I'm starting to think about several different countries we'd like to take a trip to this May, and Ireland is in the running as a possible contender. We've done lots of trips to the continent but never to Ireland or England or Scotland. Our favorite mode of travel is to rent a car and then get a couple different self-catering places (cottage, apartment, house) to stay in for about 5 days each. So, ideally, for a trip of around 2 weeks we'd like 3 different bases. But, from some of the things I've been reading here, it sounds as though this type of travel doesn't really work in Ireland. Is that true? I should add in that we are experienced enough travelers that we don't feel the need to rush around and see every major tourist site, and, in fact, we often prefer the less-traveled, more off-the-beaten-path type areas. When possible, we also enjoy an afternoon hiking or a day with a rental bicycle in additional to some more traditional sightseeing. And, if we're in Ireland, we'd like to be be able to hear some live traditional music a couple nights. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I don't know what gave you the impression that Ireland isn't suited to the sort of holiday you outline. Perhaps it is the large number of posts from people who propose very crowded itineraries. I think the best way to enjoy a holiday here is to slow down and get into things a bit.

Rural, urban, or a bit of each?

Thanks Padraig--

Perhaps it is from all those posts you refer to, but I also remember reading one where someone said that Ireland isn't conducive to the type of trip where one operates out of bases because day trips aren't particularly doable becasue of the driving conditions. We typically prefer the rural and would like to set up in a couple locations where, within an hour's drive, there would be things to keep us occupied. My husband might also be interested in having one of our locations be a place where he could fly-fish, but not where he'd have to pay to fish. Not a must, and we wouldn't forego any other great locations just so he could spend a few days fishing. Any suggestions for some interesting areas as possible bases? Everyone here seems to rave about the west coast area, but perhaps that is because that is where most tourists go. We enjoy nature and active vacations, history, interacting with a culture, and want to be places where we know we are in a different culture. We don't need or want any type of luxury. Thanks.

Driving in Ireland isn't that bad! I do it most days. In some places, the most important thing is not to be in a hurry, and that seems to be in line with your preferences.

Locations like the west of Ireland are popular with tourists because they are worth visiting, particularly for the scenery and to some extent for interesting things like castles or mansions. Personally, I don't enjoy some of the tourist towns because making money from visitors has supplanted the more traditional culture. I'm Irish, and I like interacting with people in an Irish way. I can't get that too easily in Killarney but, to the credit of the locals, I can in Dingle.

My favourite place in Ireland -- indeed on this planet -- is Connemara. This old post of mine has recently been invoked in another thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ra-weekend.cfm. There should be fishing opportunities for your husband there. An inexpensive licence is required, and some rivers are closed to casual visitors, but if small, sporty, and hard-to-catch fish appeal to him, he could have a lot of fun in peaty rivers.

Sligo is under-rated. The town itself has limited appeal for me, but there is a lot of good stuff around (using your one hour's drive idea): the beautiful Lough Gill, some rugged coastline, megalithic remains, some houses and castles to visit -- and not too overwhelmed with tourism.

Perhaps those ideas will get you started.

I personally think 5-7 days in one location doing day trips, then moving on to the next base is the very BEST way to see Ireland, Scotland and/or England.

It is just that 90% of the folks who ask for advice here think picking up and moving every day is the only way to cram everything in.

Most cottages rent by the full week (usually starting from a Friday or Saturday) in high season but will do shorter stays at other times. But a few will do short stays any time of year.

May is sort of in the middle - The first week will normally require 7-day rentals because of the bank Holiday. But the rest of the month is not busy and short lets would be more common.

I travel to Scotland/England more often than to Ireland - and almost ALWAYS rent self catering flats/cottages (or once in a while use time share trades).

One thing to consider -- if you find a place you love, but it will only do 7-day rents -- there is nothing to prevent you from only staying 5 or 6 days. Even eating the extra nights often is cheaper than staying in B&Bs for 5-6 days.

julies, I'm trying to work out the same dilemma. I usually try to take a slow travel approach but have to admit Ireland is a challenge if you want to see many of the points of interest as a 1st time visitor.

I thought I read here to plan on driving 35 miles in an hour in Ireland and that doesn't give you a very large radius for day tripping.

If I want to slow travel I guess I have to accept that I'm going to see less than I want but will hope to experience more!!

One of the B&B's we are considering on the ring of Kerry is in Killorglin. One of the comments from tripadvisor about this place came from a man in France who stayed there 2 weeks for the fishing.

Good luck with your plans and I hope to pick up some tips for our September trip--slow travel style Deborah

Thanks Padraig amd Janisj--

Sounds like this possibility may work out for us. We'd be later on in May, so might find some folks willing to do less that an entire week let (we've been able to do that before in France and other countries during off/shoulder season). We just do not enjoy rushing around to try to think we've seen and done everything. Pardaig--I'll look into your suggestions for locales. Thanks again.

A good way to start -- lay out a map, pick a possible location (lots would be doable), and draw 80-90 mile radius circles w/ the village/cottage at the center. That would be about the max you could cover in day trips. More in some areas, a bit less in others.

