The Ireland travel lady
 

About 6 yrs ago I planned an Ireland fly-drive with the help of Fodorites and another website in the US. Website was run by a woman in the Northeast US who led tours, answered questions, and had an online forum. We will be going for our 3rd trip, and want to revisit the suggestions for lodging, but I cannot remember her name or website. Can anyone help?? Thanks. SC

Sounds like Michele, of IrelandYes.com

Best wishes,

Rex

It could also be Pat Preston.

I agree, sounds like Michele or Pat. Pat's website is http://www.ireland-withpatpreston.com. Both are a wealth of knowledge.

When we planned our Ireland trip in 2001, both websites were very helpful. I think Pat's had more posts, more questions and more people reporting back on their trips.

One caveat, she does (or did) kind of push Dan Dooley's rental cars. Since there were lots of dissatisfied comments on them, we booked Hertz through British Air. Our car was not available, so they upgraded us to a BMW. Now that was fun!

Also, I think Pat may have special relationships with various b&b owners. However, I don't know if that's good or bad. They are friendly to you when you mention that's where you learned of their website.

It must be Pat Preston because she lives in NY (northeast). Michele Erdvig lives in the southeast. Both good sites and advice.

There is also a great person that runs All Ireland Travel. Kemberlee used to live in No. Calif but moved to Ireland and got married. She does itineraries and books the B&B's, not air travel. But she has visited almost every county and has first hand experience. She has a Yahoo travel forum at www.allirelandtravel.com

maureencol, Thanks for your recommendation. I had a spin around the website you mentioned. One thing that jumped out at me was that some of the B&Bs recommended on it have not been in business for many years. The owners have died, retired or sold their establishments.

If you know Kemberlee you might want to let her know. Keeping up to date on a website like that is important. I notice lots of guide books have similar problems keeping up to date.

SusieCue, the above is why it is best to look at IrelandYes or Pat Preston.

IrishEyes,
Thanks for letting me know about the B&B's on Kem's website. I will definitely let her know. I don't usually do the B&B thing since I usually mooch off of friends & relatives or else use the hostels..cheaper ya know. But I do enjoy Kem's message board. Lots of nice people on it too. I met up with Kemberlee one year when I went down to Cork. Nice person.

maureencol, I totally agree that mooching off friends and relatives is the best way to go! I have friends I visit often but I am afraid my ancestry goes so far back I would have a tough time finding relatives. I think they all moved to the US and Canada a hundred years ago (or more). That is why I tend to stay at B&Bs around Ireland.

I think that with several hours of intensive research Kemberlee could bring her list up to date. After all, when the B&Bs drop out of the books they were in (like Town and Country) there is a 95% chance they have closed. The other 5% usually have decided not to pay the fees to be in the books. A quick phone call or look at their website will tell what's up.

P.S. I think you can find nice people on most of the travel forums but finding one you are comfortable with is important.

Definitely was Pat Preston. She was extremely helpful in planning two trips, and the web talk was as well. Thanks to all. SC

If you dont find what you are looking for or want unbiased advise on something you have booked, you can give contact us and we would be more then happy to help with any lodgings you require. We are a free accommodation reservations sevice for all of Ireland and guided by the Irish hotels federation.

dashhotels, FYI. Before you do any more posting you will want to read Fodor's rules about advertising: http://www.fodors.com/forums/howtoforums.cfm They request "no advertising or commercial promotion".