Ireland Travel Forum

I will be traveling to Ireland in late June/ early July for 10 days with my two children (ages 16 & 14.) I would like to stay in a few different parts of the country, perhaps three or four B&Bs. Is it a good idea to use vouchers? We are trying to stretch a small budget. Any advice would be welcome.

Eire has become quite expensive. I have been to Ireland 34 times from 3-day to 10-day trips. Most impressive (B&B's) don't like the vouchers. I used them on a few trips but found them to be somewhat difficult with acceptance. I assume you are driving (only way to enjoy Ireland). If you have this amount of time I would recommend this routing. Assuming you are arriving in Dublin...DAY-1 I would drive north to Balintoy (PORTCAMPLEY). Do Giant's Causeway/Carrick-en-rede rope bridge/DunLuce Castle/Bushmills Brewery tour. All these in one day. DAYS-2/3 Drive to Donegal (THE ARCHES at Lake Eske). Slieve League(a must)/Donegal Castle tour/shop. DAY-4 Drive to Achill Island (FINCORRY HOUSE). DAY-5 Drive to Rinvyle (OLD CASTLE HOUSE)in Connemara via Cong (Cong Abbey)/Kylemore Abbey. DAY-6/7/8 Drive to Dingle Town (via Killimer ferry) (via Conor's Pass road from North) (CILL BHREAC) or (TOWER VIEW). The Dingle (an Daingean in gaelic) is the MOST impressive part of all of Eire. Slea Head Drive/Minard Castle-picnic a must)/Inch Beach/explore. DAY 9-10 drive to either dublin or Shannon for return flights. I have given you my BEST of my back-roads trip that I personally tour very select groups twice a year. Do not be nervous about driving...roads much better the last few years. Avoid if you can the following: Dublin Town/Belfast/Galway/Ring-of-Kerry/total SE coast. Good luck!

B&B vouchers look good on the surface. However, you will find that they are hard to work with in most cases. Many of the B&Bs which accept vouchers will not hesitate to forfeit your rooms if they have a cash paying customer instead. Though it sounds harsh, there is sound reasoning. When a B&B owner accepts vouchers, there are fees that they must pay or which are deducted from the voucher remittance before they are reimbursed.

As to the ten days and what you can see, from where are you arriving and departing? You should look to staying a minimum of two nights in each location. That will allow you to become acquainted with the locals and the area that you are in, as well. Some areas, in my opinion, require three nights, Killarney and Dingle come to mind. Remember that the roads in Ireland are quite different from our roads here. Most are narrow and there is always the chance that you will encounter things that will slow you down, sheep, cattle, farm equipment, tour buses, lorries, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. A good rule of thumb is to figure an average speed of 30 - 35 mph. Rent the smallest vehicle you are comfortable with and pay the extra for an automatic, as it is one less worry. I would suggest that you look at Kemwel or AutoEurope, as either will both price match and allow you to pay off your rental prior to your leaving from home.

If you let me know what your interests are, I can better suggest a solid route and offer up some budget B&Bs. Your most expensive area will the large cities, Cork, Dublin, Galway.

Slan Beo (Take Care),

Bit Devine

I agree with the previous posters. There's absolutely no point in getting vouchers, and you're much better off paying cash.

Thanks for the advice.
Most of the sights we are interested in seem to be in the west.
(Although we would like to see Kilkenny Castle) We would like to do as much of the west coast as we can. Our family is from Donegal so that is a must see.
Once again thank you for the assistance!

Heading North that time of year is a great way to avoid most of the tourist crush, actually. Here might be a gameplan, with ten days on the ground, which would actually be eleven including travel time:

Day 1 arrive in Shannon pick-up your rental vehicle and head south to Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula lodge two nights here (recommended Blooming Wildflower Cottage, http://www.wildflower-cottage.com/)

Day 3 head North to Galway, taking the ferry from Tarbert to Killmer, www.shannonferries.com, and then continuing north along the coast, stopping at the Cliffs of Moher, lunch in Doolin and then through the Burren to Galway, lodging in Galway for two nights (recommended St Martin's B&B,http://www.stmartins.ie/, close to City Centre.

Day 5 head from Galway via Sligo to Donegal town, lodging here three nights (recommended Lismolin B&B, http://www.lismolin.com/, Phyliss & Michael are delightful and it is close to city center on the river eske)

Day 8 head south and east to Dublin, Lodging here two nights and departing from Dublin for home (recommended Abberley House B&B, http://www.abberleyhouse.ie/)

This would give you a good over view of the west coast, your home county of Donegal and a sample of Dublin, as well.

This will at least give you an idea of an itinerary outlay. I am willing to help you build the best first encounter for your family.

Slan Beo, Bit

Having just reread your post, another thought would be:

Arrive in shannon, head to Dingle as outlined in the previous Post

Day 3, head to Kilkenny Via Cashel and Cahir, stopping to visit Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel, Lodging here two nights (recommended Lawcus Farm Guesthouse, http://www.lawcusfarmguesthouse.com/)

Day 5 head from Kilkenny to Donegal Town (this would be a full day of driving, stopping as desired to explore ruins, take photos, etc. (lodging as recommended in the previous post

Day 7 head to Galway (lodging as recommended in Previous Post)

Day 9 head to Bunratty via the Burren, Lunch in Dingle, a stop at the Cliffs of Moher lodging here one night (recommended Bunratty Lodge, http://www.bunrattylodge.com/) have a farewell dinner at the Corn Barn at Bunratty Folk Park

Day ten head home from Shannon, only 15 minutes from Bunratty.

This might actually work in to a better itinerary for you.

Slan Beo (Take Care), Bit

My apologies, that previous post should have read:

Day 9 head to Bunratty via the Burren, Lunch in DOOLIN, a stop at the Cliffs of Moher lodging here one night (recommended Bunratty Lodge, http://www.bunrattylodge.com/) have a farewell dinner at the Corn Barn at Bunratty Folk Park

Sometimes my heart leads my fingers and my head cannot stop it!

Slan Beo, Bit

Thank you SO much for all your help.
We've been looking into all the B&Bs you've recommended.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and time!!