Ireland Christmas 2006 - Itinerary Help Needed!
 

Hello Fodorites,

A friend and myself (2 guys around 30ish) bought air tickets to Dublin over the Christmas holiday (next Sunday!!!). We're going to be there for 7 days and hope to travel around a bit, driving around (as buses/trains are not running on Christmas day!)

After reading all the helpful posts here, I've planned a crazily tight itinerary for that week, could you please help to critique and make some suggestions!

First off, I know everyone will say cut reduce the number of places to travel to, but that's really difficult for now! :(

********************************
24 Dec
- 11:20am Arrive at Dublin, take bus into city, check into hotel, join festive mood, have a countdown party at Temple Bar
- Overnight stay in Dublin

25 Dec
- Morning: Breakfast and walk around Dublin
Noon: Pick up rental car (Dan Dooley's website is the only one that seems open on that day). Drive to Galway
Night: Dinner and explore Galway
- Overnight stay in Galway

26 Dec
- Day trip: drive around Connemara
- Overnight stay in Galway

27 Dec
- Drive to Killarney, stopping by Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty
- Evening: arrive at Killarney, dinner
- Overnight stay in Killarney

28 Dec
- Explore Killarney
- Drive back to Dublin
- Overnight stay in Dublin

29 Dec
- Explore Dublin
- Overnight stay in Dublin

30 Dec
- 12:20 Fly out of Dublin
********************************

At the moment, I have not booked any B&Bs yet. So I appreciate any comments/critiques, suggestions of where to stay, where to eat.

Please please please let there be some kind soul who reads my message and posts some reply. Please e-mail me directly at [email protected] if you can!

Generally, emailing response means that nobody can see what others have said and nobody can learn from others posts, so I'll leave my post here.

I've never been in Ireland over the Holidays but, you are right, most things will be shut down on Christmas day. It would serve you well to pick up some snacks on Christmas Eve so you have something in the car for travel days.

Generally a few things. You will have very short days this time of year. Sunrise is at 8:47, sunset is at 4:25 on Christmas day on the west coast. A good percentage of B&Bs are closed that week, so I would make reservations before you go instead of trying to drive around and find one open. Finding dinner on Christmas night will generally be at hotels and tend to be expensive. You might even want to make reservations before you leave. Also generally, it seems like a lot of driving for 2-3 days on the west coast (basically, 26-27). There's a Christmas Eve countdown party in Dublin? Seems weird.

Specifics: Again, I haven't been there on Christmas Day, but my guess is that Galway will generally be closed down as will Dublin in the morning. You will be walking some pretty quiet streets. The drive to Galway should be quick by Irish standards because traffic should be very light, though if this is your first day driving on theleft in your life, you'll have some fun getting out of Dublin. Figure 4 hours, 3.5 if you are used to driving on the left. 3 at a minimum.

26th is a good day but many places may still be closed if you are looking for food.

The 27th is a full day because of the limited light. You will probably get to Killarney well after dark.

28th: I'm not sure that there is a great deal to explore in Killarney, but there are days worth of explorations outside the town. This would be one of the times that you could actually drive the Gap of Dunloe. Usually, car travel is highly discouraged. The road is not particularly good but it should be pretty deserted. Drive time to Dublin should be 5-6 hours depending on skills. It could certainly take longer especially with stops.

Get rid of the car when you get back to Dublin. You won't need or want it. Those last couple of days in Dublin should be fun.

We have a number of locals to Dublin who can give you much more info. Hopefully they will jump in.

Bill

Are you serious?

1. Have you verified that you can pick up a car on Christmas day? Christmas eve is possible.
2. Have you found accommodation in Galway or Killarney? Most B&Bs are small family businesses, and will be closed at Christmas. Hotels sell Christmas packages, typically for three days or more, at exorbitant rates.
3. Tourism for scenery on the shortest days of the year, with a good chance of bad weather, is not a good idea.

