I am a first time traveler out of the country (Canada and Mexico). This is my first big trip. I am planning on being in Ireland for a month and spending some time looking for some long lost ancestors near Cork and Westmeath. I am travelling the month of May and hope to miss some of the tourist season! I am flying either out of Seattle or Vancouver BC, is there a preferable airline? Am good with one stop to at least stretch some legs. I will fly into Dublin and allow a few days to regroup and see some of the sites. I have been advised the fishing is the best in Cong and I might be able to get some fishing help at the local pub. I am a village type of person and would rather not drive so I can see all that Ireland has to offer without the hassle of a car. I realize this limits me somewhat but it seems from the information I read here it is doable. I am planning on the west coast after Cork and last week in N. Ireland. I have been using the Insight Guide book and have gotten a great idea of so many places. Is it advisable to book all of your rooms well in advance? I have been checking airbnb but is there a better way to book local rooms that have more of a home feel? Is it advisable to spend a week at one location and travel from there? Lots of questions. I would like to be able to maybe join a small group for some walks and hikes, is there information in the villages for these? I am looking forward to music in the pubs, friendly faces and maybe a relative or two may pop up!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8425 posts
Air Transportation: Aer Lingus is starting non-stop service from Seattle to Dublin in May. Right now RT is pricing around $750 with the direct flights starting Mid May If you leave early May, you will connect through Boston on the way there . British Air from Seattle is around $800 RT with a stop in Heathrow.
British Airways from Vancouver is pricing out at $720 after you covert from Canadian $ to US $. Aer Lingus from Vancourver is pricing out slightly higher. KLM with a connection in Amsterdam prices out at $750 RT.
Currently, the prices all seem to be within $50 for the round trip at both airports. I would look at other factors as well. Luggage allowance, where the connections take place, is there a charge for seat selection?, and finally departure and arrival times. Also take a look at the total trip time involved for each connection.
If your dates are fairly firm, I would view these airfares as good prices from West Coast and feel comfortable buying now.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3241 posts
Most folks traveling to Ireland stay at B&B's. This gives you the small local feel. Checking this forum for recommended places or I like to read travel blogs and have gotten recommendations from those. I would definately book in advance to get the places you want, even in May. Check out Icelandair, I think they fly into Dublin.
Most people recommend that you travel slowly. If this is your first time to Ireland, don't plan on seeing the whole island. Pick a couple of destinations and focus on those. You won't be able to see it all. Many of the local B&B hosts should be able to recommend hikes and walks etc. Most that we encountered were very helpful. Have a great trip! You will love it!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8425 posts
I did a quick check on IcelandAir since the previous poster recommended it. No flights Seattle to Dublin. You could fly Seattle to London and then catch a cheap flight onward although this adds an element of risk for a missed connection/ticket cancelation. However, this airline priced out $100 more just to get to London for the same dates and didn't even feed you on the way. :)
What this shows is why you really need to check several airlines. Iceland Air has a reputation as a low cost carrier, but they don't always come in with the best price. A few months from now, maybe they will......
Once again, check not just the flight price but what is included. Things to look for: charging for luggage, charging for meals, charging for seat selection.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks for the speedy replies. Am working on locations and then airlines narrowed down.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
870 posts
Travelling Ireland without a car is very doable, but requires a lot more pre-planning to make the most of your time. You can buy a combination bus/train pass for the time you are going to be there that will allow you a certain number of travel days within that time frame(e.g. 8 days of travel in a two week time frame). The larger towns will have more options for train and bus, whereas some of the smaller villages will only have limited bus service. This is why it is important to carefully pre-plan your travel days, and it is best to spend at least two or three nights in each place so you don't end up seeing Ireland from the window of a bus or train. When it comes to guided day trips the larger towns will again be better than the smaller villages. I would suggest just googling day tours in Ireland to see what is available from the towns you want to stay in. It may change your itinerary plans. You may find it better to stay in places such as Killarney or Galway simply because of the access to these tours. For this type of travel the Lonely Planet guides can be better than some because they tend to cater to the younger, budget traveller that uses public transit.
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
The fishing is the best in Cong???!!!
I'm almost so devastated to read that, that I'm worried I may not be able to continue writing.......
.
.
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Waterville has great fishing at Lough Currane; Killarney has great fishing in the lakes; Killorglin at Carra River (and Carra Lake).... Waterford has wonderful fishing; the Black River, and more.....
You can find fishing all over the country, that is good. Do you prefer boats on lakes? Sea fishing? Wading....?
Let me know and I'll give you a few tips.....
Susan
Expat in Waterville, Ring of Kerry
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you to all of you that are so kind! I have just found a link to our family in Templepatrick Westmeath and also in Tubba, County Clare. So will be looking for a couple b and bs in both of those areas. I realize County Clare is pretty good sized and looks like there is much to do. I am listening to great ideas from the forum and I think renting a car is the best thing to do. I have a month but don't want to be pressured. I picked Cong for fishing because my neighbors have been there and loved it! I fly fish a bit but think it would be fun to dip a pole in some new areas and have the opportunity to talk to some of the local fishers.
I am ready to commit to a few areas now that I have opened up so new information. Smaller villages for me, will travel north and west up the coast from Clare. Any insights to great and affordable places to stay would be awesome. Am going to spend some time later today going back through the forum again now that I have a game plan.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
I was able to get Canada Air out of Vancouver for $710. I had to buy seats but still think it was the best deal and the least hassle for me. One stop in Toronto coming and going. I purchased the Rick Steves book for N. Ireland and it has some great information in it. Now on to making reservations. Dublin to Westmeath area, down to County Clare then up the coast. Going back into the travel info to get more info before I book up.