mjrogan

Hello!

I am planning a trip in just over a month to London and would like to spend 2 of my days in Ireland.

I will most likely fly on a discount carrier from London and would like some advice as to what is "doable" with a 2 day timeframe. I have only visited Ireland once in the past, during which time I was in Dublin for one day and Cork for another day.

What would you recommend if you only had 2 days that is logistically feasible? I don't really have a preference as to the specific region, other than my ancestors were from County Mayo. From what I understand, I could fly into Shannon and rent a car to get there, but it may be pushing the time constraints I have. Any advice/ideas are much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

JOHNOD

If you only have one night and two days I would fly into Cork out of Heathrow, Aer lingus has several flights a day, and drive a half hour south to Kinsale. Lovely quaint little village. Lots of pubs and good places to eat. If you have two nights I would drive along the n-71 and sight see out on the Mizen, Beara, and Sheepshead peninsulas great views and lovely small villages along the way. Real Irish people. Have fun

NEDSIRELAND

Have you thought about flying to Knock (and back from Knock). RyanAir has service from/to London (Stanstead) and London (Gatwick). Knock is on the Mayo-Roscommon border about 1 hour's drive from Ballina and convenient to much of Mayo (and even Galway). It's a lot closer than Shannon but I don't know about rental cars from there.

erinj1977

I would fly in and out of Shannon Airport, and either spend your time in the Burren of County Clare, or Connemara, County Galway. My favorite towns are Clifden, Roundstone, Galway, Doolin, and Ballyvaughan. You could also spend a day on one of the Aran Islands.

luv2ski

I'd recommend a two day city break in Dublin flying into Dublin with Aer Lingus or Ryan Air. The cafes and restaurants are alive day and night. Dublin is incredibly cosmopolitan, the shopping is terrific if not expensive. Take in the Book of Kells at Trinity College and enjoy some pub grub at one of the pubs off Grafton St.

Dathai

I have to agree with Nedsireland on this one - Mayo is a wonderful place.
You can fly into Knock and hire a care there. Suggest you base in Westport area and travel around Clew Bay. There is a heritage centre there if you need help with tracing relatives. Try North Mayo or South Mayo heritage centres.

mjrogan

Thanks to everyone for their great suggestions!

It looks like I can get a decent fare on Ryanair from Gatwick or Stansted to Knock (68 GBP return).

A few further questions:

1.> Has anyone flown on Ryanair? It appears to be similar to Southwest in the States, with open seating. What is it like (experience, aircraft, etc.)?

2.> Regarding car rentals in Knock (I found several companies, with Hertz offering the most choices), what can I expect renting/driving in Irleand? I have never driven outside the US.

3.> Dathai, you suggested basing in the Westport area. Do you/anyone else have any recommendations for good B&B's/accommodations there or elsewhere in Mayo?

bb3520

1) I flew on both RyanAir and EasyJet. EasyJet resembles a Southwest Airlines operation (3 categories of boarding priorities depending on check-in time); RyanAir is one step fewer frills (boarding by who gets in line first). RyanAir has the more restrictive checked-bag limit if that could be an issue (one checked bag -- 33 pounds). Either is fine to fly however; nice jet planes.
2) I just rented a car in Knock -- no problem, very small airport easy to negotiate. Driving is do-able; just keep saying "stay left" to yourself especially during turns. Irish roads are generally pretty bad -- narrow and bumpy -- and it is hard to pre-determine from a map where an improved stretch is (where you could maybe go 60 mph) versus a typical stretch (where you would go 35 mph); the roads are negotiable, but you simply can't expect to go very fast. Don't overestimate how far you think you can drive in a given amount of time, especially as a first-time left-handed driver.

mjrogan

Thanks for the advice, bb3520!

I reserved my flight to Knock on Ryanair, using a less than £1 advance purchase promotion. I will be renting with Hertz in Knock (an Opal, I believe).

Are there any "must-sees" that you would suggest in the region. I will be staying at a B&B in Ballina.

Thanks again!

alison22

HI,
I don't know if you have any interest in going back to Dublin, but if you do, a really easy trip is to go to Dublin for a day, and then the Wicklow Mountains. There is a gorgeous little inn situated at the base of the Wicklow mountains, then you can do some hikes right around the hotel that are just stunning. It's about 1 hour from Dublin.

waffle18

I made a special 4 hour trip this past May just to go visit the Ceide Fields up in Mayo because I enjoyed the drive and the centre so much. We had gotten terrible wet weather back in 2003 so were unable to take the tour and I have been wanting to return there ever since. You will not be sorry if you take the trip.

