Please help with Ireland trip request

That certainly is a lot to cram into a short stay! The Abbey Road is somewhere in London, so your father can see that when he is in town for the baseball games. As for a quick trip to Ireland, it doesn’t seem like a good use of time and money, but if that is his desire, it can be done.

Flying into Dublin, they could stay in the city and do the Jamison tour there and day trip to Howth to do a cliff walk. This would probably be the easiest way. Dublin hotels are very expensive so it will not be inexpensive. They could also take a day trip with a tour company to the Cliffs from Dublin but that would be pretty exhausting. The Jamison Distillery in Dublin no longer produces whiskey, but they still have the tour and the building is very historic. There are newer distilleries in Dublin that are currently producing whiskey that he could also tour.

Flying into Shannon could be more difficult for a short stay. They could take a bus from the airport and stay somewhere where they could see the cliffs easily either on their own or with a tour company. They could also rent a car if they are comfortable with that. They would not be able to tour Jamison. The other Jamison location is near Cork, which is where they currently make their products. It would be too far and way too difficult in just a couple of days. The west coast does have more traditional pubs like the ones you are describing.

Personally, I would spend the time in London or possibly take a 3 day trip to another part of England, but the Dublin option may get most of your father’s bucket list covered.

I hope this helps! Go Phillies!

Ahh, yes, Go Phillies! I REALLY appreciate your help with this, so I think they narrowed it to Shannon /Cork area rather than Dublin simply for the pub and Moher options. So, if I am planning to send them there over Dublin, would you suggest car or train over flight? I know he really wants to just Relax in rolling hill scenic area with a good alcoholic beverage. I am trying to help to save them money bc why not right?!!? Ty sooo very much, I appreciate your time and help tremendously!

I personally do not feel comfortable renting a car in Ireland, but many people are just fine with it. That would give your father the most freedom and flexibility. He would need to be able to drive on the opposite side of the road and most likely be able to drive a manual transmission. That would mean shifting gears with the left hand. I believe that automatic transmissions are rare and cost a lot more to rent. Before you decide on any specifics of his trip, you would need to determine if he is comfortable with renting a car. Then go from there to decide where he wants to stay and what he will be able to see.

So, if I am planning to send them there over Dublin, would you suggest car or train over flight?

To get from London to Shannon by train or car would take all day and include a ferry from the UK to Ireland.

A flight would take no more than 90 minutes.

First, you may be counting days instead of nights. For example: flying to Ireland on Friday and returning on Sunday. This is essentially 1 1/2 days, not 3.

If they fly into Shannon instead of Dublin (I have not looked at flights), they might also consider Galway as a base for pubs and music. There’s not a lot around the actual airport.

Cork is a 2 1/2 hour (ish) bus ride from Shannon. Cork is a big city but you have an easy frequent train to Cobh for the day, if they wanted a different look at Ireland.

Without a car, they would be looking at a tour to Cliffs of Moher, no matter where they stay. Even from Cork (10 hours right back in the direction they came from).

You need to put moving around logistics down where you can compare. With 3 nights, stay in Dublin and save time - the Jamison tour there and a tour to Cliffs. With 4 nights, you could consider alternatives.

Edit: automatics are available but cost more. But this is such a short hop, I wouldn’t rent a car (even though I drive there).

It really is not enough time to see what your father seems to desire. However, I know some people are okay with manic travel schedules. I just think you need to be realistic about the time, cost and energy it will take with only a very limited amount of time to enjoy Ireland.

When I was in Dublin a few years ago, I ran into an American couple that were day trippers from London! They rented a Airbnb near the airport in London (I can’t remember which one) and took a cheap flight early in the morning and were returning later that same night. They said they were doing the same thing on another day to Paris. It seemed nuts to me, but they said that they had never been any of these places and didn’t know when they would ever come back. I don’t know the age of your father, but keep in mind that things don’t get easier as we get up in age!

I have never done this but there are flights, non-stop, between London and Cork City. Ryan Air, Aer Lingus, and British Air all have these non-stops. Ryan Air has flights for as little as $57 in early June. Just another consideration if your husband and daughter wanted to go that far south in Ireland. Flights are about 90 minutes and are rather frequent, both directions.

Ryan Air seems to be in and out of STN, Stansted, whereas Aer Lingus and BA are mostly in and out of LHR, Heathrow.

Go METS!

Fly into Shannon and pick up a hire car. Drive to Doolin, renowned for pubs and music. It's just a short drive to Cliffs of Moher from Doolin. The Burren area is very pretty.

