tips/problems
 

Just returned from an all too brief trip. We overplanned based on distances/times suggested by guides. We had to change one night's reservations because it was impossible to make. With travel times, add an hour at least. It seems September is road construction month as well. Also, we did the DownPatrick Head side trip in County Mayo - this is very scary - I don't suggest doing it alone, women alone or without a cell phone - we were terrified. Also the Ceide Fields DO NOT operate tours on rainy days. Very long ride to find that out.

This is about Ireland right? I haven't been there but am sure County Mayo is in Ireland. Did your trip have any pleasure at all, I sure hope so.

Hello, can you explain? Start from the beginning. What part of DownPatrick Head was scary? Women? Alone? Cell Phone? Hello? ((b))

Thanks Budman, I am fighting a terrible head cold and reread this post three times thinking it was me..that my brain was not funtioning properly. Thanks for verifying that the post is confusing, especially from a first time poster as far as I can tell. Take care!

Gee, I'm real sorry I confused everyone. Yes the trip was to Ireland. Yes most of the trip was wonderful. There were just a couple of things as stated that were problematic - which is all I stated. Otherwise, my sister and I had a wonderful time. I thought the purpose of this was to list advise/problems. I think this will probably be my last post.

Hey, don't get discouraged so easily. Stick around see how things turn out.

hi Sally, Since all posts show up under the general Europe forum, I'll speak for myself and say, I had no idea what country you were writing about. "tips/problems" as a title didn't give me a clue either.

Why in the world will it be your last post, because people asked you to clarify the location you are posting about?

Hello NJSally, what was scary about the DownPatrick Head side trip in couny Mayo? Details would be of a help to others here. Glad your trip went well except for a problem or two. Best wishes.

NJSally, on this board we talk back and forth and get to know each other in addition to posting travel info. I don't think anyone has been rude to you, they were only asking for clarification. You are more than welcome to tell us more about your trip, both the good and the bad.

My sister and I went to Ireland for 1 week, actually 6 days when you exclude the travel day lost to Ireland. We stayed in Bunratty Castle area the first night to get acclimated - I enjoyed the folk park and we made reservations for the first seating at Bunratty Castle. Despite being very jet lagged by that point, it was fun. We also stopped into Durty Nellies for a guinness. The next morning we drove to Tralee and then on to Dingle Peninsula. Based on the distances and times recommended by the Fodor's guide book and by Rick Steve's guide book, I thought we could get to Cashel by the evening. No Way. We very much enjoyed the Dingle Peninsula. It took us more like 3 hours - because we did stop at the great blasket island centre - very worthwhile. We entered the peninsula via the Conair pass - lovely. Of course this was my first time driving on the left so at times I was scared but we made out pretty well.
We ended up spending the night in Killarney at the Brooke Lodge Hotel - very nice. In the AM we drove down to Muckross estate but it was raining too much so we proceeded on to Cashel. Road construction dictated a huge detour down scary back roads. Rock of Cashel was very much worth while.
After Cashel we drove straight up the midlands to Athlone, no stopping, over to Roscommon and finally to Claremorris, Co. Mayo for next night's lodging. Too much mileage to cover, again using the guide books suggestions. The following day we took the Fodor's suggested drive #6 backwards, starting from Ballina and heading back to Newport. It took quite a bit longer than the guide book says and that is where we went to DownPatrick Head. This is a cliff out in the middle of the sea with a statue of Saint Patrick, a blowhole and an old fort. To get to it you traverse a terrible rocky road, ford puddles and drive through cows. There is nothing for miles around. We had no cell phone and probably should have turned around. Once on top of the cliff, it is soft, mushy and feels as if it is about to fall into the sea, there are signs posted to that effect. Our next stop were the Ceide fields and as I said, they don't give tours on rainy days. We probably wouldn't have changed our itinerary, it rained every day we were there, but I just thought people should know this. We came around Co. Mayo to Achill Island, Newport, Westport, Murrisk and finally to Kilsalla our B&B stop. We went back into Westport to Matt Molloy's - no sign of the boy unfortunately. The next day we attempted to climb Croagh Patrick. The weather was again miserable and we could only go to the first station. The trail above it was a river. We continued to Louisburgh and then through the Doo Lough pass to Leenane - all very thought provoking and serene.
Our last stop was in Connemara at Cashel Bay - the Zetland House - for the wedding we had come to witness. Wonderful place, lovely people. Connemara/Clifden/Roundstone/Kylesmore abbey - all wonderful.
7am Sunday morning - 2.5 hour drive to Shannon and home.
Can't wait to go back. Hope you can see our trip was great - I just wanted to make a couple of suggestions. I have also written suggestions to Fodor's for their guide reference the Ceide fields and Downpatrick Head.
Sally

