Is it possible to get a feel of Ireland from a B&B near Shannon? I don't have any specifics to see, just the local, pubs, countryside, sea, etc.,? I want to come for about a week to ten days. Thanks for your input. My cuppa

Do you intend to stay a week or ten days in one place near Shannon and make day trips? Will you have a car or will you be using public transportation?

Thank you. I want to use public transportation if possible. Will this be feasible to get the feel of Ireland?

OOOPS! I want to rent in one place if it will be possible. Thanks again.

Try Galway -- there is an Airlink (or Citylink) bus, direct from Shannon Airport.

From Galway, there are a number of daytour on offer, both large group and small group.

Will it give you a good "Feel" of Ireland? No.

But it WILL give you the opportunity to gain a decent grasp of Galway, the Connemarra, Co. Clare, the Aran Islands and, maybe, a bit of Mayo.

Not a terrible way to spend a week, IM (not so) HO.

Bob

What IYO would get a grasp on what Ireland is like? There are not that many things that I want to see in Ireland...mostly countryside, sea, local, pubs...etc. Thank you so much for your input.

Perhaps I've OVER analyzed your question.

In my 10 trips over the last nine years (never less than 8 days, but sadly, never more than 16, each time), there have been a number of times when I thought that I finally had a pretty good feel for Ireland...

And then, in something as simple as the turn of a phrase, it seemed to slip back through my fingers, as if I were grasping at smoke.

Ireland is a DENSE place - densely packed with history and lore and divergent heritage. The subtle differences between Donegal, North Mayo, West Cork and Co Clare -- all wild, sparsely populated areas with vast stretches of rugged, rocky tracts, are numerous.

The language differs in tone and in pattern, from place to place. So, too, I suspect, does the under-laying thought process that shape them.

To give you a U.S.- centric comparison:

If you spent a week in rural Mississippi, you might well come to an understanding of the Southern US, but could you honestly believe that THAT visit would give you an insite into what people in Oregon, or Massachusettes or Minnesota are like?


Bob

Well put. I know I could never capture all areas but I have read that if you can only go to part...go to the South and Southwest. I am going on those thoughts when I say that. I just returned from Italy and we covered the North to the South but never ever could you cover all, I am sure that there are Italians that have not done that but I have a hint of what the country is like. I don't expect to get every experience but just to know with the time period what I should see in Ireland. Thanks much for your info. I appreciate that.

Mycuppaajava writes: <<Is it possible to get a feel of Ireland from a B&B near Shannon? I don't have any specifics to see, just the local, pubs, countryside, sea, etc.,? I want to come for about a week to ten days. >>

Short answer to your question: No! Unless you time your visit for the Ennis Spring Masic & Dance festival Fleadh Nua, Galway's Oyster festival, or other local festival.

I also think you should stay at a B&B in a city or town, one walking distance to the center of town and the Bus station so you can daytrip by BusEireann. My recommendation would be Ennis, County Clare. You have frequent Bus service from/to Shannon airport.