Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Doolin, Kilrush, and Lahinch: can you give me info. about Co. Clare (or should I go to Co. Cork?)

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Doolin, Kilrush, and Lahinch: can you give me info. about Co. Clare (or should I go to Co. Cork?)

Several questions: Doolin was recommended to me in response to an earlier query I sent out as a fun home base in Western Ireland. I liked the looks of it in the travel books, but they also mention that the pubs are almost too popular (crowded) b/c of the music. Is this accurate? I'll be going in the high season-- August. Lahinch-- described in books as a popular beach resort, but I can't find any hotels/guesthouses or B&Bs in the Irish Tourist Board website. Any explanations? Kilrush-- sounds interesting in my books, but again, I can't find any lodging info. Has anyone been there? Is it worth going to? I'm planning a low-key, inexpensive, relaxing vacation-- We'd rather soak up the atmosphere than be on the run sightseeing every minute. Thanks.

We were in Doolin at Easter time, and the pubs were plenty crowded then-even in the afternoon. I would guess that they would be pretty packed in August.

Darlene, Here are others useful Web Sites for Ireland holidays - Ireland and its regions www.ireland.travel.ie Ireland West : www.westireland.travel.ie www.connemarra-tourism.org/ www.connemara-tourism.org/index.html www.connemara.net/ East Coast/Midlands : www.midlandseastireland.travel.ie Cork - Kerry : www.cork-kerry.travel.ie www.dingle-peninsula.ie/ Ireland South East : www.southeastireland.travel.ie Ireland North West : www.northwestireland.travel.ie Dublin : www.visitdublin.com The Shannon Region : www.shannonireland.travel.ie General Information on getting around and accessing main sites www.ireland.com www.heritageireland.com - Great information on heritage cards which allow access to most sites. www.cie.ie – CIE is the umbrella company for public transport and has links to the bus and rail schedules and Dublin Bus schedules. CIE tours also has specialized section on tours to main attractions www.aircoach.ie – This is a non-stop bus link to and from the airport to the major hotels. www.ryanair.ie – No frills cheap airline has fares as low as 9 Irish pounds to airports in the UK & Europe. www.tourismresources.ie Accommodation & Restaurants www.ireland.travel.ie www.townandcountry.ie www.irishfarmholidays.com www.hidden-ireland.com, www.jurys.com www.templehouse.ie (Sligo – NorthWest) www.beourguest.ie www.family-homes.ie www.dublinn.com (Kilronan House) www.castlesireland.com/ www.gsh.ie www.irelands-blue-book.ie/ www.ballymaloe.com (In Cork – the southern region – it has an excellent restaurant) www.irishcountryhousesandcastles.com Passage Graves/Ancient Tombs www.loughcrew.com, www.meathtourism.ie Driving in Ireland www.roadwatch.ie Walking Tours http://www.irishwaymarkedways.ie Conferences http://www.conference-ireland.ie or http://www.incentive-ireland.ie English Tours http://www.languagelearning.travel.ie Golf http://www.golf.travel.ie Fishing http://www.cfb.ie and finally www.local.ie and www.irlgov.ie Those should keep you busy. Do remember that August is high season and that Clare and Galway and Ring of Kerry and Dingle and the popular tourist spots will be packed as will the pubs. You might like to try a little further North ie Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal for less crowds. YOu should also check out renting a cottage. Call the Irish Tourist Board and get them to send you their free information pack, Hope this helps, Cathy

I think Doolin is too small to spend too much time there and don't know what you would do except for the music pubs. Have you looked at Clifden? It's a little bigger and up in Connemara which gives the possibility of more daytrips. Iwould highly recommend the Mal Dua House and they can give you great suggestions for touring in the area. They have a website--don't have it right here. The other place I would base would be Dingle town, but it'll be quite crowded in August.Kilrush is the place the ferry leaves from as I recall. And there are hotels in Lahinch. Aberdeen Arms is one. Lisdoonvarna has Ballinalacken Castle and Carrigann Hotel. Better get started on reservations though.

Lahinch is a much larger town than Doolin and very, very crowded (although more to do than in Doolin). There is a famous golf course there. I didn't find it particularly charming. I liked Doolin better - smaller, more out in the country feel but on the water. Face it, everything is going to be crowded at the time you're going. The entire country is filled with bikers and hikers and tourists, ect. One reply mentioned Clifden. I was there in September a few years ago. It's out of the way and small but a lovely town. If I remember correctly this poster didn't want to rent a car. That being said, I think the focus should be more on Galway and Doolin. Just my thoughts.

Pat, I was the poster who mentioned Clifden, but we certainly had a car for our trip. Can't imagine how to tour in Connemara without a car! Maybe you mean Darlene said she didn't want to rent a car. If that's the case, then I certainly couldn't recommend Clifden.

Thanks so much for the advice; after investigating some suggestions, I'm putting off the trip for a year to save more $$ and to plan more. I'll have to be contend with one trip this summer (leading 20 highschool students on a whirlwind tour of the continent! that's why I was looking for a small town, low key stay in Ireland). Thnaks again!