An Irish Experience
Jul 11th, 2009, 03:45 AM
#22
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THE ROCK OF CASHEL - Tuesday 19th May
At last sunshine this morning!
We take the N72 via the town of Tathmore, Mallow and Michaelstown. From there the N8 takes us through to Cashel.
Because we are driving a motor home we are allowed to take up parking space reserved for coaches and have no difficulty finding a space in the parking lot. We have bright sunshine and although there are huge clouds about it is hot enough not to wear a jacket or sweater.
We take the guided tour which lasts an hour, have a good wander around and take lots of photos in the good weather. The tour is very good and our guide gave some interesting anecdotes including the one about Johnny Cash’s visit to the Rock of Cashel. I wish I could remember the name of the song Cash composed after surveying the valley below.
MEDIEVAL KILKENNY
We drive through the outskirts of Kilkenny and find our last campsite in Ireland, called Three Trees Caravan Park. This is a privately owned campsite and is the most ‘rustic’ one we have visited. We find a lovely grassy spot opposite a horse paddock. There is a mother and foal grazing peacefully and Peter takes a wander about for photos while I prepare my version of an Irish Stew for our dinner.
Wednesday 20th May
Another sunny day as we set off to take in the sights in Kilkenny. Parking a motor home in town is a problem but we struck it lucky when someone suggested we park in a hotel parking as it was free and had much larger spaces. Brilliant! We walked into town just as it started to drizzle but did not last long thank goodness.
We went to the Information Centre in Shee Alms House, Rose Inn street (www.southeastireland.com)and joined a few others waiting for a walking tour.
Our tour guide was quite an elderly gent who knew everything there is to know about Kilkenny having lived there all his life. He pointed out the shells embedded in the black marble used for paving throughout the town’s streets, which I thought were bird droppings! We wandered down the little lanes with strange names and even saw a busker who was staying in our campsite!
Lastly he took us to the beautiful little church with the most fantastic stained glass window.
We visited Kilkenny castle afterwards for about an hour and then found some lunch at a little place opposte the famous Kytler’s Inn on Kieran street. It dates back to 1324 when Dame Alice Kytler, ‘the sorceress of Kilkenny’ was accused of poisoning her four husbands, and of being a witch. The restaurant retains a medieval air with exposed beams and 14thC stonework.
That evening we met with a lady we have known through a business connection, but now have become good friends with this charming person. We all had a wonderful dinner at Langton’s before she dropped us back at our campsite. Just the perfect end to our visit to Kilkenny.
Here are the photos:
http://tinyurl.com/l64rda.
Next: Goodbye to Ireland
At last sunshine this morning!
We take the N72 via the town of Tathmore, Mallow and Michaelstown. From there the N8 takes us through to Cashel.
Because we are driving a motor home we are allowed to take up parking space reserved for coaches and have no difficulty finding a space in the parking lot. We have bright sunshine and although there are huge clouds about it is hot enough not to wear a jacket or sweater.
We take the guided tour which lasts an hour, have a good wander around and take lots of photos in the good weather. The tour is very good and our guide gave some interesting anecdotes including the one about Johnny Cash’s visit to the Rock of Cashel. I wish I could remember the name of the song Cash composed after surveying the valley below.
MEDIEVAL KILKENNY
We drive through the outskirts of Kilkenny and find our last campsite in Ireland, called Three Trees Caravan Park. This is a privately owned campsite and is the most ‘rustic’ one we have visited. We find a lovely grassy spot opposite a horse paddock. There is a mother and foal grazing peacefully and Peter takes a wander about for photos while I prepare my version of an Irish Stew for our dinner.
Wednesday 20th May
Another sunny day as we set off to take in the sights in Kilkenny. Parking a motor home in town is a problem but we struck it lucky when someone suggested we park in a hotel parking as it was free and had much larger spaces. Brilliant! We walked into town just as it started to drizzle but did not last long thank goodness.
We went to the Information Centre in Shee Alms House, Rose Inn street (www.southeastireland.com)and joined a few others waiting for a walking tour.
