Hello, <BR> <BR>My husband and I just returned from 2 weeks in Ireland. We had a great time! I reviewed this forum before leaving and wanted to add to it now. The driving is really rough! The roads are really narrow and bumpy. Make sure you take out all the insurance they have. We dented our car and lost a hub cab because we got too close to a stone wall(which are on all the roads). Plan on at least 2 to 3 times the amount of time to get places. (If you have bad hemmorhoids, good luck!!) <BR> <BR>Stayed at Longfield's in Dublin, Dunbrody House near Waterford, The Old Bank in Kinsale, Ard na Sidh near Killarney, The Milltown House in Dingle, Gregan's Castle Hotel in Ballyvaugh and Cashel House Hotel in Cashel near Clifden. All wonderful - if anyone has any questions, let me know. <BR> <BR>The food was fantastic, the toilets work wonderfully - compared to our low pressure ones. Look for "orthopedic" beds - they are the good ones. Bring a strong umbrella and rain gear. Bring twice as much film as you think you need. I was constantly buying film at all the major attractions. <BR> <BR>Get one of those detailed road maps. You will really need it. Don't expect to see a lot of informational signs at the sights. Everything is laid back there. They must assume everyone has read the books about the sights before you get there. Very little signage about where the entry door or ticket counter is. No signs where to wait for the tour and when it starts. You have to keep asking people stuff like the all the time. But it all works out okay. <BR> <BR>Irish people are super nice and patient. You can ask anyone on the street for help. You will have to ask for your check at a restaurant or you will sit there waiting all night for it! <BR> <BR>You get what you pay for. We stayed in some very nice places except the last night we stayed in a B&B that we knew little about. It was $45 for both of us but a very small room with just a double bed with a lumpy mattress, lots of kids in the hallway running around, etc. She told me on the phone that it was a king bed. When we got there and saw it was a double bed she said that is was a king in Ireland. So be very careful when you book the rooms that you get 2 twin shoved together. That is how they do the large king beds. Very roomy. <BR> <BR>Bring lots of 200 speed film. I really never used my 100 speed eventhough I probably should have on the sunny days. But you never know when it is going to cloud over again. <BR> <BR>Get to the departing airport with at least 3 hours or more before your flight. You have to return the car, check in long lines, and go to the VAT refund desk with also has lines. Then you can do some shopping and eat a lunch too. <BR> <BR>Enough for now. Please let me know if you have any questions about what we saw or where we stayed, etc. <BR> <BR>Ginny <BR> <BR>

Hi Ginny! <BR>We are leaving next week and are really going to France and England, but we grabbed some cheap tickets from London to Paris via Dublin. We will have from Tuesday to Thursday afternoon. We have a car and want to go out into the countryside for a bit. What would you suggest? We are worried about allowing enough time to return to the airport. Thanks for the warning on how long it takes. Were any of your favorite lodgings within our range? <BR>Thanks. <BR>Danella

Daniella, <BR> <BR>Don't even think of drivng into the city centre from the airport. You may wish to get out of the airport and take the M1 to the M50 and then on to the N3 to Navan and do the Boyne Valley tour over 2 days eg Newgrange passage graves, Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara. <BR> <BR>Avoid travelling back to Dublin at peak times ie rush hour and keep an ear on the radio for traffic reports, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Hi Danella, <BR> <BR>I agree with Cathy. Stay somewhere north of Dublin in the Boyne Valley - Newgrange area, etc. Beautiful area and lots of history - Newgrange, Trim Castle. Can't recommend anywhere to stay since we just stayed our very last night in Trim across from the castle, but that is where I would NOT recommend staying. It is the Highfield House. Actually looks very pretty on the outside but was noisy and very plain inside. Trim Castle is pretty neat though. I definitely will go back to that area next time we go to Ireland. <BR> <BR>Do NOT drive into Dublin. If anything,don't rent a car there. Take a taxi into a nice hotel there and just walk to the areas you want. They have a hop on , hop off bus tour that is great. You could easily do that on Wed. and still have plenty of time to shop etc. on Tues. afternoon. <BR> <BR>Longfield's Hotel is very nice and is a block away from Fitzgerald Square. Ask for a superior room not on the front side because of traffic noise. We had a smallish room but very comfortable king bed and very nice bathroom for about 170 pounds (maybe it was 150). <BR> <BR>I'd recommend the Shelbourne Hotel if you want to spend a little more money. It is directly across from St. Stephen's square and looked very classy yet smallish. <BR> <BR>Save on the car and go for a nice place. If you like Guinness, make sure you to go the brewery. It is on the hop on, hop off bus tour. Make sure you start the bus thing early since it stops around 6:00. We only got to see 3 things because we started kind of late. <BR> <BR>Good luck and it sounds like you are planning a really nice trip. <BR> <BR>Ginny