Bring sleeping bags and a thermos; hire a large car with good reclining seats. Or change your programme.

I would suggest reservations. For at least the first night in Dublin and the last night before you fly home.
You may have a problem and at least these two important days are covered.
A lot of places will be closed for the holiday.

You won't get much exploring done in Dublin or Galway on Christmas day. Everything - and I mean everything - will be shut!

You could go to a Christmas Day service in Christchurch Cathedral, and perhaps go out to the 40ft (south of Dun Laoghaire) to watch the swimmers (yes - in the sea!!) but other than that there will be nothing to do on Christmas day!

Thanks guys.

First, the car rental - I checked and Padraig is absolutely right: the Car Rentals are not available on 25th Dec!

So I managed to make bookings now with Budget to collect the car upon arrival at the airport instead, and drive into town. With that settled now, I'm off to search for hotels.

wojazz3/Bill: 1, Good point that we should not e-mail response but rather, post them here! :)
2, Not sure about the Christmas countdown party, was just hoping for it...
3, Fortunately, driving on the left isn't a problem as I used to live in Singapore - but weather conditions plus a friend mentioned "black ice" -- that sounds scary!!!

Padraig: you're right that it's a bad idea to do tourism this time of the year, but I'm kinda stuck with this place now, and just trying to make the most of it!

Hotel Search
=============
I need 24th, 28th and 29th in Dublin, 25th and 26th in Galway, 27th in Killarney. Any recommendations?

Connemara Drive on 26th
========================
Any recommendations on the route?

Thanks, everyone!

The weather is pretty mild here at the moment so you shouldn't get any black ice. That's more common in Jan/Feb.

What kind of budget do you have for hotels?

oh - Dublin on Christmas Eve is usually good fun. The shops start closing at about 3pm and the pubs start filling up. It's much quieter than a normal night out in Dublin though as our country cousins have gone "back home" to their families, so it's only the true Dubliners left. So, because of that, I'd say Temple Bar may be pretty quiet. You might be better trying the pubs around Grafton Street - Keoghs, The Duke, etc are always packed and great fun!

hiya cailin,

Thanks for the tip on what to do Christmas eve, will check out those pubs you mentioned.

For the hotel: "as cheap as possible" would fit. We're just two guys, so just need a proper room with bed and heating.

For Dublin, I'm looking at Anchor Guest House (www.anchorguesthouse.com), gonna phone them up to check the rates!

Now left with Galway and Killarney accomodations, and planning the Connemara drive!

Hi all,
Sorry for a stupid question: but are there gas stations available along the routes I drive? Do they accept credit cards and are they open over this period that I'll be there?

As someone else said, I think it would be unlikely that you could find a guest house for Christmas Eve / Day - as these are family run businesses and are peoples homes, so it's unlikely they would want strangers there on Christmas day. For budget hotels, you could try Jury's Inn at Christchurch - it's central and so you will find it easy to get around. Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge is also pretty reasonable, but it's further out and you may have difficulty getting transport - particularly on Christmas day.

There will be petrol stations on all your routes. You will find petrol stations open on Christmas Day, but I would imagine most will close that afternoon - so fill up before you leave Dublin. Yes, all petrol stations will accept credit cards.

It's good that you got the car sorted. Now let's address your itinerary. I suggest that you start by scrapping your first draft.

The big problem is going to be accommodation. The chances of your being able to check in anywhere on Christmas Day are small, so I think you should work your programme on the basis of where you can find beds. In addition, very few catering establishments will be open on Christmas day. My suggestion is that you take the hit, and book into a hotel for their Christmas package (min 2 nights, with Christmas dinner and other stuff included, and not very cheap). I looked at a newspaper, and there are a few still being advertised, but not in your target areas. Can you make it to Galway on the day you arrive? The would be dependent on a morning arrival and your not being jet-lagged. Three hours driving in perfect conditions, more likely four and a half. That might be the best way to save your proposed programme.

