On our first trip to Ireland, we will be flying into Shannon early May and renting a car to return to Dublin (8 days later) We are looking for any suggestions of Castles, B&B and other sights/restaurants to visit along the way. We want to stay at one real nice Castle and then the rest reasonable B&B's. Would like to hear about other's itineraries and "driving experiences." Please reply or email me direct at [email protected]. Thanks

I just returned from Dublin, we went for St.Patricks day. Good hotel there is Kilronan house (listed in Fodors) cost for 2 was 116.00 USD inc full cooked breakfast and rooms are nice we got a new room with skylite I havent been to Shannon but if you go thru Kilkenny stay at Butler house we had a room with a view of the castle.

In the less expensive castle category: Ballynahinch, Cabra Castle, Kilkea Castle. More expensive Dromoland, Ashford, Waterford, Ballyseede. My favorite is Ashford.

Nonie, <BR>Try the Midlands up your way up to Dublinas it is not a very heavily populated tourist spot. Lockes Whiskey Distrillery in Kilkebbgan, Clonmacnoise (similar to Glendalough) near Athlone, Famine Museum in Strokestown Co Roscommon, Lough Crew Passage Graves near Oldcastle (similar to Newgrange but 10% of the tourists Newgrange gets), Trim Castle (where Braveheart was filmed), Hill of Tara, Castletown House Celebridge (old style country manor with good art collection)St Patrick's College Maynooth (one of Ireland's oldest colleges). Places to stay try Crookerwood House (with a wonderful restaurant) just outside Mullingar, or a farmhouse - Reynella House - with a lake at the front for fishing or just walking, Currans B&B Oldcastle. I would suggest basing yourself in either of these places and spending a few days and doing day trips (all possible). Castles - well Tryellspass Castle (near Kilbeggan) is reasonably priced. Ashford, Dromoland and Adare Manor are all out of this world (and expensive). Kinity Castle is worth some consideration too (in Co Offayly - Midlands). Early May is a busy but not very bgusy tourist time so if you are heading to Kerry, Cork, Galway or Dublin book ahead. In Cork visit the small town of Cobh to see its Heritage Museum. Hope this helps, POST HERE if you have any more questions, <BR> <BR>Cathy

In Killarny, we stayed at Redwoods B&B, on the main road from the west. It is a modern B&B on 15 acres. Cost was 19 punts per person. Enjoyed the tour at Ross Castle at the National Park