Just returned 17 days (complete trip)
 

Just Returned Ireland 17 days May 04 (complete trip)

My husband and I spent 17 wonderful days in Ireland. Not one bit of rain. I want to share my trip with you because I got such wonderful information from your web site.

1st I like to give you some hints I learned from reading the internet

I found this information in a magazine. Heritage Island Explorer www.heritageisland.com
e mail: [email protected] Visitor Attractions in all parts of Ireland. Display coupon and receive reduced admission to attractions. We got quite a few 2 for 1 admissions with this coupon

1st day ? Arrived in Shannon 8:15 am and went immediately to Dan Dooly car rental to pick up Ford Fiesta. We were satisfied with price for rental and the way we were treated. We went thru Ennis to the Cliffs of Moher (clear and beautiful day) for the 1st nite in Doolin. We stayed at Atlantic Sunset House, www.atlanticsunsetdoolin.com and we ate at Cullinans www.cullinansdoolin.com/Restaurant-1.htm (early bird menu) and we were happy with both our choices. We wanted to hear music at McDermotts but we were too tired to stay. Music does not start until 9:30 pm. Also, in May, daylight until 9:00 pm or later.

2nd day ? Left early after a nice breakfast for Galway. We stopped at Ballynalackan House (now a hotel) Doolin Craft Gallery (nice things to buy) and stayed at Four Seasons B & B on College Rd. www.galway.net/pages/fourseasons Eddie Fitzgerald (owner) very friendly and helpful. He recommended eating at Pierres www.pierresrestaurant.com and we were happy we did. Great mussels appetizer and a wonderful pork medallions main course. They have prix fixe menu. Galway Irish Heritage Center has a tour and crystal for sale. Check out the seconds sale area.

3rd & 4th day ? Breakfast and on to Bunratty thru Ennis ? Athenry Castle ? King John?s Castle sightseeing along the way. We purchased the Heritage Card before we left the USA. Senior citizen rate. This way we were able to see what we wanted to see and we mapped it out on the internet before we left. www.aa.com. We knew how many hours it would take to get from point 1 to point 2 and how many miles we needed to cover. The M roads are like our highways, the R roads are single traffic each way, twisty and turns and the undisclosed roads are 1 car wide, twisty and turny and sometimes scary if someone is coming from the other direction and driving too fast. We stayed at Headley Court in Bunratty Kathleen Browne e-mail [email protected]. We loved it. Beautiful rooms and large sitting room for guests. We went to Bunratty Castle for tour. Shopped at Woolen Mills and then returned for medieval dinner. Met nice people and had a good time.

5th & 6th day ? Breakfast on to Dingle ? stayed at Greenmount House www.greenmounthouse.com John Curran ? the best breakfast on the trip ? nice rooms and big sitting room for guests. We met 2 couples from California and really enjoyed their company. They were going to some of the same areas and we met them along the way. Everyone is so friendly in Ireland. Get Rick Steves tour by car off the internet. It gives exact directions on what to see during your drive on Dingle Peninsula. Stop at Louis Mellchy?s pottery www.louismulcahy.com good prices 15% cheaper than stores. It?s on Rick Steve?s drive. We ate at Lord Baker?s on Main Street. www.lordbakers.ie They have an early bird menu and we were happy with prices and choices.

7th & 8th day ? Breakfast and on to Kenmare ? stayed at Harbour View Castletownbere Haven Road e-mail [email protected] web: www.kenmare.com/harbourview Ate at Davitts on Henry St., Packie?s on Henry St. and my favorite place was Jam?s Bakery 6 Henry St. for desserts. You can eat in or pack it up and take it back to the B & B. Every B & B we stayed in had a pot for heating up water, tea bags or instant coffee, cups and saucers and spoons. To save a few euros we had dessert back at the B & B. I had my 1st taste of banoffee pie (banana toffee and chocolate shavings on graham cracker crust) delicious! from Jam?s bakery.
Sightseeing was the Beara Peninsula ? Healey?s Pass ? we had a clear day so we got great view from the top. Definitely worth the trip.

9th & 10th day ? Breakfast and on to Kinsale ? stayed at Chephas House e-mail [email protected] I asked for room with balcony and that?s what I got. You overlook the harbour and get to watch the boats. We even had dessert sitting on the balcony. Lovely.
Must eat at Fish Fishy Café. Recommended by Rick Steves and it is a winner. Had a beautiful cold seafood platter. Everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Not open for dinner. Only open for lunch. Also recommend Max?s Wine Bar and Little Skillet, both on Main St.
Sightseeing ? Don Heriliny Town Walk 11:15 am meet at Tourist Information Center. There is a charge and when we were there it was 6 euros. Charles Fort and Desmond Castle, both interesting tours. Also if you are interested, you can keep in touch with home on Internet. Kinsale has at least 2 sights. 1 is Finishing Service on 71 Main St. They also have a launderette on Pearce Street

The markets offer very good fruit, produce and sandwiches. Try Spar/Centra/Londis. We brought back cookies chocolate covered Mcvities Hobnobs and caramel Mcvities. Also jams and marmalades from Ireland.