Don't waste a minute, I urge you. Contact Galway Tourist Office by phone and throw yourself on their mercy. See http://www.irelandwest.ie/content.asp?id=261

If you think you need to stay in Dublin then go to http://www.visitdublin.ie/ and ask them to rescue you. I do mean "rescue"; you have put yourselves into a challenging situation.

Fun on Christmas Eve is the least of your problems. Wherever you are, go into the nearest pub and the place will be heaving. If you drink, please don't drive afterwards (especially in Dublin, as I might be on the road).

Accommodation after the 27th is not such an acute problem, so that can wait.

Get beds, and come back to discuss your programme.

Hi Padraig,

i managed to book Claddagh Hostel at Galway for the nights of 25th and 26th! So looks like I can keep my original plan. Now only to book the hotels for the other nights!

Will keep you updated

Isaacs Hostel in Dublin has dorm rooms available on the 24th - it seems to get good reviews on Trip Advisor and the location is good - between Christchurch Cathedral and Temple Bar, and only a short walk to Grafton Street.

If I can be of any more help, just shout! Hope you have a fun trip - it's a nice time of year to visit as the atmosphere should be good!

hiya cailin,

thanks for the help, but Isaacs Hostel does have some pretty bad reviews on Tripadvisor actually.

Can you help recommend a hotel in Killarney on the 27th night? I researched in this Forum and just e-mailed Killarney Lodge (www.killarneylodge.net). Dialled their number but couldn't get them on the line, wonder if they are closed... :(

actually, I was mistaken by Isaac's location - I thought it was at the top of Dame Street. There is another hostel at the top of Dame Street that would be a better location. I'll see if I can find the name of it for you.

Sorry, the one I was thinking of was Kinlay House - www.kinlaydublin.ie

I just saw this in today's Irish Times -
---
How's this for an alternative Christmas Day? Head to Dingle, Co Kerry, for a swim in the wild Atlantic followed by canapés and mulled wine on the beach before enjoying a day trip around Slea Head and sitting down to a sumptuous Christmas banquet with all the other backpackers in the Randy Leprechaun (ooer!).

It's a bargain, too. Paddywagon tours is offering a two-night Christmas special with hostel accommodation and all the activities listed above for just €145 www.paddywagontours.com.
---
Very good value and you'll have a lot of fun as well. As all of Ireland closes down for Christmas you might consider it.

Hi ter2000,
Nice idea, but I'm not so crazy about swimming in the wild Atlantic in December! :) But the price is looking really good.

Hi cailin,
My travelling partner (he's not reading this forum) just booked us into this Kingfisher Guesthouse (www.kingfisherdublin.com) for the night of 24th. Location is 166 Parnell Street, is that downtown and easy to walk over to those Grafton Street pubs you mentioned?

So now, I'm covered for hotels from 24th till 26th, as Padraig said, the most critical period of my stay there.

For 27th (Killarney), I'm waiting for the reply from Killarney Lodge, and then for 28th and 29th (back in Dublin), 1st choice is Anchor Guest House; 2nd choice is a toss-up between Barnacles and Kinlay House which cailin recommended...

This last minute planning is killing me! I'm having travel planning fatigue... from reading so many reviews and trying to make so many phone calls all over the place, but glad you guys/girls are so helpful!!!

Whoopsa, Kinlay House is not available on 29th Dec, so that eliminates that. Anchor Guest House is really not answering my phone calls, nor my e-mail. I want to get this over with, so I might just book with Barnacles...!

Besides all the other issues on your plate - do the 2 of you know how short the days are?? You are not going to have hours and hours of daylight to do much touring.

janisj - Painfully aware of it. :(
I'm actually living in Germany, so I see the short days here too.

We'd have to SOMEHOW get up before sunrise, grab a coffee and start our journey. I'm hoping to land a good cheap room back in Dublin on the last 2 days, coz I'm sure I'm gonna need a good rest after all that rushing about.

