Has anyone been to Ireland in the past couple of years?

[pantsparty]

H and I are considering a June trip because he found some great flight deals.

I'm trying to budget and see if it's really a possibility. If you've gone, what did you approximately budget for hotels/food? I'm a little overwhelmed trying to put together an itinerary, so I haven't really searched cities for accommodations yet.

We would roughly be planning on a week, flying into Dublin and renting a car. Other than probably staying 2 nights in Dublin, I have no idea what else to do. LOL. We kind of want to hit northern Ireland because Game of Thrones. Ha ha.

ETA: if you have any city/itinerary suggestions I will take them too!

[joshlyman]

Budget enough for booze. Because most of the time we walked, then had a drink, then walked, then had a drink...

We only did Dublin and Killkenney because of time, but I loved it there so much. We also rented a car. Driving on the opposite side of the road was an experience lol

I highly recommend the hotel we stayed at. It was an old girls school, and they turned the chapel into the hotel bar. Awesomeness. www.schoolhousehotel.com/

ETA: Bonus, the hotel is in the Ballsbride area, so you get to say Ballsbridge a lot.

[Deleted]

You are the only couple who I know who one person gets laid off and then y'all plan an international trip. LOL!

[knx9211]

Me!!!

Our itinerary was 2 nights each in Dublin and Galway, 2 nights near the Ring of Kerry, and one night in Kilkenny. We did a lot of driving. DH's family is originally from north of Galway, so we did hours of driving up there. It was amazing and beautiful.

We went in October. Here's an idea of what we paid, and we tended to go a little higher end for hotels. Just to give you an idea.
Stayed at the Westin in Dublin. A splurge but worth it for the size of the room and location. 300 Euro per night.
Park House Hotel in Galway. Absolutely fantastic. Ended up being the same price for two nights there that it was for one night in Dublin.
Stayed at Sheen Falls Lodge. SUPER RECOMMENDED. Sort of in the middle of nowhere but it is so amazingly beautiful out there. 170 Euro per night.
Our hotel in Killenny was nothing special but was 180 euro. Go to Killenny and stay longer than we did.

So the point is, we tended to get some of the pricier hotels in each place and didn't spend a million dollars. You can obviously do it for a lot cheaper. Just wanted to give an idea.

[livinitup]

You won't regret it if you point your car, do a drive and roll into a little town and book a nearby B&B that same day.

[knx9211]

Oh and food is whatever you want. You can eat tons of super tasty food on the cheap there. Mmmmm pie.

[pantsparty]

May 1, 2016 20:51:04 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

You are the only couple who I know who one person gets laid off and then y'all plan an international trip. LOL!

JFC. H's logic is that if he gets a new job we won't be able to go on an international trip for years. IDK. That's why I'm trying to figure out if it's feasible. I already know it's crazy!

[Deleted]

May 1, 2016 21:18:41 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

May 1, 2016 20:51:04 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

You are the only couple who I know who one person gets laid off and then y'all plan an international trip. LOL!

JFC. H's logic is that if he gets a new job we won't be able to go on an international trip for years. IDK. That's why I'm trying to figure out if it's feasible. I already know it's crazy!

I actually think it's brilliant and with his severance package there is no reason not to do it now!

Have so mush fun!!

[pantsparty]

May 1, 2016 21:19:39 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

May 1, 2016 21:18:41 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

JFC. H's logic is that if he gets a new job we won't be able to go on an international trip for years. IDK. That's why I'm trying to figure out if it's feasible. I already know it's crazy!

Have so mush fun!!

This is obviously a reference to the amount of sex we will be having, yes?

[pantsparty]

May 1, 2016 21:11:35 GMT -5 livinitup said:

You won't regret it if you point your car, do a drive and roll into a little town and book a nearby B&B that same day.

I am such a planner this thought is giving me a little anxiety! But I know people do it in Ireland all the time.

[eb777888]

Damn!!! Wish you guys were going in July!!!

[Jalapeñomel]

Make time for Achill Island...it's not touristy, but it's gorgeous.

[Jalapeñomel]

The last time DH and I went was in '09, and it cost about $2k total. But we are budget travelers. Lol

[eb777888]

Sidenote- we're doing Dublin, then Belfast and someone recently told me that Belfast is unsafe and I want to rethink that. Is this true?

[knx9211]

Also if you're going to be driving through the countryside, I hope you like sheep.

[just]

May 1, 2016 21:28:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Sidenote- we're doing Dublin, then Belfast and someone recently told me that Belfast is unsafe and I want to rethink that. Is this true?

Take with a grain of salt, I haven't lived in Ireland (Dublin) in 7 years, but - I doubt it. I'm sure there are parts you want to avoid - like every city - but it's a major city in a first world country. It'll be fine.

Plus if you're anyway interested in the history it's a wonderful place. The black cab tours are great and the history is very recent - so everyone you meet has a story.

[cville]

If you rent a car and drive in the countryside, keep in mind:

1. The roads are narrow as hell
2. There are stone walls on either side in many places
3. There are a lot of sheep
4. They have roundabouts
5. Driving there hungover is really difficult

[lovelyshoes]

I've never been, but wanted to say that I hope you go! It will be so much fun, don't be scared, just plan it!