Hi Sally, you are brave!!! First of all I would never have the nerve to drive on the left side of the road although here in the US I consider myself a very good driver!

Thank you for sharing your trip to Ireland with everyone. You are so fortunate to have a sister to travel with. I never had a sister and always wished I did. "Can't wait to go back", that is a sign of a successful trip! May you go back to Ireland as soon as possible. Best wishes.

NJSally

You go, girl! Your second attempt at a trip report is great. Good for you.

Hi Sally:

Glad you had a good time. Driving on the left can take a few days to get used to and heading over Connor Pass is always a good tune up. On the other hand, it's probably scarier for the passenger :-)

Road construction will probably be in season for the next 10-15 years in Ireland. Although I actually like the silly narrow roads and the trips through all of the little towns, by modern standards, they are a bit behind and are trying to catch up. For instance, the bulk of the N1 motorway up towards Belfast didn't exist a couple of years ago. Now it's a very fast trip.

It seems virtually all attempts by websites and guide books under estimate drive times in Ireland. My basic rule is to get the mileage and divide by 35MPH. It usually works. You actually covered a huge distance in Ireland and saw a lot, but I'm guessing you want to slow down the next time. If it makes you feel better (acting on no advice at all) on my 1st day in Ireland, many years ago, I drove from Dublin to Goleen (on the Mizen Peninsula) on a drizzly November day. We got there at about midnight. That was the only lesson I needed.

I haven't made it to Downpatrick Head yet. Good to know the roads are bad. I may try getting close next May, depending on weather.

Just to let you know, the setup on this board is confusing, especially to new users and sometimes even to regulars. The country selection is merely a search engine tool and does not represent a separate board. All posts show up on the Europe board. There are a few people that will give a lecture on this, but don't be deterred. I think in this case, everyone meant well, they were just a bit confused by the post because there was no mention of the country. We all appreciate the report. Thanks!

This by the way is usually a better site for info than most books. Asking here will get a variety of opinions which is nice. You will also get a lot of advice on how much you can expect to do in a day. Of course, by now, you know that.

Happy planning for the next one.

Bill

Oh good, I'm glad you came back to the board. Thanks for posting your trip report for us.

September is usually a nice month weather-wise in Ireland: In Sep '03 I played golf at Belmullet (Carne Golf links); I wished I ad brought shorts it was so warm (70's). That's close to Ceide Fields. I stayed 2-nights in Ballina but couldn't fit in a day trip by public transit to Knock Shrine. Bus Eireann schedules made that to 'iffy.'

It looks to me like the rainy weather was to blame for all your misfortunes and, the next time you visit Ireland you should have a 'plan B' mapped out for rainy days. 6-days may have been too short a time for that. I always take two lightweight nylon slickers and a pair of waterproof Nike Hikers. The ads say they are water resistent so I spray them with Kiwi Camp Dry Silicone Water Repellent.

Now you should be fully prepared in terms of what to expect the next time you visit Ireland.

Hi NJ - thanks for taking the time to post a report. We thought we were going to Ireland this year, but it somehow morphed into France.

I'm already planning Ireland for next year. I'll be saving this for reference.

mom

NJSally, thanks for sticking with us. Your additional info made your post even more valuable. Glad to hear you had a good time despite the rain...and trecherous terrain.

