Are major tourist attractions in Ireland closed in the Winter?
Nov 29th, 2000, 08:54 AM
#2
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Yes many are. You need to check your tourbooks to see which ones close early. <BR> <BR>I know that there are some (waterford crystal, bunratty castle, kylemore abbey) are open all year round, but some (lismore castle for instance) closed before Nov. 1st. <BR> <BR>Do your research before you get disappointed. <BR> <BR> <BR>Debbie
Nov 29th, 2000, 08:54 AM
#3
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Mike - I was there at the end of September. Given the strong economy and the health and importance of the tourist trade, I can't imagine that they would close any tourist attractions (Guiness plant, Waterford, Churches, etc.) It might be that the hours are shorter, but locations shouldn't be closed. The Irish pound is very favorable for shopping now and the country is beautiful. We were on a golf trip but rented a car at the end to drive around. Had a great time. So have a wonderful trip.
Nov 29th, 2000, 09:35 AM
#4
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"Major" attractions, no, but a lot of the mid-range sites of interest are closed in the winter--or at least so we found when we were in County Clare and County Galway and then in Dublin in February 1999. Yeats' house, Thoor Ballylee, near Gort in County Galway, was closed to the public, as was Dunguaire Castle, on the road up from Doolin toward Galway Bay. And I have to disagree with Debbie about Kylemore Abbey--it was most definitely not open to visitors when we were there in Feb. <BR> <BR>I'd say it's absolutely still worth going, though. Most of the things I wanted to see were either "open" or didn't need to be "open" (i.e., the Cliffs of Moher, which don't close). Pretty much all the Dublin sights were open, except the room at Trinity College housing the Book of Kells, but that was to do with a renovation and not because it was winter. Newgrange was open--and much less overrun with tourists than the staff told us it is even in early spring. The Hill of Tara, a truly amazing place, was "open"--I don't think it "closes," technically. <BR> <BR>So if you're debating whether or not to go to Ireland in the winter, I'd say do it!
Nov 29th, 2000, 02:49 PM
#5
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Mike, <BR>All the major attractions are open but the opening hours are different in the winter than in the summer, some may close one day a week as well. Check out www.ireland.travel.ie for a list of all the major sites in the different areas, <BR> <BR>Have a great time and be prepared for wet and windy weather, <BR> <BR>Cathy
