Ireland Trip

[cheshire girlz]

I have been checking daily for any of the Ireland Trip Reports and haven't seen anything. Going in August and would love to hear how the trip was. Any tips greatly appreciated. Heard there is a heat wave - does that mean shorts??? We are 100 degrees today, now that is a heat wave.

 

[sayhello]

cheshire girlz, welcome to the DISBoards and the ABD Forum!

JacksGirlz just did a back-to-back trip of Germany & Ireland. She is currently finishing up reporting on the Germany portion of her trip; I'm assuming she'll start reporting on Ireland as soon as she finishes Germany!

Also, have you looked through the Trip Report Sticky at the top of this Forum?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2167714

There are several older Trip Reports for the Ireland trip (and I don't think the itinerary has changed much over the years). Search for either "Ireland" or "Emerald" (for the name of the trip "The Emerald Isle").

Let me know if you need any help!

Sayhello

 

[acndis]

Hello! We also just returned from Ireland (we were on the Trip with Jackz Girlz). It was amazing. We have also done Greece (and have two more ABDs coming up) and we loved this trip.

I am not disciplined enough to write a full trip report but I am happy to answer any questions.

Some observations:

Trip is great for all ages. My family included the youngest (5) and oldest (72) people on the trip.
Bike ride through Killarney Park is amazing. I am a horrible rider but I loved it!
Days at Dromoland are unforgettable. We did archery, the hawk walk, clay shooting, and rented a golf cart. It was amazing.
Did a pre-day in Dublin. I highly recommend this because you don't have too much time in the city.
Food is great and Ireland is absolutely beautiful.

If you take the trip, you will love it.

 

[JacksGirlz]

cheshire girlz, welcome to the DISBoards and the ABD Forum!

JacksGirlz just did a back-to-back trip of Germany & Ireland. She is currently finishing up reporting on the Germany portion of her trip; I'm assuming she'll start reporting on Ireland as soon as she finishes Germany!

Let me know if you need any help!

Sayhello

Yes, I am almost finished with my Germany trip report and will start on Ireland next. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.

 

[tufbuf]

Which pre-day activity (on your own) would you recommend? What souvenirs is Ireland known for (high quality)? Was the clay shooting experience all right for a novice? I'm a small person and am wary of being blown back by the recoil.

 

[JacksGirlz]

Which pre-day activity (on your own) would you recommend? What souvenirs is Ireland known for (high quality)? Was the clay shooting experience all right for a novice? I'm a small person and am wary of being blown back by the recoil.

In Dublin we enjoyed the Hop On Hop Off Bus tour. In the morning and through most of the afternoon the bus comes by every 10 to 15 minutes so it was a great way to see the town. The bus stopped at over 20 stops which all had something nearby to visit. It was 18 Euro per adult, kids 14 and under were free with a paying adult. The ticket was good for the day purchased through the last pickup time the following day. We used it both days. I really liked the Kilmainham Gaol tour as it gave some insight on the Easter Rising of 1916. We also visited Christ Church Cathedral - it is beautiful and in the crypt they had some costumes from the TV show "The Tudors" on display as that TV show has filmed on location in the cathedral before. If you like museums where you get to touch some of their displays you will like the quirky Little Museum of Dublin near St Stephens Green.
Wool products can be found everywhere in Ireland. The wool clothing looked to be very well made. Unfortunately, I develop itching and a skin rash when in contact with wool so did not buy anything. At our last hotel, Dromoland Castle, I couldn't figure out at first what was making me itch when I was on the bed. Then figured out, DUH!, it was the very soft wool blanket that was between the sheet and the comforter. I had DD help me take the wool blanket off the bed each night.
I did not experience the clay shooting so can't answer that one. We did do the Hawk Walk and the Pony and trap ride. Both were additional $ but more than worth it. DD and I especially loved the Hawk Walk.

 

[kmc33]

We were on the same trip as JacksGirlz and acndis.
Overall the activities at Dromoland were suited for a wide range of ages and no experience was needed. My DH and DS (14) did the clay shooting. The instructor gave my DS a blanket to put over his shoulder to cushion the recoil. He was a good instructor and gave my DS a lot of guidance. When it was DH's turn, the stern man's man turned to DH and said "You don't need the blanket, do you?". So DH did not use it and had a bruise on his shoulder for a week

The hawk walk looked really cool. To me that was the one that that was something different that I may not try somewhere else, but DS had his heart set on the clay shooting and archery.

In Dublin, we had lunch at Gallagher's Boxty which is very close to the hotel. It was great. DH and I each had a boxty which was a potato based pancake wrapped around your choice of filling. We had corned beef and cabbage. And for dinner one night we went to The Bank of the College Green (only bank in Ireland making a profit at the moment ) which is also not far from the hotel. The guides were right on with their suggestions for restaurants all through the trip.

The biggest thing about packing for Ireland is to bring a little bit of everything clothing wise. Dress like an onion so you can peel off layers. A raincoat or hooded windbreaker is a must. The morning we departed from our hotel in Killarney it was bright and sunny. I almost packed my raincoat in my suitcase to go under the bus. At the last minute I kept it out. We were driving but a half hour before it turned cloudy and started drizzling. One of the locals told us that if you can see the mountains it's going to rain... if you can't see them, it's already raining. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Our last few days were hot; at least one day was record breaking in Ireland... at 84F, the hottest day in 7 years. I wished I had brought a couple more short sleeve/shorts items. We really didn't expect that it would get that warm. Hopefully in August you will have decent weather.

Overall we had a wonderful trip! Hope you do too!

 

[Tozzie]

cheshire girlz, welcome to the DISBoards and the ABD Forum!