NJSally-
We climbed/crawled to the top of Croagh Patrick on a sunny day. I hurt for days afterwards!! The trail goes straight up that steep slope and the last portion is loose gravel and rocks. Thanks for your post.

McShane
God was probably looking out for me because as an overweight 50 year old female I probably would have had a coronary anyhow. I'm envious of you making it to the top. 2 weeks have passed now and as I reflect on all my sister and I did, I cannot wait to go back and do more. It is pouring in NJ now - in fact for days. I had much more fun in Ireland in the rain than I am having now. Anyhow - I recommend Ireland to everyone. S

Hi NJSally, isn't is ironic, when it rains when we are on vacation it may not be fun but it is sure a lot more fun than when it rains at home, LOL!!
And from all I have read your eastcoast rain is terrible (I am in CA). I sure hope it lets up soon.

I hope you and you sister get back to Ireland just as soon as possible. And welcome to Fodor's! I imagine you will be able to help others here on Fodor's when they have questions about travelling in Ireland. Take care.

Thank you for your report. I will use your tip and avoid DownPatrick Head whenever I visit Ireland.

I share your fear of driving on a never-ending uphill road. Several years ago in Colorado I found myself in a very small car (absolutely no power) with my two little kids in the back. The road had a precipice on one side, solid rock on the other. I kept mumbling, “we are going to make it, we are going to make it” but in reality I wanted to scream or maybe cry. Of course, the only thing my sons remember is having a blast.

Thanks again.

Dear NJSaly. Thank you for your interesting and informative report. You did cover some miles in just 6 days. I hope one day to get up to Mayo. I've just been as far as Leenane. Happy Travels, Joan

Thanks to all for your encouragement. Now that I have been back for a couple of weeks, I have been putting the whole trip into perspective and as I tell EVERYONE about the trip, I synthesize it into a couple factoids which will help me and hopefully others in the future.
1. I had a great time (so did my sister)
2. The memories that I have are treasured and vivid
3. I wished I'd gone for 10 days at least
4. We would not have changed the itinerary on such a short trip - it just meant that we passed through a lot of great towns that all had a lot to offer in pursuit of specific venues I had in mind - at least I know where they are and when I go back can revise the planning to see some of those things
5. My favorite places were Dingle Peninsula and Clew Bay Area
6. I might not book B&B's the next time from the internet - particularly if going in the off season. I suppose that it is much harder during the high seasons to find rooms, but we had our pick and many of the B&B's I picked were too far out of town and shabby.
7. It is not only possible but the best way to see Ireland to rent a car and drive around Ireland - it was very independent and after the initial (1st and 2nd day) adjustment - I just don't think I would have wanted it any other way.
8. I read everything I could get my hands on about all of the places I wanted to visit. I am still reading - I purchased a book about Granuaile(Grace O'Malley) the Pirate Queen of Mayo and am FASCINATED. I also bought an additional book on the Great Blasket Island - which is also great!
This definitely enhanced my understanding of what I was looking at - such as Doo Lough Pass and Rockfleet Castle, even Down Patrick Head, which is why I went there.
Finally, I forgot a couple of other items of interest. We spent a couple of hours in the Shrine of Knock. I am not Catholic but this was an important stop on my agenda - this is a very peaceful and beautiful place to stop - if you are in the area, you would be wise to include it.
Secondly, my father's great grandfather, Thomas Stanton, came from County Mayo. Westport area, that's all we knew. Imagine my surprise rounding the bend between Murrisk and Kilsalla to see T. Staunton's Pub/Restaurant and Staunton's garage. In speaking with the pub owner, Theresa, we have now found out that the Stauntons (Stanton is the same) were Normans who settled in Partry, in the Westport Area. Our whole genealogical search has broadened. I felt like I'd found my cousin. I felt very connected to the area and Mayo would definitely be on the top of my list for a future trip. In fact I'd like to stay for longer - a week maybe, just in that area. Thanks to everyone for reading my postings. I know that I didn't title this thread properly, because I didn't know how it would be posted and I appreciate everyone's replies. NJSally