Dia daoibh

My dad and I were tossing around the idea of going to Ireland in a couple of years as my graduation from college present. But all of the sudden he's saying that we shall go in September, leaving me not really knowing what to do and very unprepared and a bit bewildered. I'm supposed to look for B and Bs that are good and inexpensive in the areas in which I'd like to stay. I was hoping the all of you might be able to give me a bit of advice as to places you've stayed or the proprietors of which you know. I'd be trusting you all more than I would a webpage written by the B and B owners about their own establishment. I'd want, obviously, to stay in towns whare Irish is spoken, the more the better. I'm thinking Galway, anywhare in Conamara, Maybe on the Dingle Penninsula, possibly in Tir Chonaill or like minded places in Donnegal though I doubt we'll get that far north, Aran Islands (probably just for the day and maybe not even that because my dad says no and I think that is because he thinks they're more remote than they actually are, due to his only experience with them being me forcing him to watch Man Of Aran with me and him sleeping through part of it.). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Go raibh maith agaibh a chairde

Beir bua

I don't have advice, but I'm really excited for you! You will keep really detailed journals, won't you? =)

Well, I guess i will if that is what is expected of me. I'm not much of a journal keeper, don't do blogging or any of that so if you have intentions of reading them, a Aindreas, I suppose you'll be clean out of luck. To tell you the truth I'm really scared to go. I know that sounds foolish, everything Irish is what I crave and desire and want, but to truth I'm really quite a skiddish woman. thanks though for being excited for me a chara. Note that this could all change if my dad gets something else into his mind and decides to postpone. Sure and we'll just have to see what happens.

Beir bua

Don't stay much in BBs.

But have a look at this website

http://www.gaelsaoire.ie/

The Irish Tourist Board has booklets with lists of approved B&Bs throughout Ireland. I've never gone wrong with anyplace they've recommended.

When you land, get yourself a copy of Bord Fáilte's "Accommodation Guide" (it's more comprehensive than their B&B guide). In it you'll see little codes next to each lodging's entry, indicating their amenities. Look for the code G -- it means the host (and probably the whole staff) speaks Irish.

To save some serious money and take away a major worry, consider planning your itinerary around bus & train schedules and rely on those methods to get to & fro instead of a car hire. You can get almost anywhere on public transportation if you time it right. And the few times there isn't a bus handy, you can often catch a lift with someone if you let folks know you need it. (Don't ask for a "ride", it doesn't mean what most Americans think it does -- ask for a lift. "Embarrassing Americanisms" might make for another interesting thread . . .)

As for what to do & where to go, if you're not already familiar with Ireland, consider Aonghus' recommendation -- http://www.gaelsaoire.ie -- for your Gaeilge-related interests, and check out http://www.ireland.ie for the non-Gaeilge stuff.

I recommend An Daingean (Dingle) as well as An Spideal (Spiddle) which is west of Galway. However, bear in mind that the Irish spoken in each location is different. Spiddle is Cois Fharraige while Dingle is Munster (I think). If you go the Dingle route, you must go out to Ballyferriter...superb Irish spoken there. I also highly recommend the B&B option. Like Lucy said, I've never gone wrong with any B&B experience in Ireland.

I can't speak to the Aran Islands but Inis Mór is well worth the trip. Be sure to allow time for the Ragús performance at the Halla Ronín. It will send chills up your spine!

A Riona,
I just received - free from GaelSaoire - 4 booklets on the Gaeltachai(bi-lingual) plus a small map with all the Gaeltachtai areas on it and some other interesting booklets.

If you make it to An Daingean area - early Oct - join us for a Guinness!

Ádh mór!

Go raibh maith agat a chairde.

Some of that I already know of because I sit around whenever I have spare time and look up all things Irish online. So you'd think I'd be set but I'm not. I looked at Aonghus's website, I've actually seen it before but it was nice. As to busses and trains, my dad hasn't got patience for such things so I'm pretty sure we'll rent a car and risk driving around on those narrow roads. I'll have to get one of those Board Failte booklets and look through it, thanks for the hints a Chionaoidh. Our neighbors will possibly come with us too, not sure though and this could all fall through so we'll just have to see. It would be grand to meet people from here, I wish we could all meet like we talked about in another thread over a pint in a pub, but since that can't happen it would be fun to meet at least someone from 'round here, just a thought. I've got to go before Oct. a Ulton because I'll be starting at school again at the end of Sept., to bron orm.


Beir bua agus beannacht

And if you write to Bord Fáilte before you go, they'll send the accomodation booklets to you here. And while traveling in Ireland, it's possible to book those accomodations at a Bord Fáilte shop for a very small fee. You can be in Dublin say, and they'll help you book a place in Kerry. Excellent if you don't have a set itinery.