Our tour guide was quite an elderly gent who knew everything there is to know about Kilkenny having lived there all his life. He pointed out the shells embedded in the black marble used for paving throughout the town’s streets, which I thought were bird droppings! We wandered down the little lanes with strange names and even saw a busker who was staying in our campsite!
Lastly he took us to the beautiful little church with the most fantastic stained glass window.
We visited Kilkenny castle afterwards for about an hour and then found some lunch at a little place opposte the famous Kytler’s Inn on Kieran street. It dates back to 1324 when Dame Alice Kytler, ‘the sorceress of Kilkenny’ was accused of poisoning her four husbands, and of being a witch. The restaurant retains a medieval air with exposed beams and 14thC stonework.
That evening we met with a lady we have known through a business connection, but now have become good friends with this charming person. We all had a wonderful dinner at Langton’s before she dropped us back at our campsite. Just the perfect end to our visit to Kilkenny.
Here are the photos:
http://tinyurl.com/l64rda.
Next: Goodbye to Ireland
Jul 11th, 2009, 11:18 PM
#24
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Many thanks Sandy!
I made a slight mistake with the name of the campsite calling it Three Trees, when if fact it is Tree Grove! Three Trees is a brand label for tea!
We also have 1 more campsite to go.
The finale` to our lovely holiday coming up!
I made a slight mistake with the name of the campsite calling it Three Trees, when if fact it is Tree Grove! Three Trees is a brand label for tea!
We also have 1 more campsite to go.
The finale` to our lovely holiday coming up!
Jul 13th, 2009, 02:44 AM
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ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
Thursday 21st May
Our very last day in Ireland. I feel as if I could go around the whole country just one more time to fill in the gaps. Places we would have liked to have seen but could not for one reason or another and places we really liked a lot and would like to go back to. We haven't completed our entire holdiday just yet - On arrival in Dublin tomorrow we fly to Paris for nearly 10days so I guess we don't feel too despondant yet!
ABOUT BALLYTHIS AND BALLYTHAT
This delightful guide book I took with me to Ireland explains the reason so many towns start with the word Bally - perhaps as many as 5,000 of them. The word Baile in Irish means 'town', so Ballymacabry means Town of the MacCaibre Family. Just thought you may not know.............
A NOTE ABOUT KILKENNY
I would like to add this little bit more about our visit to Kilkenny yesterday.
The place we had lunch at was called Nostalgia. It looks like a little French Cafe` with seating under a red awning. We had the special of the day which was delicious vegetable soup accompanied by a salad baguette and still further salad on the side.
As I said, Nostalgia is opposite Kytler's Inn, but forgot to mention that Kytler's is being run by the great great Granddaughter of Charles Dickens, a direct descendant.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - KILMORE QUAY
This morning on leaving Tree Grove Campsite, decided to take the drive along the coastline towards Dublin.
My Insight Guide To Ireland has suggested a scenic drive to Waterford on the N25 in the Rosslare direction.
We pass through New Ross before turning onto a number of smaller roads, the R733 & 734 and eventually finding the little fishing village of Kilmore Quay.
There are quaint whitewashed cottages and pubs built between the dunes and the stonewalled harbour.
We drive down to the end of the road and park facing the activity of the fishing boats.
Behind us a processing plant regularly sends out a small bucketloader filled with ice and dumps it onto the grassy verge leading down to the watersedge. This delights the seagulls and they scratch around in the ever growing mound of ice for scraps of fish.
I make hot bacon rolls for brunch and while we sit looking out of the window, can just make out the Saltee Islands on the horizon. These are one of Irelands most important bird sancturies. The islands are uninhabited but in the summer around 3 million birds stop here and can be observed from local boats.
Of all the little villages I saw in Ireland, this would be the one I would love to come back to and stay for a few days.
Several people pass by our motor home with their dogs and one in particular deserves a photograph. The little pooch looks more like a baby lamb than a dog! He has a forlorn look about him but soon scampers off to his owners.
Leaving this delightful little cove of pretty thatched cottages we get onto the N11 towards Dublin.
I need to post off some more of our accumulated souvenirs to make more room in our suitcases and look out for a post office as we pass through Enniscorthy but don't see one.
