TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums World Wide Travel IRELAND, first time, Now with Trip reports

Hi Karen,

Thanks! The other day when I went to place a review of Autoeurope services, there were many others that rated them ZERO!! I usually check everything like that out before I leave, but somehow I missed that one. At least you saw it, that may help 1 person anyway!

Dave

Just as a follow-up, in spite of more contacts to Autoeurope, they have done nothing to help fix the situation, it is a shame that people can be taken advantage of, and the company bears no responsibility.

Got lost on my way back from BVI last week, now in Ireland for a few weeks. Great to be back home, been too long. Having a great time, great people, presently in Cross, Mayo.

Hi,
I am jealous...would love to be back again. What is the weather like now? Say hello to the sheep for me!
Dave

Weather has been great, very similar to BVI, scatter showers everyday (just not warm showers nor as heavy). Heading out to the Aran Island today.

Any particular sheep you grew fond of??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Aran Islands, huh?.....my better half has memories of them, and her best friend, motion sickness pills! And I can't tell you the name of the sheep, that would be baaaaaaaad!
Have a ball,

Dave

How long are you going to be in Ireland, and what areas are you going to try and cover? We spent 17 days and saw plenty, but still could have used more time.

We have to be back in the states by August 1, so we will head home sometime before that.

In Cork today, I volunteered at the Irish Rowing Championships where my cousin won in the Senior 8+.

Tomorrow Ring of Kerry, after that who knows, life is too short to live on a schedule.

How was the trip to the Aran Islands...when we went, you could not see the horizon for the waves out the windows of the boat....there were a lot of green people, and that doesn't mean leprechauns! The Ring Of Kerry was one of the clear days that we had while there...we had a ton of rain, especially for the end of April, first of May. That is supposed to be the least rainfall time of the year. Hope the weather is better for you. If you get up north, east of Westport is Ballina, you gotta stop in for lunch at The Broken Jug...food is fabulous, and a ton of it. Have Fun!

The weather have been great, it has stopped raining whenever we needed it to. Aran islands were great! But don't rent bikes, too much work. Water was great, but you have to know we spend a lot of our time living on boats.

Ring of Kerry was great especially when you aren't in a hurry. Had some fun adventures.

Back in Cross for the night to head to Ballina in the Morning, my grandmother's sister has come down to meet us.

Did see Dophins as we ferried across the Shannon today.

So you have family there, that is great....we knew nobody, but it was still great. Maybe the fam can go to The Broken Jug in Ballina...but go hungry! Water was really, really rough for our trip to Aran Islands....they actually were cancelling the boats right after we went, if that tells you anything. I also liked Cong, as I like The Quiet Man movie. Too bad the original cottage is in disrepair, but the remake is just like it. Have fun, and let me know what is happening!
Dave

Up in Ballina now, my cousin owns the old farmhouse plus land from the Belleck Castle, my litte one is enjoying the houses. May hang here for another day or so as my grandmother's sister came down from Belfast.

Yesterday was the Salmon Festival, which was quite fun.

You are just having way too much fun....I liked Ballina....of course, I liked almost everything I saw in Ireland!...Hope you continue to have a ball...and please keep me updated.
Dave

One thing I do not like about Ireland is Duvets, everyone uses one, you get hot at night, then cold, hot cold etc and they are a pain when it is time to do laundry.

Road the Luas, which is the new train, EL, Subway ETC and although it doesn't go far, it is very easy to use. So if you are visiting Dublin, book near a Luas station.

We saw the luas, but did not ride them while we were in Dublin...we did ride the DART, both north and south, and it was very fast, and a great bargain...so is your time there almost done? If so, have an Irish breakfast for me!
Dave

Well, tomorrow is the first of August, so I guess you are back in the US now? I hope you had a ball, and that all your family was well. I can't wait till I get the chance to return!
Dave

Yep back in Tulsa for a bit. Great trip!

So how long were you in Ireland? I hope it was enjoyable getting to see the family. I hope the weather was better than it was for us, we had a fair amount of rain. Oh well, maybe next time!
Dave

Ireland is a beautiful place with tons of history. Anyone that gets the chance should make the trip, and you will not regret it.

MJ,
Thanks for the post, and yes www.irelandyes.com was very helpful. It gives a perspective that is totally different from the travel agencies.
Dave

Can anybody tell me some good places to fish in Ireland, and do you need a license?

