I'm going to Ireland on a guided horseback tour, and I am thinking about arriving a couple of days early to see a Thoroughbred farm before the tour starts. I'll be flying into Shannon, and the farm is down near Tipperary. Do you experienced travelers think that I will be able to get to Tipperary, tour the farm, and come back within a day and a half? (Staying overnight in Limerick would be fine.) Any advice is appreciated!

Yes - that trip is doable - it is less than 50 miles from Shannon to Limerick. But if you have that much flexibility why don't you add one more day and have 2 full days to visit the thoroughbred stud plus see a little of the nearby countryside. It is a very pretty area. <BR> <BR>And don't stay in Limerick -- there are wonderful B&Bs in all the surrounding villages.

Thanks, Janis! <BR> <BR>My tour will be riding horseback all over Counties Galway and Clare, so I'll do a LOT of sightseeing! I just want to make sure that I visit Coolmore (Irish National Thoroughbred Stud) while I am over there. <BR> <BR>Can you recommend NAMES of any of the B&Bs or of the villages around Limerick? <BR> <BR>I need to get a good Irish map...

Hi Christie! <BR> <BR>No input on your horsey plans, but, I am going to tell you, you will LOVE County Galway! I did a bike tour there last Memorial Day (a little of Mayo too) and wow was it gorgeous. I bet you'll see a lot of the same things I did, on horse though of course. <BR> <BR>do you know your itinerary at all? Let me know, I am curious! <BR> <BR>thanks! <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>ps. take a look to see if you are going through the Mweelrea mountain pass. OMG was it pretty. take lots of film...

Hi Beth- <BR> <BR>I am already looking forward to my trip! It is through Cross Country International. Here's the URL for the itinerary: http://www.equestrianvacations.com/html/ireland03.html My tour dates are May 4-11, 2002. (AA Aadvantage paid for my airfare, so I got as close to the end of off-peak travel as I could!) <BR> <BR>I'm mostly interested in seeing County Clare, which is my ancestral homeland. My parents have been over already and they absolutely adrored it. I'll bring lots of film!