An opportunity has arisen to fly to Dublin from LAX but the catch is it's from Wed to Wed. So we land in Dublin on Th. Is this worth it or will I be too tired to enjoy? I want to venture to other areas, Great Britain, France, etc. Is it feasible to venture out or should I limit myself to enjoying Ireland? <BR>

Well if you have six days, only go to one place. If you want to see Ireland, see Ireland. If you want to see GB or France go on to one of those. You can't see Europe in 6 days. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to really see any one of them in 6 days.<BR><BR>That siad, if you decide to land in Dublin and stay. Spend the first night there. Spend the next few days seeing what countryside you can and spend the last night back in Dublin. Ann will argue that you could spend the whole time in Dublin. If you love cities, that may be an option. Would certainly not be my choice though.<BR><BR>Bill<BR><BR>Bill

Someone suggested renting a car (nova car rentals) and going to dublin galway, conammara, cork, kerry, and wexford. Sounds similar to what you are suggesting, Bill. Thanks for the input.<BR>

Heading for Ireland on Oct 17, and for the first time. And now we are a bit concerned about time allotments, particularly to Dublin. How does the following sound to anybody out there? We'd be particularly interested in any views on the way we've allotted time to the various areas. We are as interested in urban things as rural, historical as modern and literary-musical as eating and drinking (not that there's a lot of polarity there). First five days in Dublin, with day-trips to Glendalough and Newgrange, then train to Cork City where we pick up a car (small, automatic with all possible CDW coverage; overnight in Cork City, then to Kinsale (2 nights) then to West Cork (2 nights) then to the Dingle Peninsula (2 nights)(no ring of Kerry) then on to a cottage in West Clare near Lahinch which we've rented for two weeks and from which we'll make day-trips to the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, etc. Also a longer trip of 4 or 5 days to <BR>Galway, Clifden and Westport. Back to the cottage and then fly home from Shannon on Nov 12. Given our self-imposed parameters, i.e. West Ireland and Dublin, does anybody have a view on what we're missing or our proposed time allocations? I don't want to sound particularly anal about this, but it's a first time, and we want to crowd as much in as we can, having regard to the exigencies of seasonal weather, age(late '50s) and getting lost on a whim. Thanks much for any comments (includes you particularly, Bill).<BR><BR>David S.

David:<BR><BR>It seems the only thing you've missed is to send me an invitation and a plane ticket!! That sounds like a great trip. It's a shame you can't make it up to Donegal with all that time, but maybe the next trip. Galway wouldn't be a difficult day trip from Lahinch, but Cliden and Westport are a drive. Good idea to do them as a road trip.<BR><BR>Where r u staying in West Cork? I love the Mizen Peninsula and if you go there, go to Crookhaven and stop at O'Sullivan's bar. Quiet out of the way pub, but if you start talking to the people there, you may never leave. Rose is the regular bartender there and Billy is the owner (actually, his son may be now). I would also recommend the Beara Peninsula in SW Cork and Kerry.<BR><BR>I would say to not try to pack too much in, your days will fill up on their own. No telling on the weather, but in that amount of time, you'll probably see it all. A drive down to Loop Head would be great from Lahinch. If you play golf, I remember some nice looking courses along there.<BR><BR>Let us know more what you plan to do in the areas. It sounds like fun though.<BR><BR>Bill

David,<BR><BR>Bill gives the best advice out there about Ireland but I just have to add my own two cents from time to time. <BR><BR>You mentioned that you are not going to do The Ring of Kerry --&gt; I say to go for it! October is the perfect time to travel there as most of the tour buses and bicycle traffic is long gone. There's a reason, ya know, why the the Ring is so popular -- it's absolutley stunning! The biggest drawback is the other tourists simply because there are so many. But your timing is impeccable so don't pass it by because of bad press...<BR><BR>I agree with Bill about going to Donegal. But it does make a nice reason for a return trip if you miss it this time!<BR><BR>May I also suggest you visit Co. Kilkenny and around that area? Especially Cahir Castle. Of course, I'm partial to castles in general...<BR><BR>Since you are spending so much time in Dublin be sure to take in those free museums which are perfect for visiting on rainy days. <BR><BR>Lastly, I would skip Doolin for the Aran Islands. I didn't much like Doolin, too contrived for my taste, and it certainly isn't worth an entire day's trip. <BR><BR>Have a great time!