You have done well so far: car organised, and the first three nights booked. What about eating on Christmas Day? Maybe you should ask the folks at the Claddagh Hostel for advice.

I think your friend did well on accommodation for your first night. It's north inner city, only about 800m. from O'Connell Bridge, arguably the centre of the city. Another 800m. gets you to Grafton Street, the area cailin suggests (and I agree with her). There are some social problems in the area around Parnell Street, mostly drug-related, so don't go wandering around randomly; get advice from the people at Kingfisher, who will know the ground. I presume that you are streetwise.

Have you thought about where you will park the car? Secure parking in the city centre is an issue. Again, ask the people at Kingfisher.

Connemara: what can I say? Perhaps my favourite place on earth. Start before full daylight, because the best stuff is about an hour out of Galway. If it is frosty and the road might be slippery, take the coast road, which will be less affected. Sigposting will be in Gaelic for some of the route, so if you have a map it might seem confusing. Go An Spideal, Indreabhain, Casla, Cill Chiarain, Carna, Roundstone. You will want to stop from time to time, especially if you want to take photographs. See if you can find lunch at Roundstone -- there are good eateries there, but they might not be open. It's a lovely spot. Then via Ballyconeely to Clifden. If you haven't found lunch and Roundstone, you might find something at Clifden. Check the time and daylight. You will have driven about 100 km, and the direct route back to Galway from Clifden is about 80 km, and it's a scenci route. If you are doing very well, you can take the longer and more scenic route via Letterfrack, Leenane, Maam, Maam Cross, and rejoin the Clifden-Galway road there.

Most Irish pubs and restaurants are closed on St. Stephen's Day (we don't call it Boxing Day here). It might be advisable to carry a backup supply of food and drink in the car just in case.

Killarney Lodge is closed. Go to www.irelandhotels.com and choose something else.

Wow Padraig, thanks for such great comments again! I'm gonna follow the path you suggested for the Connemara drive.

Update: I've (finally!!!) booked Railway Hostel in Killarney for 27th, so I only have 2 nights of hotel left open now (28th and 29th in Dublin).

For some reason almost all hostels are available on 28th but not the 29th. Is 29th a special day in Ireland too, why is it all sold out???

I'm a bit disgruntled that my friend did so well in booking the Kingfisher place... as he basically spent about total of 2 hours on it, and I've spent countless hours since yesterday! Bah - beginner's luck (... and sour grape, haha)...

IrishEyes - thanks for the tip! I've booked Railway Hostel in Killarney already.

Now just searching for my final two nights in Dublin -- on 28th and 29th. I'm determined to do it before the end of today, as I don't want to spend another day tomorrow on this! **determined**

Check out this site... seems these hotels are available on the 28 and the 29th http://tinyurl.com/y3wr8t Good luck! Sounds like a spur-of-the-moment, fun trip!

michelleNYC - you saved my life!!!

I went to that link you gave me, and the first hotel was Cassidys Hotel which has excellent reviews on Traveladvisor.com. Whipped out my credit card, made a booking, and I have a hotel! Now, it is finally finished!!! Wheeeee... going to post my revised itinerary right now...

Have a pint in my honor on Christmas Eve! ;)

Hi Fodorites,

Finally after endless hours of work, here is my hammered-out itinerary. As you all helped me so much to fine-tune it, I feel that I owe it to you all to post this. Appreciate any further comments!

********************************
24 Dec
- 11:20am Arrive at Dublin airport, pick up Budget rental car at airport at 13:00, drive into city, check into hotel, join festive mood, look for a pub in Grafton Street (thanks, cailin!)
- Overnight: stay at The Kingfisher Apartments, 166 Parnell Road

25 Dec
- Morning: Breakfast, start drive to Galway
- Noon: Arrive at Galway, check into hostel
- Overnight: stay at Claddagh Hostel

26 Dec
- Day trip: drive around Connemara (according to Padraig's route recommendation)
- Overnight: stay at Claddagh Hostel

27 Dec
- Early Morning: Start drive to Killarney, stopping by Cliffs of Moher
- Noon: arrive at Killarney
- Afternoon: Drive to Gap of Dunlow
- Overnight: stay in Railway Hostel

28 Dec
- Morning: Breakfast, drive back to Dublin Airport to return car by 13:00!
- Afternoon: Take bus into Dublin city, check into hotel
- Overnight: stay in Cassidys Hotel (thanks to michelleNYC!!!)