For all museums in Mayo go to

http://www.museumsofmayo.com/

Plus there's lots of places in and around Galway or Sligo that are worth at least a drive out to and back.

Have a great time!

mjrogan

Thanks again for everyone's advice!

I chose the Brigown B&B in Ballina, Co. Mayo based on the great reviews on this forum.

One Question:

I need to send a deposit of 50 Euros to the B&B proprietor. How do you typically go about doing this?

SiobhanP

Ryan Air is fine I think of it like getting a bus I have flown it so much over the years. Do fly into knock and then rent a car. There is not much in Knock in my opinion unless you are religious. My partners father used to stay there for a week each year under duress. He said it was full of Dancing nuns and 24 hour pubs....well he wished it was . Ballina is lovely but try one night in Westport as well it a lovely toen and loads to do and nice drives in te area. I go here a lot and have stayed oin B&B's and hotels and never had a complaint. Matt Molloys pub has music every night and is good for a night out or just a pint.

Enjoy your trip and let us know how you get on!

pastyp

ryanair aircraft -

737-200,737-800 aircraft. The older 737-200 are bring phased out. Good safety record.

NEDSIRELAND

<<I need to send a deposit of 50 Euros to the B&B proprietor. How do you typically go about doing this? >>

Marjorie, the BrigOwn owner/operator didn't ask me for a deposit; or if she did, I can't remember. She has been 'burned' several times because her B&B has a separate entrance and people have skipped out without paying. Call her to try to arrange something.
BTW
Marjorie has written several cookbooks and has a local radio show.

Crocket's on the Quay is less than 100 meters from BrigOwn: Good restaurant! Trad Irish music Monday nights at the front bar. Both are along the river Moy.

mjrogan

Since I only have two days, are there any "must sees" in the Co. Mayo vicinity?

Like I said, I'll be flying into Knock, and the only definite thing I know of is that I'll be staying at a B&B in Ballina (the BrigOwn). I will also make it a point to try Crocket's since it's right there. I do have family in the area (that I have never met) so I will try to contact them before our trip to see if we can meet. They are in Co. Roscommon. I am focusing on Mayo and Ballina specifically since my grandfather was born in Ballina.

NEDSIRELAND

Knock Shrine is right on Mayo's border with Roscommon.

Ballina has the distinction of having the most Pubs per capita than anywhere else in Ireland (the world?). There's a Pub for every 13-people. But a Pub owner clarified this for me: it refers to Pub licences, not necessarily Pubs doing business. Licensees just have to open 1-day / year to keep their Licence current.

The Moy river is the Salmon fishing Capital of the world: more salmon are caught on hook & line there than anywhere else (at least that's what is advertised).

Ballina's Cathedral St. Muredach's. It had a 9:30 AM Sunday Mass when I was there in 2003.

There are a couple of good Jewelers in town: I bought my wife a gold Celtic Cross with a Claddagh symbol in the center circle there. The Jeweler filled out the VAT-Refund form for me and I got my refunds at Shannon airport.

People I met at a B&B in Belmullet had just come from Achill Island and were headed for Ceide Fields (northeast of Belmullet). I haven't been there.

For my money, the best Golf anywhere is Carne Golf Links, just outside Belmullet. I went back, just to play that course again.

Survfan

With just two days I would go to Dublin. I know alot of people will disagree but I think there is alot in Dublin to keep you occupied for 4-5 days if you had. But 2 days in Dublin will give you a good time to see some sites, shop and drink. I know you said you were there for one day before but big deal expand on what you already saw and enjoy!

Dathai

Hi - must sees in Mayo - in my opinion
Croagh Patrick - on coast road outside Westport - even if you only climb a little of it! Museum of country life in Castlebat. Drive from Westport to Leenane (Connemara) and only 20 miles !
Other possibilities - Ceide Fields Visitor centre if basing in Ballina and between Westport and Ballina Foxford Wollen Mills.

Lots of very good quality B&Bs in Westport - try Knockranny Lodge/Copperfield/Augusta Lodge for reasonable rates on good hotels try www.octopus.com