Thamks for all the advice, Bill and Wendy. Don't know where we're staying in West Cork, Bill. Seems to be lots of B and B choices on the net--so many, in fact, that it's hard to choose from. We were wondering about staying in Baltimore, Skibbereen, Durrus or Drimoleague. All have B&B's available, and Baltimore seems to have some attractive hotel accommodation. It may be that we tend to use hotels a little more than we should, anyway. Does anybody recommend Benner's Hotel in Dingle? Didn't sound bad in the guides, although there are several B&B's that come highly rated on these posts. We're going to use hotels in the major centres, including Galway and Westport. Recommendations welcome. We'll be saying hello for you at O'Sullivan's for sure. Friends have had similar experiences.<BR><BR>Wendy, not too sure about getting to Aran Islands in October. They seeem to cut way back after the "season". And I'm sorry to hear about Doolin. We'll probably take your advice on the Ring, though.<BR><BR>One more request. Is 5 days in Dublin too long? We have a great place to stay, but we have to decide quickly before we're locked in to our reservations (incidentally one night in Dublin is costing us more than two weeks accommodation in our little West Clare hangout!). Maybe we should take the hint. Thanks again.<BR><BR>David S.

David,<BR><BR>Need someone to carry your luggage?<BR>Lived there for a year 20 years ago; been back 5 times since and can't get enough. It's always different.<BR>I would say 2 1/2 days tourign Dublin city; rest for road trips. If you head to Glendalouogh, stretch to Avoca. Beatiful Vale and meeting of the waters. When touring the Clare coast, visit Ballyvaughn and Monk's Pub. Up towards Clarinbridge visit Morans on the Weir for oysters; or Paddy Burke's. Take your time in Connemara. Even if you don't make it out to Clifden. Start at Salthill and stay on the beach road to Roundstone; cut inland on the way back though bogland and ponds. It's a Terrible Beauty.<BR>Slainte!

Thank you, Denis. Monk's Pub is a (happening) (pub) (locality)? Same with respect to Paddy Burke's. Good places to stop for a pint and talk to the people who live there? We're telling ourselves we're in no hurry and yet there's such a hell of a lot to do and see in the space of 26-27 days. Bill (on this thread and many other Irish ones) advises not to try to crowd too much in, and that seems like common sense to me. So when I hear about Monk's Pub and Paddy Burke's, I'd really like to know more.<BR><BR>Grateful for any elaboration. And thanks.<BR><BR>David S.

To answer Chris' original question: if you're landing and leaving from Dublin, there's plenty to see in the area. Definitely rent a car, but there's no way you can visit all the places you listed in six days (well, I suppose if you're really determined you could, but you'd never get out of the car, or sleep!) Concentrate on the southeast, or maybe Galway/Connemara.<BR>Spend a couple days in Dublin, maybe the first & last day. You could easily get to the Rock of Cashel, Waterford, Kilkenny, & Wexford-perhaps basing in Kilkenny for three days. Or go north to newgrange, then to Athlone & Clonmacnoise and Galway for several days. <BR>The roads in Ireland aren't great--you'll average 35 miles per hour. Keep that in mind as you measure distances.

If you are looking for an excellent place to stay we have just spent two nights in cullinans doolin (recommended elsewher eon this site-do a search)<BR>Rooms great. 30 euro per person per night with direct dial phone, ensuite and amazing food-truly top class place 4 minutes walk from great music pubs and 15 mins drive from Cliffs of Moher.<BR><BR>Stay in Ballynahinch Castle for a magical treat- worth every (euro) cent .