Message: I am looking for free advice. We are traveling to Ireland for the first time in October, two couples, related by marriage, we are all well-traveled in our 50s and 60s. We land in Shannon, have rooms at Dunraven Arms for the first night and then open Town and Country B&B vouchers for the next seven nights before flying out of Dublin. We like history, architecture, castles, art, gardens, pubs and want to have a relaxed pace. We have learned we cannot see it all the first time. Where would you go, where would you stay and what would you avoid? Thanks for any input and Go Pats!!

I'm sorry I can't be of help as I haven't been to Ireland in years. However, I notice you haven't gotten any responses yet. You might try posting with a title such as "Help With Trip to Ireland" and you'll be likely to get more assistance. Good luck!

Hey Go SOX
I noticed in your other post someone told you you didn't have to post twice. To avoid this and for searching for Ireland advice try this: Click talk/Europe then when Creating a new message use the search function"Pick a topic of interest" hit Ireland and then create your message-Then when looking for your responses just click on Talk/Europe/Ireland-worked well for me when planning. you can respond directly from there.
Since you are flying into Shannon-do travel to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren-35-45 min from Airport-these are two drastically different scenery spots. I'm not sure what direstions you want to go in but we enjoyed the SOuth and Southwest/ Conemare regions the most. While traveling around the outskirts of the Dublin area we enjoyed Powerscourt(old manor house and BEAUTIFUL gardens and the town of Glendelough (sorry for spelling) there are ancient monastic ruins that are very interesting and eerily beautiful.

Yes, better to post the country you are visiting for the first time. You can also check archives for past postings, and there are many, on Ireland. Anyway, we were there several years ago with another older couple, for an Elderhostel program and on our own, starting in Dublin area and then over to Limerick area.

Indeed lots of scenery, castles, history, etc...really hard to know what to recommend. Plus of course the trad Irish music in pubs. All a matter of planning which is half the fun! Last year I read (finally) Joyce's "Ulysses" with the aid of a commentary. So enjoy your planning and preparation.

Bill in Missouri [email protected]

for what you are looking for, I would suggest...
don't miss the Cliffs of Moher (I wasn't thrilled with the Burren)
3 nights in Dingle (good pubs, history-slea head drive, and a day trip to Killarney National Park-Muckross House/Abbey and Ross Castle)
1 night in Cashel-stop at Cahir castle ,Swiss Cottage, and Rock of Cashel
3 nights outside of Dublin-stop at Kilkenny Castle and Jerpoint Abbey on the way. pos. day trips- Glendelough and Powerscourt, Newgrange/Knowth (could also see Hill of Tara, Monastaboice, and Mellifont(sp?) Abbey, and a day into Dublin to view Book of Kells, Kilmainham(sp?) jail, pub crawl, city tour of other historic sights.
We really enjoyed all of these sights on our trip....tip-get the heritage card if you are going to most of the places

here are links to two of your other postings. You can also always click on your own name to find them.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34559728

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34559714