If you rent a car get a small economy one. The roads are narrown and petrol is very expensive. Turn the left side mirror completely in (except on the big motorway around Dublin). There are many times you will almost lost it to a stone wall are hedgerow. Also, if you can remove the hubcaps, because "right side drivers" have a tendency to drift left towards the curb. Try not drive after dark.
If you want a filling meal that is a good deal, try to find a pub that is doing what the Irish call a "Carvery", where you can get a hefty meal of roasted beef, turkey, are lamb, with potatoes and vegatables for 8-10euro. Also many Pubs and resturants offer a "early bird special" from 4-6pm which is cheaper then regular dinner hours.
Expect to pay no less then 40euro per person for a B&B (very few are less). If you are use to "bar soap" bring your own as all of the B&B's have liquid soap for showers. Get the FULL Irish breakfast, it is heavy, but will last you most of the day, so you save money. The B&B's in ireland are expensive, but I founded to be of a higher standard then the rest of Europe. In Dublin Litton Lane Hostel has fully furnished apartments (across the river from Temple Bar) that were 37.50euro/person that can sleep four people. That was the best deal in all of Ireland. The apartments even had washer/dryer, refrig, coffee maker, and microwave, and were very clean and comfortable.
The best archeological tour was in Dingle with a guide from Kilrary B&B (only 12 people) and in Dublin with Over the Top tours on 14 people.
Arrive before 11am are after 3pm for the Guniness Brewery Tour, are you will standing in a long line !!
Don't order a half pint of Guiness, just order a "glass" which is the Irish way of ordering a half pint :>)
The hop-on hop-off buses that offer the tour sights around Dublin is a bargain. The ticket is good for 24 hours, and a bus arrives about every 10-15 minutes. A great way to see the city !!
I will post more as I think of them !!
But one thing for sure is that the IRISH people as a whole are very WELCOMING and quite FRIENDLY to visitors !!!!!!!!!!!!
ONE LOVE !!!
Mike
It's interesting to see the country through the eyes of a first time tourist. As a resident you are so used to things that you don't even think of them anymore. I.e. simple things like the glass of whatever instead half pint. You even get used to the narrow country roads and manage to speed along and even overtake tractors without batting an eyelid or loosing a wing mirror! ;-) And wonder why other people don't.
Tell us more about your experiences Mike, it puts seemingly 'stupid' questions in perspective.
The one thing that makes me wonder is the price of B&Bs you mentioned. I know a lot who charge 30 to 35 Euros per person, which is the average. Expensive enough, but with at least 40 Euros it must have been luxury.
When you have time would you mind to tell us which B&Bs you stayed in?
Respect, Mike, it's great to get a feedback after trying to give opinion and advice!
I bumped my side mirror against another car within an hour of renting it. Going really slow by some cars parked at a wedding. Never knew they made them with springs so they would collapse with impact! Total bonus. Really focused me for the rest of the trip.
We only did B&B's at beginning and end and did hostels for the rest. We got private rooms usually with private bath. Saved at least a third over B&B cost and most I would highly recommend.
We were very satisfied with all of the following B/B's and would recommend them to anyone going to Ireland.
We made no reservations (never do when travelling) and the B/B's was randomly choosen. My wife asked the price and checked the room, and she took all of them on first look. Which is a first for her :>)
It seems to me that any B/B in the range of 30-40 euro were of a very good standard. All were very clean, had car parking, TV, good breakfast, friendly helpful service, working plumbing, and was very comfortable.
1) Kilkinny-- The Cletic House -- 40E
2) Kilarney -- Countess House -- 37E
3) Dingle Town -- Ashe's -- 40E
4) Doolin -- Killilagh House -- 37.50E
5) Poundstone -- St. Joseph's -- 32.50E
6) Westport -- St. Anthony's -- 40E
7) Dublin -- Litton Lane Hostel (private furnished apartment) 37.50E ( great deal for Dublin).
I wound worry with the address, unless someone is interested.
Honestly Hammer, I did not break a mirror, only lost one hubcap :>)
Sadge, I also considered hostels, but most double/ensuite was the same price as a B&B.
All types of accomodations in Ireland are expensive, but it is not the Irish fault, it is George W's !!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike
Glad you and the mrs enjoyed yourself Mike, the B@B's you stayed in seem like good value to me. I bet you liked the bacon at breakfast, better than the slivers of streaky stuff they dish up in the good ol' US.
I thought when I was in Ireland that roughly 1 in 3 people were completely drunk. At 10am too.
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<hr>I thought when I was in Ireland that roughly 1 in 3 people were completely drunk. At 10am too.<hr></blockquote>
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