Northwest Car trip help
Jan 4th, 2007, 08:40 AM
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Northwest Car trip help
My husband and I will be visiting Ireland in May. We will enter and leave through Dublin (can't change plans). I wish to visit my grandmother's home town of Ballani and generally tour and stay in the Northwest area (Donegal, Westport etc). I think restricting ourselves to one general area will be more peaceful and less stressful. (We have previously been in the south and Dublin on an escorted tour). Questions
Could someone suggest an itinerary for about 7-8 days (including arrival date)?
How best to get to Ballani?.
We would like to leave Dublin airport and drive to a nearby town (50 mi or so or more) and spend the 1st night rather than staying at the airport lodgings. I realize jet lack etc so we don't want to be too ambitious but would love to spend a night in a little town or city and relax.
Any lodging suggestions appreciated. We like B&B's if located in town or walking distance from the pubs and restaurants. We also prefer small towns rather than cities.
I hope this is not to much information to ask for. I have read some of the replies on this forum and you people are incredible with the amount of effort and detail you provide.
Thanks in advance.
Lateinlifetraveler
Could someone suggest an itinerary for about 7-8 days (including arrival date)?
How best to get to Ballani?.
We would like to leave Dublin airport and drive to a nearby town (50 mi or so or more) and spend the 1st night rather than staying at the airport lodgings. I realize jet lack etc so we don't want to be too ambitious but would love to spend a night in a little town or city and relax.
Any lodging suggestions appreciated. We like B&B's if located in town or walking distance from the pubs and restaurants. We also prefer small towns rather than cities.
I hope this is not to much information to ask for. I have read some of the replies on this forum and you people are incredible with the amount of effort and detail you provide.
Thanks in advance.
Lateinlifetraveler
Jan 4th, 2007, 11:03 AM
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How 'late in life' are we writing about? The reason for my question is that some car rental companies won't rent to us Septuagenarians (over 75). Someone told me that if you book a fly/drive 'package,' they have to honor it; but I can't independently confirm that.
Westport is south and west of Ballina (on the coast) and also on the N-59 (NOT a limited access Expressway). The general area you are restricting yourselves to is too much territory for 2-Seniors to cover in a week (assuming your 8-days also includes departure date when your flight will probably leave around midday). That assumption suggests that you have to be back in Dublin the 7th night to make it out to the airport at least 2-hours before your flight.
2004, I visited a 106-year-old cousin (my (RIP) mother's first cousin) in Bangor Erris. I flew into Dublin, caught a CityLink bus to Galway, BusEireann Galway to Ballina and, after several hours BusEireann to Bangor (there's only 1-bus a day, each way). That was day-1.
I think you should narrow your focus, spend a night or two in Ballina, maybe visit Knock Shrine, Croagh Padraig, Westport (all in County Mayo).
Westport is south and west of Ballina (on the coast) and also on the N-59 (NOT a limited access Expressway). The general area you are restricting yourselves to is too much territory for 2-Seniors to cover in a week (assuming your 8-days also includes departure date when your flight will probably leave around midday). That assumption suggests that you have to be back in Dublin the 7th night to make it out to the airport at least 2-hours before your flight.
2004, I visited a 106-year-old cousin (my (RIP) mother's first cousin) in Bangor Erris. I flew into Dublin, caught a CityLink bus to Galway, BusEireann Galway to Ballina and, after several hours BusEireann to Bangor (there's only 1-bus a day, each way). That was day-1.
I think you should narrow your focus, spend a night or two in Ballina, maybe visit Knock Shrine, Croagh Padraig, Westport (all in County Mayo).
Jan 4th, 2007, 12:29 PM
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Ballina is a 3 1/2 hour drive from Dublin. on the Northwest Coast. I would recommend stopping at midpoint, perhaps in Longford. That would be an easy hour and a half on the first day. I would highly recommend the Viewmount House B&B, http://www.viewmounthouse.com/house.html. It is less than 1 km from city centre and is set in its own gardens, which will be in full blossom in May. You could then continue the next day to Ballina. There is a new B&B which has just recently opened up , Abbey B&B,http://abbeybandb.com/, of which I have heard wonderful reviews. You could stay in Ballina for two nights, then head to Donegal for three nights. I would recommend The Water's Edge B&B,http://www.littleireland.ie/thewatersedge/. Donegal is the perfect base for a day trip to Derry in Northern Ireland or a day trip to the Inishwen Peninsula. You can then head south to Navan and overnight there before heading to Dublin. I would recommend Daly's B&B, as it is in close proximity to the Dublin airport (40 mins, http://www.navanbandb.com/#bottom, or Athlumney Manor, http://www.athlumneymeath.com/, which is 45 minutes from the Dublin Airport.
