Hi travel buddies, One more question for our trip coming up this summer. We are taking RSteves Ireland Tour in Aug. and will arrive in Dublin a day (and 1 night) early. We will have all day before meeting our group to either: 1. Visit Wicklow area, Powerscourt House/Gardens and Glendalough or 2. Visit Boyne area, Newgrange, Monasterboice and Trim Castle. There are tours to both places that would work. Please advise: Which choice would you suggest and why? I feel pretty certain neither is on the tour (that I could find anywhere). Thanks again for all the help and advice!!!!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I like both, but my preference would be the Boyne river valley tour. I'm not a big mansion/garden person so Powerscourt isn't my thing. I loved the high crosses at Monasterboice, and Newgrange is one of my most favorite things in Ireland. They have a nice little museum in the visitor center, too.
Posted by
Palm Desert
126 posts
Read the book called Ireland by Frank O'Reilly. Makes me sad to have not visited Newgrange. The new tours do not include these sights. It seems we spend a little more time in Northern Ireland. What a great trip! Go through the scrapbooks and take notes so you can find the place that serves Bailey's with oatmeal. The tours seem to visit the Kilmainham jail instead of one of these areas.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
The RS tour doesn't go to Glendalough? Good grief! My advice is to use the tour to get over any phobia you may have about doing Ireland on your own and go back. Ireland is the easiest place to be on your own. Everyone is friendly. Crime almost doesn't exist by our standards. Everything is at a much slower pace. It takes very little time to get used to driving on the left. I will say that the best day trip out of Dublin is to Newgrange/Knowth (must see) and the other Boyne sites. Trim is a nice castle ruin with a great tour. I've done these on my own so I can't really say how good any individual tour operator is.
Posted by
OP
Salem, OR, USA
222 posts
I just love his helpline!! It appears we have 3 for 3 on seeing the Boyne area, so that's what we will do. I didn't realize the scrapbooks were even on the site, wow, what a great wealth of information! I'm more excited than ever now!! And, I have a feeling that after falling love with Ireland we will definitely want to return! My husband is tracing my geneaoloy back as I have been told that is where my roots are! I can't thank you all enough for taking time to respond - truly appreciate it! Happy Travels!!
Posted by
Sheboygan, Wisc., USA
934 posts
I also would suggest Newgrange.