Jet lag to Ireland?
 

We are planning a trip to Ireland in spring, 2000. We are flying overnight from Atlanta to Shannon, and arrive there at 8:00am. How much, if any, site seeing should we plan to do that day? And what do you suggest as the maximum to cover in one days travel and site seeing? We're thinking 100 miles per day tops. Thanks for any guidance!

We flew Boston to Shannon in Sept. flight time 5-6 hours. I would imagine Atlanta may be a little longer. Also arrived around 8 AM. For a variety of reasons, we drove for three hours to get to Kenmare. Although it got us where we wanted to be we were very Zombie-like and frankly probably should not have driven the final hour. As you have probably heard the roads are very narrow and twisty, and, for those of us from the US, we're coping with driving on the "wrong" side. <BR> <BR>I would suggest you spend your first night within an hours drive of Shannon (Adare looked lovely). Hopefully, you can check in, take a quick nap or shower and still fit in a few hours of sightseeing. Then a nice dinner, a Guiness or two, a good night's sleep and you'll be fine. i think your plan for no more than 100 miles aday is excllent--- the distances are deceiving (lovely, but deceiving!!) Have a wonderful time

I would not suggest much driving around that first day - jet lag creeps up on you and as the last poster said you can get zombie like. It's unfortunate you are arriving so early in the a.m. but unless you are able to get in a good 5-6 hr. sleep on the plane I'd not start driving about, at least any distance. What with driving on the "wrong side of the road" and jetlag you can easily have an accident or something .. we nearly took out a mailbox in England driving after a 10 hr. flight - never again - it was frightening! Try to get to sleep early that first night and you should be OK after that, don't overdo the driving, 100 miles in the countryside on rural roads may take quite some time.

John, <BR> <BR>We flew from Phila. to Shannon and arrived approx. 8am. Our 1st day destination was Adare which is an easy drive from the airport (Adare is charming, in spite of posts indicating 'just another tourist town'}. Adare is a nice 'entry' to the Ireland experience. The village has a few lovely, historic churches, a nice pub and well-maintained park. When we return, we would go straight to Adare. After much research advising not to drive more than 50-60 miles/day (maximum) our party of 4 drove approximately 100 miles/day. While we did see much of the countryside, most of our 'touring' was from inside our car. In answer to your post, my advice is to drive no more than 50-60 miles/day as the roads are narrow and there really are no highways. Have a wonderful vacation!

All, <BR>Thanks for the response. It really helps in the planning stage to talk with someone who's been there, done that. Elaine, about Adare, where did you stay? We were thinking mostly B&Bs, any advice? Thanks again!

DEFINITELY stay some place close to Shannon the first night. I took the same flight from Atlanta in May a few years ago. You are going to crash in early afternoon. <BR>We did not have reservations except for the flight in to Shannon and out of Gatwick. We stopped at the tourist board in the airport and picked up the free guide books for B&B's and Farm and Breakfasts. The service agent made the first night's reservation for us at a Farm and Breakfast. It was delightful! <BR>The rates are guaranteed, very reasonable, and when you find a host you like, they will make suggestions for other sections of Ireland. <BR>I would strongly recommend one of the castle banquets outside of Shannon. The same company runs all 3, so it doesn't really matter which one you book. Unfortunately, we were only able to book one for the night of our arrival. A short drive to the Farm and Breakfast, a nap and a evenings' entertainment was more than enough for the first day. <BR>There are so many suggestions. My #1 suggestion would be to do the Dingle penisula rather than the Ring of Kerry. In fact, I beleive in picking up the tour companies' brochures to find out where they go and in what direction, to avoid the tour buses (and crowds at the stops) or to at least travel in the opposite direction! <BR>At the 1st nights' castle banquet, I asked returning Americans what they would recommend. They said the highlight was going to the Aran Islands. I had wanted to go, but didn't think we had time. We headed to the ferry the next morning... but it didn't go there on Sundays. We drove around Connemara, following our noses. The highlight of the trip! Connemara ponies wandering in the road, Connemara marble quarries by the roadside. Peat bags partially full in the bogs. Traveling down a small dirt road just as Mass concluded and the entire town spills out of the church and walks home! What a day. The second day we did make it to the Aran Islands. After just 2 days we had experienced the trip of a lifetime and had not traveled an hour from Shannon! <BR>Slow down, see less, follow your noses, stop in pubs, stay in B&B's and experience the magic of Ireland. <BR>But don't miss the Waterford tour - fabulous!

Do this: fly into Shannon, get your rental car, start the chant: Left, Left, Left. You've got to remember that as you drive and pull out into traffic. <BR> <BR>Start your trip with staying in a stately manor: Get reservations for Adare Manor and be sure you can check in early. Drive straight to Adare (30 minutes, you can do it, easy, not too tiring) check in, and go to bed for 3 hours to just get refreshed. Then get up, explore your little town and the area, it is just lovely. We use Adare as our first and last night in Ireland. <BR> <BR>Have stayed in the Manor many times. Love it, feels like home. <BR> <BR>The Manor is on your left as you enter town. Alternately, just on the right is another place to stay, about 1/2 the price, it is also very, very lovely, yellow building, you can email me and I'll look it up. Name has slipped my mind this morning. <BR> <BR>You know, loving the Manor or loving the Bed and Breakfast does depend on the money you are willing to part with and how romantic you are . . . Ireland, to visit, is very romantic, and you should stay in a castle or manor house and just pretend you own it. Part of the castle/manor mystique is to explore the grounds. There's nothing to explore with a B&B, it is just for sleeping/eating the next morning. Okay for a quick sleep if you are rushing around. I prefer comfort. <BR> <BR>Left, Left, Left. If you get confused, just pull off to the side of the road and think about it. You MUST get it figured out before you go into the roundabouts . . . there are some huge ones as you drive, with MANY choices . . . don't be too sleepy/zombielike as you decipher the roundabouts. <BR> <BR>Have a great time. We are going to London/Paris this time at Spring Break instead of Ireland, and I am a little sad about this, missing Ireland.

If you want to use melatonin to reset your body clock (works well - search this site for refs) you will probably have to buy it in the U.S.It is not for sale in most of Europe, not in <BR>the UK, pobably not Eire.

John, <BR> <BR>We stayed at Dunraven Arms in Adare [our first night and last night]. It was wonderful [but so was the price!]. While at Dunraven struck up conversation w/restaurant manager...he and his wife run small b&b in Adare. Believe it is listed in Karen Brown's book. I have no first-hand knowledge of this property, but if you are interested, I'll look it up. When we return, my husband is very definite we stay at Dunraven Arms. <BR>

We were able to travel to Europe a good deal this past year, as we were really having fun for our 25th wedding date. Out of all the places we visited, I would have to say that Ireland was definately the best. To those who went out of Atlanta, which airline did you use? We would like to travel there again in the spring. We usually use Delta. The Irish folks are so very nice and the price of B&B is the same all over the country. You can get a guide at the airport. Love this site. J.Garrison