So I've made up a really nice list of B and Bs in my perspective counties which I think might be nice and I'll research them further, hoping at least some of them will have more info than Board Failte gives, though that was helpful.

Beir bua agus beannacht

Inis Meáin a Ríona:

Seán Ó (& Máire) Fatharta, An Baile Thiar, Inis Meáin live in the highest house on Inis Meáin, not far from Cathaoir Synge. Seán shall pick you up at the pier from the boat and leave you back at the boat the following day. You just phone ahead: 09973027

http://www.irishislands.ie/htmlsite/inishmann.asp

http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/special_reports/abroad04/ireland/ireland_6.lasso
Beside the pier: http://www.cois-cuain.com/

Is gnách €30 ar leaba is bricfeasta sna tithe BB agus nílid mar seo/ and they're not like this: http://www.thomasoneil.com/photo.php?f=1423 !
Indeed they're all perfect houses and the finest of people. But the island has so many features that one would need a week to meander with the camera.

Bhí mé anseo tuairim an ama seo arú inné: http://www.thomasoneil.com/photo.php?f=1425 ! I was there the day before yesterday and came away a slightly burned by sun and wind.

Is méanar dhuit. Táimse gafa sa chathair go dtí Lúnasa ar a luaithe...

Shaothraíos go crua é a Aonghuis, i mo shiún seincín istigh san oifig an deireadh seachtaine roimhe sin ar fad.

An chuid is fearr d'obair na bliana é gan amhras ar bith. Ní bhfuaireas an deis anuraidh agus ba mhó mo dhréim leis áit i mbliana dá bharr.

Go raibh maith agat, a Sheosamh a chara. I liked those. You are so kind to put so many links on.

Beir bua agus beannacht

Do chéad fáilte a Ríona.

Maidhm ollmhór anseo nár thugas faoi deara go dtí inniu féin /
A spectacular wave that I didn't notice when I posted:

http://www.cois-cuain.com/photogallery/cliffs_2.jpg

Grand pictures. I myself went to the sea for the weekend and saw some beautiful waves and rocky edges, just a side note.

Beir bua agus beannacht.

A chairde,

My dad and I bought our plane tickets and we have our dates for when we'll be there. We'll leave on Sept. 7 and come back on the 18th. Our tentative schedule will consist of Dublin for a couple of nights, then go down 'round the south and up to Dingle and then up to Galway on trains and then see one Aran Island and rent a car and go 'round Conamara for a bit then leave and come back to the states. So if anyone remembers anything really fun or exciting or important that I must do in these places then tell me le do thoil. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Beir bua agus beannacht.

Since you'll be driving around Conamara, you should stop in Ros Muc. Not really much to do there aside from the two pubs, but you can see Pearse's cottage. Very nice people too. (I may be a little biased, I was there myself for a few months). Maybe you could go to An Cheathru Rua and stop in at Josies on Friday or Saturday night. Its a fun disco to go to, especially if its your first couple times goin.

Dublin is a great city for walking - there's so much to see. There are fabulous museums, Phoenix Park , the zoo. The GPO where history was made in 1916. Grafton Street has shops go leir. Check out the theater listings. And Temple Bar is great for an evening out.

Galway has interesting sights; the Spanish Arch, the Claddagh, the church where Columbus heard Mass before coming to America. And the pubs are great fun. Great trad music. Conradh na Gaeilge has a branch there also. But your best shot at hearing Irish will be in places like Ceathru Rua, Indreabhan, etc.

I don't think there's anything particularly "irish" about dublin - but look and you will find.

I'd say to spend as much time as you can in Gaillimh, it is simply amazing in every way. Literally.

And one thing... We've said before that tourism is having a negative effect on Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht so make sure to use your cúpla focal and show your interest in real Irish cultúr.

Wow, those pictures make my eyes wet. It's so beautiful over there!

I've checked the island out and I think I want to go to Árainn, Inir Mór is Inis Oírr. Is it any idea to go alone? I mean, I have no one to go with and I want to visit at least one of them and at least once before Christmas. Árainn probably. Will anyone go with me?

I've allready tracked down a suitable bus route to Gaillimh. Now all I need is a companion. :-)

Hi Norwegiandame,

I'm not a seasoned traveler, but I have gone to about three countries. A few times, I had to go alone because either I had disagreements with my fellow travelers or I had no one to go with in the first place. I've been to Rome, Naples, various parts of Mexico etc. on my own and I must say that the best experiences were when I was alone. It is difficult to meet other people when you're not alone.

