Winter In Ireland
 

Anyone with first hand knowledge of the weather in December in the Galway/Limerick area please respond. I have heard the worst. Also are nay popular businesses/sights open 12/28 to Jan3? I have heard mixed reviews here too. <BR>Thanks.

Ellen, <BR>First of the weather in the winter is as unpredictable as it is in the summer. Over the past few year (except for last year) it has been very stormy, wet and windy over Christmas with the West coast ie Galway area getting most of it - it tends to dark early about 4.00-5.00pm and is only light by 9.00ish in the morning. What major sites are you interested in seeing ? All shops and restaurants etc are closed on the 25th but restaurants, pubs and shops are open from the 26th onwards. It is a big party season in Ireland and is lots of fun. What major sites are you interested in seeing ? Some will be open and some will be on reduced times - check out www.ireland.travel.ie for more details from the Irish Tourist Board - also be warned Galway is very popular with the younger party set so book ahead for B&Bs etc. Have a great time <BR> <BR>Cathy

Thanks! I appreciate your input. I have also emailed with Pat Preston, Author of Daytrips Ireland. She said some of the same. I am interested in Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. Although i think Waterford will be too far to drive. We have severe weather in the Washington D.C. some winters. So we'll deal with acts of God and make the most of it. <BR>Thanks Cathy!

Ellen, <BR>I saw your post on Pat's site and I didn't bother to reply as I persumed you would have got an answer from Pat but when you posted here then I thought maybe you haven't, sorry to be repeating the same info' as you got from Pat but the weather in Ireland is very unpredictable. last Christmas we had a bright dry sunnny day with a light dusting of snow around mid-day - you show avboid planning any trips that involve late night or early morning driving as there tends to be some frost and also avoid any sailing etc if you are anywhere tied to time as you might end up strandered on an island if you go to the Aran Island for exmaples if the weather turns bad. Temps wise it ranges from 5 degrees celius to 12 degrees in a good year. <BR> <BR>Cathy

thanks again Cathy. Do you live in Ireland? <BR>No, we are not planning on sailing. I would like to take my kids to Bunratty. <BR>i have heard from Pat, just wanted some other opinions, so thanks! <BR> <BR>

We are going in February. Any insight to the weather then? I have been in Scotland in Mid March, very cold. We are taking a 8 day tour and staying in Dublin the first two nights before the tour leaves. Any suggestions for eats or sights? Thanks!

Ellem, <BR>Yes I live in Ireland but as a result of my job I travel a lot throughout central Europe and have a lot of friends and friends of friends etc come visit. Re the sailing bit I was talking about maybe you were considering going to the Aran Islands. The Cliffs of Moher are wonderful in the wet and windy days around Christmas and the pubs all over the country will have music etc. Be sure and check out the web site of the Irish Tourist Board at www.ireland.travel.ie and the web site on the heritage sites throughout the country at www.heritageireland.com - it has great information on heritage cards which allow access to most sites and which maybe be a good option for you to purchase. The Tourist Board wioll also be able to tell you a lot more about the plans of the various sites etc. By the way the Christmas and New Year Sales will be starting immediately after Xmas ie the 26th and 27th and it is the best time to go shopping in Ireland - pre-Xmas is a rip off in comparison to the prices that are off offer afterwards. So tell all your friends that you will bring their Xmas presents from Ireland and save the $$. If you have any other questsions or comments fell free to post and I will try and help, be sure and book your accommodation. Also try and do a farmhouse stay or a farmhouse visit too, <BR> <BR>Cathy

The weatherin Ireland is mild temperate with an average winter temperature of 40 degrees F (4 degrees centigrade).Snow is rare with few winters having more than an inch or so.On the west coast it rains for an average of 9% of the time while on the east coast it rains for 6%.I myself live in Dublin and still go to the country for weekends in winter.Much of the beautiful areas are still attractive in winter e.g.Killarney,Connemara,Donegal but the days are short with darkness arriving as early as 4pm and it can be quite windy in the west.Most tourists to Ireland in the winter come to Dublin where they are always found in large numbers.

When I lived in Ireland, my husband and I spent a few days between Christmas and New Year's in Galway. The weather was awful, but of course cleared up on the day we were leaving. We discovered there were mountain right next to the road we had been driving on to and from our hotel for three days that we never saw because of the fog! <BR> <BR>However, our hotel was incredible (Cashel House), and we spent many happy hours in area pubs. <BR> <BR>One thing that's not to be missed out there, and here my brain fails me as I can't remember the name of the town (maybe Cathy can help). And it may not even be in County Galway. But it's at least close by. On a hillside next to a small village on an island (easily accessibly by car) is the remains of a tiny village that was completely deserted during the famine, bascially en masse. It's a sobering sight--the remains of the houses, which have been untouched.

Jen, <BR>I was interested in your visit to read aout your visit to a famine village, to help ou locate it again I need some additional information when exactly did you come across this village ie was it many years ago ? and was it a monitored tourist site or heritage area, if not then it may not be in existence today, haven fallen to the boom of the celtic tiger and development. Since you mentioned an island it may be on Achill Island that you saw the village - did you drive over to the isaldn by road or had you to take a ferry ? <BR> <BR>There are numerous small settlement areas that were abandoned over the years from Famine times up through the centuries - many died off as a result of emigration when entire villages just fell into rack and ruin after the young left and the old died away. <BR>At the Connemara Heritage & History Centre, Lettershea, Clifden, there are some features on pre-famine days, with lots of ancient burial sites and a pre-famine 1840's farm,which is open for walk -round tours. You can see traditional farming methods and help out. I think it is closed for the winter season. <BR> <BR>One of the best records of the Famine and its sad history is at Strokestown House in Roscommon where the Famine Museum is worth a visit. There are wondeful gardens too but it is a great place for young and old alike. I think that its winter opening times are changing. <BR> <BR>In Mayo the Ceide Fields is a popular site is one of the most extensive stone age monument in the world; field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs of 5,000 years ago. There are lots of interesting flora and fauna and spectacular rock formations. <BR> <BR>There is lots more to see and do in the West - including the Quiet Man cottage and Lake Cong etc, <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Thanks for all the info! WE are planning for the weather, so hopefully we will be prepared. <BR>Mary Ellen

Why not visit the theatre if you are in Ireland in the winter.Live theatre is alive and well with many shows in Dublin alone.You could see a play in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin on a Sat. afternoon for as little as $13 incl. booking fee.In the evening it will cost from $13 to 22.You can book online at www.abbeytheatre.ie.It is cheap because the government subsidises the theatre.