Am I insane? Planning a trip for 7 females to Ireland August 2013
May 12th, 2012, 03:42 AM
#21
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The subject of group travel was analysed in detail by the smarter people in the Lounge:
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ze-matters.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ze-matters.cfm
May 15th, 2012, 11:43 AM
#22
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Padraig - Ardee has Smarmore Castle, which we are seriously considering...
cheapboxofwine, I'm happy being the 'tour leader' for them all! And we all share rooms, no worries. Most of us have slept in the same beds many times with each other, on other trips.
Cold, I would love to buy you a pint along the way
Janisj - NO TRADE!
So far I've one member offer to cover a night's stay for my work. If I get that from each one, I'll have a week's free!
cheapboxofwine, I'm happy being the 'tour leader' for them all! And we all share rooms, no worries. Most of us have slept in the same beds many times with each other, on other trips.
Cold, I would love to buy you a pint along the way
Janisj - NO TRADE!
So far I've one member offer to cover a night's stay for my work. If I get that from each one, I'll have a week's free!
May 31st, 2012, 12:14 PM
#23
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Oh, and now it's 8 people. That's the upper limit! I'm having everyone vote on each B&B. We have chosen the Waterloo Lodge B&B in Dublin and Smarmore Castle B&B in Ardree, and then it looks like Teac Campbell B&B in Bunbeg, County Donegal.
May 31st, 2012, 12:32 PM
#24
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Your post reminded me of seeing a group of women on the train in Ireland several years ago.
They were wearing tee shirts with Mom Chick on one and then Chick one, Chick Two, etc. You could tell they were a fun group and put smiles on lots of faces. Have a great trip.
They were wearing tee shirts with Mom Chick on one and then Chick one, Chick Two, etc. You could tell they were a fun group and put smiles on lots of faces. Have a great trip.
May 31st, 2012, 01:33 PM
#25
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I hope your group are not foodies, because there is little in the way of fine dining near Smarmore. You might like the Forge Gallery in Collon, a few miles south of Ardee. I can't report on current standards, but whenever I visited in the past, I enjoyed the experience. Fine, but expensive, dining at the Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross, about 10 miles north of Ardee.
One of the undiscovered charming things in Bunbeg is a waterfall on the Clady river. Not easy to find: ask locally for directions.
One of the undiscovered charming things in Bunbeg is a waterfall on the Clady river. Not easy to find: ask locally for directions.
Jun 1st, 2012, 03:32 AM
#26
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From what I understand, about the only thing to eat near Smarmore is the Italian restaurant inside. We'd have to drive for food - fair enough, forewarned. We aren't true foodies, but we like trying new things. We will likely visit the north for a day trip from there, and the other day will be out in the Boyne Valley.
Thanks for that - I love waterfalls, and will have to seek that out!
Thanks for that - I love waterfalls, and will have to seek that out!
Jul 19th, 2012, 09:47 AM
#27
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So, it was 8 but I think it will go back down to 7 again soon. One is definitely getting married within the next year, and wants to save money for the wedding and honeymoon. We won't really know for sure WHEN we're going until K gets her approved vacation - which she won't know until March.
I've been researching my B&Bs and posting them to vote on a private FB page. So far, we've gotten votes on the first 4 stops. Everyone is helping with input, so that's great
I've been researching my B&Bs and posting them to vote on a private FB page. So far, we've gotten votes on the first 4 stops. Everyone is helping with input, so that's great
Jul 19th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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I am following this post. I have done it for three and now 7 of us want a trip together. We have done St Patrick's in Savannah for years together so think it is time to take it to Europe. We have two guys with us that are partners and they are perfect for us and will drive!!! I want a base house though and day trips wherever. Last trip we kept the base and spent a night when we ventured far but only took backpacks. We have agreed that we don't have to do the same thing everyday and if you want to go off and see something yourself go. My problem is we were talking about it at work and this one girl invited herself so we are now hush hush about it. Why would someone invite themselves. She would drive my other girlfriends crazy. We did a trip once and this guy bitched till he found starbucks and get this "chicken wings"
Do you worry about if the accommodations will make all happy? I like the facebook page. We could keep that private. We want to do public transportation as much as possible and rent a car for a couple of days to places that you really need them.
Packing: you pack it you carry it is our number one rule! Tell them space is a problem in the smaller euro cars. 22inch carry on is big enough.
