Ireland

[Chiller]

Anyone been? Pros/Cons


Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Limerick etc...

[crass cop]

no, but i wanna....

[eagleI]

Yes. Went in the summer of '09. Extremely expensive to begin with then there is the VAT tax on everything.
We tried to travel like we do here with no reservations (except in Dublin & Gougane Barra). They have no equivalent of a AAA book so it was tough.
Hotels: the price per night was per person, no exceptions! $170 per night seemed ok until it was doubled & taxed.
Do not drive! Find a good tour group & go that way. Driving, the drivers & the roadways are insane. Never really saw a sign that said the equivalent of: "Disneyland, 3 miles ahead, exit 349". Missed many an exit & drove in circles a lot. Even our updated GPS was wrong. Their roundabouts are sometimes difficult. The most white-knuckle trip I have ever taken.
For us it rained at least once every day. I really liked Dublin & County Cork.
As I recall Limerick was described as a slum & a local told us to avoid it. so we did. Don't kiss the Blarney Stone, the locals pee on it.
The Guinness is like nothing you have every tasted here. They save the best for themselves! Tastes like a milkshake.
Hope that helps!

[FromOhio]

lol @ the locals ****ing on blarney stone

[Chiller]

Yes. Went in the summer of '09. Extremely expensive to begin with then there is the VAT tax on everything.
We tried to travel like we do here with no reservations (except in Dublin & Gougane Barra). They have no equivalent of a AAA book so it was tough.
Hotels: the price per night was per person, no exceptions! $170 per night seemed ok until it was doubled & taxed.
Do not drive! Find a good tour group & go that way. Driving, the drivers & the roadways are insane. Never really saw a sign that said the equivalent of: "Disneyland, 3 miles ahead, exit 349". Missed many an exit & drove in circles a lot. Even our updated GPS was wrong. Their roundabouts are sometimes difficult. The most white-knuckle trip I have ever taken.
For us it rained at least once every day. I really liked Dublin & County Cork.
As I recall Limerick was described as a slum & a local told us to avoid it. so we did. Don't kiss the Blarney Stone, the locals pee on it.
The Guinness is like nothing you have every tasted here. They save the best for themselves! Tastes like a milkshake.
Hope that helps!

Yeah we heard about the blarney stone...LOL...

Looking at a travel group tour...it's Dublin/Kerry and Galway


What do mean a VAT tax on everything?

[Bearcat357]

What do mean a VAT tax on everything?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europea...alue_Added_Tax

[Trauma1]

I haven't been back to Ireland in about 10 years. Do see Dublin, Kerry and Galway. I suggest a tour as they will get you to some absolutely gorgeous places and save you some dollars on the hotels. Do see the area around Blarney castle though, it's absolutely beautiful, just don't kiss the stone! lol
You'll love the pubs and the pints. The Guinness is wonderful there, nothing like you get here.

[pfchell]

just go

Anyone been? Pros/Cons


Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Limerick etc...

there. drink your milkshake and bop a couple red flamed haired chicks and get the hell outta there before angry micks finds your butt. j/k btw, see if you find the town of greenlaw. check it out. lots of cheerful people but quick temper so be polite. haha have fun.

[crass cop]

Thats too bad about the taxes and the high prices. Ol Crass may have to save up a bit more now.
Perhaps the red heads and the Guinness would be worth it though...mmmmmmmmmmmm

[beachcop05]

I was there a couple years ago with a buddy of mine. We didn't make any plans or reservations at all, just flew into Dublin, rented a nice Saab convertible and just drove! We headed to the west coast first and stopped in Galway. Our room overlooked a gorgeous cobblestone street closed to cars. Then drove through Limerick, Cork, cliffs of moher, and eventually made our way back to Dublin several days later. Stopped at the Guiness factory in Dublin. For 15 euros you get a tour and free pint. We never had any trouble finding a hotel room. I didn't find prices on anything very expensive, it was pretty reasonable, even the rental car, only a couple hundred euros for the week. People were nice, food was great. I'm already planning another trip.

[Chiller]

awesome info as usual peoples.....going to the Navy/Notre Dame game and a Guiness Brewery and Jameson Distillery tour is included.


I will pass on the red heads and keep my brunette though

[hopperja]

I've been a few times and going back this summer... my wife's family is Irish, so we always stay with them in the Port Laios area, or this summer in Mountmellick, which is just down the road from Port Laios. I enjoy seeing the historic sites - ruins of castles, monestaries, ancient graveyards, etc. I also enjoy the beer, particularly Kilkenny Ale, a beer you can only get in and around Kilkenny, Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher are a must see, in my opinion, as well as Dublin and Clanmacnois. There's so much more that I'm not thinking of at the moment. I'd get a good guide book, but personally, I hate guided tours. I'd tour on my own not in a group. Also, if you're inclined, I've heard the best way to see Ireland is by bicycle.

If I was to take a tour, I'd do it by bicycle. My second choice would be by boat. Years ago, all of Irish commerce was shipped in canals (thus, the inland Port Laios for example). You might be able to find a tour of the inland by boat in their canal system. That would be truly unique. I haven't looked through it, but this might be a place to start.

[DACP]

Your probation officer is cool with letting you leave the country? But better yet Ireland is ok with letting you a registered sex offender into their country? Personally I think he is just going so he can have the up close and personal pat down by TSA.

[DACP]

Thats too bad about the taxes and the high prices. Ol Crass may have to save up a bit more now.
Perhaps the red heads and the Guinness would be worth it though...mmmmmmmmmmmm

Red heads yes, Guinness Ewwww you can have it.

[Chiller]

I've been a few times and going back this summer... my wife's family is Irish, so we always stay with them in the Port Laios area, or this summer in Mountmellick, which is just down the road from Port Laios. I enjoy seeing the historic sites - ruins of castles, monestaries, ancient graveyards, etc. I also enjoy the beer, particularly Kilkenny Ale, a beer you can only get in and around Kilkenny, Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher are a must see, in my opinion, as well as Dublin and Clanmacnois. There's so much more that I'm not thinking of at the moment. I'd get a good guide book, but personally, I hate guided tours. I'd tour on my own not in a group. Also, if you're inclined, I've heard the best way to see Ireland is by bicycle.




If I was to take a tour, I'd do it by bicycle. My second choice would be by boat. Years ago, all of Irish commerce was shipped in canals (thus, the inland Port Laios for example). You might be able to find a tour of the inland by boat in their canal system. That would be truly unique. I haven't looked through it, but this might be a place to start.

Its a tour group but not guided tours at all....they do have the football party for everyone set up but basically they've set up the rooms and travel to the hotels/cities.....other then that you are 100% on your own to do whatever you want.....