Ireland 2008

I love this! Please send me.

thanks. it's jam-packed but we're looking forward to it!

Hi jen, Wow! I loved reading about your trip. We live in Orl too and are leaving on the 10th. My husband will do our driving too, thank goodness!! Please post pics - I would love to see them. Thanks for sharing. Karen

Jen, I loved your blog! You are a hilarious writer, too. You sound like a lot of fun. Glad you had so many fun times. Wish you would write more (like how the trip ended).

Thankls for a great Review, very funny and gives me an insight to a place I am going later this year.

Your trip sounds similar to mine! I just got back a few weeks ago and the number one thing I would recommend anyone do while visiting ireland is Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, in Co. Meath! Hands down, the coolest thing I've ever seen!

Very ambitious trip?.?.? We went in 2003 and only saw Dublin then south to Fethard, west to Kinsale then up the middle to Cahir, Rock of Cashel and out of Shannon. Our experience with the roads is: all but the main routes are small small small!!! But that was part of the appeal and getting off the main roads was our plan (tip… less traffic on back roads, just don’t plan on getting anywhere fast). I figure and average speed of about half what we are used to here in the USA. Roads are poorly marked and we are bringing a GPS this time with an Ireland card for it. We are going back in a few weeks and will see the west side, Dingle to Connemara in 7 days. Including Connor Pass, for the very reasons you were scared of it. I do like the “round about’s” as you don’t have to actually stop (though most Americans can’t get the idea…. even though we don’t stop for stop signs!!!!! a yield sign confuses?), and if you miss an exit just go around again and again and again…... I feel for your flight, not a fan of kids on planes (should be special seating way wayyyyy in the back for people with kids). We made the mistake of Dublin being our first day there also and with a rental car no less, bad idea. First day there it is better to see sights and stay up till 8 or 9pm (no napping) then go to bed and sleep 12 hours. That way you don’t spend half of day two in bed when you can be out seeing sights. Would only recommend a tour bus if you want to spend most of your time with other Americans. Self drive is the only way to go, especially if you want to change your itinerary and see places off the main routes and not full of tour busses.

As an irish person i found your article extremely insulting TJ maxx is owned by TK maxx and supermacs is an old burger establishment 100% irish owned by an irish family. we are not in the dark ages with prosperity comes progress and maybe ireland is not as irish as it used to be but you should have known all this going over. I love my country and living in America i always feel that many mid wesetrn americans have the wrong warped sense of reality about ireland.

I am so glad to have read of your impressions of Ireland. I am planning a trip there soon with two of my grandchildren - both 18 years old . I will take your advice and not start the trip in Dublin. Any other suggestions that might add to the kids' enjoyment? EZ