Flying to Ireland and returning the same day

[MindingMum]

A good friend of mine is living in Dublin (I live in the North West of England) and her marriage has suddenly and dramatically ended today. She is understandably falling apart and I have offered for her and her DS to come and stay with me and my family until she feels able to cope a little better. She is desperate for the company and support as she has no family over there but doesn't want to disrupt her little boy who has just started in Reception.

I am not very well travelled but the thought occured to me tonight that I could go and visit her but would need to return the same day/evening due to family and work commitements and a not very sympathetic DH.

How practical would this be to fly out in the morning and back in the evening, perhaps once ot twice a week for a couple of weeks, or is it a complete non starter?

not sure about the airports up there, but I have taken all my neices and nephews on their first flights from stansted to dublin. each time its been just for the day and had plenty of time over there, the last time we got an 7.30am flight out and the 8.30pm flight home. just managed to get him to our 'ancestral home' over there and about 3 eating places and the park with so much time to spare
if its something you want to do then its do-able just depends on where the nearest airport is and the flight times I reckon

I quite often go to Dublin for the day to see customers - its no problem at all, and all airports seem to have a good service to Dublin

blackpool only has one flight per day out at mid day back at midnight, liverpool has a good choice though from 6.30am right up to mid night ish back

Thank-you misi, I am only half an hour from the airport and she is the same at the other end

that's good news cmotdibbler

misi - is it best to book online, can you recommend a website?

I only looked at ryan air and easyjet, easyjet don't fly to ireland though and others are expensive I think,

www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

and yes, often better to book online with a credit card, not debit card as CC's are covered by insurance and you get your money back if the company goes belly up where you don't if you pay cash or with debit card.

does anyone know if it is possible to fly first class to Dublin or indeed any way of checking in as late as possible?

Sorry if all these seems obvious but am clueless

There won't be first class on short flights and checking in late is not advisable as it is generally security checks that take time which is done after check-in.

Where in north west are you?

Airlines that fly to Dublin are Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Ryanair.

thank-you Buda, I'm in the north west so either Liverpool or manchester are my local airports

Traffic to and from Dublin can be horrendous during rush hours so it would be worth avoiding these if you can, otherwise it's perfectly do-able.

Thanks everyone for your support in this - will give it a go on sunday