Hello all, About 20 years ago we spent a lovely night at Dromoland Castle in Co.Clare. Am planning another Ireland trip for September and wondering if anyone has stayed there recently. The rates are quite high and I would choose another hotel if Dromoland has deteriorated. The same situation with the Great Southern Galway--anyone been there recently? Thanks.

Kam, <BR>Unable to advise whether Dromoland has changed from your stay 20 years ago, however it is a great place to stay, but as you said expensive, instead of revisiting and paying the finanical cost (and perhaps experiencing some disappointment why not try somewhere else - Adare Manor is worth checking out). Which Great Southern Hotel are you talking about staying in - in Galway ? The one on Eyre Sq - beautiful old building etc - or the new Corrib Great Southern on the entrance to the city from Dublin. Both are personal favourites of mine, however the Corrib tends to have a lot of conferences and trade shows but it does have the advance of a large parking lot. Hope this helps and enjoy your holiday, <BR> <BR>Cathy

The Great Southern Galway on Eyre Square. From my research, Adare Manor is every bit as much expensive as Dromoland and it is closer to Shannon for a morning departure the next day. We plan to stay in Adare on arrival but at the Dunraven Arms, again a repeat from a previous trip. Thanks for your advice.

How about a loop down through Co Wicklow - Glendalough, Powerscourt Gardens, maybe a night around here, then on down to Co Waterford, one of the more under-rated but complete counties in Ireland. You can take or leave the Crystal Factory but you can get immersed in and seduced by local life all too soon. Try to do some of the things the natives enjoy, like going greyhound-racing or horse-racing or to a hurling game; these sort of things are the 'must-do's'. And drink a bottle of Guinness - you may love it or hate it but throughout the rest of your life you'll remember the taste evry once in a while and you'll remember next week! Have fun.

Kam: still been a while but I can tell you that in summer of 1990 Dromoland was (we thought) superb -- we spent our first 2 nights in Ireland there, and felt as if we were with family -- staff members would stop in the halls and ask what we had seen, had we thought of going to such and such --- the rooms were splendid, the restaurant dinner was truly lovely and they graciously agreed to serve us outside on the patio since the evenings were so warm (the memory of the "liveried" waitstaff carrying aloft our dishes to our table, while a golden pheasant meandered around the gardens within a few feet of us -- the warm and fuzzies are hitting!) <BR>It is definitely on my list for my repeat trip to Ireland. (We also stayed in the Dunraven Arms on that trip ; very nice and would stay there again also, but of course nothing like Dromoland.) <BR>Hope that helps -- maybe someone stayed more recently.

Dear Kam <BR> <BR>I have no idea what Dromoland was like 20 years ago - bot it was excellent last year. I looked at most of the 5 star hotels in Ireland (including Adare) for our wedding - and Dromoland won hands down. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful the staff are, not to metion the bedrooms, the food and the grounds. Adare, by contrast was a huge disappointment. The only thing that it had going for it (in our opinion) was that it had a swimming pool). We thought that the staff were indifferent to guests, some of the bedrooms were tiny (& dark), and the food was unimpressive. Friends of ours ignored our advice recently and booked Adare, but checked out after one night describing it as spooky and saying that one member of staff in particular was very rude. They checked into Dromoland, which they described as 'streets ahead'. <BR> <BR>As for Galway - the Great Southern is an excellent choice if you want to stay in the centre of things. Many other hotels (e.g. Corribb) are driving distance from town, which limits your indepenence / ability to drink. We stayed in a very small room at the Great Southern, but still could not complain - it was excellent value for money. As you may guess from the rates, it is not in the same league as Dromoland etc., but is a nice 4 star hotel. <BR> <BR>By the way, September is an excellent time to go to Ireland. Any other questions - feel free to e-mail me directly. <BR> <BR>

kam, <BR> <BR>You mentioned staying at Dunraven Arms in Adare. We stayed there Aug. '98 for our first and last night stay. It was lovely and we would most definitely return. You may want to ask for rooms in 'new wing' which has very large rooms facing the gardens. <BR>On the same trip we spent one night at Killeen House, located in Bushypark. Location is approx. 5 minutes (by car) from Galway center. Rate in '98 was $110(US) per couple per night, incl. breakfast. <BR>

Thanks Elaine, Anna, and Jo Ann. It sounds like we've made the right choices. My husband has decided, meanwhile, that he would just have to return to Dromoland no matter what so it's good to hear good things! John, since this is my third trip to Ireland, I can guarantee I'll drink no Guinness! I do still remember the taste from many years ago! You enjoy it for me and thank for the Waterford/Wexford suggestion--been all around that area and it's beautiful, but this trip is concentrated on the west and southwest. Want to share a "find" with all of you--in Clifden in Connemara there's a guesthouse called Mal Dua--we've booked and I will confirm when we return but they sound wonderful and can't be nicer. Very reasonable rate.

kam, <BR> <BR>Would love to read your 'review' of Mal Dua as we saw this property on our one day in Clifden. We plan on a future Ireland vacation. <BR>Have a wonderful trip!