edie

Jane, <BR> <BR>Why do you say forget the Febreze? do less people smoke in Ireland than they do in Italy? While in Italy i loved having it to refresh my jackets and clothes that i was planning on wearing more than once. particularly b/c in many eurpean countries they smoke everywhere, so it's hard to escape smelling like an ashtray. <BR> <BR>just curious as to why you would dismiss a suggestion without giving a reason. <BR>

Sandra

Debbie, <BR> <BR>I recently got back from 11 days in Ireland. There were 7 in our group. I'm very glad I brought a Gortex jacket w/ hood and my Gortex rain hat. If I were going within the next few weeks I'd be sure and bring gloves. We had to purchase an inexpensive gym type bag to bring presents home in. It would have been easier to have brought it ourselves. Someone else in our group purchased a lovely umbrella with Ireland scenes painted on it - it's a very usful souvenier. <BR>The traveling coffee mug is an excellent suggestion. We ran into the no disposible cups situation on a very long driving day. We went from shop to shop in a little village trying to get a cup of coffee to go but were out of luck. <BR> <BR>Ejoy your trip. <BR>Sandra <BR>

debbie

Hey Sandra, <BR> <BR> I used the "empty bag" trick on my last big trip - I put an empty duffel in the bottom of my suitcase, and used it for shoes and dirty clothes on the way home. Worked great. I plan on doing it again for this trip. <BR> <BR>I am also going to look into that new Downey wrinkle releaser stuff. Sounds like a travelers dream. <BR> <BR>Debbie

Charlie

Hi Debbie- <BR>We went to Ireland in February. All the sweaters were on sale. Maybe that's the end of their season but I wished I had brought an extra bag from home for the six we bought- so the extra souvenir bag is a good idea. Killarney and Galway have great local sweaters.Both have great shopping. Galway is the home of the Claddagh ring so buy one there. <BR>They are everywhere - gold and silver both. Every time I look at my pinky I'm reminded of the wonderfulness of Ireland and it's people. <BR>Have fun! I'm from Wisconsin but live in So. Cal. You'll have much more of an opportunity to wear the wool you buy. <BR>The clothes there are beautiful. <BR>Charlie

Scott Mikesell

Debbie, <BR>We are planning our third trip to Ireland in the spring. Our first was October 1998. We returned last March for 21 days. I lived in Michigan my first 30 years, so the 'soft days' were not a shock. Take sweaters and warm clothing because the nights may get quite chilly, but the warm hospitality of the Irish people will make you forget about weather. <BR> <BR>Spiddle is slightly west of Galway on Galway Bay. Standun Store is our choice for duty free shopping and Irish hospitality. Please tell Angela hello if you happen to go there. <BR> <BR>Dunmore East is very near Waterford and a great coastal retreat for that area. Try to take the costal road from Waterford west toward Cork City. It is a beautiful drive and free from traffic. <BR> <BR>We spent 6 of our 39 days in Killarney. A good choice and I will share more if you would like? (Pubs, B&B's, Shops, etc.) <BR> <BR>The Banquet at Bunratty Castle is a great way to spend an evening. <BR> <BR>I better stop with this, but feel free to contact me if you would like any more details on anything. <BR> <BR>

nancy

Hi Debbie, Everyone seems to have listed enough stuff for a year-long trip! <BR> Two things come to my mind: <BR>First: for driving-the Irish do not know the roads by numbers &lt;except the new highways&gt;.They tend to refer to roads as the "Dublin/Sligo road. In other words,from where the road begins&lt;on their end&gt; to the largest town on the other end. <BR> I asked once why the streets in Westport weren't posted with name signs..and was told:"We don't need signs..we know the names." <BR> They are soooo funny..you will love it! <BR> American feminine products! Some places may have our name brands...but you can't count on it.

diane

Scott <BR>I was reading your reply and wanted to know what B&Bs you stayed in when in Galway and Killarney. I will be there next May. <BR>Thanks <BR>Diane

Scott Mikesell

Diane, <BR>In Killarney we stayed at Crystal Springs B&B Website for Crystal Springs is: http://homepage.eircom.net/~doors/ <BR> <BR>E-mail address for Eileen Brosnan at Crystal Springs is: <BR>[email protected] in Killarney. <BR> <BR>Why don't you contact Eileen for more information. She made us feel very much at home while we were in Killarney. <BR> <BR>Our Galway time was actually spent in Spiddal which is just west of Galway. We stayed at Ardmor Country House in Spiddal. It is located on Galway Bay and is also a very nice B&B home. It was not until we returned home to the states that I learned that Vera at Ardmore House is the president of the B&B homes association in Ireland. <BR>If you contact me by e-mail I will give you greater details. <BR>

