We have one day in Shannon before we join our tour (where we will see sights like Bunratty and Cliffs and Burren). I am considering taking a taxi to either Ennis or Limerick for the day. Is one better than the other?

Go into Limerick. Check a guide book for the things you want to see. It will be one of the few larger cities you'll visit and has a unique air about it.

I would say ennis. Limerick has nothing special and it does not have the best reputation. I'ts a small city with little character compared to Ennis. I have been to Limerick several times but Ennis is far more quaint and a lovely town to visit.

Definitely Ennis! I have family there and visit the town often. Limerick is a small city, however, Ennis is a bustling market town with lots of quaint shops (for tourists I recommend they visit the Belleek Shop-excellent service and they will even ship your gifts home and they deduct the VAT at the time of sale), lots of restaurants (recommend: Hal Pinos, the restaurants in the Temple Gate Hotel or the Old Ground; there is also a really good Chinese restaurant that opened recently, but I just can't think of the name of it). Nightlife is very good also-as there are lots of pubs to choose from. There are several hotels: The Queens, The Temple Gate and The Old Ground are right in the middle of town. There are also lots of B&Bs to choose from. Have fun!

The Queen's Hotel, Ennis. Wow, what memories! I stayed there decades ago, and for a room with full Irish breakfast paid an incredble $1.30! (Yes, that's one dollar and thirty cents.) Not today, I'm sure.<BR><BR>Also, my son will be a high school senior next year, so for a graduation present I promised him I'd buy him his first legal drink. In an Irish pub.<BR><BR>Look out, Ennis. Here we come.<BR><BR>And, by the way, my vote would go for Ennis over Limerick as well.<BR><BR>GK<BR>

Thats kind of like asking Detroit or Toledo. I'd say neither.

Go the extra distance to Adare.

xxx! That is a good one. I'm a Detroit native and have been to both Limerick and Ennis so know where you are coming from. <BR><BR>IMHO, I would go to Ennis for reasons stated above. If you are looking for a good B&B, try the Riverside B&B, its on Clonmony WEst in Bunratty.

I'd choose Ennis for the day. I found that the shopowners were very friendly and it's a cute little town to wander around. We had a great evening at Cruise's Pub where they often have jam sessions and a fun local crowd.

Another vote for Ennis. It has a very pretty old abbey right in the middle of town. Stayed at the Old Ground for the second time (this was 2 years ago)--service was terribly slow in the dining room, but they had a wedding going on as well. They did upgrade us to the bridal suite which was nice after 32 years of marriage! Great Irish breakfast in the morning.