Have a Grand Adventure!
Slan Agus Beannacht,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
Have a Grand Adventure!
Slan Agus Beannacht,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
Jan 4th, 2007, 03:14 PM
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" ... We are in our early 60's and quite fit. Have driven across US for a month and don't mind the travel. ..."
Sorry, I got the impression from your byline that you were 'Seniors'
You'll find some 'Dual Carriageways' (i.e., 4-lane divided highways) in the Republic, mostly around and between the larger cities (and airports). Most of your driving will be on 2-lane roads: not like Interstate-40 or I-70 across the US (been there; done that!).
Unless it's predominantly a dual Carriageway route, you can expect to take at least half again as long to cover distances as you are used to in the U.S. Your major redeeming factor is that you get daylight until 9:30 or so in mid-to-late May.
In Ballina, I often stay at Crocket's on the Quay: it's a mile or so from the center of town, has an excellent restaurant. Trad Irish Music in the front bar Monday nites.
If it's still in business, there was a B&B called BrigOwn a few doors away. Marjorie Nolan, Owner/Operator has a cooking show on local radio. http://Ballina.mayo-ireland.ie/Brigown/Brigown.htm
Marjorie Nolan
Brigown B&B
Quay Road,
Ballina
County Mayo
Ireland
Tel: + 353 (0) 96 22609
Mobile 087 2304986
E-mail: [email protected]
I went to Mass in St. Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina - also on the River Moy. I can't seem to get that link to work but if you just do a google search on BrigOwn you'll bring up everything you need.
Sorry, I got the impression from your byline that you were 'Seniors'
You'll find some 'Dual Carriageways' (i.e., 4-lane divided highways) in the Republic, mostly around and between the larger cities (and airports). Most of your driving will be on 2-lane roads: not like Interstate-40 or I-70 across the US (been there; done that!).
Unless it's predominantly a dual Carriageway route, you can expect to take at least half again as long to cover distances as you are used to in the U.S. Your major redeeming factor is that you get daylight until 9:30 or so in mid-to-late May.
In Ballina, I often stay at Crocket's on the Quay: it's a mile or so from the center of town, has an excellent restaurant. Trad Irish Music in the front bar Monday nites.
If it's still in business, there was a B&B called BrigOwn a few doors away. Marjorie Nolan, Owner/Operator has a cooking show on local radio. http://Ballina.mayo-ireland.ie/Brigown/Brigown.htm
Marjorie Nolan
Brigown B&B
Quay Road,
Ballina
County Mayo
Ireland
Tel: + 353 (0) 96 22609
Mobile 087 2304986
E-mail: [email protected]
I went to Mass in St. Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina - also on the River Moy. I can't seem to get that link to work but if you just do a google search on BrigOwn you'll bring up everything you need.
Jan 4th, 2007, 05:17 PM
#9
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Thank you all for the quick replies. I guess it is only my children who think I am old. This information really helps my planning. It is so difficult determining how much distance and time to devote to each day. Reading the different notes on this site gives a good feel for the areas. Thanks again for your help
Jan 5th, 2007, 01:36 AM
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Ballina is quite a large town now & is central for quite a bit of the NW.
Enniscrone is a short scenic drive & has a small harbor & miles of sand. Famous for its seaweed bathhouse but I prefer the cafe.
Ballina is more than 3 & 1/2 hours & the suggestion of a stop over will be up to you.The N4 from Dublin to Longford is now a fast route that takes about 2 hours. Depending on your travel time you might stop for a break along the way. Longford is a dusty grey lacklustre place & if you press on a further 45 minutes you come to Carrick on Shannon - one of my favourite places.
Head up the N4 towards Sligo next day & at Ballisodare take the 'coast' road to Ballina.
Places I would visit from Ballina include Westport, Cong, Galway & Knock.
Enniscrone is a short scenic drive & has a small harbor & miles of sand. Famous for its seaweed bathhouse but I prefer the cafe.
Ballina is more than 3 & 1/2 hours & the suggestion of a stop over will be up to you.The N4 from Dublin to Longford is now a fast route that takes about 2 hours. Depending on your travel time you might stop for a break along the way. Longford is a dusty grey lacklustre place & if you press on a further 45 minutes you come to Carrick on Shannon - one of my favourite places.
