We are going to be spending a week in Ireland for our honeymoon and then on to a cruise in the Med. Any ideas at all would be greatly appreciated. Love castles and mystery and all that!

Here's a few places to consider: <BR>County Donegal. It's naturally romantic here. Mountains, beaches, enough scenery to numb your eyeballs. Visiting Glenveagh Castle is also a nice way to spend an afternoon. However, you will be traveling in October, and I'm not sure what the weather is normally like then. (Donegal can get some dreary off-season weather, judging from what many locals told me.) <BR>Dingle Peninsula (County Kerry). This too is a beautiful area of Ireland, when the tourists have left. Slea Head is particularly dreamy, and Dingle can be a fun town. <BR>Kilkenny town. This is a great place to relax, stroll, shop, listen to live music. It has a slightly "medieval" feel to it, too (at least to me). And LOTS of pubs. But, depending on what part of Ireland you want to focus on, it could be out of the way. <BR>Galway town. I last time I was in Galway, I swore I'd only return in the WAY off-season months. There were just too many tourists. In October, I'd chance it. Galway can be a lot of fun. <BR>The Burren. This is a karstic region south of Galway town. It's curious, with gentle limestone hills, and can be very mysterious on an overcast day. <BR>Generally, I would say: focus on the western parts of Ireland, and, if there's time, take a jaunt to Kilkenny. <BR>Hope that this helps, and that you get more responses. Wishing you the best! <BR> <BR> <BR>

We were there in November & believe it or not, the weather was great! If you're a history/castle buff, the area near Kilkenny (very medieval) and Tipperary is chock full of goodies. Personally, the best place we visited was Clara Castle outside of Kilkenny. Not in many guidebooks & definatly difficult to find, it's a 15th c tower that is yours to explore alone. Wexford on the east coast is great also. Feel free to email for more info.

MaryBeth <BR>Congratulations on your fort coming marriage, first. Now I would advise contacting the Irish Tourist Board for some details and ask for a copy of the Blue Book. There are lots of beautiful and romantic places to stay and dine in while in Ireland. What are you interested in seeing in Ireland ? Are you hiring a car (nearly essential in Ireland) The weather could be good or bad - it always surprises. Dublin and the sites there are worth a visit - if you are not on a budget then stay at the Shelbourne Hotel on Stephens Green and explore the city from there (and the shops) The south-west coast - Cliffs of Moher are worth a visit as is Northern Ireland. Good day triups out of Dublin to Kilkeeny and other towns in the Midlands. Hope this helps, post if you need more advise or hints and enjoy the planning, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Dear MaryBeth <BR> <BR>The Blue Book is a good recommendation. It depends on your budget. There are some other excellent castle / manor hotels in Ireland. This is a list of my personal favourites (on the South & West Coasts): <BR> <BR>Starting in Cork, drive to Kinsale for dinner and work your way around along the coast to Kenmare in Co. Kerry. There you have a choice of 2 outstanding hotels - the Park and Sheen Falls. The Park is older, Sheen Falls is more modern, with your standard 5 star spa etc. The rooms in both are ver spacious and the service excellent. <BR> <BR>Then head for Dromoland Castle in Co. Clare. Personally, I prefer this to Adare Manor, because I think that the grounds are nicer, the rooms are more elegant and it is less spooky. Moreover, the staff are fantastic and because it is Relais et Chateaux, the food is excellent. Also, it is less than 10 minutes from Shannon Airport, so may be a perfect (and ver romantic way to start your honeymoon.) But be sure to visit Adare though, it is a very pretty villlage. <BR> <BR>Work up the coast to Galway and continue to Co. Mayo. Ashford Castle (the sister hotel of Dromoland) is superb. It is older than DRomoland, and one or 2 of the rooms are smallish, but again you will eb pampered and the food is excellent. <BR> <BR>If you include Dublin, my favourite hotel is the Merrion. Although the Shelbourne is well located etc., I have never had a nice room there. I admit that I have always stayed on cortporate rates, but I have regularly had the pleasure of overlooking the boiler house. The Merrion is also very central and has the little extras like a swimming pool etc. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps - any other questons - feel free to ask ! <BR> <BR>Happy honeymoon ! <BR> <BR>Anna <BR> <BR>

Where can I get the Blue Book?

The Irish Tourist Board. Ask them for recommendations for honeymooners - I think they have a special publication too