Brenda

HI <BR>I'm leaving for Ireland next weekend. We are renting a car and driving around the island. Since we only have 6 nights we don't want to take to much time at one place for to long If there is more exciting things to do. We have planned out the trip where we are going and for how long but... My question is, is there enought to do at waterford for the day to keep busy and spend the night or should we travel ahead and spend 2 days in dublin instead of 1. We want to tour the factory. (IS the crystal a good deal there?)We are not sure what else is in Waterford can't find much info. <BR> <BR>Does anyone know of a good B&B just out side of Dublin. I don't want to drive in the city. <BR> <BR>Are there ATM available in the small towns along the west coast and south? Not sure if I should bring lots of travelers checks or not. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for any help I hope I didn't sound to confusing.

travellyn

I'd just visit the factory in Waterford and spend a couple of days in Dublin. Good plays, all kinds of music,etc. Don't schedule the trip too much, because the countryside is lovely, and it's fun to be a little spontaneous.

Brenda

Definitely spend two days in Dublin. Dublin is a great city -- good pubs, theatre, shopping, museums, walking, restaurants, people, etc.

Neil

Hi: <BR> <BR>I went to Ireland 2 years ago. Spend half your time in Dublin and the other half touring. Waterford is lovely. Definitely do the crystal factory. On the way to Waterford from Dublin stop in at Kilkenny for the afternoon, you can tour the great castle there. There are B&B's literally dotting the roads into Waterford, don't even worry about reservations. If at ALL possible go to the west coast of Ireland and drive the Ring of Kerry. You will never forget it.

Cathy

Brenda, <BR> <BR>Just one or two words of caution - pre-book your B&B or hotel in Dublin as the last weekend in Aug is a UK Bank Holiday and usually means a lot of visitors from the UK and anyway Dublin is always busy. Also remember that is the weekend of the second U2 concert in Slane Co Meath (north of Dublin) and there will be a lot of people staying in Dublin going to the concert. This means that traffic will be very heavy in the north east region of the Republic and that if you are planning to see Newgrange that you should either avoid doing it or take a bus trip as many f the roads in the area will be closed around that weekend. <BR> <BR>In 6 days you will not be able to do Dublin, Waterford, Kerry and the West of Ireland despite what advice you get so could I agree with the above poster, spend a day or 2 in Dublin - you will not require a car for the city so wait until you are ready to leave to collect it and try and collect it from the airport and use the M1 and the M50 to get on to your route southwards. Take a hop on hop off bus tour in the city. <BR> <BR>Then head south east to Waterford either via Kilkenny and the Castle there and the wonderful craft shops or via Glendalough and the Wicklow Mts, after Waterford you will have plenty of time to see either Kerry and the Dingle or the West of Ireland - but not both. <BR> <BR>Check out www.ireland.travel.ie, www.hidden-ireland.com and www.roadwatch.ie in preparation for yor trip and do remember to allow twice the amount of time to travel half the distance and avoid travelling into or out of Dublin at peak times and at the weekend. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps and have an enjoyable time. <BR> <BR>Cathy

janis

You won't have any trouble finding B&Bs in the west or southwest. BUT Dublin is another matter entirely. Even without the Bank Holiday and the U2 concert, leaving it to the last minute in Dublin can be a problem. You may find yourself waaaaay outside of the city. <BR> <BR>Dublin is great - but for the end of August and with only 6 days you might seriously consider leaving Dublin off your itinerary. <BR> <BR>As for a "deal" at the Waterford factory. No - they do not sell seconds or discount merchandise. The best you might hope for is a clear out of discontinued items. Waterford crystal is not cheaper at the factory.

Brenda

Thanks for all the info. This is a great forum everyone is so helpful. Now to decide so much to do so little time. and One week to go!!!!!

Jody

waterford does not do seconds, all imperfect glass is broken before its ever cut, and if a cut is wrong it hits the floor too. You can get good buys on ebay here at home or costco, but at costco you won't have a selection of patterns. . 1 day is probably plenty to tour the factory, I'd opt for more time in dublin or an extra day inthe countryside I have cork on my list for next year, had you thought of tht?.

Jenny

Hi, <BR>If you like cities with all the noise and bustle and some great traffic Dublin wins hands down. If you want to see Ireland spend a few days in Waterford and particularly in the countryside around. Some great coastline - cliffs, rocks, little coves and harbours and mountains and pubs and history and if you have time visit the Crystal factory. Even the Irish don't know County Waterford... Ring of Kerry?

Edmond O`Flaherty

A short drive from Waterford city at New Ross is a reconstruction of a mid 19th century sailing ship which I enjoyed visiting.Put the word Dunbrody in the search facility here and you can read that entry in full.

Diana

I was just in Ireland last month and visited the Waterford Crystal Factory. I found the tour very interesting and well organized and as far as the prices, I thought they were generally pretty good. Several of the pieces I ended up purchasing were quite a bit cheaper compared to say Macys. I would suggest doing your homework before you go so you are familiar with the prices and don't forget shipping if you don't want to carry them with you. One more thing, if you're making a purchase for an upcoming wedding, don't ship...it can take two months. We didn't stay in Waterford but spent two nights in Kilkenny and drove to Waterford (approx 1.5 hrs.) as a day trip. After 2.5 weeks in Ireland, I would have to vote Kilkenny as my favorite town. Have a wonderful trip.

C

I found the Waterford Crystal Tour to be interesting and worth the visit. As for prices, I was fortunate to have been in Ireland in January when many of the stores were having sales. I bought a beautiful large Waterford vase at the Blarney Woolen Mills while visiting the castle. The vase was on sale and was significantly less expensive than at the factory and by far less expensive than back at home at various department stores. The Woolen Mills had a great selection, so I would check there if you stop at the castle. As a previous poster stated, it does take a few months for your shipment to arrive, but it is nicely packaged and a lot less hassle than lugging around a big box on your travels. <BR> <BR>