JacksGirlz just did a back-to-back trip of Germany & Ireland. She is currently finishing up reporting on the Germany portion of her trip; I'm assuming she'll start reporting on Ireland as soon as she finishes Germany!

Also, have you looked through the Trip Report Sticky at the top of this Forum?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2167714

There are several older Trip Reports for the Ireland trip (and I don't think the itinerary has changed much over the years). Search for either "Ireland" or "Emerald" (for the name of the trip "The Emerald Isle").

Let me know if you need any help!

Sayhello

If the trip reports are prior to May of 2011 there is a change in the Itinerary, mine was the first one where they took out the Folk Park and added Blarney Castle

 

[Tozzie]

We were on the same trip as JacksGirlz and acndis.
Overall the activities at Dromoland were suited for a wide range of ages and no experience was needed. My DH and DS (14) did the clay shooting. The instructor gave my DS a blanket to put over his shoulder to cushion the recoil. He was a good instructor and gave my DS a lot of guidance. When it was DH's turn, the stern man's man turned to DH and said "You don't need the blanket, do you?". So DH did not use it and had a bruise on his shoulder for a week

The hawk walk looked really cool. To me that was the one that that was something different that I may not try somewhere else, but DS had his heart set on the clay shooting and archery.

In Dublin, we had lunch at Gallagher's Boxty which is very close to the hotel. It was great. DH and I each had a boxty which was a potato based pancake wrapped around your choice of filling. We had corned beef and cabbage. And for dinner one night we went to The Bank of the College Green (only bank in Ireland making a profit at the moment ) which is also not far from the hotel. The guides were right on with their suggestions for restaurants all through the trip.

The biggest thing about packing for Ireland is to bring a little bit of everything clothing wise. Dress like an onion so you can peel off layers. A raincoat or hooded windbreaker is a must. The morning we departed from our hotel in Killarney it was bright and sunny. I almost packed my raincoat in my suitcase to go under the bus. At the last minute I kept it out. We were driving but a half hour before it turned cloudy and started drizzling. One of the locals told us that if you can see the mountains it's going to rain... if you can't see them, it's already raining. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Our last few days were hot; at least one day was record breaking in Ireland... at 84F, the hottest day in 7 years. I wished I had brought a couple more short sleeve/shorts items. We really didn't expect that it would get that warm. Hopefully in August you will have decent weather.

Overall we had a wonderful trip! Hope you do too!

I went on the Ireland trip 2 years ago I did the Hawk Walk it was amazing, one of the best things I did on that tour. I went in May and it rained and was unseasonably cold but was by far one of the best trips I have ever taken.

 

[cheshire girlz]

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful tips and suggestions. The packing seems to be a challenge, but nothing a shopping trip won't cure!! Glad to hear the guides recommended Gallagher Boxty. I saw that on Yelp, and really wanted to try it. We are doing a pre-day in Dublin, so will definitely use the hop-on service and go see all that the tour does not offer. Thanks again - can always count on the Disboards to assist with anything!!!

 

[acndis]

We also went to a fabulous restaurant in Dublin. It's called The Winding Stair and it is right across from the Ha'Penny Bridge. Gorgeous views and fantastic local, fresh food. For how great it was, it was reasonably priced. I corresponded with the owner over email and set up the reservation before I left. My five year old was welcome there (even though it's pretty hip!) and he loved the seafood chowder. It was a fabulous place and a great way to kick off our trip!

Hello to KMC and Jacks Girlz (and HollyH if you are out there in cyberspace). It was so much fun meeting you and hopefully our paths will cross again.

 

[knewton64]

I have been checking daily for any of the Ireland Trip Reports and haven't seen anything. Going in August and would love to hear how the trip was. Any tips greatly appreciated. Heard there is a heat wave - does that mean shorts??? We are 100 degrees today, now that is a heat wave.

IMO, temperatures in Ireland are relative to what your comfort level is.

So for example,
when I go to Scotland - YES - I will be packing shorts (highs in the upper 60's and lows in the low 50's).



What can I say, I love 'mild' temperatures.



Enjoy your adventure & take plenty of pics -





T.T.F.N.

 

[HollyH]

Hello to KMC and Jacks Girlz (and HollyH if you are out there in cyberspace). It was so much fun meeting you and hopefully our paths will cross again.

I'm here! We're already planning the next adventure! As for our Dublin restaurant we went to The Rustic Stone. Recommended by the concierge at the Westin Dublin. He highly encouraged reservations and we were glad we did. The placed was filled up by the time we had ordered. Very unique. Your food is brought to you on a hot stone which will continue to cook the steak, seafood, etc to your liking. Really enjoyed & would recommend it!

As for clothing, I agree with KMC33. Wish I had packed a few lighter options (shorts, tees) but who knew the weather would be so nice and they'd be setting record temps!

Great to meet all of you in person after sharing plans on the boards. Hope to see you on another ABD trip! Think we're doing Italy next.

 

[kmc33]

Great to meet all of you in person after sharing plans on the boards. Hope to see you on another ABD trip! Think we're doing Italy next.

I truly enjoyed meeting all of you!! HollyH, Jacks Girlz, and acndis - hope to travel with you again sometime!

 

[acndis]

Holly,

We booked Arizona/Utah for Summer 2012 (so did KMC by coincidence--they are going the week before us) but we are definitely doing Italy over the Holidays in 2015 so I will want to hear how your trip went if you book!

Glad to hear from all of you!

Cindy

 

[JacksGirlz]

Yes it was nice to meet everyone. Holly, we had a wonderful time making scones with your family too. Yum!