Last time in Ireland, I stayed in Ballina the night before we flew home out of Shannon. It was nice but, since this was with my former wife, I want a new place with my new bride.
This time, we are considering Limerick, stopping at Cashel and the Hunt Museum on our way from Kilkenny. Yet, I hear (and not just from the McCourt Bros.) that Limerick is not the best place to stay and, having stayed in Adare and found it charming but much as described in other postings with traffic and little to see or do, I can pass on that town. I have been to Bunratty and while it is great for starters, after seeing much of Ireland, it seems more like a fantasy park.
Sorry...I'm starting to sound like a travel snob but really just want a quiet romantic place for a last night stay with my wife that will be close enough to drop off the car and make our plane at the airport where we fly out at 12:30pm.
So my question is: what might be a nice place to stay the night before we fly out of Shannon
I don't know if castle hotels are in your budget but either Dromoland or Glin would be a fine ending to your trip. Glin is farther from the airport but I was there in September and it is a lovely place. It is small and intimate with a wonderful staff. Either one would definitely fit your description.
Many people like staying in Ennis on their last night. It is a real Irish working town and a haven for traditional Irish music. I don't have any personal recommendations for B&Bs there.
Limerick is one of Ireland's larger cities but much improved since the McCourts lived there! The Radisson (actually halfway between Limerick and Bunratty) is nice. If you don't mind being a couple of miles from Bunratty village, Bunratty Lodge is a lovely B&B. Mary has a queen room with four-poster canopy bed.
I know that my perspective is a little different these days since i usually look for a place to stay near shannon when i return from the states, but i think i can still pipe in on this one.
i/we tend to want the anonymity of a hotel at the beginning or end of a journey. we have had wonderful nights at the new Clarion hotel on the river in Limmerick city. We always are fortunate to have a high floor with river views looking out onto king john's castle and down the shannon. there is a great indian restaurant less than a block away.
we never feel unsafe in limmerick - but we pretty much stick to the city centre areas and only 1 spot after dark.