Who wants to talk to me about Ireland and hols....... you know you want to

[catinthehat2]

So, wise Eireophiles:

for our week's hol I am hoping we will stay for a few days in Dublin and stay the rest of the week ...

WHERE??????

Cork?

Limerick?

Galway?

Waterford?

SOmewhere else entirely?

(we want somewhere to stay and drive every day in a different direction IYKWIM)

I am having trouble with the spoilt for choice thing. I am very grateful for any recommendations.

Thank you

I'd suggest the Burren as well -- could be the source of your sketchy memories, and we certainly had a good family holiday there in the late 70s, or possibly early 80s.

If you like big papier mache models, Galway is the place to be .

yes, that's a good point about the distances - it would be a lot of car time (don't be fooled OP, it might not look far on the map, but it will take twice as long as you think!). The drive from Dublin to Galway is all motorway (tolls, though) and I've done it in 2h10mins - another hour through Galway and you're in Connemara.

It's a good 7-8 hours from Dublin to Dingle...and go to the Aran Islands - I loved Inis Oirr and Inis Meain. Inis Mor spectacular, but more touristy. One of my favourite beaches in the world is just outside of Letterfrack - lovely seafood in Oliver's Bar in Cleggan (crab and guinness yum) - from there you can go to Inisbofin, also enchanting and delightful for children (no traffic)

drivingmisscrazy - I've stayed in Letterfrack - which beach did you like?

I think I love you lot.
Going to send this thread to DH.
I've remembered kissing the Blarney Stone as well now.
And ice creams in plastic pots with a red or green tools in them.
And getting milk from a farm. They were scandalized when mum wanted to settle up .
I want another hol as good as that¡

it's called Ross Beach - up past Moyard - about 3 miles from Letterfrack. I think it's actually a private beach, but lots of local people use it. You go through dunes and gorse bushes full of song birds to get there. Just lovely.

if this works, you can see it here

Red or green SAUCE

red lemonade?

driving miss crazy - have driven along there lots of times but didn't know about that beach

I forgot about Dingle. It's lovely too. It's only about 4.5hr drive from Dublin though drivingmisscrazy. It must have been a while since you were there. The Ring of Kerry is a gorgeous drive.

it's a bit out of the way -there's a nice bay/harbour before you get to it as well. We stayed in the cottage just on the beach about 6 years ago. One of the best holidays ever. It did have the downside of not being within walking distance of a pub though

Sorry DMD Im on a phone and got a ridiculous autocorrect . was referring to ice cream with a red/green ripple of fruity sauce never saw anything like it at home in those days

Westport, Co. Mayo. Lovely small town. Lots of places to visit.

www.westporttourism.com

Galway is great too.

Iwish - I'm remembering an epic trip on a bank holiday weekend from Dublin to Caherciveen which took about 8 hours! 4.5! I suppose there are newfangled road thingies motorways now

no, red lemonade is a drink...like Tizer (if you are ancient enough to remember that)

Connemara is outstandingly beautiful.

West Cork is the most beautiful (insert biased emoticon), but its furthest from Dublin. Still, there are good motorways which would take you three quarters of the way, and the drive on the smaller roads is the nice bit. I'd highly recommend it if you get good weather, there really is nowhere more gorgeous, and the beaches are utterly amazing. You could do Dingle/Kerry too in the same trip. Galway/Connemara/Donegal would also be an alternative. Dublin is alright, just like any other city if you ask me, I wouldn't spend much time there if you only have a week. As others have said, don't bother with Limerick.

Bring wet weather gear, it can rain a lot, even in summer! Oh and if pubs are your thing, most pubs allow kids until 9pm.

Are you camping or b&b ing? I have good camp site recommendations if you want them.

Skip Dublin entirely. Fly direct to Cork. Lots to see/do in the city and it could be a good base for the south coast. East Cork has Fota wildlife park for the kids, Cobh cathedral and museum. West Cork has fancy food in Kinsale, lots of beautiful drives and scenery and the lovely beach with spa attached at Inchydoney. You're not too far from Killarney (maybe 90 minutes?) with a beautiful national park and locals who'd take the eye out of your head lots of tourist shops.

maryz - I don't know. I was last on it in late 2008 and it was fine then - there was a big issue about access to a beach on the way to Carraroe - some guy put up a HUGE wall to block the view of the sea! And I know there was an issue at Slyne Head.

Ah yes drivingmiss the days before the motharways. You can still get red lemonade although it doesn't taste the same anymore. They took all the shite additives taste out.

You can still get that ice- cream too! Can't remember what it's called, it's kind of raspberry and lime whirls, with vanilla?

have a look at this on facebook, might jog your ice cream memory!

I would go for somewhere like Glengarriff / Kenmare and then do West Cork / Kerry. Bit of a drive from Dublin but worth it and you could fly back from Cork or Kerry airport instead of driving back up to Dublin. There are some really nice self-catering places if that's what you are looking for.

despite living here, I'd second the skip Dublin recommendation if you've only got the week - fly straight to Cork for the South, or Knock for the West. I love love love West Cork (once saw frogs in a little pool near Goleen in March!). Try and aim for May/June - weather generally better, before the height of the season etc

Really , if you get the weather, there is no finer coastline in the world