Filling up with fuel in Kilpedder I get lucky and send off the last of the 6 large envelopes of "clutter".
OUR LAST CAMPSITE
The M50 took us on the outskirts of Dublin before the R128 took us to the small village of Rush which is off the M1 just north of Dublin.
This is our very last campsite and it could'nt be more wonderful! Again we have an enormous expanse of lawn overlooking the Irish Sea. It is late afternoon on this sunny Thursday. The tide seems to be quite a way out and I am hoping it will eventually be lapping at the rocks below us.
CLEAN UP AND CLEAR OUT
We have to hand back the vehicle in a presentable condition which did not mean we had to have it washed but at least pack all the crockery & cutlery neatly and of course clear out the cupboards of groceries.
My worst failing is that I cannot waste food. To me it is absolutely criminal to throw good food into the tip. What to do with all our left over unused groceries? I pluck up the courage to go and see the elderley lady in the reception. Her son runs the place.
Her response to my plight was just what I was hoping for - she wanted everything and anything I had to get rid of.
Like me, she cringes at the sight of campers ditching unused food into the tip. I suppose that's why the seagulls were lurking nearby ready for the next packet of stuff!
That evening we drove a short way to The Harbour Bar which is mainly a seafood restaurant. One young Chinese girl served the entire dining area most efficiently and we rounded off our Irish Experience with a delicious fresh 'Catch of the day'.
FAREWELL DEAR IRELAND - Friday 22nd May
Being so close to Dublin Airport, and having travelled the route the day before, we were relaxed and confident of getting to the Coach Parking on time to hand back the vehicle. Of course it was raining on and off but everything went according to plan.
We managed to motor 1,898 km around Ireland without incident!
Paris here we come!!!
Here are the last photos:
http://tinyurl.com/lkxqjr
A big thank you to all for the kind comments!
Thursday 21st May
Our very last day in Ireland. I feel as if I could go around the whole country just one more time to fill in the gaps. Places we would have liked to have seen but could not for one reason or another and places we really liked a lot and would like to go back to. We haven't completed our entire holdiday just yet - On arrival in Dublin tomorrow we fly to Paris for nearly 10days so I guess we don't feel too despondant yet!
ABOUT BALLYTHIS AND BALLYTHAT
This delightful guide book I took with me to Ireland explains the reason so many towns start with the word Bally - perhaps as many as 5,000 of them. The word Baile in Irish means 'town', so Ballymacabry means Town of the MacCaibre Family. Just thought you may not know.............
A NOTE ABOUT KILKENNY
I would like to add this little bit more about our visit to Kilkenny yesterday.
The place we had lunch at was called Nostalgia. It looks like a little French Cafe` with seating under a red awning. We had the special of the day which was delicious vegetable soup accompanied by a salad baguette and still further salad on the side.
As I said, Nostalgia is opposite Kytler's Inn, but forgot to mention that Kytler's is being run by the great great Granddaughter of Charles Dickens, a direct descendant.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - KILMORE QUAY
This morning on leaving Tree Grove Campsite, decided to take the drive along the coastline towards Dublin.
My Insight Guide To Ireland has suggested a scenic drive to Waterford on the N25 in the Rosslare direction.
We pass through New Ross before turning onto a number of smaller roads, the R733 & 734 and eventually finding the little fishing village of Kilmore Quay.
There are quaint whitewashed cottages and pubs built between the dunes and the stonewalled harbour.
We drive down to the end of the road and park facing the activity of the fishing boats.
Behind us a processing plant regularly sends out a small bucketloader filled with ice and dumps it onto the grassy verge leading down to the watersedge. This delights the seagulls and they scratch around in the ever growing mound of ice for scraps of fish.
I make hot bacon rolls for brunch and while we sit looking out of the window, can just make out the Saltee Islands on the horizon. These are one of Irelands most important bird sancturies. The islands are uninhabited but in the summer around 3 million birds stop here and can be observed from local boats.
Of all the little villages I saw in Ireland, this would be the one I would love to come back to and stay for a few days.