Not only is Ireland itself beautiful, but the people are beautiful also. They are some of the friendliest people I have ever met in the world, even if they have nothing to gain by being nice to you. They are a treasure.

Fishing in Ireland:

A lovely place to stay and fish is at Delphi Lodge which is in Connemara (north of Galway). We've stayed twice and my husband went salmon fishing each time.
Visit the web site:
http://www.delphilodge.ie/

I believe there are 12 guest rooms in the Lodge and there are guest cottages. Delphi Lodge is part of "The Hidden Ireland" which are historic country homes. This one was owned by the Marquis of Sligo.

Karen

Thanks Karen!

I will have to look into that for a future trip, last trip was stay and go all the way, next time will pick a few spots and stay longer.

Does anyone know of any organization that is like "meet the people"? Some countries have something where you can actually stay with families, and really get immersed in the country.

I absolutely loved your trip report on your visit to Ireland. There is so much to see in this country and a visit to the North is really essential. You must go back and tour the rest of the country as it really is different. The Giants Causeway is so interesting and the Glens of Antrim are extremely pictureque! I love visiting Ireland and luckily have always stayed with relatives there and travelled throughout the country. Accommodations in the castles can really be expensive and the nice hotels are not inexpensive either. The many shades of green throughout the countryside are firmly planted in my memory.I agree the people are truly genuine and want to do everything possible to make your trip the best! After reading your report, I think I really need another trip to Ireland soon! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Thanks islandgem!
Glad you enjoyed it, it was fun to write, and as long as it was, it still didn't cover half of what happened. I know that the information on here helped me a great deal to start planning my trip, so hopefully the info I put on it will help others to plan theirs. Now all I have to do is to figure out how to get back soon! Thanks again!
Dave

For a "meet the people" experience, often we use craigstlist.org in sublets for the city we are looking at and have had some awesome experiences in Moscow and Argentina. We actually rent our garage apt out in Tulsa for the short term traveller and have had some great people.

When in Ireland we have just mooched off the family.

Ireland is the one place I want to visit more than any other. I hope someday I get the chance.

Ireland?? You will never regret making it a priority in your travel plans abroad. Visit the country one time and "Ireland will indeed call you back".

We did our visit in 2008 and plan to go back this fall or next spring. Best to spend first couple of nights in Dublin and tour the city on foot, easy to do and visit the many pubs for the best food and drink. From here, our choice was a rental car to tour the country. Driving is easy and good road information is at your next stop. We did a perimeter route over the entire island stopping at unplanned B&Bs for unlimited hospitality, highlighted by friendly hosts and generous Irish food. You have to visit here to believe the genuine friendliness and welcome of the people. Incidentally, the best food is served in the pubs along with more travel information than you can absorb.

Tour the island by car and you will view more scenery than the mind can absorb. Postcard sights will linger in your memories unlike any other place you may travel.

Fishing? If you can visit Ireland and go fishing you should never leave home.

These are just a few reasons to do Ireland next.
Ireland will call you back, as it now does us.

Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

What is the best time of the year to visit, as I read that it never gets very warm there?

You are right, it never gets warm or dry, especially on the West side of the island. The east side is a little better, but certainly not warm. August is the warmest and driest month that I have experienced. Even then, you are going to want to have a light jacket at night, preferably a waterproof one. Days are jeans and long sleeved shirts.

The best month? The month that you can go to this beautiful place with the friendliest people around.

Go, stay sort of dry and have fun!!

Information that I have found says that the end of april, and the first of may are usually the driest times of the year, but that it never gets what most people would call very warm.

That is the truth...when it gets to about 65 they think it is a heat wave....but still worth the trip, it is beautiful, as are the people!

How about the humidity? I know that it rains a fair amount, hence the green! Is it also humid, or is it not a problem?

Yep, humid

That is right, the west side can be kind of raw at times, but it is always beautiful......it is very rugged, and when you stand on the shore and look west, you can imagaine the journey their forefathers took, it is awe inspiring.

Are there hotels to stay in on the Aran Islands, or do you just go over and back to visit them?

Aran Islands Hotel: http://www.aranislandshotel.com/

I have read that it never really gets warm in Ireland, maybe 70 or so....how about cold, does it snow, etc., or it is just kind of cool all the time?