so in a rare impulsive action, i booked a ticket to Ireland – the fare was just too tempting this time. i’ll be headed over to Shannon International Airport the week after Thanksgiving. i’ll be there a week; would have been nice to have another day or two, but the way the fare worked out, and my vacation worked out, it was this or double the days off work, and i don’t have that time banked. i’ve been working out a travel plan, as i like to know where i’ll be sleeping plus that will be the off-off-season and, well, i’d like to know i’ll be able to find somewhere to sleep.
right now, i’m thinking, head into Ennis after arrival (it’s close, i’ll be bushed, and i’ll be driving … on the left side), stay there a couple of days and do some poking around including the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, etc. then to Galway, up through Connemara, stop in Westport, and head back down to the airport. that is the super abbreviated version. i’ve always been fascinated by the Western counties so i think i’ll be staying generally in counties Clare, Galway, Mayo …
anyone here ever been to the West of Ireland? any suggestions? i’ve been poring over a few travel guides plus TripAdvisor … but tips are always welcome.
still can’t believe i’m going. 🙂
October 15, 2007 at 1:04 pm
i’m so happy for you!
October 16, 2007 at 8:45 am
Excellent news! I love the west of Ireland. My friend and i travelled there in 2002, but didn’t get the chance to do the ring of Kerry or Cliffs of Moher. We did do Connemara (not to be missed), and stayed in a small town called Clifden. Nice. We also stayed in Galway for a couple of nights, and took a tour to Aran (just to the big island (Inishmore), and we also took a bus tour of Connemara (from Galway doing a ring around and back – very beautiful, and because I was doing the driving, a good way for me to do the scenery). Have a great trip! I want to go back.
October 16, 2007 at 8:58 pm
I’m more than a little jealous, though given my own travel, that’s lame of me to be that way. I’m excited to hear how it is when you return!
October 17, 2007 at 7:43 am
holy monkey. this is the coolest thing ever. you should probably video tape every moment so we can all pretend we are there with you. 🙂 xtina
October 17, 2007 at 8:59 am
Allison, how did you like Galway? Right now I am thinking two nights there, since it’s a nice central location that I can strike out in directions from, and then head a bit north to Westport, but I wonder if I should try and squeeze in a night in Clifden … where did you stay? I’m wondering also about the practicability of hitting Inishmore in late November. Sigh. Already I can feel myself planning a followup trip. And, Christina, my phone does take video. I’ll just be sure to NOT do that while trying to drive on the left side of the road. 🙂