Several people pass by our motor home with their dogs and one in particular deserves a photograph. The little pooch looks more like a baby lamb than a dog! He has a forlorn look about him but soon scampers off to his owners.
Leaving this delightful little cove of pretty thatched cottages we get onto the N11 towards Dublin.
I need to post off some more of our accumulated souvenirs to make more room in our suitcases and look out for a post office as we pass through Enniscorthy but don't see one.
Filling up with fuel in Kilpedder I get lucky and send off the last of the 6 large envelopes of "clutter".
OUR LAST CAMPSITE
The M50 took us on the outskirts of Dublin before the R128 took us to the small village of Rush which is off the M1 just north of Dublin.
This is our very last campsite and it could'nt be more wonderful! Again we have an enormous expanse of lawn overlooking the Irish Sea. It is late afternoon on this sunny Thursday. The tide seems to be quite a way out and I am hoping it will eventually be lapping at the rocks below us.
CLEAN UP AND CLEAR OUT
We have to hand back the vehicle in a presentable condition which did not mean we had to have it washed but at least pack all the crockery & cutlery neatly and of course clear out the cupboards of groceries.
My worst failing is that I cannot waste food. To me it is absolutely criminal to throw good food into the tip. What to do with all our left over unused groceries? I pluck up the courage to go and see the elderley lady in the reception. Her son runs the place.
Her response to my plight was just what I was hoping for - she wanted everything and anything I had to get rid of.
Like me, she cringes at the sight of campers ditching unused food into the tip. I suppose that's why the seagulls were lurking nearby ready for the next packet of stuff!
That evening we drove a short way to The Harbour Bar which is mainly a seafood restaurant. One young Chinese girl served the entire dining area most efficiently and we rounded off our Irish Experience with a delicious fresh 'Catch of the day'.
FAREWELL DEAR IRELAND - Friday 22nd May
Being so close to Dublin Airport, and having travelled the route the day before, we were relaxed and confident of getting to the Coach Parking on time to hand back the vehicle. Of course it was raining on and off but everything went according to plan.
We managed to motor 1,898 km around Ireland without incident!
Paris here we come!!!
Here are the last photos:
http://tinyurl.com/lkxqjr
A big thank you to all for the kind comments!
Jul 13th, 2009, 03:46 AM
#26
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tod:
Indeed the little dog has that look of a little lamb!
Was it expensive to post back home the 6 envelopes of "clutter"?
So glad that the elderly lady was happy to take your left over groceries.
Will you be doing a trip report on Paris?
Sandy
Indeed the little dog has that look of a little lamb!
Was it expensive to post back home the 6 envelopes of "clutter"?
So glad that the elderly lady was happy to take your left over groceries.
Will you be doing a trip report on Paris?
Sandy
Jul 13th, 2009, 04:30 AM
#27
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SandyBrit - Yes I have written a Trip Report on Paris. I started it before this one on our Ireland holiday. Link:
http://tinyurl.com/ksga8v
The postage from Ireland was:
1.8grams (nearly 2 kgs)= 20.95 euros
921grams (nearly l kg) = 10.40 euros
500 grams = 4.85 euros
729 grams(Northern Ire)= 9.27 British pounds
From Paris: 2 parcels - can't find slips but everything I posted Airmail from Ireland & France arrived after I got back.
I don't think it is a cheap way of getting rid of souvenirs and gifts but it would have filled half a suitcase for sure. The total weight I posted back (at a guess) was around 10kgs. I bought the envelopes(padded) and addressed them before I left. They weighed nothing and fitted neatly into the lid of the case.
http://tinyurl.com/ksga8v
The postage from Ireland was:
1.8grams (nearly 2 kgs)= 20.95 euros
921grams (nearly l kg) = 10.40 euros
500 grams = 4.85 euros
729 grams(Northern Ire)= 9.27 British pounds
From Paris: 2 parcels - can't find slips but everything I posted Airmail from Ireland & France arrived after I got back.
I don't think it is a cheap way of getting rid of souvenirs and gifts but it would have filled half a suitcase for sure. The total weight I posted back (at a guess) was around 10kgs. I bought the envelopes(padded) and addressed them before I left. They weighed nothing and fitted neatly into the lid of the case.
