mark

The four of us finally got out of Shannon airport and headed out on our quest. Our main goal for day 1 was to get to our B&B just outside of Kinsale. We also wanted to take a minor diversion to the Rock of Cashel and Cahir since they were both on the way. The weather was cool, very windy, and damp. Two things worried us in the beginning. First, driving a standard shift in Ireland. I got the shifting part and driving on the left down very quickly, but I still had to endure a few blood curdling screams from my TC's (Travel Companions)within the first hour or two. I figured out the roundabouts quickly too. Every round about has a sign well in advance showing you which exit goes where and it is vital that you know which exit you need to get to. Then, make sure you yield to all traffic to your right. Once traffic clears from your right you are cleared to enter the roundabout and drive to your exit. All cars on your left yield to YOU. The next thing we were concerned with was driving all the way to Kinsale after flying all night. I was right about this one. Adrenaline kept us alert all day. We made it to Kinsale at 4pm even after stopping for a couple of hours at The Rock and Cahir.<BR><BR>After leaving the airport we decided to get come coffee as soon as possible in Shannon. But, alas, we had forgotten to get Euros at the ATM in the airport. We found an ATM in town pretty quickly and were all relieved to find out all our cards worked ok. By the way, the euro is gaining quickly against the dollar. We each withdrew E400 four times during the trip and the debits to our accounts were $367.38, $372.45, $373.05, and $374.91. <BR>We found a little coffee shop half way to The Rock, got our coffee and got back on the road. We discovered at The Rock that my wife left her jacket at the coffee shop, and we decided not to back track. I gave her my jacket so The Rock was a chilling experience for me. The Rock of Cashel is a must see if you are near it, but I wouldn't drive 100 miles just to visit it. It is unique because it sits on top of a large hill overlooking the town and it is quite large, but there are many sites similar to this scattered across the country side. We made our way to Cahir to see another RUNE (ruined castle, monastary, abby, graveyard, farm house, pile of rocks stacked in a circle). We walked around the castle grounds but didn't go in. We finally made it to our B&B, tired but in one piece. The roads so far were much better and easy to navigate than I had anticipated. As it turned out, our first B&B was our best place to stay for the entire trip. Located out in the sticks on a dairy 12k from Kinsale it was the prettiest view one could ask for. Our window faced wide open rolling green pastures with a river going through it. Sorry, that's the best I can do. Helen, our host, was wonderful as was her hubby Dan who invited us to watch the milking the next morning. If you don't like cows, don't come here. Her breakfasts could not have been better or fresher, since she gets eggs from her own chickens. Email me if you would like the address. We went back to Kinsale for dinner, stopped in a pub for a nightcap and went to bed. stay tuned for day 2.

Suzanne

I enjoyed reading your First Installment and am awaiting Day 2 as though it were a PBS Travelog! So far, your trip sounds great and, Yes, please provide me info re your B&B. It sounds delightful. Thanx.

Shadow

Mark-I too am looking forward to installment #2. Ireland is my favorite place-been there 6 times and counting.<BR>What is the name of the place outside Kinsale?<BR>Thanks!<BR>Shadow

marktoo

Mark, what was the name of your B&B in Kinsale, do you remember, do you have a way to contact them. I'll be there in 4 weeks. Thanks, Marktoo

margaret perrault

Hi- I'm trying to confirm the number of digits that you can have in your PIN for your ATM card to work in Ireland, a couple of people have said that you need a four digit pin, is that what yours were? Thanks.

mikey

yes, ireland banks only use 4 digit pins!