Ireland in October
 

We will be in Ireland in early October. What would be the weather like at that time ? Would it be cold and misty ? <BR>We plan to hire a car and drive around Ireland. The brief itinerary is Dublin -Cashel - Waterford - Cork - Kilkenny (2 nights to visit ring of Kerry and Dingle Pensinsula)- Galway (cliffs of Moher)-Dublin. <BR>Any comments on the itinierary ? <BR>We plan to stay B&B, but would like to stay in a castle somewhere for one night. Any suggestion ? And are they very expensive ? <BR>Apart from B&B, do any pubs offer accommodation, what is the standard and cost like ? <BR>In Dublin we plan to stay at Mount Herbert Hotel in Ballsbridge ? Any comments on the hotel ?

Raymond, <BR> <BR>We were in Ireland last October between the 15th to 22... it rained, but what else is new... not too cold. I haven't visited places in your itinerar, can't help there. But I do suggest you try to take a local coach bus at least somewhere in you travels, it's a great chance to meet folks. We stayed at Stauntons on the Green in Dublin and loved it! Have a great time!

Raymond, it's always cold and misty/ rainy in Ireland.. but that is part of it's charm IMHO. In terms of your itinerary, you don't say how much time you have at each location..keep in mind when driving in Ireland.. and I have driven from side to side and top to bottom, what looks like a terribly short distance may take hours and hours on little twisting roads when you are stuck behind a very SLOW moving truck or caravan. As for the direction you are travelling my husband and I did nearly the same trip in 1997. I don't have any specific hotels or B and B's to recommend, though I have stayed in many, I usually go to the tourist info booth and have them ring a B & B for us. Have yet to be dissapointed. In terms of pubs, usually Bed and Breakfasts don't have pubs attached, however many hotels do. They usually will state if they have a pub downstairs with music or whatever. As far as Ballsbridge goes.. and I am not 100% sure of this... I think it's a bit away from city center... but I know the prices reflect that. Have a lovely time and really enjoy yourself. <BR>

Two great B&B's - The Captain's House in Dingle (perfect location for shopping and touring Dingle; check out Doyle's restaurant nearby), and the Moorings in Portmagee on the Ring of Kerry. Quiet little town, not much to it, but the B&B, its restaurant, the Bridge Bar and a local bakery/pastry shop are worth the trip. There is also a heritage center near the bridge from Portmagee to Valentia Island and a boat to the Skelligs. You can book the B&B's on line.

Raymond, <BR> <BR>As people said the weather will be mild with temps in the mid 50's during the day with the alway's chance of showers. <BR> <BR>I think you meant Killarney, vice Kilkenny, which is close to Dingle and the ring of Kerry. Also I'd stay in Kinsale vice Cork for the ocean views and the gourmet capital of Ireland. I would save a night by staying in only Cashel or Waterford (and hit one of them on the drive to Kinsale) and add another night in the Galway area. <BR> <BR>Enjoy

I went to Ireland twice in Novemeber and had great weather both times. One day of rain in 12 days. Weather in the 50s and breezy but some days of total sun. Hope you get the same. <BR> <BR>One word of caution on the itinerary: it takes a LOT longer than you think to get from one place to the next, especially in the West. I made that mistake and we spent every day, all day, in the car. Suggest you cut the locations in half and enjoy the days. If you can, see Kinsale.

Raymond, <BR> <BR>I traveled through Ireland in mid-October and it was a 50/50 mixture of sunshine and rain. Just be sure to wear warm clothes (would you wear shorts and a t-shirt in October in the US?) and pack a rain coat and umbrella. Also, taking two days to see the Ring of Kerry is a good idea -- just be sure to bring plenty of film for your camera :)

Raymond, <BR> <BR>Spent time in Ireland in Sept. Weather was nice mid-60's most days, one day of rain. I noticed there didn't seem to be the big swings in temps at night. I'm from New England and days can be 70's with a night time temp in the 50's. Agree with others - it takes a lot longer to drive anyplace in Ireland. We kept ourselves in the southwest arriving in Shannon. I'd suggest staying for 2 nights more places. That will eliminate the driving all day and just getting someplace to sleep and then driving the next day. <BR> <BR>I can recommend a wonderful castle that is very reasonable. Most that we checked into cost between $200-300 US per night. If do go to Galway you should stay at Cregg Castle which is 9 miles north of Galway. Their website is indigo.ie/~creggcas. It's a castle that is run as a B&B. The hosts Anne Marie & her husband are musicians and have musical evenings by the fireside. We loved our stay there. The price I remember is 25 to 35 Irish pounds per person. <BR> <BR>Contact the Irish Tourist board and they will send you lots of books with lists of B&B's and maps. If you rent a car you should think about getting an automatic shift. Driving on the left and shifting are hard to do. It was worth the extra $. <BR> <BR>You'll love Ireland.

Your trip will be great. If you need to cut your itinerary, I'd cut Waterford. It was a disappointment. The best castle we stayed at was Castle Leslie in Monaghan. It was a bit out of the way, but you could do it on your way back to Dublin. Check out their website. It has tons of character and was a wonderful place to stay. Some of the castles are very elegant (requiring coat and tie to dinner) which is not how what we wanted. Castle Leslie was more casual and a place that I would love to go back to. Good luck. You'll have a great trip.