Dublin and Donegal in a week
 

My wife and I are planning a visit in April and would like some guidance as to how best to include a couple of days in Dublin and the balance in Donegal, staying in one place in Donegal rather than bouncing around. Is the Aer Lingus B&B Package at good choice? What village in Donegal do you suggest and can you recommend a specific B&B or an upgrade small hotel? Many thanks!

Hi Brulin,
Give us the details on the Aer Lingus package so people can offer their opinions.

Donegal - Letterkenny area is quite convenient for visiting a number of sites in Donegal. Or you could stay someplace like Kilcar as there are a number of terrific places to visit to the north and to the west. It's also a charming village. The village of Donegal itself - or something near there - wouldn't be a bad choice either.

My favorite places to visit are Glenveigh National Park, Derry (in NI), Slieve League & Glencolumbcille. We stayed 2 weeks in Donegal but in apartments so I don't have B&B's to recommend. But others will have ideas for you.

Thanks rosetravels,
The Aer Lingus package includes the flight, a car and 6 nights in your choice of B&Bs. We want to get into the Irish experience rather than visit various sites. We've been to the southwest and want to spend time in Dublin as well as in the less visited northwest. We want to hang out with the Irish, enjoy their pubs, music and beautiful country. Any tips on how best to do that are greatly appreciated.

Do not count on using B&B vouchers in Dublin. First there are not that many B&Bs in the city. They tend to be way out in the burbs. Second almost none in Dublin take vouchers. Be careful and ask questions before getting vouchers. What kind are they? Farmhouse or T&C?

Hi brulin,
I've not used the vouchers that come with a package but the general consensus that I've read here is you're better off without them.

Your list of what you want to do mirrors what we like best about Ireland. We like to hike so we've been up to Mt. Errigal and to the Slieve League. Donegal is more remote, as you know, and some of the drives are lovely. Glengesh Pass was special.

I think there are great pubs everywhere and since there are fewer visitors, people in Donegal seemed very friendly to us. We had great pub conversations. For some reason we didn't stumble on any with music in Donegal but hopefully someone else can advise on that.

We stayed in Donegal twice, for a week at a cottage each time.

brulin - here's my trip report (previous screen name) of our 2nd trip to Donegal.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...hane&fid=2

You might also do a search of Donegal on this forum to find recommendations for places to stay.

Hi Rose, that link seems to bring up the list of your posts under your old screen name. You need to bring up the trip report, click on the title and then copy and paste the url.

I think THIS is the one:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34667646

Bob

Oh my, I think that's the second time I've made that same mistake. Slow learner. Thanks Bob and Caph!

I just read through the 'bookmark' thread as penance :)

Hey, the only reason I know how to do it now is because I did it the wrong way so many times! :)

Thanks for all your helpful advise, especially to Rosetravels! We've booked our flights and car and have followed your guidance and have not gone for vouchers for the B&Bs. We will land in Dublin very early AM on 4/11 and drive to Donegal. Is that too much given the fact that we'll be in the twilight zone after our night flight from Boston? We like the sound of Kilcar and would like suggestions for lodgings in Donegal, not top end and not bottom end. We'll be there for four days and will return to Dublin for three days. In Dublin, we like what we've read about Butler Town House in Ballbridge and also found Rosetravels' comments on the Charleville Lodge appealing. We're open to other suggestions and wonder if we should book now or, given that it's the off season, decide once we're there. Thanks again.

Thanks brulin - very sweet.

We stayed at the Charleville because it was the least expensive decent hotel I could find. It was the end of a 3 week trip and I was done shelling out the euros. The location was fine although it wasn't in the thick of things. The bus comes by every 10 minutes or so. It looks like it's around 70 euros these days.

You can also check trip advisor and cross reference w/ some of the hotel search sites, like venere.com, booking.com, expedia etc. You might be able to find a good one closer in for a decent price.

For B&B's in Kilcar or elsewhere in Donegal you might put up a new post with just that simple question. I know fodorites have stayed in great B&B's in county Donegal and such a post will bring on good suggestions.

The first day - Dublin to Donegal is about 4 1/2 hours if the wind is at your back (www.aaireland.ie for route planning.) That's a little long but coming from Boston, that might be OK. At the risk of confusing things, another option could be to split your time in Dublin. One night Dublin, 4 nights Donegal, 2 nights Dublin. Or even reverse it, starting in Dublin and ending in Donegal.

Is there a reason you're spending 3 nights in Dublin? Many seem to spend just 2 nights there in order to spend more time in the smaller towns. I like Dublin a lot, don't mean to dissuade you, just curious.

Not in Kilcar, but we spent two nights in Larghy, just outside Killybegs.

Great place, clean, comfortable and yes, as the name implies -- great views.

http://www.oceanviewhouse.info/

Personally inspected and recommended by www.IrelandYes.com

So, it's not JUST me ... :)

Bob