29 Dec
- Explore Dublin
- Overnight: stay in Cassidys Hotel (thanks to michelleNYC!!!)

30 Dec
- Morning: Breakfast, then take bus to Dublin airport
- 12:20 Fly out of Dublin
********************************

I feel more settled now, and can rest better for the next few days... hopefully...

Thanks everyone!

As a matter of Interest, Cassidy's Hotel is about 100m from the Kingfisher! It will be familiar ground.

If your budget can take it, the best eatery in Dublin (Chapter 1) is less than 100m away, but you will need to book. If you expect to have spent most of your money by then, Cassidy's is very good for food at mid-market prices. I use it for the pre-theatre dinner when I go to the Gate Theatre, which is directly opposite.

It looks like your package is coming together well.

We (well, I can speak only for myself, really) will expect a trip report.

michellenyc - a pint in your honour will certainly be drunk on Christmas Eve, mark my words!!!

Padraig - a trip report, certainly! I owe it to all of you! Wow, Cassidy's Hotel is really near to Kingfisher... and Cassidy's looks much better too - I did a quick check already if they're available on 24th, but unfortunately not

So with that, only thing that remains are:
- buy a Michelin Road Map when I arrive at Dublin airport
- print out all material
- pack my bags... did I miss anything? :)
- pack my camera and a journal for writing

I've a 2001 edition of Lonely Planet Ireland, and photocopies of Ireland section from 2005 edition Lonely Planet Western Europe. That should do it!

Did I miss anything??? :)

You have a great attitude and I wish you a wonderful trip!

- Michelle

Pack a washcloth if you use one. Many places in Ireland do not supply them. Take plenty of film or memory for your camera. Take a electricity converter if you have that type of stuff. Most of all, have fun!

Sorry, I'd gone home by the time you posted again yesterday, but I think Padraig answered your questions. Parnell Street isn't the most salubrious of areas, but with a limited budget you don't have a huge amount of choice at this time of year. However, just keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.

I can second the recommendation for Chapter One - gorgeous food if your budget can stretch to it.

Have a fantastic trip. Might see you in Kehoe's on Christmas Eve!!

I look forward to the report.

IrishEyes, michelleNYC - thanks!

cailin - how shall I find you in Kehoe's? :) I found the pub on google, it looks like a cool place to hang out on 24th! Hopefully after that, it's not too far to walk back to Parnell Street!

I'll be the drunk one with a bunch of friends! (so that makes me different from everyone else in the pub..how?!).

It's only about a 20 minute stroll from South Anne Street to Parnell Street. After a few drinks you won't notice the cold!

cailin, you'll know Why8 and his friend. They will be in holiday attire (loud print short-sleeved shirts, bermudas, sunhats, and sandals) and clutching a sheaf of printouts from this forum. Probably looking a little lost. Say hi for me.

It's a 20 minute walk back to Parnell Street, but staggering or crawling takes a bit longer.

Padraig - AND camera! don't forget the camera! hehehe... :P

cailin - seriously, could you drop me an e-mail (e-mail address on my 1st post up there), and I'll really look for you that night, AND buy you a beer!

20 minutes walk, can I make it??? I could threaten to drive, then boy, we'd be in trouble... :P

PLEASE be careful in Parnell St and its environs. As another poster said, it's a rough area, and around Christmas time it could be even dodgier (26th December and afterwards are literally the worst times of the year for muggings and other crimes in Dublin). Keep your wits about you, and if you must get drunk then consider a taxi back to your hotel.