Jul 13th, 2009, 07:47 PM
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Hi all, I just stumbled onto this site and thought I could ask for some advice.
It is our 40th wedding anniversary in October and my wife and I have purchased tickets to travel from Sydney to London via Hong Kong (outward journey) and Singapore (return journey). We leave Sydney 16 October and then Hong Kong 20 October for London. We have about two weeks before boarding the plane again in London.
We have not decided what to do once we have arrived in London. We dont want to remain in London or England having spent several weeks there last year. Our thoughts are to spend 6 days in Paris and 8 days in Ireland or to spend the entire 2 weeks in Ireland. We have not been to either place before.
Reading these posts made me also think about a motorhome in Ireland - we have never done that before, I had been thinking of either B&B's or hotels.
Any thoughts?
It is our 40th wedding anniversary in October and my wife and I have purchased tickets to travel from Sydney to London via Hong Kong (outward journey) and Singapore (return journey). We leave Sydney 16 October and then Hong Kong 20 October for London. We have about two weeks before boarding the plane again in London.
We have not decided what to do once we have arrived in London. We dont want to remain in London or England having spent several weeks there last year. Our thoughts are to spend 6 days in Paris and 8 days in Ireland or to spend the entire 2 weeks in Ireland. We have not been to either place before.
Reading these posts made me also think about a motorhome in Ireland - we have never done that before, I had been thinking of either B&B's or hotels.
Any thoughts?
Jul 13th, 2009, 11:09 PM
#29
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Well Sue, you have obviously read my trip report, but I have this to add if you go the motorhome route:
We did have the experience of a motorhome trip around England last year. The motorhome itself was smaller but very easy to drive into towns and find parking.
This year we went bigger - difficult driving on narrow roads because of it's width, but oh so lovely having a permanent dining area and beds that did not have to be done & undone every day!
In England there are plentiful campsites of a high standard.
In Ireland there are exactly 7 which are offered by The Caravan Club which maintains a high standard. Unfortunately they are far apart so travelling between them takes time.
Once there of course, short sightseeing in the immediate area is easy but means a 2 or 3 day stay at each one.
If we did it all again, I would restrict our travelling to a much smaller area.
Please let me know if I can help further with anything at all.
Here is our trip through England: http://tinyurl.com/cwarzw
We did have the experience of a motorhome trip around England last year. The motorhome itself was smaller but very easy to drive into towns and find parking.
This year we went bigger - difficult driving on narrow roads because of it's width, but oh so lovely having a permanent dining area and beds that did not have to be done & undone every day!
In England there are plentiful campsites of a high standard.
In Ireland there are exactly 7 which are offered by The Caravan Club which maintains a high standard. Unfortunately they are far apart so travelling between them takes time.
Once there of course, short sightseeing in the immediate area is easy but means a 2 or 3 day stay at each one.
If we did it all again, I would restrict our travelling to a much smaller area.
Please let me know if I can help further with anything at all.
Here is our trip through England: http://tinyurl.com/cwarzw
Jul 19th, 2009, 05:30 AM
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Excellent report.
We are a family of 5 and will be in Ireland next May. Having just done NZ in a motorhome, we were wondering about doing the same in Ireland, but most posts even say to rent a small car because of the narrow roads- so we thought a motorhome would be definitely out. Encouraging to see that it worked for you.
was yours 4 or 6 berth? Any dramas on narrow roads- I don't want to be forever holding my breath, wondering if we'll squeeze thru.? Do you think it cuts down on the "charm" of Ireland?? ie do you feel you met less people?
Where would I get the company details and prices please? Would you recommend them? Is Dublin the only pickup?
I would be very grateful for any info as this is what I was after. Thanks!
We are a family of 5 and will be in Ireland next May. Having just done NZ in a motorhome, we were wondering about doing the same in Ireland, but most posts even say to rent a small car because of the narrow roads- so we thought a motorhome would be definitely out. Encouraging to see that it worked for you.
was yours 4 or 6 berth? Any dramas on narrow roads- I don't want to be forever holding my breath, wondering if we'll squeeze thru.? Do you think it cuts down on the "charm" of Ireland?? ie do you feel you met less people?
