Travel questions for Ireland

You can check www.aerlingus.com. As far as I've seen a return flight Washington-Dublin is about 800 USD per person. But there are always special offers. Sign up for their newsletter and book early. You have to check the websites of other airlines yourself to make a comparison. Go on the website of Dulles Airport and see which airline is going to Dublin.

Which airline is best is hard to tell because it depends on your expectations. I've been always happy with Aer Lingus, I don't need a fuss on board but friendly and helpful staff which they provide. But I have to admit that I never used them for long haul flights. I always go for the cheapest airline, though I draw the line on Ryan Air and Aeroflot - but that's another story, and they don't do Washington-Dublin anyway.

As for cruising the Shannon - pure envy on this side of the Atlantic! Certainly the most relaxing way to enjoy Ireland. Emerald Star is the most popular cruise company, you can't go wrong, but try www.waveline.ie for comparison. Among leisure cruisers it's the most recommended company, most helpful and most advanced, though as far as I know their fleet is in Glasson/Athlone. Check out for yourself.

Anyway, it's a great tour you've planned. Carrick-on-Shannon is a lovely place (check out the craft village), though the Shannon up to Lough Ree is more like a canal and lined with new buildings. Glasson is a very swish place, worth a visit (Grogan's Pub!). Athlone has a nice but small old town around the castle (visit Sean's Bar, one of the oldest in Ireland) but is otherwise rather boring. Good for supplies though. Clonmacnoise is bang in the middle of Ireland and a sight for sore eyes from the water. Do stop and go sightseeing! Take a break at Banagher, a lovely village with a famous pub for boaters (J.J. Hough's). Portumna is a pretty town too, with castle.
Pity you don't go further on to Killaloe, my favourite place along the Shannon. If you happen to do so and if you happen to land there on a Sunday morning, don't miss the farmers market! Best French cakes ever, not to mention the Belgian stall with continental cheese ....

Basically my comment is: Well done with this kind of holiday!

You might be able to save money by looking at flights to Dublin via a transfer at London. Not as convenient but could be worth a look.

the easy option is Aerlingus.com (they now fly direct)
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you should consider booking for the summer
NO LATER than Paddy's day. (17th march)

You'll be traveling at about the most expensive time of year there is - so if you find something less than $800 you'll be lucky. Expect the Euro to continue to be strong against the Dollar - so plan accordingly (by assuming high prices when in Ireland).

I've uploaded to online albums some (but not all,yet) of the photos I took during my late-August '07 visit to Ireland - which included Dublin, Longford, Carick-on-Shannon, etc., etc. and you can view them when you click here.

I agree with #1..great tips all round. Killaloe is a wonderful place to visit and one of Irelands most beautiful spots. However even if you dont get to go that far south the trip youve planned with give you memories to last a lifetime.

Thank you all of you! We are very excited and can't wait to go - too bad we can only travel in July!!

At the moment there are no direct flights from Washington DC to Dublin, but apparently Aer Lingus are starting a route soon enough. www.aerlingus.com<BR><BR>July is peak season in Ireland, so you should start looking for flights asap and keep your eye on them for a few weeks to watch fluctuations. You should be able to get a good deal this far in advance.