We leave Sept 2,2005 for Ireland. What will the weather be like? We are renting a car and are traveling on the coastline. Will be staying 10 days. Would like to stay outside of towns. Would like to spend some time in or near Kinsail. Really want to see the REAL Ireland. Not so much touristy stuff. How are the prices for rooms? Are they per person or dbl occ.? Would like to hear any advice....Thanks lb

Help us a little.

What do you have in mind? Areas? NW, SW, Dublin?

Are you flying in/out of where?

How much did you want to pay for a room? Are you interested in B&B's or Hotels, or Guesthouses?

Have you done any research? What looks good to you, i.e. towns, countryside, etc.

Have you done a search on this site and read what others are saying or read some trip reports?

Check out Kinsale, Kenmare, Killarney, Dingle, and the surrounding areas. You could spend 10 days just in the SW of Ireland.

We are flying in and out of Dublin. I'm traveling with friends...Don't get me started on a 10 day trip...They seem to think that's enough time to see all of Ireland....That's their plan. We are renting a car and hopefully using our hotel/B&B/Guesthouses for a base...I would like to try all three types. Which do you find the best? I want to spend time with the people. We don't need anything fancy...We all love to eat and can't wait to hear music and have a Guinness or two in a pub. I've looked at some rooms on the net and prices are $150 a nite. It says per person. Is that correct?
I really want to see The Giant's Causeway. We thought of staying in Bray or Wiclow outside of Dublin. Do you know anything about them?
I'd like to buy Irish lace and look for a Christening gown. Know any good shops?
Countryside is more to our liking. Sounds like you have been there alot...

Topping for lohtburkhart who just joined and got buried quickly.

Hi, im living in Ireland and would be glad to steer you off the tourist trail. Are you flying into Shannon or Dublin??

Looks like they are flying in/out of Dublin.

clarice, thanks for assisting. I'm not familiar with Dublin and the East Coast of Ireland.

OK Dublin. I would go to wicklow but not Bray (too busy) maybe Enniskerry have you looked into that. Great base for visiting Glendalough and its a pretty town in the wicklow mountains. Try not to miss Cork/Kerry. Avoca Wollen Mills is a wonderful store to browse in you will def pick up some beautiful lace there. (They have shops at all major tourist sites) they also have one of the best restaurants around.

weatherwise, always expect rain, therefore you will never be dissapointed. However, if there was a time of the year that i would holiday its September. Things are winding down here and the sunsets are amazing especially on the west coast. Happy Holidays. Regards.

Clarice, nice to hear from you. I'm checking on Wicklow. But Enniskerry sounds nice. Thanks for the tip on Bray. That was another choice. Are there hiking trails around the mountains? What's your favorite part of Dublin? I've heard pros and cons...But we need to see it. Alot of info on the net about Ireland...Don't know which way to turn....We have decided to leave Dublin and head north to Portrush or Ballintoy. Stay two days there and head down to Galway area off to Kinsale and up to Wicklow using that for a base to head on into Dublin...Seeing sights along the way. Did you ever stay close to any of these places? If so, what part did you like best? Also, thanks for the tip on Avoca.

Budman-Thanks for the reply sounds like your more a west coast person..Have any ideas or places to stay on the coastline near Galway? Checked a place in Kinsale and around. Landfall House,Baltimore Bay Guest House? Ring any bells? Also checked on Peninsula Hotel,Magherabuoy House,Glenkeen Guest House and Albany lodge in Portrush. Need to get my butt in gear...Times running out...

Greetings. Dublin has its good and bad points as does any city. Traffic was always a problem...my advise..Use either the LUAS or your legs ... Try not to drive around the city, its frustrating.. Park your car and see the sights. The National gallery is worth a visit, The Museum of Natural History is wonderful, with its rickety old stairs and of course you will have to visit the GUINNESS hops store and if the weather is nice chill out in the Phoenix Park... which is the largest municipal park within a city in the world.

Kinsale is a wonderful town, Charles Fort is worth a visit and the town itself is very quaint... It is a BIG foodie town with food festivals held there all year round and you can be guaranteed EXCELLENT food even in the PUBS. Also a great place to buy Irish linen and lace. Have a great holiday, dont forget to pack your waterproofs and look forward to the sunsets. Regards

Clarice thanks for your reply.
Good advice, we'll take it.
Trying to find a B&B or Hotel in Portrush or Portstewart. Can't seem to get to any. Need a base for the North.
Any ideas???
Also, do you know anything about fishing in Sept.??
Can't wait for the sunsets....One of my favorites.

lohtburkhart, as you can imagine not many people in Southern Ireland have experienced holidaying in the North for a number of years..It is only in recent years that people have started to revisit this BEAUTIFUL part of the island..if you are finding it hard to get information my advise would be to check out www.destination-britian.co.uk

I would not stay in Portrush as it is very tacky. There are much nicer places to stay around the Giant's Causeway. The Bushmills Inn is excellent but pricy http://www.bushmillsinn.com/Files/Bushmills.htm

Also try Ballintoy, Portballintrae, Portstewart
http://www.northantrim.com/ballintoy.htm

http://www.12travel.co.uk/ie/accommodation/index.html

http://www.northantrim.com/portballintrae.htm

Rooms are normally priced per person and in guest houses or B&B's include breakfast.

In Eniskerry you will find lots of walking tours in the Dublin Mountains, the place is full of walkers and very nice too.

Don't miss Glendalough and Newgrange

Enjoy Ireland