Owen_ONeill

Are the great majority of B&amp;B's set up with shared bathroom privileges only or does this vary widely based on individual property and price point or perhaps are private baths more likely to be found in inns in larger towns only? I'm indifferent to the issue and am fine with shared bath but my GF is a bit fussy about certain things and will prefer private bath with our room whenever and wherever possible (the rooms can be small and veryu basic but she really, really wants private bath).<BR><BR>David - thanks for the advice on Waterford and Comeragh area activities - that may fit in nicely with our desire to stay off the beaten path and also not stress ourselves with excessive day to day travel.

MaryZ

These days, most, but not all, B&amp;Bs have private baths. Look for B&amp;Bs that advertise rooms 'en suite'. (That's code for private bath.)

janis

Private baths are much more common than shared anymore. But be careful what you ask for -- there is a difference bewteen &quot;private&quot; and &quot;ensuite&quot;.<BR><BR>Most people assume a private bath is in your bedroom. It isn't. A private bath is yours alone but across or down the hall. An ensuite bath is in your room.<BR><BR>If your GF only wants ensuite you will have to say so. They are common - but in the many B&amp;Bs that are old houses the bath situation is often a combination of shared, private and ensuite. Know what you are looking for.

DonTopaz

To get back to some of your original questions, you can comfortably and easily get from Dublin (airport) to just about anywhere on the west coast in two days. You can plan on 60-70 km/hr, plus whatever time you'll take for coffee and rest breaks.<BR><BR>The trickiest part of driving is recognizing that, as the driver, your view of the road is just right-of-center (of your lane), compared to just left-of-center in No. America. As a result, the tendency is to drive closer to the right edge of the road than you should. <BR><BR>An especially important piece of equipment is a good map, one that shows the smaller roads as well as the main ones. A Michelin yellow map is a good choice.<BR><BR>Dublin is a wonderful city, but the travel between city center and the airport is neither easy nor fun. I'd suggest staying in Dublin for 2 nights, but either at the beginning or end of your trip (not both). You don't need (or want) a car in Dublin, but you do want to stay in the center (preferably near or on St Stephen's Green).

Owen_ONeill

Still figuring out the stops and duration for stays during the traveling portion of the trip but I can see the value of being in Dublin for a continuous period rather than an evening and portion of a day at the beginning and end. Now thinking that when we arrive in Dublin on Saturday at noon, we'll take Airlink bus into city center, stay in hotel Sat and Sun night to explore and then head out to the country on Monday early AM. I hope to pick up rental car Monday AM somewhere in Dublin or on the outskirts (suggestions appreciated) where driving to and from the site will keep me out of the worst traffic areas. <BR><BR>What about our return? I'm thinking we stay at hotel in north suburbs near the airport - arriving there late Saturday (we're there for 8 days in total) to drop off bags, then we return rental car and use public transport to get into city.<BR><BR>My hope is to do this with as little hassle as possible - suggestions appreciated.

emjoy

I'm enjoying the information on driving since I'll be over there in September and intend to rent a car to head south west from dublin.<BR>I need to clarify, I've seen travel times listed as 'plan on 60 km per hour' and I've heard 'plan on 35 km per hour' which is more realistic for the N roads in the south west?<BR>thanks

Keenan

Owen, I have used Dan Dooley several times and found them to be very reliable. They have center city pick-up/drop-off office just behind Trinity college convenient to the train, I think Hueston, but don't quote me on that. I dropped a car off there once and walked about a hundred feet to the train then to my destination. I have used Airlink also as it can take you to the bus station where you could get a cab. Just a word of advice. I was in Dublin in November and the traffic was horrendous because of all the construction, especially north of the liffy. So be careful and immediately depart the city upon collection of your vehicle Have a nice trip and you are getting a lot of good advice.

janis

emjoy: I don't think anyone has estimated 35 km per hour - that is only about 20 mph. Several have said 35-40 MPH (or around 60 KPH).

waffle18

This is a great thread!<BR><BR>Coffee: My husband is addicted to Starbucks so he always bring a bag of ground with him to Ireland. People there treat it like gold dust - well, just about anyway. Not being a coffee drinker myself I could care less but I've been told that the stuff at Bewley's is good.<BR><BR>Driving: Both myself and my husband drive stick shifts everyday. What I found difficult about driving in Ireland was when something unexpected happens you react automatically. This entails moving your car suddenly to the right (as you would here. ie all the cars in front of you break suddenly) and reaching for your stick with your right hand. Now moving your car to the right will put you into oncoming traffic and shifting with the right hand does you no good at all when the stick is on the left. Just a little FYI to consider. Also when I drove the reverse gear was one of those where you pull up and squeeze the shifter then push it just past first. My left hand was too weak to accomplish this maneuver and I would have to get help from my passanger. Of course I have small hands as well so that may have contributed.<BR><BR>Touring: Just south of Dublin and Wicklow are excellent ideas for staying out of the way of the tour busses. Also may I suggest Offally, Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow and Meath for places closeby yet not usually too touristy.<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>Wendy

Clifton

janis,<BR><BR>Yeah, I was just re-reading and I'd said 35KM, but I'd meant 35MPH. I was in the midst of figuring italy driving distances when I decided to read and post and had been doing everything in kilometers. I think even the tractors do better than 35KM per hour.

Ann41

On the subject of coffee--I've had some fabulous coffee in Ireland recently. Coffee houses are springing up in the cities and larger towns and they typically have better coffee than what you'll find in the US. If you end up heading north (many fewer tourists--it's the place to go), try California Coffee in Belfast. And I haven't tried it, but my husband swears by Picnic in Killyleagh in County Down.<BR><BR>However, you must choose your coffee wisely in Ireland. Never ever ever have coffee in a cafe in Ireland (actually, you should never eat in a cafe, either--they look like run-down coffee shops). Cafes are part of the vast coffee wasteland that exists in Ireland. Many restaurants and pubs serve bad instant coffee. And if you're visiting someone who lives in Ireland, just drink tea even if they offer you coffee and you hate tea. Trust me on this one.<BR><BR>Allow roughly an hour to travel 50km, unless you're on a motorway, in which case, it's more like 30 minutes.

irishescaper

Owen: Have been to Ireland 4 times and am goin' back again in April. Rented an automatic all 4 times and would strongly recommend doing so. Manual is too much of a pain - especially with the left-side driving, hilly roads, jet lag, etc.<BR>It seems you'll have about 4-5 days for the country-side. As others have suggested, please plan on 20 miles/hour. This allows time for you to stop for spur-of-the-moment and take pics as well as driving at a leisurely pace.<BR>My choices for a 5-day aggressive itinerary (in no specific order):<BR>1) West Cork, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Limerick, Clare County (Burren, Cliffs of Mohrer), Galway, back to Dublin via Clomacnoise.<BR>2)Galway, Aran Islands, Connemara, Knock, Sligo, Donegal, back to Dublin via Newgrange.<BR>3) Sligo, Donegal, west coast of Donegal,Insishowen, Giant Causeway, back to Dublin<BR>4)Waterford, Cork, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Limerick, back to Dublin via Lough Derg.<BR><BR>Via any of these itineraries, you'll get a great feel for Ireland: landscape, villages, archaeoligical treasurs, castles, churches, etc. A great map is essential in that road are not often well-marked and you can plan on getting lost at times (thereby contributing to the 20 mi/hr. estimate.<BR><BR>