Where would I get the company details and prices please? Would you recommend them? Is Dublin the only pickup?
I would be very grateful for any info as this is what I was after. Thanks!
Jul 19th, 2009, 06:42 AM
#34
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ber - Thank you so much for your kind remarks! I will try my very best to answer your questions with absolute candor.
Funny thing is, we want to do NZ in a motorhome one day so when you have a moment could you please jot down a few pros & cons, name of hire company etc? Thanks!
1. Narrow Roads: These are mainly only on the outlying areas such as Achill Island but there again there are so few vehicles it didn't bother us. At certain times we tucked our mirrors in to prevent the hedge hitting them, but that was only in one very small spot whilst travelling. The busy roads
are not narrow. The roads through towns seem narrow because of vehicles parked and most times I got dropped off to shop while Peter went to turn around or find parking.
We had heard about a very narrow road in Dingle so just avoided it.
2. Vehicle size: We rented a 4 berth for the two of us.
Just as well because I used a bottom bunk for easy access to the loo during the night. The double bed top bunk was huge and my 6ft 1 husband could not reach the other side with his feet.
3. To be very honest - yes it does cut down on meeting the locals in a pub or restaurant but does not wholly cut down on the charm of Ireland. In some instances it actually enhanced the charm as we drove to places never mentioned on this board. If we had felt like driving back to the nearest town for dinner we could have enjoyed some of the nightly pub life. I definitely want to do that next time.
On this trip we were not up to it after driving, driving ,driving all day! In Galway and Rush it was quite possible to walk into town but the weather was awful so in the case of Rush, decided to drive to a restaurant as it was our last night.
4. I spent hours researching motorhome companies and in the end went with a company that seemed to be a 'go between'.
The hire went to a company in Ireland to save the very high ferry fees between UK & Ireland.
The drawback here is that you cannot leave Ireland and hop over to the UK if you got fed up with the scenery or for whatever reason. You are stuck there.
5. Our motorhome was almost brand new - just look at the starting mileage. The company that handled the deal was very efficient. The meetings on arrival & leaving were spot on.
But, we had definite disappointments which I will list for you - if we had not hired a motorhome the year before in the UK we may not have realised what we were missing out on:
a) LINEN: We expected linen for all beds. We only got 1 doublebed sheet, 4 pillows, 1 double duvet.
There were 2 of us but only received 1 bath towel. This resulted in us purchasing two more towels, another single sheet, a single duvet. (All were left with the vehicle).
b) KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: No electric kettle (or other kettle).
The cooking pots were of a poor quality and handles were loose. The frying pan & the largest pot had residure food still adhering. Most pot lids were missing.
c) CROCKERY & CULERY: No wineglasses - not even 1! All glasses were whiskey tumblers but that was OK for drinks other than beer or wine. I do understand the space is limited.
d) No cleaning equipement such as a brush and pan. You know how much grass gets carted indoors! We were also asked to leave the vehicle clean - with what??? We had to purchase these items as well.
e) FRIDGE: The door had sticky remains in the lower shelf section.
f) I have not checked whether we requested or whether it was agreed upon to supply: a TV and microwave.
We saw where the TV fitted but had been removed. I think we did request these items but will have to go through the contract again. Not much we can do about it now though!
ber, can you give me an email so I can forward the contract - then you can read the small print and costs.
Even with all these difficulties I managed very well on what I had been given but felt too much trust is left to the cleaning crew and those responsible for the equipment.
I never sent them a big moaning email - well not yet. I was hoping they would contact me and ask "Was everything OK?"
Then I would. So far all silent.
Thanks.
Funny thing is, we want to do NZ in a motorhome one day so when you have a moment could you please jot down a few pros & cons, name of hire company etc? Thanks!
