Rita

Would appreciate input on places to stay around DunLaoghaire (we arrive at 8:05 p.m. the night of Oct. 7) and will head for Kilaryney, and plan to spend a night there. <BR> Also, we have a total five days in Ireland and are trying to figure out whether we'll have time to visit Dingle or if after Kilarney we should just head for the west coast. We leave from Dublin midday on Oct. 13. Any suggestions for places to stay in Dublin? <BR>I got great info when posted before - thanks - and am looking forward to responses to this request. <BR>

JOAN DOYLE

Dear Rita: For starters I think you need to look at a map of Ireland--Dun Laoghaire is the ferry port of Dublin on the EAST coast of Ireland. Roads from there to anywhere will be narrow--and quite dark at 8:05 p.m. Oct.7. Ask the Irish Tourist Board to recommend a hotel or B&B for that night. On to Killarney, which is on the WEST coast of Ireland, clear across the country, and is a very busy tourist center but with plenty of hotels and B&Bs. Dingle is just NORTHWEST of Killarney and can easily be seen in a day if you get as far as Killarney. From Killarney and Dingle it's an easy drive to Galway. But plan on driving for MOST OF A DAY in each direction to get back to Dublin. The scenery in the West is superior--but you've not left yourself much time to admire it, I fear; and, as I say, the roads are VERY narrow and the amount of daylight for driving not very long. Drive carefully and have a good time! <BR> Joan

Rita

I know that - just didn't make myself clear. We come in to Ireland by ferry. We will head to Killarney where my maternal grandmother was born. Have decided to skip Dingle. We want to take in as much of the western coast as possible in the short time we have. We leave from Dublin. <BR>Thanks for your concern and your suggestions.

Betty BBM

<BR>Please understand that travel in Ireland by car cannot be accomplished in the same time as here! The roads are narrow with hairpin turns. You may not accomplish as much as you would like in 5 days.

Nicole

I got a book from the Tourist board before I went to Ireland and even had a reservation for my first stop in Westport - the problem was that the road signs in Ireland are non-exisitent and after looking for my reserved B&B for an hour in Westport, I finally gave up and found a nice one on the side of the road. Reservations were more of a hassle than a help - plus they are literally 100 or 1000s in even the smallest towns right next to each other and they are cheaper than Hotels. Kilarney was the best town I stayed in though!! I ended up staying there two days longer than I planned, making day trips to Dingle, Ring of Kerry and West of Cork - Blarney was very nice too. Although I liked the west coast, the south coast was the better - at least in my opinion. I flew into Shannon and than out of Dublin and it took me 4 and 1/2 hours to go from Kilarney to Dublin. The roads are narrow by the smaller towns, but get to be normal sized when you are heading to Dublin. I would definately try to visit Dingle if you can - it would be worth it in my opinion. Have fun!!

Elissa

Dear Rita, <BR>there is a wonderful bed and breakfat in an area technically the suburbs of dublin called black rock the B&B is run by finola and tom Kelly and they were the most gracious of hosts the B&B is right near the water and right off the dart- commuter train <BR>Enjoy-