I am thinking of taking my family to<BR>Ireland Dec. 27, 2002 - January 8th. <BR>Is this a good time to visit Ireland???<BR>Are prices higher? Is it difficult to<BR>find accommodations? Weather??? Are<BR>sights closed because of the holidays???<BR><BR>cheryl

Cheryl,<BR><BR>It's not the greatest time of year to visit dublin. Most people have the week off during Christmas and even Dublin can be a bit of a ghost town as many places close early etc. As for the weather it can be quite wet and cold. The countryside is even colder. Ireland would be nicer in summer/autumn. Accommodation should not be too difficult to fin. Contact Bord Failte (the national Tourist Board) and they can be a great help. I do feel many of the site in the country may be closed this week as well. If you give some areas you will I can reccommond some accommodation.

Most hotels are open. Family B&Bs typically close, although there still are some open.<BR><BR>Flights to and from Ireland are pretty expensive around Christmas and New Year's, since there are so many Irish across the globe that come home for Christmas. If you fly Christmas Day you can get a good deal.

Ireland can be a fun and exciting time during Christmas but your choices are limited. Best bet is to stay in the larger towns since alot of the countryside is closed. Many hotels run special christmas packages and the tourist board puts out a pamplet on things going on them.<BR><BR>Alot of the toursit sites in the countryside are open Easter to October.

What you've heard here is great info. I might add that the Town & Country B&B website (http://www.townandcountry.ie/) lists the dates that B&Bs are closed. A large majority are closed on Christmas Day and many on New Years. Since you won't be there on Christmas Day, your only problem would be New Years. Most hotels will be open.<BR><BR>It may very well be a magical time in Ireland, but you would have to contend with the weather and the fact that a large number of historical sites would be closed for the winter season. That doesn't keep Ireland from being wonderful. You would just have to plan your vacation with different options.<BR><BR>Regardless, I would still find my way to the countryside. I'm sure many will disagree, but spending lots of time in Dublin has never worked for me. Two days is plenty and in the future, I'll probably use it as a first and last night, (if I don't fly into Shannon) and that will be more than enough. By the way, most airlines allow you to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon (or the opposite)for the same price.<BR><BR>I was there in November once and the weather was terrible and we had a great time. You'll have to get used to the smell of peat fires. Some people love the scent and others are overwhelmed by it. You can actually buy peat fire incense over there. My wife would have none of that!<BR><BR>Bill

It might be difficult to find accommodation - a lot of places shut down for Christmas. Avoid Dublin (unless you like the sales) - it gets very quiet. A country house hotel might be pleasant - try the Hidden Ireland brochure (www.hidden-ireland.com). Please remember that the days are VERY short - it gets light at about 8.30am and is pretty dark by 4.00pm - so sightseeing time is limited, and a hotel might be more comfortable to relax in after dark than a guesthouse. The weather could be miserable as well - but it could be okay. A lot of sites will be closed for the duration of the holidays, but generally it's possible to check which ones will be open over the internet.