Hi Danella, <BR> <BR>Just a quick comment. The Guinness brewery tour is in their old storehouse that is about 7 stories tall. You really don't get into the real brewery but you take a self guided tour on each floor about how they make the beer, etc. Fairly interesting, but the neat part is on the very top floor they have a circular room that overlooks Dublin and this is where you get your free pint. It would be great on a sunny day! Have fun. <BR> <BR>Ginny

I'm headed to shannon in Oct. I'm starting to get really scared about the driving.Were you at any time afraid for your life?Sounds dramatic but I have heard a lot of horror stories and almost dont want to go anymore.Any driving advice would be welcome.

Two places to stay outside Dublin are Swords (right next to Dublin Airport, but it is quiet). Stayed at Holly Tree B&B - excellent. <BR> <BR>Also stayed in Slane at the Boyne View B&B - also excellent - just after crossing the Boyne coming into Slane from the south. <BR> <BR>I had no trouble driving into Dublin on a Saturday morning from the airport. Just one turn at the big Guiness sign and then to the downtown to find a parking garage. <BR> <BR>Driving into and out of the Dublin airport is very easy

Hi Jenna, <BR> <BR>As far as driving on the left, my husband did all the driving and he picked up on it very quickly! It was only the first day that we kept repeating, "Drive on the left. Drive on the left". <BR> <BR>As far as being scared, I was NEVER really scared for my life or anything like that. Just kind of scared as we would drive around the bends in the narrow wall-lined roads. You never know if you'd meet someone who was not over far enough. More nerve-wracking than life threatening. As long you drive around 40 or 45 mph, you should be okay. <BR> <BR>Just beware of everyone else. The natives seem to drive kind of fast and on the major highways, (very few,) they pass A LOT. So when you are on the highways, keep aware of oncoming cars in your lane that are passing. There is always lots of room on the wide shoulders so don't fret about it. <BR> <BR>Just drive at a comfortable speed for you, drive while there is still daylight FOR SURE! And don't drive drunk. You should be okay!! Have a great trip! <BR> <BR>I am putting all my photos in an album tonight. Even the ones I took on the rainy days turned out good!! <BR> <BR>Let me know if you have any other questions. <BR> <BR>Ginny

Ginny, thanks for the quick reply.I am leaving on Oct 20 and might need some more questions answered before that, hope you will be around.

Hi Ginny, <BR>Thanks for your post. I will be traveling in Mid-October with my daughter. Did you rent your car prior to going? I need an automatic. We will be there 5 days. The info I've received about car rentals says the insurance is included. Should I purchase addtional to what they include? Thanks for all of your input!

Hi Susan, <BR> <BR>Yes, I reserved a mid-size automatic car through Avis. We used Avis because my husband's company gets a little better ratewith them. But I had also called Europe Car or something like that and the rate was very similar. We got a Toyota Avensis - very roomy for a midsize. Lots of leg and head room and a big trunk. Definitely get an automatic and all the insurance. We even paid another 4 or 5 pounds a day to bring the dedutible down to $35 instead of $350. Glad we did because we lost a hubcap because we got so close to one of the walls and got a big dent in the front bumper. <BR> <BR>Our Visa bill for the entire vacation just came today and we are scared to open it!!! We charged most things on it. Could be very scary!!! <BR> <BR>Hope you have a great time!! <BR> <BR>Ginny