Head up the N4 towards Sligo next day & at Ballisodare take the 'coast' road to Ballina.
Places I would visit from Ballina include Westport, Cong, Galway & Knock.
Jan 5th, 2007, 07:25 AM
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Carrick-On-Shannon is a much better choice than Longford, most definitely. I would recommend stopping there and staying at Hartley Lodge, http://www.hartleylodge.com/, over my suggestion that you stop in Longford. A word of caution though, you may find yourself wanting to stay in Carrick on Shannon.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
Jan 5th, 2007, 12:25 PM
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CowboyC-Yes, the hosts were very nice.
It was the house that was not up to par with the other B&Bs we stayed in,and were in the same price range .The picture on the website was much nicer then the house in person.
It was the house that was not up to par with the other B&Bs we stayed in,and were in the same price range .The picture on the website was much nicer then the house in person.
Jan 5th, 2007, 12:42 PM
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Thanks again all for your comments.
I definitely agree that Carrick on Shannon is the choice. Are there any other recommended B&B's besides the one mentioned? Is there a web site devoted to Irish B&B's that can be checked?
Again thanks
I definitely agree that Carrick on Shannon is the choice. Are there any other recommended B&B's besides the one mentioned? Is there a web site devoted to Irish B&B's that can be checked?
Again thanks
Jan 5th, 2007, 01:07 PM
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Here is one site that you could look at, http://www.ebookireland.com/leitacc.htm. Here is another, http://www.bnbireland.net/Tables_Leitrim.htm. That will give you a good start for lodging in Carrick-on-Shannon.
I would have to agree with you Nj, that Hartley Lodge was not what appeared to be in its pictures. However, the hosts were amicable, the food was good and the bed comfortable, so I was willing to overlook the outward appearance.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
I would have to agree with you Nj, that Hartley Lodge was not what appeared to be in its pictures. However, the hosts were amicable, the food was good and the bed comfortable, so I was willing to overlook the outward appearance.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
Jan 5th, 2007, 02:00 PM
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B&Bs, guest houses & hotels in Ireland:
Town & Country Homes: http://www.townandcountry.ie/
Family Homes: http://www.family-homes.ie/
Irish Farmhouse B&Bs: http://www.irishfarmholidays.com/ifh/index.cfm
Hotels & Guesthouses: http://www.irelandhotels.com/
I have found that people assess accommodations and restaurants differently. Some have high expectations and some are happy with middle-of-the-road. As for me, no matter how nice the hosts are the rest of the package is equally important. As we have found many times on the forum people have differing opinions. For instance some like Killarney and others hate it. I'm sure the same thing goes for B&Bs.
Town & Country Homes: http://www.townandcountry.ie/
Family Homes: http://www.family-homes.ie/
Irish Farmhouse B&Bs: http://www.irishfarmholidays.com/ifh/index.cfm
Hotels & Guesthouses: http://www.irelandhotels.com/
I have found that people assess accommodations and restaurants differently. Some have high expectations and some are happy with middle-of-the-road. As for me, no matter how nice the hosts are the rest of the package is equally important. As we have found many times on the forum people have differing opinions. For instance some like Killarney and others hate it. I'm sure the same thing goes for B&Bs.
Jan 5th, 2007, 03:00 PM
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CowboyC-I guess we were spoiled with our other B&B choices.They were all from Michele's book,and of course perfect.
I guess we have to get Michele to find one of her special places for us in Carrick.
I guess we have to get Michele to find one of her special places for us in Carrick.
Jan 6th, 2007, 01:01 PM
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Nj,
You can rarely go wrong when choosing from Michele's information. She is one of the best! I too am usually a total package person but the friendliness won me over at Hartley's. Having had the ultimate bad B&B experience in County Mayo, I am very choosy about my lodging choices now. Hartley's happened to have a vacancy and a warm welcome when I, road weary, needed it most.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
You can rarely go wrong when choosing from Michele's information. She is one of the best! I too am usually a total package person but the friendliness won me over at Hartley's. Having had the ultimate bad B&B experience in County Mayo, I am very choosy about my lodging choices now. Hartley's happened to have a vacancy and a warm welcome when I, road weary, needed it most.
Slan Go Foill,
Bit Devine
www.cowboycraic.com