Good Luck!
Do you worry about if the accommodations will make all happy? I like the facebook page. We could keep that private. We want to do public transportation as much as possible and rent a car for a couple of days to places that you really need them.
Packing: you pack it you carry it is our number one rule! Tell them space is a problem in the smaller euro cars. 22inch carry on is big enough.
Good Luck!
Jul 20th, 2012, 04:28 AM
#31
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I have one friend that likes to invite herself. We took her to Ireland once, never again. We simply told her 'the trip is full, sorry!' If she presses or asks next time, I'll say 'our traveling styles don't match - I'm value your friendship too much to risk it.'
Yes, you pack it, you carry it. That includes airport and to/from B&Bs, etc. We all have our own stuff. I did fine with carry-on only on my last trip, and plan on it again this one. Granted, with two cars, it will be easier, but yes, space is definitely a premium in the cars.
Yes, you pack it, you carry it. That includes airport and to/from B&Bs, etc. We all have our own stuff. I did fine with carry-on only on my last trip, and plan on it again this one. Granted, with two cars, it will be easier, but yes, space is definitely a premium in the cars.
Aug 8th, 2012, 08:24 AM
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For that many... I would suggest a driver.
We did a family(10) tour with private driver through Discover Ireland and it was fabulous!
I am a planner and they let me plan, then they booked everything.
( side benefit...this took off some of the pressure...believe me, it is nice to have someone else reminding people to stick to schedule...get up...get going. Especially for the inexperienced travelers!...face it, even tho you are giving choices, you will feel pressure as organizer)
You wouldn't need driver till you left Dublin.
No worries about long drives.
We could stop at all the pubs on the way.
Comfy,small coach like the big ones but shrunk, with big windows, fun driver that cut the tension of so many days together.
Lots of storage.
The 2 places we stayed in donegal had resteraunt/pub... All other stays in small towns with choices for food/pubs to walk to so everyone cold do their own thing.
(example of convenience/flexibility... In dingle the driver arranged and dropped 4 to golf, 3 to go horseback riding, and 3 stayed in town to shop.)
Face it... Ireland driving is not easy... You will get lost in donegal! And do you really think you can take 8 women with luggage in 2 cars for 16 days??? Then add in shopping? It's going to get tight! And who are the lucky ones that get responsibility of driving? Since you are not penny pinchers... Get a driver
We did in/out of Shannon, Westport, southern donegal, northern donegal/Derry/giants causeway, doolin, dingle, kenmare, Bunratty.
This would be a perfect donegal day stay...we wished we could stay longer!!!
Very scenic, great food...this was our splurge.
Castle Murray House Hotel & Restaurant (not a castle)
St Johns Point, Dunkineely, Ireland
I would still suggest Bunratty on your last night. Drop off car... Or driver.
We stayed where we could walk to Castle. Did dinner...fun group activity to rap up tour.
Gave us time in morning for last minute shopping at woolen mills and we cabbed it to airport.
No pressure, relaxed, easy!!
Love checking back in on this forum... Helping a friend plan their family of 5 trip.
Have fun planning and visiting Ireland with your friends!! Slainte!
We did a family(10) tour with private driver through Discover Ireland and it was fabulous!
I am a planner and they let me plan, then they booked everything.
( side benefit...this took off some of the pressure...believe me, it is nice to have someone else reminding people to stick to schedule...get up...get going. Especially for the inexperienced travelers!...face it, even tho you are giving choices, you will feel pressure as organizer)
You wouldn't need driver till you left Dublin.
No worries about long drives.
We could stop at all the pubs on the way.
Comfy,small coach like the big ones but shrunk, with big windows, fun driver that cut the tension of so many days together.
Lots of storage.
The 2 places we stayed in donegal had resteraunt/pub... All other stays in small towns with choices for food/pubs to walk to so everyone cold do their own thing.
(example of convenience/flexibility... In dingle the driver arranged and dropped 4 to golf, 3 to go horseback riding, and 3 stayed in town to shop.)
Face it... Ireland driving is not easy... You will get lost in donegal! And do you really think you can take 8 women with luggage in 2 cars for 16 days??? Then add in shopping? It's going to get tight! And who are the lucky ones that get responsibility of driving? Since you are not penny pinchers... Get a driver
We did in/out of Shannon, Westport, southern donegal, northern donegal/Derry/giants causeway, doolin, dingle, kenmare, Bunratty.
