I have gotten a lot of help on this site and I want to thank everyone. We will be leaving for our first trip to Ireland in 3 weeks! We are so excited. This will be our honeymoon trip. We fly into Shannon. First 2 nights in Kenmare, next 2 in Dingle and final 3 in Ennis! Can't wait to get cozy in a pub and stumble back to my B&B! I'll gove all the detaisl when we get back!
-Mike

Best of luck to you...congratulations!
Remember, if this is a honeymoon, not too much stout and guiness!!! <GRIN>
Moderation Laddie

Congrats, Mike. Looking forward to your trip report. Be sure to hoist a pint for your fellow Fodorites!

Ditto what Mr. Go said, hoist away, Mike and Bon Voyage!

Congratulations and have a fantastic trip! Please remember to post a trip report for us Ireland obsessed who can't be there!

B&B's on your Honeymoon? I don't think that's a very good idea! It took the first 25-years of my marriage for my wife to get off my back about not going First Class all the way on our Honeymoon ...

I would recommend the Temple Gate (or the Old Ground) hotel in Ennis and, of course Cruise's Pub & restaurant for nightly 'Trad' Irish music (best on weekend nights). The Temple Gate often has 'inclusive' specials: Paul Madden manages it for his dad, owner John Madden.
http://www.templegatehotel.com

The Queen's Hotel is too noisy for sleeping but they usually have a very good 'Carvery' lunch, even on Sundays.

I like 'the Poet's Corner' (pub) in the Old Ground Hotel - a good place to 'get cozy,' as you put it.

I have to disagree with Ned on this one. We think B&Bs are 1st class if you stay at the right ones. Have a great trip Mike. Where are you staying on this trip?

Bill

Actually, we are splitting it up. 4 nights in Hotel, 3 nights in B&B's...figured we'd get a combination of warm Irish hospitality and a little privacy as well. We are staying at Lansdowne Arms in Kenmare, Dingle Bay Hotel in Dingle and Grey Gables B&B in Ennis. I have been waiting my whole life to go to Ireland for so many reasons...can't believe it is almost here.

Sounds like a grand time -Congratulations to you both!

mom

I'm glad to hear you have some hotel nights. I, too, think B&Bs to be worse than hotels on honeymoons, but not for the reason Nedsireland mentioned.

When we took our honeymoon in England, we considered B&Bs... for a moment. Then we remembered the B&Bs we had been in before. Do you really want the squeaky beds, thin walls and floors letting your hosts know when you are having honeymoon fun?

Or knowing that you're having fun on the hosts' grandmothers' quilt?

Yeah... exactly. Hotels and their professionalism is a good 'distance' for honeymooning, IMHO.

Since you're breaking it up into some of each, you should be fine. Good job

And yes, trip report (minus the honeymoon fun!) when you get back for all us addicts!!!

Have a WONDERFUL time!

Have a wonderful trip! Looking forward to your trip report.

oopsy

Mike -- What a thrill to finally be realizing your dream of going to Ireland, and for your honeymoon, too! Grand, indeed!

May the two of you have the best time ever -- congratulations! Ireland is magical........

Cheers!
Sue

I wish the two of you a wonderful life together and you will have a great time in Ireland. Best Wishes, Joan