Back from Ireland

Rapunzellover · Aug 2, 2015

Just got back from Ireland and a few things:

1. I knew I would like Ireland, but I ended up LOVING it!

2. Fish and chips almost daily, Guiness, Jameson, and homemade ice cream, plus fresh bread and butter. Yes, Even the food was better than expected.

3. Dromoland Castle is spectacular!

4. The Irish are super friendly!

Put this one on your lists, people! Trip review to follow, but if anyone has questions, fire away.

Woodview · Aug 2, 2015

Good that you had a wonderful time .... besides the weather ...... ( Raining hard all day here in Cork )

Hope you had an Ice Cream Cone .

And now my pet hate ...... were you asked for Tips ? ........ You might have left Tips that is different .

Rapunzellover · Aug 2, 2015

Weather was decent. Not much rain. And I had several ice cream cones. All delish.

Not once was I asked for tips. Not once.

WDWmom08 · Aug 2, 2015

What was the age group like?

Rapunzellover · Aug 2, 2015

^ Varied. Some older folks, some younger families, single moms with kids. One younger couple (late 20s/early 30s) was honeymooning! So sweet.

Cousin Orville · Aug 2, 2015

Glad to hear you loved it.

What activities did you do in Dromoland?

Did you arrive early in Dublin? If so what did you do?

Rapunzellover · Aug 2, 2015

Arrived early in Dublin. Visted grafton street, st pat's cathedral, christchurch cathedral, and dublin castle. Plus, visited the jameson distillery and saw Riverdance!

Activities at Dromoland were few for me. I visited the spa for a facial and mani/pedi, and did a pony and trap ride. It was relaxing, and I got the chance to walk around and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

*WDW*Groupie* · Aug 2, 2015

I'm looking forward to your trip report!

We were in Ireland 17 years ago (*gasp*) and LOVED it!

Did the tour bus go on the Ring of Kerry? Driving that road scared the heck out of me in our tiny little rental car! I remember thinking how amazing the tour bus drivers must be since the roads seem SO narrow.

Rapunzellover · Aug 2, 2015

^ No ring of Kerry. But plenty of narrow roads.

tufbuf · Aug 4, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
Glad to hear you loved it.

What activities did you do in Dromoland?

Did you arrive early in Dublin? If so what did you do?

We did the falconry and skid shooting. The falconry tour was amazing!! I think it was a hawk the guide worked with but the bird on us several times on our arms, not just once. I think it's a must do! The skid shooting was so much fun!!! I recommend that too!!

Rapunzellover · Aug 4, 2015

The Hawk Walk seemed fun. But the kids really seemed to like archery.

bonnielynn · Aug 27, 2015

Can't wait for the review. :sunny:

kaseyC · Aug 28, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
Glad to hear you loved it.

What activities did you do in Dromoland?

Did you arrive early in Dublin? If so what did you do?

We stayed at Dromoland with our TB tour too. Absolutely loved it. If you enjoy fine dining, you must have dinner at the Earl of Thomond Restaurant. It was a fabulous multi course meal, the food and the presentation was fantastic. I'm not sure how ABD handles meals there but for TB it was one of our a la carte meals that was included in the tour. Our tour director made reservations for the times we wanted. It was one that the adults and kids enjoyed because it also gave everyone the chance dress up.

I also have to agree that the falconry and walk was fantastic.

Bobo912 · Aug 28, 2015

kaseyC said:
We stayed at Dromoland with our TB tour too. Absolutely loved it. If you enjoy fine dining, you must have dinner at the Earl of Thomond Restaurant. It was a fabulous multi course meal, the food and the presentation was fantastic. I'm not sure how ABD handles meals there but for TB it was one of our a la carte meals that was included in the tour. Our tour director made reservations for the times we wanted. It was one that the adults and kids enjoyed because it also gave everyone the chance dress up.

I also have to agree that the falconry and walk was fantastic.

