I go the self catering route as often as possible while traveling. I don't do a lot of cooking whilst there but it is the luxury of knowing that I don't have to pack and unpack, as well as the ability to really get to know an area that makes self-catering so attractive.

Renting a car doesn't steal anything from a relaxed mode. Quite the contrary, I think it enhances it because it allows you to choose when you travel, how far and where. With public transportation, you have to travel only the routes they travel and you will miss a lot that way.

You are getting a once in a lifetime opportunity. There is so much to see and experience in Ireland, which is why I suggested staying in each region of Ireland for at least two weeks. You will learn from the locals where the hidden gems are instead of all of the tourist traps. I always strive to get lost at least once a week whilst I am there, as I have found the most wonderful places and people whilst trying to find my way home.

"Grumpy 42 year-old set in their ways", I have been described as such myself! Enjoy your adventure!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

yesiree · Guru

It is great that you are rewarding yourself for years of hard work (or maybe this is a vital recharge period).

You don't have to have a car the entire time...you could easily plan to have it a week. Then rent another car a few weeks later on more of a whim. The best prices are generally from the airport, but a lot of car dealers also do rentals...just make sure you do some homework on prices, so they don't try to milk you for more than they should (the Irish are generally kind and generous, but the car dealer - it's only one mind you - I dealt with started with a pretty outrageous price when he heard my American accent).

I know what you mean about having a car though. There just seems to be an added sense of responsibility that comes with it.

Finding a few B&Bs (or self-catering places) that are within walking (or biking) distance from towns on the bus or train lines shouldn't be a problem.

Some towns that come to my mind center around movies...maybe I'm due for renting some DVDs this weekend...Dingle (Ryan's Daughter, Far and Away), Inistioge (Circle of Friends, Widow's Peak) and Cong (The Quite Man).

Twice I've had the chance to stay in Ireland for a month at a time, and it was really an amazing feeling to just enjoy the pace. In the smaller towns, many stores still close at lunch, others have a half day on Tuesday or Wednesday, you can find a great bakery and butcher without having to go into a supermarket...yet just down the street there's an internet cafe and a cell phone shop.

I've been blessed with a place to stay when I'm over there, so I spend a majority of my trip in the same place. I must say, being able to do what I want during the day and then spending the evening by the fire in Ireland with a notebook or a book is a fantastic.

If you've got a highspeed internet connection, take a peek at our podcasts at www.irishfireside.com as well. They might give you some ideas.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kenny,

Everyone has given you great ideas to mull over. I really like the thought of renting a car for certain periods and just vegetating for others. That would give you the best of both worlds. During the times you don't have a car perhaps you could stay at B&Bs or guesthouses. Some of them do "partial board", which means you get breakfast and dinner there. You can certainly stay at a B&B for a week or two. In fact you should get a break on prices for a longer stay. Since you are traveling solo perhaps they will waive the single suplement for your room.

I now have a complete review of Bervie online (excerpted from my book) and I think it may be just what you are thinking of: http://www.irelandyes.com/excerpt.html This would be a place to vegetate, take walks and hikes, sit before a fire and be pampered.

Michele

kenny M · Newbie

Great writeup Michele. Who needs to go to Ireland? I just closed my eyes after reading and could feel that cool breeze blowing across my arm. Oh wait,.... durn it, left the back door open.

That is definately a place I will check out. Sounds perfect. I just purchased your book through paypal and can't wait to get it. Thank all of you for the great suggestions. I will keep you informed on how things go. Just got to get my house sold. Maybe I will go kick my realtor tomorrow. make sure he is working.

oh crud, I just noticed I bought the coupon book by mistake. hehe. oh well, I will take that too. Just need to go back and get the book.

ok, now i have the book and coupons coming my way.

Ken

-- Edited by kenny M at 19:22, 2007-01-04

-- Edited by kenny M at 19:24, 2007-01-04

-- Edited by kenny M at 19:27, 2007-01-04

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kenny,

I will refund the money for the coupons. They are really of benefit if two people are traveling together since most of them are 2-for-1 admissions. Since you are traveling solo I wouldn't recommend the Coupon Pack. You might be better off getting a Heritage Pass instead. You can buy them in Ireland: http://www.heritageireland.ie/

Now go click on the right button!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kenny,

You need to bury a statue of St. Joseph upside down by your front door. It will help your house sell faster. Kicking your real estate agent might not encourage them to work harder for you.

Good Luck with the house sale, enjoy Michele's book. Brevie will be a nice quiet respite.

Slan Go Foill,

Bit