Cottage/Townhouse

Hi everyone!

I am travelling to Ireland from the US with seven other women from Boxing Day to Jan 2nd (it's our book club). We are looking for some kind of self-catering accomodation where we could stay for most or all of our trip, and go on day trips from there -- like maybe a cottage or townhouse. We will be renting a car. We are pretty open to locations, but we are thinking more towards the west, like maybe Limerick or Tipperary. As we are flying in and out of Dublin we would probably spend our first or last nights there.

Does anyone know of any accomodations that they could recommend? The LP guide only really mentions B&Bs, hotels, or hostels, which I don't think would be as cost effective for our group. We have found a few options on-line, but you don't really know what you're getting until you get there...

And yes, I know it's probably not the best time to travel there because there will be little sunlight and some tourist sites may be closed. But it's the time that works best for all of us (I am a teacher and will be off work then). And it really doesn't matter about sunlight anyway when you're in a pub!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Check out the discover Ireland website www.discoverireland.ie. You can look at each county and accomodation options. What are you interested in? If it;s just drinking then there is no need to stray too far away from Dublin. If you like outdoors pursuits, eg. walking the wicklow region or somewhere like galway would be good. Don't underestimate the conditions here at this time. It gets bright around 8.30am and dark again around 4pm. The banks will mainly be closed for that week so I wouldn't depend on them for foreign exchange. Bring your bank cards from home instead. THe weather can be pretty bad which can make going outdoors a dangerous pursuit but it can also be crisp and dry weather which is perfect for walking. Most tourist sites will be closed except for the really big ones and a lot of the smaller holiday cottages will also close for the season. First step, figure out what part of the country you want to stay in

I live in the neighbourhood of several thatched holiday cottages in East Clare, each sleeps six, but it's more comfortable for four persons each. You could rent two of them. I know them well and they are really nice. It's in the West, 50 minutes by car from Shannon airport and about one hour from the Cliffs of Moher.
Have a look at the website cottages in the west. The two cottages are Behan's Cottage and Anglim's Cottage. Both are close together and are 300 Euro a week each.
There are other cottages on the website, most of them in Clare. But it's not easy to find one with space for eight people.

I do the e-mail booking for one of them (it's not mine, only the owner doesn't have a computer), the other cottage is managed by a Canadian woman. There is a third cottage which is not on the net but the same as Behan's. Can do the contact for you. But Christmas week is always in demand, so hurry up ;-)

Good luck!

I forgot: pub life in the village is brilliant, four pubs and a restaurant, and New Years Eve is always a big party with traditional music and dance. Wednesdays, thursdays and fridays is the regular trad music in the pubs. You're going to love it!

http://www.shamrockcottages.co.uk/home.htm</a><BR><BR>Have not used them but sounds like what you and your friends are looking for. Since you are a teacher you know about homework. Besides LP I'd check out the Rick Steves website. The graffiti wall and the new travelers helpline are great resources. The Journeywoman website might also have some information you'd find valuable.

Glendalough and NewGrange are great day trips from Dublin. Be sure to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College while in Dublin.

Personally. I'd also include Belfast in your itinerary.

Have a great time. Ireland is wonderful.

carraiq,

I think we are interested in renting the two cottages you mentioned. I just need to make sure all 8 are ok with them. Here are some questions:

How close together are they?
Are they still available? (I guess that should have been the 1st question.)
What about the other cottage you mentioned? If it is close to Behan's and similar to it, then ideally we'd want those two.
Would it be ok to book for the days we will be there, or does it have to be Saturday to Saturday?
Once I get the final ok from the other women, what should I do next? (I could pm you my email address.)

Thanks to everyone for all the help!