Ireland

[blythe_ann]

Anyone ever been or live there?

My husband and I have made up our minds and are planning on travelling there. We don't want to do the whole bus tour thing, I've done that and it's not as enjoyable as driving yourself.

So... just thought I'd throw it out there... suggestions? Anything from time to where to how long is appreciated.

We're thinking as early as Thanksgiving, and focusing on southern Ireland.

 

[LoisGriffin]

I went to Dublin in January and loved it. The Irish people are great.

It was very cold so didn't get to see as much as we wanted. We did however get to tour a church crypt and touch an 800 year old mummy. St. Michan's Mummies located in Dublin, Ireland | Atlas Obscura | Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations

I would love to go back and see the countryside.

 

[Autumnleaf]

I didn't know you could drive to Ireland.

 

[blythe_ann]

I didn't know you could drive to Ireland.

Never said you could... but I've heard you can drive once you get there.

That would be one heck of a road trip, though.

 

[blythe_ann]

I went to Dublin in January and loved it. The Irish people are great.

It was very cold so didn't get to see as much as we wanted. We did however get to tour a church crypt and touch an 800 year old mummy. St. Michan's Mummies located in Dublin, Ireland | Atlas Obscura | Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations

I would love to go back and see the countryside.

Thanks! We definitely want to see the country side. Did it snow when you were there?

 

[Autumnleaf]

Thanks! We definitely want to see the country side. Did it snow when you were there?

Are you going to kiss the lucky stone?

 

[blythe_ann]

the stone of eloquence at blarney castle? Possibly. More interested in the castle itself, want to visit Cashel, Kilkenny, and just see a lot of awesome Irish scenery. I'm all about nature when I travel.
Really looking forward to this trip. It will be my husband's first out of country vacation and my first as a legal adult and not with 200 other kids.

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

IRELAND!!!


ahhh! I've never been but it's been my dream forever!

My boyfriend and I are hoping to go for a honeymoon when we get married.

Has anyone been in the late fall, like October? What was the weather like?

 

[Colin]

I have been 4 times .
Galway ,to travel around Connemara , and Killarney , to travel the Ring Of Kerry are a must .

 

[LoisGriffin]

Thanks! We definitely want to see the country side. Did it snow when you were there?

No it was more like freezing rain (wouldn't be Ireland if it wasn't raining). Next time I am going in the summer thats for sure.

 

[Nienna_Lady_of_Tears]

My husband and I haven't been there but we've already decided we want to move there.

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

My husband and I haven't been there but we've already decided we want to move there.

 

[Captivated]

I've been to Co Donegal (Portsalon beach is fab) and also Co Wicklow (stayed near Avoca) on two separate trips. Both were wonderful. I can't recommend Ireland highly enough, I loved it all. I could list loads of beautiful places we visited! One highlight that stands out was going to Glendalough in Wicklow (Glendalough Co Wicklow - Monastic settlements in Glacial Valley Surroundings). I know you said you were planning on visiting Southern Ireland but perhaps don't rule out the north entirely. Giant's Causeway is truly spectacular.

Now, when can I fix a return visit?!!

 

[blythe_ann]

I haven't ruled out the northern yet, just the plan in our price range is in the south. I have been looking at Glendalough online a little bit, I love Christian ruins, they are just so.. I don't know, they just make me feel crazy.

Giants causeway would be great.

We are definitely wanting to see castles and scenery. We're planning on buying some good warm coats and such and sucking up the cold.


The plan we have is like this (so far) if anyone is interested.
Fly into Dublin and stay one night, drive to Killarney stopping in Glendalough, Kilkenny and Blarney on the way. 2 nights in Killarney, one day taking a couple driving tours around scenery. Drive to Galaway, Stop in Bunratty and hit the Cliffs of Moher on the way. 2 nights in Galaway, Connemara trip one day while staying there. Then back across the country to Dublin, and take off in the morning.
I'm so excited. I'm really hoping that we get to go. We are working on my husbands vacation and what not to plan it out, and my passport is on the way.

 

[Captivated]

The plan we have is like this (so far) if anyone is interested.
Fly into Dublin and stay one night, drive to Killarney stopping in Glendalough, Kilkenny and Blarney on the way. 2 nights in Killarney, one day taking a couple driving tours around scenery. Drive to Galaway, Stop in Bunratty and hit the Cliffs of Moher on the way. 2 nights in Galaway, Connemara trip one day while staying there. Then back across the country to Dublin, and take off in the morning.
I'm so excited. I'm really hoping that we get to go. We are working on my husbands vacation and what not to plan it out, and my passport is on the way.

That sounds good. Only thing? It won't be long enough or cover enough ground. But you could stay for months, years I expect, and still not want to leave.

We've found the Irish to be friendly, humourous, generous and hospitable. Only once did I feel guilty for being English and that was my perception rather than something that was said. My mother's family came over to England from Co Roscommon after the Great Hunger so like a lot of people in England, especially the North West, I can claim some Irish ancestory.

Anyway, I'm jealous of your plans and hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Captivated]

My husband and I haven't been there but we've already decided we want to move there.

Agreed. It's the only other place in the world I would want to live apart from where I live now.

 

[blythe_ann]

Thanks, Captivated. I am really looking forward to this trip. I know it isn't nearly long enough (I won't even get to see the whole northern half, perhaps another day). Do you think we'll be able to do everything in the above itinerary or should I start looking at things to cut back on? We'll have 6 days, 6 nights.

