I am planning a trip to Ireland this September with my wife and parents, and have most of the itinerary worked out, but have a few questions. <BR><BR>We want to spend a few days in County Cork. I was thinking of spending a night or two in Kinsale as a base for exploring Cobh and Cork City, and then a night or two somewhere on the Beara Peninsula. Are there any other "must see" sights or towns in County Cork? I haven't seen much mention of Cork or the Ring of Beara on this board. My wife and I have done the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula on previous trips and are looking for something new. <BR><BR>We plan to end our trip in County Clare. Is Doolin a good place to stay? Or would Ennis be better? How far are they from the Shannon airport?<BR><BR>Finally, does anyone have any advice for decent budget accomodations in Dublin?<BR><BR>Thanks! <BR><BR>

Jeff<BR>West Cork was the battle ground for the crack troops of the legendary Tom Berry. One of the fercist fighting men ever born. <BR>From 1916 til 1922 he attached everything the British could muster in West Cork. He sshowed how tough the Irish really are with good leadership.<BR>Read the book, Guerilla Days In Ireland. By Tom Barry to get an idea of the sites to visit.

On our way to Blarney, to visit the castle and kiss the stone, we drove thru Cork. We were not impressed and traveled on to Kinsale and Cobh. They were delightful and we enjoyed them and their history very much. We also enjoyed Doolin. The countryside is scenic and the pubs offer lots of music and fun!

The Ring of Beara is a beautiful area, though I haven't gotten to see it all because of bad weather. The Inchaquin waterfall and Healy Pass are a must. I also loved the sheeps head Peninsula and Mizen. These are also much less traveled and beautiful. You could feasilby stay around Bantry and see Beara one day and Mizen and Sheepshead on another. If you go to Mizen, go to O'Sullivan's pub in Crookhaven. Billy O'Sullivan is the owner but his son runs it now and Rose is the usual bartender. I've been there twice and had experiences I won't ever forget. They will chat with you as long as you can be there. Billy showed us his new house and we sat in his dining room and drank Murphy's while we looked out over the bay.<BR><BR>Doolin is about two hours from Shannon, Ennis is much closer. You are probably aware that it takes quite a while to get checked in and take care of VAT refunds, so I would stay as close as possible.<BR><BR>Bill

Hi Jeff..West Cork is one of our favorites...Do the Beara Peninsula-wonderfully undeveloped and unspoiled. Healy Pass is magnificant;go out to Garnish Point and take the crazy old tram to Dursey Island; see the remains of Dunboy Castle; some stone circles and ogham stones also there.-go out the most southern peninsula, MizenHead lighthouse across a high suspension bridge with remarkable scenery.<BR> If your interests includes some of the things Jim mentioned, get familiar with Micheal Collins, one of the leaders of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who was assinated at BealnaBlath, West Cork in 1922. He was born near Clonakilty where his birthplace is now almost a national shrine.One of my Irish Heros.<BR> Skibbereen; Baltimore; Glandore- the famous Drombeg Stone Circle is here, very interesting; Clonakilty- Micheal Collins Museum is here. and on and on!<BR> Hope some of this info will be of interest to you...Helen

We just returned from Ireland and stayed two nights in Kenmare. Nice little town with some good restaurants, and a great base for doing the Beara Peninsula drive or Killarney National Park.<BR> Doolin is about 2 hours from Shannon. Good pubs, but very rural. Ennis is about a half-hour from the airport...and a much busier and larger town.

Hi,<BR>Better warn you- there were reports that the locals were urinating on the blarney stone at night. So if you kiss it you might get more than you bargained for!

You need to book accom for Dublin very soon or you'll end up getting something very poor. Bewleys Hotel Ballsbirdge is a cheap clean family hotel- like Holiday Inn- its out of city but on a direct train (3 miles) or a 7 dollar taxi.

Ahhh, the old Blarney Stone epidemic rears it ugly head again. My guess is that it is a bit of an urban legend. Based on what I have heard, it would be pretty difficult to "hose down" the rock. You never know though.

(See below) This B&B came highly recommended so I stayed there a couple of years ago. I couldn't have been happier. Wonderful, beautiful place run by a great family!<BR><BR>In Dublin,Ireland - McMenamins, a family-run traditional Irish guest house, Georgian home (1835) set in Dublin's most exclusive area, walking distance to city centre. All rooms with en-suite bathrooms, shower, TV, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, central heating. Choose from our lovingly prepared menu guaranteed to bring new meaning to the word "breakfast". From 35 Irish pounds per person,double. Singles 45 Irish Pounds. 74 Marlborough Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel/fax:+353-1-4974405

Hi,<BR>Bill- it might be more comforting to think that the Blarney Stone urination story is an urban legend, but I live in Cork and I know someone who relieved himself on it. More of an aquaintance than a friend, as I don't usually keep such scuzzy company! My advice is to air kiss the stone!!

Bill, <BR>Why not suggest irelandyes.com

sweet sue, good suggestion. thanks.

Sweet Sue: Why the sarcasm? Bill has posted many messages here with fine suggestions and answered many questions. He is an asset to Fodor's forum. I have seen him mention many different web sites for information on Ireland not just irelandyes.com. If it helps people out, what is your beef? I looked at that site and it was informative. Besides Bill didn't mention it on this thread, you did.

Hey, thanks XXX, nice of you to say. I was just saying that I had heard that the Blarney Stone epidemic was an urban legend, but that it might not be also. Remember, this is the land of the trolls and when someone comes here saying they live in Cork and know someone who "points Percy" at the rock, that person is just as likely a troll as not. By the way, there is an entire thread with hundreds of posts dedicated to the Blarney epidemic.<BR><BR>I don't understand the reason for the comment from sweet sue. Was she being sarcastic or not. There are many irelandyes fans here and I have sent some people there and have been thanked for it. I think Michele does a fine job and I recommend her very highly on my travel journal.<BR><BR>Finally, my opinions are just that and I don't claim to be right all of or for that matter any of the time. They are based on my experiences and the things I like.<BR><BR>I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and in the process, will probably offend as many people as I help, and be ignored by the rest, but let it be said, my intentions are good. <BR><BR>Thanks again XXX!!!<BR><BR>Bill

Bill,<BR>I thought trolls came from Scandanavian legends? I've never heard of a big troll tradition in ireland- has anyone else?!

Bill, Keep posting and ignore the trolls. It is genuine people like you that make this board. Your good intentions shine through. Is your travel journal online? I would like a look if it is.

Here is the site. It's nothing special....based mainly on what I wrote in the notebook as we traveled. It was intended to be more of a trip down memory lane for my wife and I so take it with that in mind. Also, If I ever figure out what happened to my last roll of film, I'll add it to the Glendalough and Dublin section.<BR><BR>http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ireland_2002/index.htm<BR><BR>Bill

BTW. thanks again XXX!<BR><BR>Bill

Bill, I want to go back to Ireland right away after reading your journal. I loved it. Find those other photos!! Good job.