ireland for xmas/new years...good or bad idea?
Aug 29th, 2010, 06:09 AM
#1
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ireland for xmas/new years...good or bad idea?
We are thinking about changing plans and going to Ireland this coming Dec. 25-Jan. 1 from late June '11 to save some money. Is this a bad Idea? What's the weather like this time of the year? How are the holidays in Ireland? Any opinions/suggestions please!
Aug 29th, 2010, 08:34 PM
#2
"<i>What's the weather like this time of the year?</i>"
No telling --but most likely wet and cold at least part of the time. But what IS certain is that some sites will be closed over the holidays, and the days are <u>really</u> short.
Sunrise will be about 8:45 AM and sunset about 4 PM
No telling --but most likely wet and cold at least part of the time. But what IS certain is that some sites will be closed over the holidays, and the days are <u>really</u> short.
Sunrise will be about 8:45 AM and sunset about 4 PM
Aug 29th, 2010, 09:43 PM
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Depends.
I've spent Christmas and NYE with friends in mid-western Ireland for the last five years.
If you come from New York or Chicago you will probably think of wintertime in Ireland as non existing. You hardly need any real winter clothing. Frost is usually a phenomenom of a few nights. Usually.
But last winter there was a major cold wave - not only in Ireland, but all over Europe. Due to the high humidity, the frost (and also some snow) turned the island into a fairytale wonderland. Otherwise it was almost always dry and sunny. But the frost and the occasional inch of snow also shut down traffic, including the airports. Took me two additional nights to finally be able to leave Ireland again.
The major problem, though, would be the closure times of the sights, as janisj explained. You should check in advance on the respective websites if places you want to visit are open.
I've spent Christmas and NYE with friends in mid-western Ireland for the last five years.
If you come from New York or Chicago you will probably think of wintertime in Ireland as non existing. You hardly need any real winter clothing. Frost is usually a phenomenom of a few nights. Usually.
But last winter there was a major cold wave - not only in Ireland, but all over Europe. Due to the high humidity, the frost (and also some snow) turned the island into a fairytale wonderland. Otherwise it was almost always dry and sunny. But the frost and the occasional inch of snow also shut down traffic, including the airports. Took me two additional nights to finally be able to leave Ireland again.
The major problem, though, would be the closure times of the sights, as janisj explained. You should check in advance on the respective websites if places you want to visit are open.
Aug 30th, 2010, 07:46 AM
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Wouldn't advise it. Lots of tourist sites will be closed over the Christmas period, the days are very short and dark and you will have trouble finding restaurants open during this time. If you are looking to save money and determined to "enjoy" Irish winter weather then I'd advise switching to early January - at least places will be open.
Aug 30th, 2010, 10:40 AM
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I'm going over that exact time, but mainly b/c I have family. However, I have been over the exact week previously and I can tell you what it's like.
You can expect chilly weather -- some rain, but that's typical. Would be around 50 but if it's rainy it feels much colder than that.
The major difference you're going to see is that it will be dark around 4:30 pm so you lose a lot of daylight, whereas in June it's light til 11:00 pm or so and light again at 5:00 am.
Another thing to note is that almost everyone won't be working during the week of xmas to new years so if you're looking for a good time in some pubs, and traditional irish music, that would be the week to do it.
If you're looking for more touristy experience, you should probably wait til June!
You can expect chilly weather -- some rain, but that's typical. Would be around 50 but if it's rainy it feels much colder than that.
The major difference you're going to see is that it will be dark around 4:30 pm so you lose a lot of daylight, whereas in June it's light til 11:00 pm or so and light again at 5:00 am.
Another thing to note is that almost everyone won't be working during the week of xmas to new years so if you're looking for a good time in some pubs, and traditional irish music, that would be the week to do it.
If you're looking for more touristy experience, you should probably wait til June!
Aug 30th, 2010, 11:30 AM
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We took our teenage daughters to Ireland for Christmas a couple of years ago and had a great time. You should be aware though that EVERYTHING is closed on Christmas day and pretty much the day after. we were self catering so able to have a good Christmas dinner at "home" and had things to do during the days. The rest of the time we were in the Westport area there was plenty to do even with some sights closed.
Aug 30th, 2010, 02:07 PM
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We are going there for the first time. We really want to get to experience the culture and don't necessarily have to see all of the "touristy attractions". We can handle the cold. Our plan is to actually leave 12/25 and arrive 12/26 (Sunday) in Shannon.
Sunday/Monday-County Clare
Tuesday/Wednesday-Dingle and/or ROK
Thurs.-Kilkenny
Fri/Sat-Dublin
Sunday/Monday-County Clare
Tuesday/Wednesday-Dingle and/or ROK
Thurs.-Kilkenny
Fri/Sat-Dublin
Aug 30th, 2010, 03:01 PM
#10
>><i>We really want to get to experience the culture and don't necessarily have to see all of the "touristy attractions" . . . </i><<
You may have misunderstood what we (or at least I) meant. By "sites" we mean things like castles, and historic buildings. Not theme parks/created tourist 'attractions'.
True - the scenery doesn't shut -- but you likely won't be able to see much of the most scenic places (RoK, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher) due to weather and short daylight.
You can have a nice trip that time of year -- but just not seeing/doing what most visitors to Ireland want to see.
Now -if you were sticking to Dublin - great. But touring around the scenic west/southwest won't be easy. We normally advise calculating the driving at 30-35 MPH in those rural/scenic areas. In winter storms it will be slower . . .
You may have misunderstood what we (or at least I) meant. By "sites" we mean things like castles, and historic buildings. Not theme parks/created tourist 'attractions'.
True - the scenery doesn't shut -- but you likely won't be able to see much of the most scenic places (RoK, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher) due to weather and short daylight.
You can have a nice trip that time of year -- but just not seeing/doing what most visitors to Ireland want to see.
Now -if you were sticking to Dublin - great. But touring around the scenic west/southwest won't be easy. We normally advise calculating the driving at 30-35 MPH in those rural/scenic areas. In winter storms it will be slower . . .
Aug 31st, 2010, 03:28 AM
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Hey all thank you for your advice. It was much appreciated. I know that things may be closed, but this is gonna work better for my wife and me. I have a new post asking for suggestions on what to do during this time.
