I am so excited to be going to the Emerald Isle! We are going with two other couples who are long time friends next year (2009). We are thinking August if that is the warmest time of year? We have all been told to go while we are still young enough to walk around and enjoy it.

So, over our St. Patty's Day celebration, we decided next year is the year!

The guys want to golf a few times while we are there. What would be the bettter airport to fly into? Galway or Shannon?

Also, we want to see the Waterford factory while we are there but not sure if the guys do. Are there golf courses around the Waterford factory? Hope I am not sounding too ignorant, as I am just beginning my research. We want to be gone for about 7 - 10 days. Any middle of the road priced hotels you all can recommend? I am an admitted hotel snob, but I will go along with the crowd on this, but I do not want anywhere dirty with bedbugs. Thanks in advance for any helpful hints!

August: yes

Shannon

Yes

Yes, you are

hotels are left or right of the road, not in the middle

Top hint: do some research.

1-800-GOSHAMROCK, the Irish Tourist Board has a ton of free info for the asking - accommodation and destination guides, etc.

tourismireland.com as well for Irish Tourist Board

Another site for you to check out: www.discoverireland.com.

You might also want to take a look at some of the trip reports here, bankbabe. There are some really good ones.

I'm guessing you know that August is the most expensive time to fly to Ireland? And probably the most crowded.

Hello, personally I would not drive in Ireland even though I have driven on business over 5000 miles in the UK. We used Terry Flynn Tours to handle everything, 4 star hotels, iteneary around our wants and with a small van we were all higher and could all relax and see everything. The price was quite reasonable.

Just a suggestion, but with just 7 to 10 days (including your travel days), I'd say stick to one half of the country so you don't have to constantly switch hotels and do so much driving. You can rent a car and do your own day trips, or join small tour groups of other daytrippers from major cities and towns.

And remember that even though it is a small country, many major roads seem to always be under construction and back roads are very narrow. It is not like driving in North America. Getting from one point to the next takes a lot longer than it seems.

We visited Ireland last Sept. with my BIL and SIL. We flew in and out of Shannon. Our husband golfed three times. Once at Lahinch, once at one of the Killarney courses and once in Kinsale. We did not arrange tee times until our arrival in Ireland.(I am the planner in the group but was not in charge of tee times)

I don't think I ever finished my trip report--life got in the way--but if you click on my name, you will be able to read about part of our trip.

I also posted a short outline of our trip and some basic info on www.irelandyes.com under the trip reports.

Your group would love staying at Loch Lein House(even hotel snobs would fall in love with this place) near Killarney---there is a special rate listed on the irelandyes website---we loved it there.

We went the first week of Sept. We had great weather (last summer was a terribly rainy one--even for Ireland)

It sounds like Charles is selling Terry Flynn tours. Quite frankly, I wouldn't travel to Ireland and stay in 4* hotels. I prefer B&Bs to those and they are less expensive, more personal and many times nicer than 4* hotels.

It's St. Paddy's (if you must shorten) by the way.

Driving in Ireland is not that difficult and road improvements are everywhere.

There are golf courses all around in the east, a couple of fine ones in Kilkenny. If I were the guys, I'd skip the Waterford tour also. A couple of ireland golf sites (and there are lots: http://www.golfingireland.com/ and http://www.golf.ireland.ie/

Once you pick the areas that you want to stay, ask questions about B&Bs. Hotels are just not the way to go IMO.

Bill

woojazz3 made his usual good points. He helped me greatly on one of my trips. I've only stayed in hotels and guesthouses and I was very happy with both. I think I enjoyed the guesthouse more.
Have a great trip, Joan

We are going to Ireland next week for 9 nights. 6 will be in B&Bs and 3 in a hotel. We usually only stay in B&Bs but because it is April and the tourist season isn't in full or even semi-full swing, we got a fair rate. (Will report back later to confirm that statement.)

In all of the B&Bs where we have stayed, we have never yet run into bedbugs. The majority of the homes have been quite nice, and we have met some wonderful owners.

Another vote for Shannon and to stay out of Waterford, not worth going just to see the factory, IMHO.

If the guys are really into golf, you might consider a golf tour company, such as Golf Pac International (www.golfpacinternational.com). We have booked several trips through them, and were were pleased. They will arrange tee times at the best courses, car rental and lodging. They offer hotels in several catagories and locations. You ladies can shop or tour while the guys play! Keep in mind that inexpensive golf in Ireland is a thing of the past, especially if you are playing some of the more famous courses, such as Ballybunion.

Just got back in last nite from Ireland with my husband and 3 kids. We had a great time there. I would suggest sticking to one part of Ireland and really savoring that area. We were homebased out of Belfast and toured around the North Antrim Coast---beautiful. Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, Mussenden Temple. Lots to do and Belfast was great.

However we did drive one day to Clare Co. (yes a long drive) to see the Cliffs of Moher which were spectacular! We stopped at small towns along the way. Even tho' that was a long day, we enjoyed it very much!

The driving for us was not bad at all. We had a GPS and loved the roundabouts and driving on their right side of the road! We didn't rent a huge car as some roads were pretty small!

Everyone we met in Ireland was so friendly! Enjoy!