1. Narrow Roads: These are mainly only on the outlying areas such as Achill Island but there again there are so few vehicles it didn't bother us. At certain times we tucked our mirrors in to prevent the hedge hitting them, but that was only in one very small spot whilst travelling. The busy roads
are not narrow. The roads through towns seem narrow because of vehicles parked and most times I got dropped off to shop while Peter went to turn around or find parking.
We had heard about a very narrow road in Dingle so just avoided it.
2. Vehicle size: We rented a 4 berth for the two of us.
Just as well because I used a bottom bunk for easy access to the loo during the night. The double bed top bunk was huge and my 6ft 1 husband could not reach the other side with his feet.
3. To be very honest - yes it does cut down on meeting the locals in a pub or restaurant but does not wholly cut down on the charm of Ireland. In some instances it actually enhanced the charm as we drove to places never mentioned on this board. If we had felt like driving back to the nearest town for dinner we could have enjoyed some of the nightly pub life. I definitely want to do that next time.
On this trip we were not up to it after driving, driving ,driving all day! In Galway and Rush it was quite possible to walk into town but the weather was awful so in the case of Rush, decided to drive to a restaurant as it was our last night.
4. I spent hours researching motorhome companies and in the end went with a company that seemed to be a 'go between'.
The hire went to a company in Ireland to save the very high ferry fees between UK & Ireland.
The drawback here is that you cannot leave Ireland and hop over to the UK if you got fed up with the scenery or for whatever reason. You are stuck there.
5. Our motorhome was almost brand new - just look at the starting mileage. The company that handled the deal was very efficient. The meetings on arrival & leaving were spot on.
But, we had definite disappointments which I will list for you - if we had not hired a motorhome the year before in the UK we may not have realised what we were missing out on:
a) LINEN: We expected linen for all beds. We only got 1 doublebed sheet, 4 pillows, 1 double duvet.
There were 2 of us but only received 1 bath towel. This resulted in us purchasing two more towels, another single sheet, a single duvet. (All were left with the vehicle).
b) KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: No electric kettle (or other kettle).
The cooking pots were of a poor quality and handles were loose. The frying pan & the largest pot had residure food still adhering. Most pot lids were missing.
c) CROCKERY & CULERY: No wineglasses - not even 1! All glasses were whiskey tumblers but that was OK for drinks other than beer or wine. I do understand the space is limited.
d) No cleaning equipement such as a brush and pan. You know how much grass gets carted indoors! We were also asked to leave the vehicle clean - with what??? We had to purchase these items as well.
e) FRIDGE: The door had sticky remains in the lower shelf section.
f) I have not checked whether we requested or whether it was agreed upon to supply: a TV and microwave.
We saw where the TV fitted but had been removed. I think we did request these items but will have to go through the contract again. Not much we can do about it now though!
ber, can you give me an email so I can forward the contract - then you can read the small print and costs.
Even with all these difficulties I managed very well on what I had been given but felt too much trust is left to the cleaning crew and those responsible for the equipment.
I never sent them a big moaning email - well not yet. I was hoping they would contact me and ask "Was everything OK?"
Then I would. So far all silent.
Thanks.
Jul 19th, 2009, 07:46 AM
#35
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Forgot - Dublin is not the only pick-up because the company was situated in Waterford. The person that brought the motorhome to Dublin flew back within the hour of handing it over. The handback was also to a guy who flew in to collect it. I guess they could do this just about anywhere.
Jul 22nd, 2009, 07:15 AM
#36
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Lovely of you to provide that frank info..it's going to be tough to decide which way to do Ireland. Unlike NZ, where motorhomes-espec for a family- are probably the best way of doing things.
Will dig out info for you on NZ m.homes soon
Many thanks
Bernie
Will dig out info for you on NZ m.homes soon
Many thanks
Bernie
Jul 22nd, 2009, 08:17 AM
#37
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Thanks so much - I want to add that the big PRO for renting the motorhome was no packing and unpacking!
There are so many B&B's, hotels etc., around Ireland that I would love to try this route one day but will have to go with an overnight bag!
There are so many B&B's, hotels etc., around Ireland that I would love to try this route one day but will have to go with an overnight bag!
Jul 23rd, 2009, 09:16 AM
#39
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You can send it to: [email protected]
