Returning to Ireland after 27 years
 

My wife and I are finally going to do a trip I promised her years ago. We leave on 4/18. I spent nearly a year on and off in Dublin in 1980 for work. The Irish were some of the friendliest people I have met anywhere in the world. We are hoping to find some friends that moved to the US but have since returned to Ireland. His name was Frank Fennely from Mountmellick. I have tried every source on the net with no luck.

So many memories! I can't wait for a real pint of Guinness with a shot of Black Bush on the side to warm me up.

Where besides Dublin will you be seeing. I loved our time there, but also the southwest, esp. Dingle/ no matter where, you will have a great time.

You may be surprised by the many changes in Ireland. I love Ireland and have been traveling there during the past 10 years. I have seen lots of change -- more traffic, for one, and less Guinness believe it or not. At one place we were informed that they didn't serve Guinness but "how about a Heineken?" LOL Thank goodness the Irish are still friendly folk -- no change there. Have a wonderful trip, and good luck finding your friend.

We are still working on the itinerary but for now it includes Malahide castle, Trim, Tara, Newgrange, Blarney (my wife says I need an eloquence recharge), Bunratty, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, Marian shrine, at least 1 night at Ashford, and ring of Kerry. We will probably spend 2 nights in Dublin as we want to do a couple of pub crawls through Temple Bar. We plan on staying at the Conrad Hilton. I remember having my first escargot at the Sherbourne on Saint Stephens Green. Christ Church is a must. I remember the tall warrior buried in the cript that had to have his legs broken so he would fit.

My wife printed out Songdoc's latest trip report and is quoting it like the bible. I told her we cannot possibly do as much and will have to save some for next time.

A couple of questions.

1) We rented an Opel 1.2 from Hertz knowing that the roads are narrow. I have no problems driving a stick on the left as I actually found it more natural than driving on the right. I told my wife that we will be limited to two 25" pullmans and 2 backpacks total as the Opel is a hatchback and I want to keep the bags covered if possible. Do you think this will fit?

2) I noticed that a coat and tie are "recommended" at George the V at Ashford. Is the coat a must or do they have loaners? I hate to lug a coat that is only worn once or twice.

We only have 1 week available for this trip and I know that we will drive a lot but I remember that part of the joy of Ireland was experiencing the raw beauty which can be seen while driving. I will rely on my trusty Garmin to find the way so that all I have to do is watch for trucks and sheep.

Counting the days,
Mike

Hi Pompa.. sounds like a trip but you are expecting alot for a week. I believe the knight rests in St. Micah's at least that's where we saw one with his legs cut off. Shelbourne was closed for a year for reno. Should be even more outstanding now..we were there 2 years ago. we only had a week then and concentrated on the SW. A year before we had 3 weeks and still couldn't do all we wanted,,Envy you your time anyway. Hope to go back again and again before the clock runs down..We are in our late 70's and it is ticking faster each day.

pompa1 what fun to be going back after 27 years, you must be very excited!

We will be going to Ireland for the first time in September. We also will be staying at Ashford Castle, so please post about your experience and if you took a coat or not!

Have a wonderful time!

Thank you amer_can! St. Micah's was the one I was thinking of. I know that we have a lot on the agenda but we tend to be very spontaneous. Our outlook is that if we don't see it this trip there is always next year but I agree that the clock is ticking. I had a battle with cancer in 2006 which I won after surgery but it made me realize that every moment is to be cherished and not wasted.
I hope you are still able to experience these adventures for many years to come.

Take care1

Pompa,

Sounds like a great trip! First off, I would recommend taking the factory tour at Jamesons in Dublin. The secret is to throw your hand up the instant they ask for volunteers from the audience. This will allow you to be one of three people to become taste testers in front of the group. They ask that you judge multiple varietals of whisky, whiskey, bourbon, etc. What a blast!

Pompa..We have something in common besides loving Ireland and listening to the clock tick..I too am a survivor and it sounds like you took a good hard look at the things not to be missed in this world. Everyday should bring experiences that if not taken advantage of to soon are gone.Have a wonderful time and a pint (or two) for us or perhaps a Jamisons..There is a neat restaurant just across the street from GPO called The Bank.. A lovely old bank cum eatery. Reasonable for Dublin where few things are!!! Not the "Olde sod" you knew 27 years ago.

I understand the need to cram a lifetime into a week but you are on fast-forward if you think you can accomplish everything on your list. Are you planning a vacation or a marathon?

Maybe a good plan to revise the list.

BTW, it is St. Michan's.

Big, big changes in 27 years. You will be surprised.

Thanks for the wake up IrishEyes. I started putting it on a spreadsheet this morning and realized I need a lot more vacation time. I've got my work cut out for me but am of the opinion that Dingle, Ashford, and the Ciffs are absolutes. I'll start filling in the blanks around these highlights. I'm using the Via Michelin driving times for planning purposes.

Do you think that it is best to setup B&B's in advance for Cork and Dingle or is April a good time of year to just "wing it". I get the impression that April 19th to the 25th isn't a heavy tourist time.

Do you arrive on 4-19 and depart on 4-25? That is only 6 days as your last day will be for departure not sightseeing. The first day will most likely not be a full one because of jet lag issues.

You have to add time to those computer generated driving times. They err on the side of showing a lot less time than it takes.

Are you departing from Dublin or Shannon? If Dublin, your last full day could be spent driving across country.

We arrive Dublin 8:30AM 4/19 and leave Dublin 9:40AM 4/26. I think I have it somewhat worked out.

Dublin 4/19
Cork 4/20
Dingle 4/21
Bunratty 4/22
Cong (Ashford castle) 4/23
Trim 4/24
Dublin Airport hotel 4/25

I know that this will be sort of a marathon but the days are long in April and I am still thinking about not booking all of the B&B's in advance so that we can be somewhat flexible.

Thanks for your advice.

I, too am a survivor from 2006, and I applaud your wanting to see-all, do-all. Me too! Six weeks off the operating table and I was in the air again. Both my husband and I are determined to travel as much and as far as we can. So, if you want to do Ireland "in a hurry," do it. You'll go back again -- and again. Have a memorable trip!

Wow that was a long time ago and don't be shocked by the changes. Ireland was a lot grayer back then economically and ewven dublin (I was visiting as a kid back then) Its much more international, still friendly but far more modern and like our european countrtparts than back in the 80's. To find a friend try the local parish in Mountmellick expecially if they had kids as they would have been confirmed or made communion there and maybe the parish could help themselves or the Irish Phone book at http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/displa...9F8F14E513361F check and see if their name is on it! Best of luck and have a great trip.

We have setup our reservations for the 1st and last night in Dublin, Ashford Castle, and we have a request in for Cill Bhreac house in Dingle.

Do you have any recommendations for B&B's in Kinsale, Bunratty, and Trim?

How long does it typically take to drive the Ring of Kerry?

Also any good recommendations for seeing step dance shows in Dingle or Kinsale?

Thanks for your help!

In 24 hours we'll be in line at the airport. VACATION TIME IS HERE!

Look out stomach, look gums, look out lips cause the Guinness is about to come!

Here is a link to a great webcam I found in Dublin.

http://www.allcladdagh.com/webcam.htm

Have a great trip! We just came back from 9 nights - our 6th trip - and didn't try to cover as much territory as you plan. But what the hey, go for the gusto! You will have to go back again to do and see the things you can't fit in the first time.

Last week it was light until at least 8:30.

Be sure and tell us all about the trip when you get back!