ABD doesn't include any dinners at the Earl of Thomond. The adult dinner on JA movie night is at the Fig Tree restaurant at the golf course, which was okay, but nothing special. Dinner the next night we left Dromoland for a Medieval Banquet, which is more for entertainment, because the food is not very good. The last night is the farewell dinner in a private dining room. I don't remember what the entree or dessert was, but I do remember the soup, and it was really good. I'm sure the food came from the Earl of Thomond, but we didn't have the opportunity to order from a menu. We did have breakfast each morning at Earl of Thomond and everything we tried was delicious, especially the French Toast. Without skipping one of the included dinners, there is no opportunity to dine there. There is one lunch on your own during the stay at Dromoland on the day of the Medieval Banquet. We were too full from breakfast to have lunch.

Cousin Orville · Aug 28, 2015

kaseyC said:
We stayed at Dromoland with our TB tour too. Absolutely loved it. If you enjoy fine dining, you must have dinner at the Earl of Thomond Restaurant. It was a fabulous multi course meal, the food and the presentation was fantastic. I'm not sure how ABD handles meals there but for TB it was one of our a la carte meals that was included in the tour. Our tour director made reservations for the times we wanted. It was one that the adults and kids enjoyed because it also gave everyone the chance dress up.

I also have to agree that the falconry and walk was fantastic.

Thanks for the recommendation of the Earl of Thomond! It looks beautiful. It sounds like ABD does not dine there, but I may try to make reservations regardless.

Cousin Orville · Aug 28, 2015

Bobo912 said:
ABD doesn't include any dinners at the Earl of Thomond. The adult dinner on JA movie night is at the Fig Tree restaurant at the golf course, which was okay, but nothing special. Dinner the next night we left Dromoland for a Medieval Banquet, which is more for entertainment, because the food is not very good. The last night is the farewell dinner in a private dining room. I don't remember what the entree or dessert was, but I do remember the soup, and it was really good. I'm sure the food came from the Earl of Thomond, but we didn't have the opportunity to order from a menu. We did have breakfast each morning at Earl of Thomond and everything we tried was delicious, especially the French Toast. Without skipping one of the included dinners, there is no opportunity to dine there. There is one lunch on your own during the stay at Dromoland on the day of the Medieval Banquet. We were too full from breakfast to have lunch.

My DW and I may make reservations at the Earl. If you were going to skip one of the included dinners, which would you choose? Fig Tree or the Medieval Banquet?

Cousin Orville · Aug 28, 2015

Also, for anyone who did skid shooting, I saw they offer shoulder pads or some blanket. Is that recommended? My DW was thinking about going shooting, but I have no clue of what to expect as I've never fired a shotgun.

kaseyC · Aug 29, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
Thanks for the recommendation of the Earl of Thomond! It looks beautiful. It sounds like ABD does not dine there, but I may try to make reservations regardless.

Another delicious find if you are spending some extra time in Dublin and you enjoy ice cream. Go to Murphys Ice Cream, it's absolutely fresh, delicious and with very unique flavors. I can highly recommend the the sea salt and brown bread. Yum!
http://www.murphysicecream.ie/tablet/home.html

Rapunzellover · Aug 29, 2015

I totally recommend Murphy's too! There's one in Killarney. Go for the Irish Coffee flavor- with real whiskey.

DisneyKevin · Aug 30, 2015

We just came back from Ireland, but had to cut our trip short due to John having serious back trouble. We only got as far as Dublin.

We stumbled on a wonderful restaurant right down the street from the Westin Dublin. It's in Temple Bar. The name of the place is BOXTY. It's a two (maybe three) block walk from the front door of the hotel.

It's not a face place, but the food, especially the Irish Beef Stew, was wonderful. We went back a second time.

The prices are also pretty reasonable...especially for a restaurant in such a touristy area.

Once back at the hotel, we were doing some reading and it seems that it's one of the highly recommended places to go in that area...and we just found it by walking by.

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