This would be a perfect donegal day stay...we wished we could stay longer!!!
Very scenic, great food...this was our splurge.
Castle Murray House Hotel & Restaurant (not a castle)
St Johns Point, Dunkineely, Ireland
I would still suggest Bunratty on your last night. Drop off car... Or driver.
We stayed where we could walk to Castle. Did dinner...fun group activity to rap up tour.
Gave us time in morning for last minute shopping at woolen mills and we cabbed it to airport.
No pressure, relaxed, easy!!
Love checking back in on this forum... Helping a friend plan their family of 5 trip.
Have fun planning and visiting Ireland with your friends!! Slainte!
Aug 8th, 2012, 10:52 AM
#37
so you don't have to hunt if you're interested in chip's recommendation:
http://www.castlemurray.com/site/index.aspx?ID=1
http://www.castlemurray.com/site/index.aspx?ID=1
Aug 9th, 2012, 07:09 AM
#38
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Chip: Good suggestions, but I would have to think a lot about that. We did 6 people in Scotland with 2 cars, and it mostly worked out well (though I'll never again mix family and friends). I didn't get lost in Donegal last trip unless I did so on purpose
Both cars will have GPS and cell phones that work in the country. My friend Kim will do all the driving for one car (because she gets carsick if she is NOT driving). That sort of precludes having a driver. The other car will be shared by the other 4 of us who can drive stick. We are planning on getting midsized cars, and most of us are planning on doing carry-on only, so luggage shouldn't be too tight. Granted, it was tight in an economy car with three people back in my 2006 trip!
There are likely several days where we want to go to several different places, i.e., some want to go explore Gleninchaquin Park, and the others want to drive the Ring of Beara. Both would need vehicles.
Both cars will have GPS and cell phones that work in the country. My friend Kim will do all the driving for one car (because she gets carsick if she is NOT driving). That sort of precludes having a driver. The other car will be shared by the other 4 of us who can drive stick. We are planning on getting midsized cars, and most of us are planning on doing carry-on only, so luggage shouldn't be too tight. Granted, it was tight in an economy car with three people back in my 2006 trip!
There are likely several days where we want to go to several different places, i.e., some want to go explore Gleninchaquin Park, and the others want to drive the Ring of Beara. Both would need vehicles.
Feb 19th, 2013, 08:16 AM
#39
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So... as an update, the number went up to 9 - and then started with the attrition. I am now offically down to NO travel companions for this trip. I has a SAD!!!!!
N is getting married, so no cash.
S broke up with her boyfriend and moved back home - no cash.
R has been unemployed - no cash.
C and A are dedicating their vacation time to belly dancing seminars and performances.
V is worried about her job since her boss was laid off, and paying down her bills, so no cash or job security.
J just can't see it this year
K, my last hope, my best friend - she is a nurse and doesn't have seniority at the small hospital she works at. Evidently only 1-2 nurses can take vacation at a time. The senior nurses like to snap up the summer slots early, so the juniors rarely get any vacation time. That's what happened this year - she just found out yesterday. She can get 3-4 days at a time, but not a full two weeks. During the non-summer months is out of the question, as she's in a Master's degree program. She hopes that will get her out of this situation in future years.
So.... it's just me. DH doesn't care to travel to Ireland, and it seems more difficult to justify going by myself - though I've traveled solo before, and will have no problem doing it again. Ah well.
N is getting married, so no cash.
S broke up with her boyfriend and moved back home - no cash.
R has been unemployed - no cash.
C and A are dedicating their vacation time to belly dancing seminars and performances.
V is worried about her job since her boss was laid off, and paying down her bills, so no cash or job security.
J just can't see it this year
K, my last hope, my best friend - she is a nurse and doesn't have seniority at the small hospital she works at. Evidently only 1-2 nurses can take vacation at a time. The senior nurses like to snap up the summer slots early, so the juniors rarely get any vacation time. That's what happened this year - she just found out yesterday. She can get 3-4 days at a time, but not a full two weeks. During the non-summer months is out of the question, as she's in a Master's degree program. She hopes that will get her out of this situation in future years.
So.... it's just me. DH doesn't care to travel to Ireland, and it seems more difficult to justify going by myself - though I've traveled solo before, and will have no problem doing it again. Ah well.