Last time I was in Europe I was part of an ambassador group, so I wore a blue blazer and stuck out like a sore thumb. This time we're doing it solo. I've heard many times that European countries don't like American tourists (which is understandable, most of the time American's don't like American tourists), but is there anything we can do to avoid that?
I have met a few from Ireland and they were all very kind, and I could listen to them speak all day. I could probably listen to you speak all day, too. My mid-western accent isn't as eloquent as the Irish or the English.
I told my mom yesterday-- she said she found a notebook last year that had my first Ireland plans in it... I was 5. So, this is the trip I've wanted to take my whole life.

 

[Captivated]

Thanks, Captivated. I am really looking forward to this trip. I know it isn't nearly long enough (I won't even get to see the whole northern half, perhaps another day). Do you think we'll be able to do everything in the above itinerary or should I start looking at things to cut back on? We'll have 6 days, 6 nights.

Last time I was in Europe I was part of an ambassador group, so I wore a blue blazer and stuck out like a sore thumb. This time we're doing it solo. I've heard many times that European countries don't like American tourists (which is understandable, most of the time American's don't like American tourists), but is there anything we can do to avoid that?
I have met a few from Ireland and they were all very kind, and I could listen to them speak all day. I could probably listen to you speak all day, too. My mid-western accent isn't as eloquent as the Irish or the English.
I told my mom yesterday-- she said she found a notebook last year that had my first Ireland plans in it... I was 5. So, this is the trip I've wanted to take my whole life.

It is quite a full itinerary, are you booking accommodation in advance or looking for somewhere to stay as you go along? I just wonder 'cause you may find you want to stay longer in one spot and it might be good to be able to be flexible. Each time we've visited Ireland we've had a fortnight just in one place and explored the locality from there, but if you can't take that much time then I understand that you want to cover as much ground as possible. And it would be easy for me to say that Ireland is a country that needs savouring rather than getting through as much of it as possible when I can be there in a couple of hours. If you can be flexible then be so, follow your heart when you're there! *

I think maybe Europeans don't like a stereotype of American tourist but are probably very happy to meet them on an individual basis! The historic links between America and Ireland are strong, I don't think you'll have any problems. (The Ulster American Folk Museum at Omagh would be a great place to visit, it tells the story of Irish emigration to the American frontier.) My daughter hates looking like a tourist wherever she goes but we try to avoid it as much as possible by researching pretty thoroughly where we are going and what to expect. We try and find out where the locals eat, drink and shop and do likewise, avoiding all the obvious tourist establishments as much as possible. Fortunately we're fairly clued up with the currency these days as the Euro is prevalent throughout Europe but we can't do much about the accent! It's never been an issue though.

It's lovely that you've been planning this trip since you were a child. I can't imagine for one minute that you will be disappointed. Once you've had a taste of Ireland you'll probably be planning another lengthier trip! It's way past time I went back, I'll have to do some planning of my own! Let us know how it goes.

* I've just remembered a story that sums up the Irish pace of life, that is always good to get into when you're over there. An Englishman was complaining to his Irish friend about the Spanish and their 'come day, go day' attitude. 'They have this word 'manana' which means it'll be done at some indefinite time in the future.' His Irish friend responded by saying 'Oh, but we don't have a word that expresses such urgency.'
It can be contagious and makes for a very relaxing holiday!

 

[blythe_ann]

Hi Captivated, I'm sorry that I hadn't responded sooner. The day I'm primarily concerned with is our drive between Dublin and Killarney, deciding if and what I would leave out is difficult, to say the least! I want to see everything in between, and unfortunately that just won't be possible.
I'm really looking forward to this trip, we officially put down a deposit and paid for our airfare yesterday. My passport is in process and we are leaving in November.
We are going to be pre-booked in the hotels (it was the cheapest [and most comfortable] option for us), and we are considering booking one night in a castle, just to say we did it.
I really am not interested in a lot of tourist attractions, though my initial list had some listed. I don't know if I want to kiss the Blarney Stone, but I want to see the castle and surrounding area, because that was what had the initial draw for me. I don't really need to tour many of the castles, but I would like to see them from the outside. I really just want to see how beautiful it is!
I'm a little scared, I have to admit, as I have traveled internationally before but not by myself (or with my husband, who hasn't traveled outside of the country at all). I not only don't want to annoy any locals, but I don't want to get into any difficult situations. I'm trying to prepare and learn everything I can before I go!

 

[mudbug]

Greetings Blythe Ann,
We (hubby, stepson & daughter in law) are planning a trip for March 2011 to England and Ireland. Plans are to spend about a week in England, then flying or ferrying over to be in Dublin for March 17th (St. Patty's Day). After that, we want to rent a self-catering house large enough to hold all four of us that is located in central southern Ireland to make our "home base". We plan to take "day trips" to all over as much of southern Ireland that we can make, while returning each night to home base. Of course, this means renting a car. We figure if we split the expense of car, gas, and accommodation two ways, it will be cheaper for us. And we can do some meals like breakfast on our own at the house which will be more economical.

I went to England about 20 years ago with my Mom and loved it. I can't wait to go back to see how it has changed. My hubby and kids have never been out of the country either, so this should be fun.

We are watching the fares daily so we can get the cheapest rt flights. What airline did you book your trip with, is it non-stop? Right now, the cheapest non stop flights from Houston are $931 per person.

Since you will be going before we do, I'll be anxious to hear how your trip went.

Blessings,
Mudbug