Ireland escorted motorcoach tour
 

Hello. My wife and I are planning on going to Ireland in October. It's our first trip so we were going to take an escorted motorcoach tour. Any comments:

1. Is one tour the same as another? Is there a difference between CIE, Globus and Brendan?

2. What is the general age of people that take these tours?

3. Are there any castles within 30 minutes of Dublin?

I had posted this under "October trip" and someone was kind enough to say that that wasn't specific enough. So I am trying this way. Thanks in advance.

Unless you are over the age of 75, I highly recommend that you and your wife try a self drive tour of Ireland. It's the preferred way to travel for most of us Irish lovers if only for the reason that you have more time to go where you like and not be set to someone else's schedule. October will have few other tourists, you will have your pick of nice B&Bs and automatic cars to rent. I strongly suggest that you consider it.

From what I've read, there's not a lot of difference in the tour companies but more in which tours you take. Some are more specialized (like "Castles of Ireland" or "It's All About Golf") while others are more general, taking you all over the island to visit the main sights. My understanding is that folks who go on the tours are usually older (60s?) though the range can be anywhere from 18 on up. I can't say that I personally have read about one established company that "sucked" or was "amazing" over another.

If you type in a name (like CIE) into the Search box then highlight IRELAND you will come up with threads related to those companies. Hopefully you can narrow down your reading by what the titles say (like: "Anyone love/hate CIE Tours in Ireland?") Thus the preference for detailed titles! :D

As for castles, there are quite a few that have already been mentioned. My personal favorite is Trim though I suspect the open hours will be reduced to 'weekends only' by October. Better double check with a phone call at least. Kilkea Castle is a hotel and in nearby Kildare about 30 minutes outside Dublin. Are you looking for ones to visit or to stay at?

Good luck! You will love Ireland.

Cheers,

Wendy

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CIE is the company that runs the train and bus system in Ireland. They also operate popular tours. You will see younger people on tours, but as was pointed out, generally it is an older crowd. As Wendy was saying, each tour within a company has a different focus.

Most people here would suggest the self drive because this sight is frequented by avid travelers. There are certainly pluses and minuses to escorted tours, too numerous to mention here.

While I like to recommend self drive, I also realize that if you are deathly afraid of driving in Ireland, it is probably best that you take a tour, for both your safety and the safety of others.

Dublin Castle is right in the city center, Malahide is not far off. Clontarf Castle is now a four star hotel. Drimnagh Castle and Killyleagh are also in the Dublin area. Slightly further afield are Slane and Trim Castles. I'm sure there are more. Do a google search on any of these and you should find lots of info.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Globus and Brendan are very similar, as far as I know. I haven't been on a CIE tour, but I have heard very good things about their tours of Ireland. I think the average age on these tours is probably in the 60s.

I believe that the average age is about 160 (ok, that may be the average blood pressure, but you get the point).

I have no problem with the age of the tours... my issue is that groups can only go to certain places, eat in certain eateries, stay in certain places because they have to be able to accomodate a large group.

I'd highly recommend renting a car and exploring on your own.

At this late date you would be well advised to make up your mind and reserve a tour.

For a good list of available tours visit:

www.shamrock.org

I'm sure you'll find one that suits you.

Cheers,

Wendy

[email protected]

You might also try Pat at irelandexpert.com -- I have found her to be very helpful
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