I also posted this on the Europe Forum.

When we started looking the flights from Chicago to Shannon in Sept. were in the $850-$950 range. I'd watch every day and just booked it at $633. I'm so glad we were patient and didn't book too quick.

We do have to change in NY, which is not our favorite thing to do, but for that price we'll deal with it.

Great deal for CHI > SNN . Well worth the stop in NY imo.

boots08----We agree, any tips for Ireland? We have so far planned Ennis(very long flight), Westport,Kilrush(for the ferry) Dingle, then either Killarney or Kenmare, Adare, and home.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Great deal, that's as good as you'll get, I'm sure!

I have written several trip reports on Ireland - you'd be most interested in my 2006 trip, as that was mostly in the west.

Tips for Ireland: Take it slow. You'll be back, as it's an addictive country. Don't try to do it ALL in one trip. Have a pint in the local, talk with the folks. Enjoy the scenery, the history, the people.

Dingle is spectacular. Check out the Gallerus Oratory, Conor Pass, Slea Head, the Beehive huts.

For Killarney, see the Ring, of course, but also see Killarney National Park - Torc Waterfall, Ladies' View, Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House. Check out Strawberry Fields, a fantastic crepe/tea restaurant on the lower end of the Ring. Kenmare is good for good food

Ennis is a nice town, I enjoyed our stay there. It's a good base for trips to the Burren, Doolin, Cliffs of Moher. There is a cool chocolate gift shop tucked in the middle of downtown (not far from Cruise's, I believe).

GreenDragon----I've been reading your trip reports for some ideas.

Our days not planned yet are 2 days & nights after 3 nights in Dingle. We're trying to decide between Killarney, Kenmare or Bantry area.

Kenmare will give you the smaller town feel with easy access to all three areas. Killarney is a larger place, and farther north, while Bantry I've not yet been to, so I couldn't say. But Kenmare is where we're planning to stay next summer when we go, and do the same sort of stuff

>><i>boots08----We agree, any tips for Ireland?</i>

No tips, as I haven't been to Ireland...yet.

Enjoy your trip.

GreenDragon----thanks, I think we ahve decided on Kenmare. Now we have to choose a place to stay. Any suggestions, under $200?

There should be plenty of choices at that price point. I would recommend someplace close enough in town to walk to the B&B after a night at the pub

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...nty_Kerry.html

I think we've settled on Shelburne Lodge for Kenmare---waiting for a reply.

After traveling in France for many Septembers,the lodging prices in Ireland seem very reasonable. It seems we'll have 6 nights at approx.$100 and 6 nights at just under $200. Including breakfast, this seems like a very reasonable price. I can't imagine staying in a room for $100 in France if there are any, that is.

Hehehe - yes, Ireland B&Bs are running about E35-40 per person per night right now, and with the Euro so low compared to the dollar, that's very inexpensive, especially considering you get a huge breakfast with it. The problem we always have is that after that big breakfast, you aren't hungry for lunch - until about 2-3pm. At which point most places aren't serving food any longer. So we learned to grab sandwiches or snacks to tide us over until dinner time.