Insider advice sought - September trip

Hi there, shannahan - it sounds like you and we are planning a very similar type of trip, same time of year, and are similar types of travelers. We're also looking at walking some of the Dingle Way - 5 +/- days, and my question for your advisers here is if we're out there in mid- to late- September, can we take a chance with not booking ahead for rooms? I don't want to be locked into a daily itinerary, in case we decide to stay somewhere like Dingle and explore for a couple days.

Interesting post mtnmama and great question - I have been told by more than one person local to me - who have visited Ireland before, that I should book only my first nights in the country and wing it from there. Although I have some comfort level with living on the wing, an we also do not like to be locked to an itinerary, we are thinking in this case of picking a few places in the country to stay in each a few days and make excursions from there. Perhaps those answering her may be able to straighten me out on that as well since we have not yet booked any but our first nights.

From your username it sounds as if we may be from the same part of the country? We are Northwest ourselves. when will you be going to Ireland ?

Having been there a number of times in September I wouldn't worry about making reservations beforehand...the Irish are very accommodating and will help you out in a pinch (as are most people throughout the world). When I'm touring I generally don't make reservations except for the arrival and if I have a specific need. The simplicity of having a tour company (assuming it is reasonable priced) set up your B&Bs is that they provide luggage transport (which I found out was pricey and a little hassle when I put together a self guided hike in France), but if that's not important to you I wouldn't worry. We factored staying an extra couple days in Dingle into our walk...and were glad we did. First, even though I had been to Dingle multiple times, it is a fun place. And it was nice to take a day and take the ferry to the Blaskets.

My only thought as to not booking ahead is that we do not want to end up in dormitories. No offense to those who stay in dorms and were we younger and less amorous they would b a great option. We are also not B and B folks but we would consider one or two nights in a B and B if we had to, but overall we prefer the privacy and comfort of motels even at a higher cost. This trip is the splurge of our lives and the one of the first real vacations we have had in our marriage (the first away from our kids) no point in tightening up so much as to not have accommodations where we will be comfortable. I should add that we have a pretty low bar as far as the motels we stay at only asking that they have a bed, a shower with hot water (preferably one for two people who ordinarily shower together ) and are clean. Wi-fi would be nice and stumbling distance from pubs would be awesome. We will have a car and do not pack heavily (a few hiking skirts, a few mini skirts and a few FM shoes for her, shorts and t's for me ,and of course rain gear) so luggage transport will not be something we worry about. So the question after all this ramble is this: is it likely that we would be be to find motels as we go if we did not book ahead beyond our arrival ?

Motels are few and far between in this area. B and Bs are not like US where there is a lack of privacy. More like small hotels.

mtnmama I had thought i had replied to you but do not see it in the thread. When are yo going to be in the country? perhaps we could share a pint , part of the walk etc...

hi shannahan - the only plans we have so far (my job) is the flights in to Shannon and out of Dublin. my hub said he'd plan the route but hasn't got anything sorted out. we're still planning on walking Dingle Way, and rent a car and explore the rest, but we don't know which we'll do first. I'll post here when (if) I get any idea. We arrive on 9/12 and depart on 9/30. I think you asked - we're from N Calif, Chico area.