Am looking to get away from the London hustle and want something on the other end of the spectrum entirely. Cheap flights right now to either Cork or Shannon next weekend. Can anyone suggest a village/hideaway where I can get away from it all? It can be a hut in the middle of nowhere, with the wind howling in from the sea, or accom in a tiny village: basically somewhere I could go to write a novel (if I wanted to, which I don't).
Conditions:
1) A cheap hostel/cottage/B&B/room-in-a-pub. Don't want to go broke looking for isolation.
2) Accessible by public transport from either Cork or Shannon airport.
3) If it's by the sea, so much the better!
4) A pub within walking distance? (now I'm asking the world, I know)
Perhaps I'm naive to believe such pockets of rural atmosphere still exist in Ireland? I hope this doesn't open me up to too much criticism.
Thanks everyone!
The public transport question is a tough one. I would know a perfect place or another but you need a car to get there. Most places in splendid isolation are just that: isolated.
Another one is in North Clare, in Fanore: a tiny village by the sea, the Burren behind you and the Aran Islands and Galway Bay in front of you, a sandy beach nearby, a pub in walking distance, more or less, and a friendly B&B: www.orchidhouse.net.<BR>Last time I checked there was a bus connection from Shannon via Ennis, but see for yourself: www.buseireann.ie
Hi -- You could try the Kilfenora Hostel in Kilfenora, just south of Lisdoonvarna and an easy bus ride from Shannon airport. It's VERY quiet, a real sleepy Irish village, especially this time of year. The hostel is new and clean with a nice lounge and Internet access. It's right next to a pub where you can get meals, and if you want to be sociable there's a ceili in the barn next to the pub twice a week -- Thursday and Sunday. A dorm bed will run you 20 E/night, and they have private rooms as well, although this time of year you're likely to have the 6-bed room ensuite to yourself.
Tell Orla that the American woman Marcie sent you. :-)
Hope this helps,
Marcie
Check out my Lonely Planet travel journal: http://lonelyplanet.mytripjournal.com/westcoastireland07
trusted partner