George

Hi Debbie, <BR> <BR>I don't think anyone has missed anything, but I thought I'd add my own 2 cents worth. Firstly, I was going to suggest the Ordenance Survey Roadmap of Ireland - I have one myself and it has every road in Ireland on it (at least it seems to). I grew up on the west coast (Clare) so a suggestion - If you drive direct from Galway to Bunratty, it will only take you 2 hours at most. I would suggest detouring into Clare and taking the coast road through Ballyvaughn (very good seafood restaurant called Monks there) and down to the Cliff's of Moher - well worth a look. You might want to take a quick look at Liscannor and Lahinch to get a feel for the real West of Ireland before heading back through Ennis to Bunratty. <BR> <BR>A word on driving in Ireland. While a lot of improvements have been made to roads system here in the last 20 years, some of our roads, especially in the West, haven't been improved upon (other than resurfacing) since they were originally built 150 years ago. That, coupled with bad weather and the fact that it will be getting dark around 5pm, can make for hairy driving conditions... just keep your wits about you though and you'll be fine! <BR> <BR>Items to pack.... I think that's been comprehensively covered already. If you do forget anything, don't worry - we might not have the brand name you would be looking for but we should have an equivalent product here. <BR> <BR>You've picked a good time to travel from an exchange point of view - the Punt (Irish Pound) is at an all-time low compared to the USD... it's almost at parity... you shouldn't find things too expensive here! <BR> <BR>It just remains for me to say I hope you have a great trip and to wish you Céad Míle Fáilte (100,000 Welcomes) to you. <BR> <BR>G.

Eileen

Debbie, A phone card is a must if you are calling back home. Everyone seemed to cover all the other items. I lived in sweatshirts & jeans and a hooded light jacket. You'll have a great time ! <BR> <BR>

Debbie

Scott- <BR> What a coincidence - my reservations for Killarney are for Crystal Springs! What did you think of it? Is it as nice as the pics on the website? Is it hard to locate from the road? I will be coming from Waterford on the N22. <BR> <BR>Thanks for all your help everyone - 2 weeks and counting. <BR>Debbie

Debbie

hi <BR> just had a thought ,while I was getting my mailing labels ready for postcards --- <BR> <BR> how much are postcard stamps in Ireland? <BR> How long do postcards take to get to the States from there? <BR> <BR> thanks again everyone. <BR>debbie

Mike

A form guide and binoculars. Go to the races.

judy

Debbie, when you are doing the postcard labels, try to send one to Mr. K's class for his postcard challenge...that would be so cool for them......Judy

Danna

Seems silly,BUT <BR> <BR>We were there for 3 weeks just awhile ago, and when I had a toothache I realized I (we) didn't bring our medical insurance or dental cards...Also didn't sign our passports....so obvious now, and yet forgotten. <BR> <BR>Have Fun!

ilene

How wonderful to stumble onto this posting! I'm leaving for Ireland tomorrow. Despite the fact that I've traveled extensively (altho this is my first time to Ireland), I picked up a few new pointers from here. With all your wonderful comments, I'm even more excited than before! Erin Go Bragh

Cat

I'm back! Debbie, I've lost your email address - so if you get a chance to re-email me before you leave for Ireland - have a few things to tell you about Killarney and Bunratty! I think everyone pretty much filled the list of things-to-take and I want to thank everyone for their suggestions because <BR>I used several of them! The small flashlight is a great idea if your going to visit the Blarney castle! As for driving. If you haven't ever encountered a roundabout - always remember it's yield-to-the-right. When you get off the plane, it's kind of funny (if you've landed in Shannon) because you are expected to get in a car with the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side, drive on the 'wrong' side and you get not quite a 1/8 mile on the road and they throw a roundabout on you. <BR>After the first day - we got pretty use to all of it, but driving in crowded villages can be a little nerve-wracking, <BR>so be fore-warned and remember to take your time. The guy behind you won't be going anywhere until you do! Anyway, thanks to everyone who has given suggestions for what to take and what to expect. It really helped a lot! <BR>

kathleen

Hi Debbie, <BR> <BR>I'm getting ready to head to Ireland and Scotland in a few weeks and am having no luck finding a lined waterproof jacket in Southern California (we don't have much need for these items). Where did you find your Winter Slicker ( the insulated kind - with a hood!)? Maybe I could order one in time if I knew where to order from. Someone else also mentioned a Gortex jacket...anyone have any idea where they sell those? Thanks for any help! <BR>

hcw

Kathleen, I'm pretty sure I saw Goretex jackets in the LLBean catalog yesterday. Check their website - I would think even w/regular shipping you would get it pretty quickly. Good luck - have fun!

Paul

Everything, just about EVERYTHING you might want is available and cheap in Ireland. You must remember to always wear a smile, and people will love you. <BR>Just bring your smile and you cannot miss. What a great place, with great people.