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Wonderful trip to Ireland!!

Delaware
13 posts
Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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Just got back a few days ago! Overall, everything was WONDERFUL and the planning in advance definitely made a difference. I may post in more detail later, but here were some general things:

Weather was great...we only had rain on the day we went to the Aran Islands...very rough ferry ride!

Prices: In general we found food very pricey, especially in Dublin! We began going to the grocery store and saved a lot by eating picnic lunches. After the Irish Breakfast we didn't need much anyway...plus we had views that no restaurant has. We picnicked at Slea Head, across from the Cliffs of Moher, at the peak of the hiking trail in Connemara National Park....doesn't get much better!

Driving times: Maybe we just got lucky, but for the most part, we made great time enroute from town to town and even were able to add unexpected stops on some days! I think the latest we ever arrived at a B & B for the night was 7 pm.

Sightseeing: Getting up early (if you can!) makes a huge difference. My husband and I had the Rock of Cashel and Powerscourt literally to ourselves for about 30 minutes because we were the first ones there.

Cliffs of Moher are beautiful, but Dun Aenghus on Inishmore still allows the "crawling to the edge" experience that the barrier takes away at Moher.

B & B's: Were all fine...reading reviews here seems to have been a good way to go.

People: The Irish are wonderful and friendly. Unfortunately we did have one bad experience. A college kid in Tig Coili in Galway asked my husband where he was from, and upon hearing "Texas", asked him if he was a steer or a queer. Hubby tried to play this off as a joke, and the kid started cursing and calling us f-ing soulless Americans. Well, he was getting aggressive, so we left, which really annoyed me as we had staked out great seats for the music. (Perhaps he wanted our seats???) But, there is one in every pub, I guess. Other than that, people could not have been more helpful with directions, suggestions for food, etc.

Favorites: Dingle, Galway (other than jerky college kid), Connemara National Park, Ashford Castle, especially falconry, Dun Aenghus

Well, I'm still coming down from the whole experience...no energy to post in detail, but if anyone searches for my itinerary posts, just know that we fit in everything and more!

Thanks to all who advised me in my planning!

Maple Glen, PA
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556 posts
10 reviews
9 helpful votes
1. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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Thanks for your post. Can you please tell me more about the falconry at Ashford Castle? Did you stay there or just visit. Glad you had fun.

Leixlip, Ireland
Destination Expert
for Ireland
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13,144 posts
74 reviews
112 helpful votes
2. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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Glad to hear that you had a good trip, DelawareGal! Don't mind that eejit in Galway, you would almost feel sorry for him.

New Hampshire
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3,188 posts
35 reviews
55 helpful votes
3. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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I'm so sorry you had a run-in with a jerk in Tig Coili. That was oour favorite pub for music and if we had the same experience, I could see how it would put a damper on our memories. We didn't have that experience, but we did have some interesting conversations with some people about how we could deal with a certain person in power.... also, I think *I* may have rubbed one of our B&B hostesses the wrong way, when at breakfast (during this politician conversation) I said that I thought all politicians were the same.... and she kindly let me know that her father was a politician and listed all the good he had done.... me and my blanket statements ;-(

I have to go back to Ireland already. We missed the Arans because of the weather that day, and now I just have to get right up to the edge of a cliff!

Austin
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933 posts
12 reviews
34 helpful votes
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Picnic lunches: thanks for the reminder. We plan to bring our small collapsible cooler and cold packs. We already have "reservations" for a table for three at Slea Head.

Rock of Cashel: I will catapult my daughter out of bed to get us there early. (The rest of our trip will be completely relaxed.) What time did you get there?

Limerick, Ireland
Destination Expert
for Limerick
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38,325 posts
154 reviews
162 helpful votes
5. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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JoJoKo,

Pick up a rug with a waterproof backing (available in Dunnes for about €5 or so and other places as well). A must for picnics in Ireland.

6. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!

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Leixlip, Ireland
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for Ireland
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13,144 posts
74 reviews
112 helpful votes
7. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!
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Bean, great suggestion about the rug!

JoJoKo, you read willow's trip reports so you know that she and her hubby climbed up onto the headland at Coumenoole Beach. If it's a nice day you should do the same for your picnic. Turn into the carpark (the signpost reads "Coumenoole"). There is a path going from the carpark right up to the top of Dunmore Head. It's a bit of a steep climb but really well worth it. Just take your time. Years ago there was a sign there warning people "Poisoned land - keep out" or words to that effect. I didn't see it last time I was there (last September) and I would advise you not to heed it if it's still there. Just go and enjoy! You could also have the picnic on the beach but if it's windy it would really put the sand into your wich!

Leixlip, Ireland
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for Ireland
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13,144 posts
74 reviews
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Oh JoJoKo, another nice place for a picnic would be Clogher Head. You pass the Louis Mulcahy pottery (on your right coming from Slea Head) and take the next turn left (signposted). Well, maybe you stop at the pottery first...

Another great spot is Brandon Point. For this you have to cross the Conor Pass and drive through Cloghane all the way out until the road ends. The views over Tralee Bay and the northern side of the Dingle peninsula are just wonderful!

Austin
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933 posts
12 reviews
34 helpful votes
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A Texas-sized thanks for your picnic suggestions!

I will try to find a waterproof rug here before I leave. (Actually, I see a waterproof rug right now inside our back door, but the cat has used it as a wrestling toy.) If not, there are a few Dunnes department stores in Limerick, where we will hang out with friends before exploring on our own.

Clauds, you read my mind about Coumenoole Beach. I had tried to find better directions using Google, but could not. Thanks so much! We have four nights in Dingle, so we should be able to enjoy a lot of picnics.

Unless it rains. Then we will enjoy a lot of pubs...and Guinness.

10. Re: Wonderful trip to Ireland!!

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