We will be flying into Dublin on this 12th of Sept., departing Dublin on the 19th of Sept.. There are two others besides myself, my sister and our mother (mom is 81 and just had her hip replaced in April of this year, she gets around just fine though slowing down a bit). We will have two more weeks of vacation in Italy after Ireland. Does anyone have any suggestions on where would be a good place to train to, from Dublin either on the afternoon we arrive or the day after, and stay for four nights. I would like a place that we could take easy side trips from. I like the water (commercial fisherman from Alaska). Quiet and beautiful is more my style. Galway, Connemara, Sligo ? My sister wants to back in Dublin on Sept.17th, so we can sight see there before we leave on Sept. 19th . I know this is last minute, but any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I don't recommend the train for this (too many changes) but in May I spent several nights in Ballina (Mayo) at a B&B called BrigOwn. It's on the river Moy, one of Ireland's premier Salmon fishing spots. Marjorie, B&B Manager / Owner has authored a few cookbooks and has a cooking show on local radio.

I took BusEireann Ballina-Dublin (about 5-hours). http://www.buseireann.ie

50-yards from BrigOwn is Crockett's on the Quay: GuestHouse, Restaurant / Pub. Crockett's had Traditional Irish music Monday nights. Your 81-year old mother prefer an earlier venue: The Merrie Monk's on the Killala road has Trad Irish music sessions Sundays starting around 6:00PM.

From Ballina you can daytrip to Knock Shrine or out to the west coast.

Thank you NEDSIRELAND, I'll look into Ballina.

Killarney is Ireland`s main tourist centre outside Dublin and you can travel there by train in about 3.5 hours.It has magnificent scenery-mountains and lakes- and you can travel much of it by jaunting car if walking is too much

I would also recommend Killarney. check out www.irishrail.ie for direct train. otherwise you would have to change at Mallow which is a bit messy.