Then pick the next place and repeat. for sites you want to visit that don't fit inside any of your circles -- you can usually plan your itinerary to hit some of them on your getaway/travel days between base cottages.

I always travel the way you’re describing in Ireland—and I love it. I understand that those who are doing a once-in-a-lifetime trip—and know that this is their only chance to see the places they’ve dreamed of visiting—feel the compulsion to cover every inch of the Emerald Isle in a week or two. For me, that’s exhausting—and not enjoyable—but different strokes for different folks. We much prefer self-catering and have found some truly magical places that I’ll share.

We love Northern Ireland and keep returning to the cottages at www.limepark.com. The nearby town of Ballycastle is charming and with that as a base we have easy access to the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-rede bridge, Ballintoy Harbor (one of my favorite places to walk in the world!), Dunluce Castle, the Glens, Bushmills, and the Torr Head Road. If I want a longer drive, I can spend a day visiting Belfast and another day in Derry/Londonderry from there, as well.

Next … www.couminolecottage.com on the Dingle Peninsula’s Slea Head Drive. Absolutely loved it. Perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy truly experiencing the Dingle Peninsula—as opposed to driving it and checking it off the list. You have easy access to the music and restaurants in Dingle town—while returning to gorgeous views. But if you’d prefer a base with easier access to other areas, look for somewhere that would allow day trips to Killarney—for the beautiful park, Muckross House, and the Gap of Dunloe, Dingle, & ROK.

Staying in or near Dublin allows easy access to Newgrange, Powerscourt, Glendalough, and more—in addition to the city itself. We did this from a wonderful base near Wicklow: www.ballymurrin.ie. But I would probably suggest staying a bit closer to the city for the sites I mentioned.

As part of my upcoming trip (next week!!!) we’ll be staying at a self-catering cottage at www.roundwoodhouse.com in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Our plan is to use it as a base to explore Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel, Birr Casstle, and to enjoy long walks the mountains. It’s a 90 minute drive from Dublin—so you could do that for a day, as well from there.

We’ve also stayed in a wonderful thatched cottage in Donegal. So, I know that staying in a cottage as a base is definitely do-able in Ireland – and for my taste, infinitely more enjoyable than the green blur.

Hi Julies, your post interested me because you are planning to go at the same time we went last year and for the same length of time. I wondered if you read through my Trip Report it might just have something of interest to help your plans:
http://tinyurl.com/mmm492

Thanks Sonbgdoc for the recommended places. I'll check them all out.

tod--fascinating trip report, and I never would have even contemplated renting a motorhome because I'd heard all about the very narroiw roads. Another new possibility to ponder. Thanks.

Yes, the roads are often very narrow, but if you are driving a big vehicle the smaller ones usually give the right of way. I like either a very small or a very large set of wheels.

I cannot even imagine driving a motorhome through Ballycastle! Getting through in even the smallest car is a challenge because of the double parked cars and trucks.

I read Tod's trip report and they seemed to have a wonderful time. But for me .... it would be torture But I'm not trying to talk anyone into my way. Different people enjoy different things.

I love staying put in one place for a while. For me, staying in quaint old cottages is a big part of the experience. Also, in a place like Ireland, where there's a good chance of bad weather, it's good to know that if an activity gets rained out--I can do it tomorrow. If it's nasty in the morning, I can sit in front of the fire with a cup of tea and read until the sun comes out.

Hi Songdoc
My husband and I are going to Ireland at the end of May and would like to find a couple of places to stay and then do day trips from. Your information in N Ireland is helpful as we would like to visit Giant's Causway etc. Do you know of any B&B's to pass on as we can only spend 3 nights in two different areas so won't be able to do the self catering. We would like to stay the second three nights in south central Ireland after Norther Ireland. Any suggestions/
Thanks

Sorry, I can't help with B&B recommendations. We almost always choose self-catering. FYI, look at Limepark's web site and if it appeals to you, you could check with them because they sometimes rent for shorter stays. It's one of my favorite places.

I think Northern Ireland is one of those wonderful secrets. The Antrim coast is so beautiful--and uncrowded. The "troubles" are long gone so it amazes me that more people don't visit. Shh... don't tell anyone!

colleenbee08 -- In June of '07, we stayed not too far from Songdoc's Lime Park, on the outskirts of Ballycastle. Liked it a lot.

website is here:
http://crockatinney.ndo.co.uk/

It is one of Michele Erdvig's Recommended places. If you go to her website http://www.irelandyes.com/ she has others.

Since I'm not really sure what you mean by, "in south central Ireland" , I can't really make any intelligent recommendations.

Can you narrow down your PREFERRED General Area?

Bob

Songdoc - Do you know driving in Ireland was a cinch compared to driving near the Cornish coast in the UK! I guess we may have handled it all quite well as we drive on the same side here in South Africa. I find changing the old habit of having everything where you are completely at ease with then suddenly not only negotiating the roads and traffic on the opposite side - but the gears etc., are all manouvered with a different hand & arm!! Oh Canada here we come.......