[lo]

We went around 2 years ago and I don't remember much about our budget, but I do remember that renting a car was CRAZY expensive. Like the insurance you have to take out to rent it. Make sure you look into that carefully.

[pantsparty]

May 1, 2016 22:04:54 GMT -5 Queen Dick, Hibernating Bear said:

Oh yeah pants you definitely need to go to Hore Abbey.

I'm sure I'll feel right at home.

[elleblue]

We were just there last month but I'm not sure what the Ireland portion of our trip ended up costing since we also did England and Scotland. We did stay at The Shelbourne in Dublin which is one of the most expensive hotels in the city, so maybe don't do that if you want to keep costs down, lol.

[elleblue]

Oh and if you like museums and historical sites, definitely hit up the Kilmainham Gaol (they now offer tickets online), the Book of Kells at Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Christ Church. The Guinness Storehouse is also a fun place, with a skybar that offers amazing panoramic views of the city.

[just]

May 1, 2016 22:32:01 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Oh and if you like museums and historical sites, definitely hit up the Kilmainham Gaol (they now offer tickets online), the Book of Kells at Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Christ Church. The Guinness Storehouse is also a fun place, with a skybar that offers amazing panoramic views of the city.

Ditto a ton of this. People discount Dublin, and I get it - it's not the Ireland of lore. But we have some great stuff especially if you have to spend a night there before/after your flight anyway.

Kilmainham Gaol is my (as an Irish person)'s favorite site in Dublin. The history there is incredible, and even more so for visitors.
Trinity is beautiful but it's my alma mater, so I'm biased.
Croke Park's tour is the third place I always send visitors. I'm not a huge sport fan but this has something for those interested in learning more about Irish sports (hurling, gaelic football, camogie) and it was a significant historical location - so you learn tons about that too. It is very slightly outside the city.
And honestly, it's a fun place to hang out as a city as long as you don't get pulled into too many a)touristy places and b)chains.

[KKD]

We went 10 years ago and can't remember any budget or hotel details, but this was our driving itinerary:

Dublin (3 nights, with a day trip to Newgrange) > Kenmare (4 nights, with a stop at Kilkenny and Cahir Castle on the way and day trips to Skellig Michael, Dingle/Killarney, and Cork/Mizen Head) > Galway (2 nights, with stops at Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on the way and day trips to Connemara and the Aran Islands) > Adare (1 night, to fly out from Shannon)

There is so much to see, it's hard to narrow it down! Our time in Co. Kerry was definitely our favorite, though.

[joshlyman]

May 1, 2016 21:40:49 GMT -5 cville said:

If you rent a car and drive in the countryside, keep in mind:

1. The roads are narrow as hell
2. There are stone walls on either side in many places
3. There are a lot of sheep
4. They have roundabouts
5. Driving there hungover is really difficult

God the fucking roundabouts

[elleblue]

May 2, 2016 0:30:44 GMT -5 joshlyman said:

May 1, 2016 21:40:49 GMT -5 cville said:

If you rent a car and drive in the countryside, keep in mind:

1. The roads are narrow as hell
2. There are stone walls on either side in many places
3. There are a lot of sheep
4. They have roundabouts
5. Driving there hungover is really difficult

God the fucking roundabouts

Yes. I cannot encourage you enough to pay the extra for the automatic if you do end up renting a car. Worth it. 

[weelass24]

You can do a GOT tour from Dublin, but I suggest you drive up to the North. It's so beautiful here. Stay a night in Belfast.

[weelass24]

May 1, 2016 21:28:27 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Sidenote- we're doing Dublin, then Belfast and someone recently told me that Belfast is unsafe and I want to rethink that. Is this true?

This is 100% untrue. Belfast is a wonderful city. There is so much going on there all the time, food and craft beer expos, the Tall Ships were here last summer, great outdoor markets, shopping, amazing restaurants and so much culture. 

Yes, there is crime and, yes, sometimes there is sectarian stuff going on, but that is rare. It's no less safe than any other major city and, quite frankly, I feel more comfortable in Belfast than I do in Dublin. 

I highly recommend doing a black taxi tour. It will give you a great sense of the Troubles and it's really interesting. I've done it 3 times (one by myself and twice with visitors).

Check this out from last year. 

www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/travel/belfast-northern-ireland.html

[knx9211]

May 2, 2016 1:17:04 GMT -5 elleblue said:

May 2, 2016 0:30:44 GMT -5 joshlyman said:

God the fucking roundabouts

Yes. I cannot encourage you enough to pay the extra for the automatic if you do end up renting a car. Worth it. 

UNLESS you're like me and have a husband who likes to show off the fact that he can drive a stick. We got a manual, and therefore I got to sit in the passengers seat and stare out the window and yell at sheep the whole time instead of paying attention.

On that note, make sure when you book the rental you request a GPS. And also pay attention to make sure the GPS isn't taking you a route that requires a ferry.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Bookmarking because we're going here for our honeymoon, wooooo!