Will be in Dublin to run the D. marathon stay there 4 days,like some advice on itinerary for 10 more days renting a car, like to stay in B&B, major interest small towns off the beaten path,like to stay in one or two bases and take daytrips. <BR>We will arrive in Dublin, could leave from Shannon would appriciate any advice. <BR>My wife and I (young senior)just in case that we could't leave from Shannon, advice please. thanks much Runsam

Sam, <BR> <BR>Check out www.ireland.travel.ie for details on Ireland from the Irish Tourist Board. Let me know what you are interested in and I will try and advise, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Check out the Town & COuntry B&B website - or just get the book at the tourist office when you get to Ireland. Has details of all their B&B's. We had no trouble (March 2000) finding places - except in Dublin. <BR> <BR>10 days is plenty to see quite a bit. Just remember that driving the narrow roads (and they are all narrow wonce you get away from Dublin)is quite slow - i wouldn't count on averaging anthing over 40 mph - 30 is more like it

Sam, I'd recommend flying home from Shannon....it's a much smaller airport & easier to navigate. You really can't go wrong, no matter where you go. Ireland is beautiful and the people are incredibly warm and friendly. I'd suggest that you head toward Waterford from Dublin, spend some time at the crystal factory, and possibly arrange to spend a night in a B&B at Dungarven, just west of Waterford. From there you could continue west toward Killarney...a lovely town, near the lake district and very close to both the Ring of Kerry and the DIngle Peninsula. A drive around Dingle can be done easily in a day. Continue on through to the Cliffs of Moher, and if there's time, to Galway. Driving can be a bit problematical at times, but with patience and humor, it's not a big deal. Enjoy!!!! <BR>

Cathy, thanks for reply, our interset sightseeing,shopping,country side,mingle with people,little history small towns. <BR>We have Hotel in Dublin 4 days, one day for the marathon, free for 12 days. <BR>I would like some daytrips from Dublin then to where? may be west, would like to stay in one base and take daytrips. <BR>Where could i rent car out from Dublin? <BR>Plese advise. <BR>Thanks for taking time to help. <BR>Also many thanks to Steve and Franny. <BR> <BR>Runsam <BR> <BR>

Cathy, <BR>Opps i made mistake typed wrong name, sorry.

We rented a car at the DUblin Airport - very easy to get in and out of. We rented from Alamo. My travelling companion called Alamo and went thru the list of all his group discounts before he got the best one - I think it was the Costco discount. <BR> <BR>North of DUblin, a day trip to Slane, Boyne Valley and Newgrange would be interesting. <BR> <BR>Because driving is sooooo slow, i wouldn't have a base and just do day trips (my usual method of travel). With 10 days, I would have at least 3 and more likely 5 stops

TTT

Franny's suggested a very nice itinerary, including advice to fly out of Shannon if at all possible as driving times are two to three times what you'd expect (small roads, no super highways)... <BR> <BR>Also, day trips out of Dublin are not advised unless you're inclined to take a tour bus as exiting and returning to the the city centre is very complicated, very bad sign posting. Better to rent a car (perhaps going out the the airport) to exit the city once to begin your countryside tour, planning one or two night B & B stays along the way. Try to avoid back-tracking and make your next driving destination modest so you don't spend all day in the car. <BR> <BR>To Franny's itinerary I could also suggest: the Wicklow Mountains/Glendalough, Kilkenny, Kenmare, Blarney/Blarney castle, visiting Muckross House near the ring of Kerry (this is one place where many suggest parking your rental car and taking a tour bus of the Ring of Kerry as this is an all day trip and allows the driver to enjoy the sights). Also, Dingletown, Slea Head drive and Connor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula... <BR> <BR>Allow plenty of time to enjoy the people and the music in pubs along the way.

Hi Sam, <BR>I live in Dublin myself, so I might be of some help. Thrifty car hire is good if you're hiring from the city centre. A good day trip is Glendalough and Powerscourt in Wicklow, Known as the garden of Ireland with good reason. Also Slane and Newgrange to see the neolithic tombs is an easy day trip. The medieval city of Kilkenny is only an hour and a half drive from Dublin, it's got some good music pubs and restaurants. Langtons is a good place to stay. My favourite part of Ireland is West Cork and Kerry, there are plenty of B&B's all over, you'll just come upon them as you tour and can pick the ones you prefer. If you're leaving from shannon, you can drive from Cork/Kerry through the Southwest and back up to Shannon. Hope this helps. regards, Sandra

I have been to Ireland many times so I hope what I have to offer is of interest. <BR>While in Dublin you might try to catch a play at The Abbey Theater or The Globe Theater, there is usually a Brian Friel playing somewhere in the vicinity. <BR>I had a great night when I went to Monkstown to the Culturlann Na Neireann (a pub and dance hall) for a night of impromptu music (a session) and ceili dancing. Some other pubs in Dublin are : Merchant, Sheerans, Old Stag, O'Neills, Gaily Theater. <BR> <BR>Day trips from Dublin might include the fishing town of Howth, the coast of Dun Loughhaire, Sallynoggin. <BR>Newgrange <BR>Powerscourt Gardens and Glendalough. <BR> <BR>From Glendalough you can continue your trip to Waterford, The Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Kinsale in County Cork, Blarney Castle and the Woolen Mills for shopping, Killarney - Torc Waterfall, Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House and lots of shopping and entertainment in the pubs.Do not attempt to drive the Ring of Kerry yourself. If you feel you must make this excursion, take a bus tour from Killarney or Tralee. <BR> <BR>On to Tralee and the entrance to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. The working windmill in Blennerville, take the Connor Pass Road during the day hours over to Dingle. The Ring of Dingle is much more scenic than the Ring of Kerry. Drive slowly and capture the beautiful seascapes and rugged terrain (hopefully, you will have a beautiful clear day). Follow the Slea Head drive signs. See the medieval beehive huts and the Gallarus Oratory, the beach at Dunquin.These scenes were popularized by such movies as "Far an Away" and "Ryan's Daughter" Do a pub crawl in Dingle in the evening. <BR> <BR>On leaving the Dingle Peninsula via Tralee travel to Adare to see the Thatched cottages and Adare Manor. <BR>Next stop Bunratty Castle and Visitors Park. You are near Shannon airport now and you can make a trip to the Cliffs of Mohr and spend the evening in Ennis listening to traditional Irish music. <BR> <BR>As far as where to stay, leave it open and be flexible. The B&B's in Ireland are great and don't have to be booked in advance. Slow down, hang with the locals in the pubs and you'll have a lot to talk about with them after this last week. Have a great trip. If you don't accomplish even half of the above itinerary, it only means you'll have to go back again.

Sam, Don't know when your going, but you should read "We miss our US tourist" post.

Jamc, <BR>Icouldn,t find that posting(we miss our US tourist) what day was it post? <BR>I am going in Oct. 2002 i wish it was 2001!

Sam, <BR>Don't worry "We miss our ameircan tourists" is causing unnecessary worry - ireland is still open for business etc, If you need any help feel free to email me or post a question and enjoy the planning, <BR> <BR>Cathy