If you want to bring back Aran sweaters check prices on internet www.blarneywoolenmills.ie

In the pubs, if you don?t want beer or liquor they do not make you feel uncomfortable. I ordered Coke and felt very comfortable. There is absolutely no smoking in the restaurants and pubs. If you are interested there is a musical pub crawl in Dublin www.discoverDublin.ie

11th day ? Breakfast and on to Cashel ? stayed at Rockside House [email protected] at the foot of Rock of Cashel. On the Way to Cashel we toured Cahir Castle ? absolutely a must. We had the best tour guide there. She was very informative. We had dinner at Pasta Milano?s on Ladyswell Street. It?s just up the block from Rockside House. We shared a pizza and a pasta dish and it was delicious. Then we walked to Hore Abbey ruins to watch the sunset. There we met 2 couples from California that we had seen in the Visitors Information Center. They had not booked in advance and they were making arrangements for a place to stay that evening. They were not happy with their rooms. When I heard that I was really happy that we booked in advance.

12th & 13th day ? Breakfast and on to Kilkenny ? stayed at Cnoc Mhuire B & B [email protected] on Castle Road Helen Sheehan she was really helpful. She had maps and information ready for us when we checked in. Very nice breakfast. We ate at Pordylos Restaurant e-mail: [email protected] 3 course prix fix menu. Very good meal. At the Kilkenny design center which is across the street from Kilkenny Castle (which is a must see tour) they have a restaurant upstairs which is cafetaria arrangement and they have nice hot meals, salads, pies, We also went to Jerpoint Abbey (they have an interesting tour) and its on the driving crafts tour which Helen will give you, so on the way we stopped at Jerpoint Glass Studio. Beautiful wine glasses, serving bowls, mirrors, paperweights and they have a seconds table with reduced prices. I had a great time buying gifts for myself and family. Walk thru the town of Kilkenny and find Black Abbey church. Beautiful stained glass windows. It?s up a narrow street

14th & 15th day ? Breakfast and on to Dublin. Stayed at Trinity Lodge www.trinitylodge.ie nice room and good location. They let you use internet to get e- mail. Walking distance to Trinity College, Temple Bar district, St. Steven?s Green, National Museum and Gallery, National Gallery of Ireland. Ate at Milano?s pizza, pasta & salads 38 Dawson Street near hotel also check out Bewley?s Café 78 Grafton Street between Nassau & St. Stephen?s Green Enjoyed music at Oliver St. John Gogarty?s (upstairs) corner of Fleet St. & Anglesea St in Temple Bar 7:30 pm every night

16th day ? Breakfast and on to Bunratty ? Stayed at Bunratty Lodge e-mail [email protected] Mary Browne ? She is the mother-in-law to Kathleen Brown at Headley Court.(they are next door to each other) did not know that when planning trip. One stop on the way in Roscrea for the Castle and Damer House

17th day ? Breakfast and on to Shannon airport for flight home

Most mileage in any one day was 126 the least was 46 depending on what sightseeing we had planned to see.

We would be happy to answer any questions just give a shout on e-mail

Thanks for taking the time to write this nice report, Nina.

Hi nina:

Nice report. That sounds like a nicely planned trip. Not too much driving.

Did you like your stays at Harbor View and Cephas House? I thought Cephas House was great. It's been a while since I was at Harbour View, but I remember the location was great and the breakfast was good.

Cnoc Mhuire sounds like a great place to stay. I couldn't get the web address you listed to open, but then I found them at cnocmhuire.com. After I looked at the castle link the page went into a truely iritating MS message loop which I can't escape. Still, it looks nice. I've never stayed in Kilkenny.

We were in England and Wales and shared the same weather. It was unbelievable. Why didn't I get that last year when I was on a boat for a week?

Glad you had a great time and it's good to have another expert on board.

Bill

Hi Nina06:

Terrific report - we were there in May also, and stayed at some of the same places you did. I have to second your recommendation of Cnoc Mhuire in Kilkenny. While is was not as fancy as some of the places we stayed, it was, without a doubt, the cleanest. It was the first B&B we stayed in, and eased my mind tremendously about what it would be like. Helen was so helpful and friendly. She sent us to John Cleeres Pub for Trad music and it was great. 2.50 euro for the pints that night - we thought it was a mistake the first time, but it was the same price for hubby's second pint too. We also ate at Pordylos and had a great meal.

I have to ask - what did you think of Rockside?

Nina! Please stop! You are making me home sick and I don't get to go back this year. :'(

Your report was great! I too am captured by the Hobnobs and caramel McVities - hubby can't get enough!

Thanks so much for coming back to post. I'm sure everyone will learn a little something new.

Cheers,

Wendy

I feel your pain Wendy!

Bill

Rockside was very convienent to what we wanted to see. She was very nice about letting us use her phone to call home for Doctor's report. Breakfast was good but that goes for all of them