A friend and I are taking our first trip to <BR>Ireland the last 2 weeks in September of this <BR>year and decided to go the tour route our first time. It will be a 13 day trip thru <BR>Brendan Tours. Does anyone have any info to <BR>share having been on one of their tours? Thanks for any info regarding what to expect <BR>weatherwise at this time of year would also <BR>be appreciated.

A friend and I are also taking our first trip to Ireland. We leave on August 28 and return September 10, also on Brendan Tours. I am so excited. Maybe we will be on the same tour. We arrive in Shannon and tour the edges of the island. Hope to hear from you.

Hi there, <BR> <BR>Suffice to say, tourists don't come to Ireland for the weather!!! I live here and it's been pretty bizarre the last couple of weeks - a week of sunshine (which meant highs of 26 degrees celcius - a heatwave to us) and in the last week, there was torrential rain!!! <BR> <BR>So, I'd recommend layers, layers, layers. The weather will change from day to day, some rain, some sun. So bring a weatherproof jacket and a good sense of humour about the whole climate!! <BR> <BR>Enjoy yourselves

Fiona, Thanks for your response. Really appreciate your comments about the weather. Am packing my suitcase as I write and have taken your advice about layering. I think I am so excited about seeing the country that I won't mind if it is hot or wet - it will be beautiful. Would you mind sharing where you live? It would be nice to meet someone. Thanks again for your advice.

A friend and I are also taking a tour for the first time, in October. We chose the CIE tour group. Has anyone had any experience with them? Also, we would like to do High-Tea while in Dublin, any good suggestions on where to go?

Thanks to both Dottie and Fiona for your <BR>responses. I'm packing light and definitely layering. I'm with Dottie as I doubt I will have any problem with the <BR>weather as I will be fulfilling my lifelong dream and will love it no matter what. Thanks again!!!

My mom and I did the same thing about 5 years ago. It was our first European trips and we didn't want to hassle with not knowing where to go/what to do and a tour was a good idea for us. We took American Express because there was a particular place they went, but all the operators pretty much take similar circular routes around the island. We saw Brendan, Globus, and some other companies along the way. Brendan is a reputable company, they seemed to do a medium priced tour, staying at good, but not the best hotels. I think you'll be satisfied. <BR> <BR>About CIE: it's the national bus company in Ireland. I got hooked up with them because I live close to where their office in the US is and my travel agent recommended them for a short trip in Scotland. The hotels were just fine, but they seem to be offer a good price by having the driver be the guide. Now perhaps this is only on their short tours. (my Scotland tour was only 4 days) In any case, our driver was every bit a tour guide as a separte would have been and made a great trip. I can see though if you got someone more driver than guide you might be a little let down. You might ask CIE what the situation is and how they qualify the driver/guides. The good companies make them pass tests so you get someone knowledgeable. If the drivers are tested the same way, you'll have no problems. <BR> <BR>