If you do go alone don't be bummed. Your chances of adventure and romance are ten-fold. Trust me :)

Shoshana

PS. that said, Wee-Falorie-Man and me would love to join you but we are confined, for the time being to New Mexico :(

I much much prefer travelling on my own, Norwegian Dame. I absolutely agree with Shoshana. I think it's because I live for aimlessly exploring, meeting new people, and taking my time. Exactly what Shoshana said, you'll have so many more incredible experiences when you're not weighed down by other people. It completely depends on the type of person you are, of course. But you seem to be the adventurous, free spirited, easy going type who would certainly love it. At least try it once. =)

seachain an 'hooligans' !!!

http://www.galwayindependent.com/letters/7765.html

I do think I'll settle with going alone, yes.
I like my own company and it makes me freer to go where I want and do what I want.

Shosana, I'm not going to the islands to find romance however. :-) Though it would be nice if I did. One who speaks Irish, mebbe? *goes bazooka*

Maith thú a Riona!

If you're into hill walking, check out Croagh Patrick. It's in the Connaught area. You don't have to walk all the way to the top, which was a challenge for me. But just walking half way up, which takes less than an hour, you'll get a fantastic view of the Irish coast.

A chairde,
Thanks for the advice. Now I'm having trouble convincing my dad to rent a car while we're in Conamara because he's terrified of driving on the "wrong" side of the road, I can understand this but I'm afraid we won't get to see as much without. At any rate I need to find a railmap/schedule for Ireland so we can potentially use the train system. I also need to find some sort of schedule for day tours, not over/the/night tours because I only want to be tied to such things for a day at a time and no more. Go raibh maith agat in advance.

A Norwegiandame, sure and you can just come during when we're there, of course. That makes perfect sense to me since I think it might be fun to meet people from here. That article was very disheartening, though it will not in any way affect my plans. I adore camping, it is one of my favorite things. But I know what its like to have the crap scared out of you while doing so and not have any way to fix the problem that caused it all.

Beir bua agus beannacht.

Riona, I know what it's like with nervous dads afraid of driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Do your best to convince him! I'm sure you will have a great time! :-)

If you want to explore the endless maze of winding roads in Conamara, you are going to need a car - it's the only way to do it!

I know. I'll probably have to settle for day excursions, which I know aren't the same.

As to traveling alone, it would not be a good idea for me. Among other things I'm skiddish of being alone. I still think you should meet us there a Norwegiandame, unless you want to travel alone, which might be a good idea for you if you like its advantages.

Beir bua agus beannacht.

A Riona;

In my experience, over 90% of towns in the republic are served by buses -- most by Bus Éireann (formerly C.I.E.), and some more rural areas by private bus systems. Some towns are served daily or several times a day, others only a few days a week. If you plan well, you'll get to just about anywhere you want to go, just be flexible when you're scheduling and mind the timetables for the buses & trains you need.

Don't "overpack" for the trip -- a few changes of clothes will suffice if you're willing to spend a couple of hours in a laundry once a week (where you might meet a fetching batchelor!). You'll have a much more pleasant trip if you aren't hauling all sorts of accoutrements hither & yon -- if you can possibly do without a certain item, do without it. And if you forget a thing or two, you can always buy it there.

Print yourself a list of the internet cafés so that when you get to a town that has one, you can check in with your friends & family without the expense of a long-distance call.

In all likelihood, your ATM card will work in Irish ATMs, so you probably needn't get traveller's cheques. Make sure your PIN number is four digits -- some U.S. banks use more and that may cause problems overseas.

If you find yourself in a place where you feel it deserves more time than you had alotted for it, amend your schedule -- the item you decide to omit from the itinerary will be your excuse to return again soon!

http://www.buseireann.ie
http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie

quote:

In all likelihood, your ATM card will work in Irish ATMs, so you probably needn't get traveller's cheques. Make sure your PIN number is four digits -- some U.S. banks use more and that may cause problems overseas.

Excellent advice! What I've learned from my last trip to Ireland is that you'll get great, if not the best, exchange rates by using your ATM card. And there's even one in Galway that's in Irish.

The internet cafés are also really cool as Cionadh mentions. You can grap a cup of coffee and some nice Irish treats and keep in touch with everyone.

Go raibh maith agat a chairde.

There are a lot of ATMs in Dublin as Gaeilge aswell, not just i nGaillimh! Last year, I had to help out a poor English gent who was having difficulty extracting money in Irish - He'd selected the wrong feckin language :D

Never heard 'skiddish' before..

I'm sure that she means 'skittish'

Oh, confounded. That's why Caitriona didn't know what I meant when I wrote that word a couple of weeks ago. It's my own fool-witted spelling of it that makes it confusing for everyone. Shame to me. Well, another mystery solved, Go raibh maith agat a WFM for fixing that one.
Beir bua agus beannacht.