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Food and petrol daily budget in West Ireland

We're going to Ireland for 7 days in May- we've reserved B & B's throughout and now are wondering what is a reasonable AND thrifty/thoughtful budget to allow for lunches/dinners and petrol for the trip. We'll be driving from Shannon to Killarney to Cahirciveen to Kenmare to Skiberreen to Cork City back to Shannon over to Cliffs of Moher and back to Shannon for the last night. Are renting a compact automatcc transmission car. Any thoughts?

Posted by
9371 posts

I have taken seven-day trips in Ireland with just as much driving and only had to fill my car once during the week. Diesel cars get much better mileage than cars here. Top it off before returning it and you should get your initial fuel charge refunded, too. A full tank should run you a bit over $50.

Food is another matter. It completely depends on how and where you want to eat. I always fill up on the free breakfast I get with the room, skip lunch, then have a nice dinner. With the occasional snack, that runs me about $30/day. If you want to eat every meal out it will be more, if you want to picnic from grocery stores it would be less.

Posted by
333 posts

Petrol will run you about 45-50 euros a tank and you'll probably have to fill up 2-3 times on that trip.

One great thing about the B&Bs is that if they serve a full Irish breakfast you shouldn't have to worry about lunch. A proper full Ulster fry is something to behold. (The Connachts don't do a bad job either)

Typically we'd be good up until dinner with a loaf of bread and some crisps.

A typical entree at a pub will run about 12-15 euros.. Depending on where you are at and which pub you want to eat at they'll either have a sit-down restaurant type meal or a carvery.

Posted by
333 posts

Basically like a Hof Brau here in the US. You get the plates yourself and then find an open seat at the bar.

They serve roast turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, etc with choice of potatoes and veg.

Given the choice of eating at a fancy restaurant or a nice carvery meal I'd take the carvery any day :)