IMGONNABE40!
<font color=green>Okay, I already am 40, but if I
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
Hello fellow Disney lovers! Looks like I will be skipping my trip to see the mouse this summer in favor of a trip to Ireland in May. I am excited to be going--I have wanted to do this for at least 30 years!!!
All we have so far is air booked. 5 of us will arrive in Dublin in the morning 23 May. We will spend the night in Dublin (need hotel) before heading off. First stop a visit to Wicklow Mountains before settling in in the Kilkenny area for 2-3 nights (hotel needed) We want to see Waterford, Ring of Cashel and other sights.
After departure from Kilkenny area we will head west--likely to spend another 2-3 days in Killarny area (hotel needed). Would like to see Blarney Castle, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, etc.
We'll head up towards Shannon on 29 May since 2 of our party will depart from Shannon back to the US on 30 May. Hotel near airprt needed.
30 May 3 of us will head north. I would like to see the Shrine at Knock, and climb Croagh Patrick--though I won't have time for the entire 22 mile pilgrimage. My grandmother is from Sligo, so I would like to see that. Hotel needed for two nights.
June 1 we are heading back to Dublin, I would like to stop in Tullamore to tour the whiskey factory on the way. I figure we will return the rental car at this point. My aunt and sister will fly home on June 2 from Dublin. I am staying on.
For my solo portion of the trip I am thinking to stay in Dublin another day, then take the train to Belfast on June 3. From Belfast I will rent a car and head up to Giant's Causeway (Hotel needed) After 2 nights in GC, I will return to Belfast for 2 nights (hotel needed) before flying home from Belfast.
My thought is on taking the train from Dublin to Belfast since renting a car in Dublin and returning in Belfast is pricey. Much cheaper to rent and return in Dublin...but then I would have to return to Dublin before flying home...and that seems like a waste of time.
So, I have many questions. Mainly about transportation and accomodations. None of us have driven in Ireland and are accustomed to driving on the other side of the road in the US. Will is be very difficult to adjust? Is there a better way to get from Belfast up to Giant's Causeway rather than renting a car? How long of a drive will that be? Should I plan on making that trip when I get off the train in Belfast, or am I better off spending a night in Belfast and heading out in the morning?
Any tips on the Euros and pounds? Seems that the exchange rate is better on the Euro (from dollar) but Northern Ireland is pounds...
Okay, that seems like enough questions!!
Thanks for any help you can give me!!
All we have so far is air booked. 5 of us will arrive in Dublin in the morning 23 May. We will spend the night in Dublin (need hotel) before heading off. First stop a visit to Wicklow Mountains before settling in in the Kilkenny area for 2-3 nights (hotel needed) We want to see Waterford, Ring of Cashel and other sights.
After departure from Kilkenny area we will head west--likely to spend another 2-3 days in Killarny area (hotel needed). Would like to see Blarney Castle, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry, etc.
We'll head up towards Shannon on 29 May since 2 of our party will depart from Shannon back to the US on 30 May. Hotel near airprt needed.
30 May 3 of us will head north. I would like to see the Shrine at Knock, and climb Croagh Patrick--though I won't have time for the entire 22 mile pilgrimage. My grandmother is from Sligo, so I would like to see that. Hotel needed for two nights.
June 1 we are heading back to Dublin, I would like to stop in Tullamore to tour the whiskey factory on the way. I figure we will return the rental car at this point. My aunt and sister will fly home on June 2 from Dublin. I am staying on.
For my solo portion of the trip I am thinking to stay in Dublin another day, then take the train to Belfast on June 3. From Belfast I will rent a car and head up to Giant's Causeway (Hotel needed) After 2 nights in GC, I will return to Belfast for 2 nights (hotel needed) before flying home from Belfast.
My thought is on taking the train from Dublin to Belfast since renting a car in Dublin and returning in Belfast is pricey. Much cheaper to rent and return in Dublin...but then I would have to return to Dublin before flying home...and that seems like a waste of time.
So, I have many questions. Mainly about transportation and accomodations. None of us have driven in Ireland and are accustomed to driving on the other side of the road in the US. Will is be very difficult to adjust? Is there a better way to get from Belfast up to Giant's Causeway rather than renting a car? How long of a drive will that be? Should I plan on making that trip when I get off the train in Belfast, or am I better off spending a night in Belfast and heading out in the morning?
Any tips on the Euros and pounds? Seems that the exchange rate is better on the Euro (from dollar) but Northern Ireland is pounds...
Okay, that seems like enough questions!!
Thanks for any help you can give me!!
The plan now is to find a hotel in Dublin with a shuttle from the airport. Then, rent a car somewhere in Dublin when we are ready to go. So, definately Dublin near the City. 
