Ireland Summer Vacation 2008

Waiting patiently to hear how it all went...

Ypu have a lot packed in for 10 days. I went last summer for 3 weeks, and have to say that if I didn't have a local showing me around to spots that I had marked in my travel book, I would have had to take another 3 weeks. Traveling along the roads in the non-metropolitan areas takes alot longer than it looks on a map.

Also, for those who are looking for a little cheaper place to stay during the summers, look into the local universities. They open their dorms up for people to stay in, and it's dirt cheap (30-40 euro a night). I stayed at UC Dublin while I was in Dublin for a week and ahlaf, and it was great. Bought a bus ticket book, that basically let you ride all day long on one ticket (4 day packs). Once you get your bearings, you can take Bus Erin (like our greyhound system here in the states) to any place you want and not have to hassle with driving.

I had a blast!

Comment on Howth and Bray. Howth, is absolutely beautiful, I visitied there and it was pooring rain and windy, but it was nice. I took the Dart from Dublin up there. And Bray, you have to take the bus from Bray up to Inniskerry and Powerscourt. The grounds at Powerscourt are absolutely breath taking!

hi,Idid visiit Ireland in the last Chresmats 26/12/2007 spending the most enjoyable vacation in my life for one month doing many tirps inside the countery dublin mountain, dublin zoo,the countryside of castlebar and westford and many other tour locations.

We're visiting Ireland this summer too. I'll have to read your trip plan more carefully as I plan our trip.

We're staying in self-catering cottages, so won't be traveling around as much, but hopefully will get to see a lot of Clare and Kerry.

Hi there. I live in Dublin, Ireland off the M50 & love traveling in my 2 seater Peugeot around the Island. Bearing in mind Ireland is the 3rd largest Island in Europe, my little car can cope nicely.
Buying a map is good, but if you really want to make your trip more plesant, might I suggest a GPS too?!! Its not romantic standing in the rain under an umberella, looking at a saturated map with your loved ones peering on in great hope that you can read dribble. My newest GPS is compatable with my phone as it is illegal to answer a cell phone here while driving but I have one that is only 18 months old & you are MORE than welcome to borrow it. It has no bluetooth hence the new one but it gets you from A to B and gives you an estimate of your time to your arrival.
It also has attractions and P.O.I. (points of interest) for where ever you are including phone numbers. It has too many features to mention but a "must have". For your comfort, it has an American accent as well as many others & several different languages to make "the traveller" feel at home. You are more than welcome to borrow it & it comes with a car charger which plugs into the cigarette lighter. I'd strongly recommend it for anyone visiting. They're too expensive to buy for a driving trip so "borrow way". I trust you!! The new smaller roads and housing estates developed in the last few months are not on it but your doing main roads, towns/cities & I believe the "Leprechauns"havnt moved them... yet! LOL
Whatever your decission, when you arrive, we all welcome you with a big "Failte" "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you In the palm of his hand." Bernadine

Hi, My husband and I did a similar trip to Ireland a couple of years ago. As debbill72 commented, driving around Ireland does take longer than you may anticipate. My advise is to buy yourself a detailed road map as road signs are not always as they seem and the roads in the cities are often very narrow (plus there always seems to be some farmer driving his tractor down the main street) LOL. Still, it wasn't that hard and we had a great time. You don't seem to be going to the Dingle Peninsula area where some of the most spectacular scenery is. Blarney Castle is another good place to see. We stayed in B & B's on our trip except in Dublin which I would recommend, but they may be too expensive for 4 people. Anyway, enjoy your trip - I'm sure you'll have fun.

this trip was so awesome!!!1 i would like to visit some day.

This trip sounds so cool!!!
I've allways wanted to go to Ireland.