Thank you everyone, I am soo appreciative of your help but you all are also very considerate to think about important details that I would sure not consider!
So my sister bought my dad the sat and sun tix for Phillies game and they are leaving from Bwi 6/6 but not arriving to Heathrow until the next morning which I have to get Fri and Sat night hotel for and then after game on Sunday they want to go straight to Ireland in which I will do the hotel for Sunday the 9th until either the 12th or 13th (depending upon the departure time of flights) as they have the flight scheduled on the 13th from Heathrow to Baltimore at 12pm, I believe. So I will check flights from your suggested airports and vary Airport to cater to their departing flight.
So I will most likely be doing 9th til 12th and then get room in London for the last night.
Soo, my dad taught me how to drive stick shift, so he should be able to drive a European version I would think... Lol I can't imagine driving on the right side of the car... But I will probably be back later or tomorrow with some more specifics if you guys are not sick of me by then! Have a good night!

You guys are AWESOME, ty all! I am seeing them both tonight

Just one cautionary note: I learned to drive on a manual transmission too but quickly found that trying to shift with my left hand (while negotiating LH traffic, sorting out unfamiliar signage, looking around for conflicting traffic, etc.) was a royal pain. Renting an automatic will cost a bit more but will be worth it for the saved aggravation involved - trust me on this.
The suggestion to fly into Shannon is a good one. From there you won't have to stray very far to enjoy the beauty of the West of Ireland, then comfortably return to London in time for the flight home.

Agree with Robert shifting with my left hand waa not pretty I went from.first to fourth all.the time. Next trips.always rented automatic and never had problem getting one in many trips and the price.was not too much higher. I doubt you could do this but is it possible to change and fly home from.Dublin?? You could spend first few days in London fly to Dublin and then home. Even if it costs more.unless.it is.outrageous of a difference it would save lots.of time.

Hmm, I wonder if an airport destination is possible because it seems like a no Brainer to me... Why go Back to Heathrow, require a single night hotel or an extra early rise time to return to London to only pray that you are on time for the flight home to Baltimore Airport. Only we live in Philadelphia, a good 2 - 3 hr drive with no train option. Idk, I am all for saving money when the options are there and sensible, but convenience is priority when heading home, especially!
And no way would he want to drive left sided stick shift, uh huh lol. That would make for a miserable ride (& slightly amusing I must add, lol!)
Ahh, I did see the Mets fan and though we disagree there, I really appreciate your knowledge on flights and airport destinations!
I wonder if Game of Thrones was filmed in Ireland a good amount... Some pics I feel like I recognize those hills 😊
Thx again everyone!

Why not set up your flight itineraries this way:

1. Depart PHL on 06/05/2024 / arrive LHR on 06/06/2024;
2. Depart London on 06/10/2024 from any of the London Airports to Dublin;
3. Depart DUB to PHL on 06/13/2024.

You can book the flights from and to the USA on one ticket and the flight to Dublin as a separate ticket depending on the departure airport that you use. More than likely the flight to Dublin will be on Ryan Air, remember to follow their rules / requirements to the letter to avoid any issues.

As for Abbey Street it is actually Abbey Road, they can see that on Friday when they are in London.

If you need or want to go thru BWI (Baltimore) it Is about two hours down 95 from Philadelphia. Train is an option as you take train from 30th Street and get off at the connection with the BWI train station that take you right to the airport, very easy to do. In my opinion the previous response is best option and best use of time. We have done all of this and PHL to Heathrow is very easy. FYI if using Aer Lingus from.PHL most of those flights require a change in Dublin then on to Heathrow. Good luck.

Oh wow, I will have to see if she can change flights without fee, unless it's financially worth it.
Are you guys travel advisors can I ask? Or just knowledgeable from your own personal travel experiences? Because I just got back into the industry on 2/2/24 as an advisor because I truly missed the hunt for a great deal, Fam trips, the discos, etc. I love learning about clients, what their bucket list entails, the excursions they want, and cultures they hope to explore and then connecting them into a vacation intenerary. So I offered to assist them in this creation. And my head was spinning at first bc London has SIX airports??!! Lol, Ok but then the requests were crazy and I am not complaining, I am thinking how I just want to offer the best accommodations & offer the best price options, so I just again cannot express how helpful this all is. With Apple Vacations, I handled mostly the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, & Cruises, etc. I know zilch about Europe, well a little more now, thanks to you guys!

I'm wondering also if I should tell them to apply for TSA pre-check... If time permits.

Don’t worry about TSA pre for one trip. See if your airport supports Mobile Passport.