Ireland Scotland Travel Blog

Ireland is a home away from home

Ireland is a home away from home. As a young child I was able to have the opportunity to travel with my family to Ireland.We traveled throughout the country side and into the small villages immersing ourselves in the Irish culture. Ireland is one of few places that provides a feeling of nurture, but at the same time a completely different land with a completely different culture. I grew up in the hustle and bustle of New York. We rush through our day, spend our money on parking in order to enjoy the long island beaches, and at times have not talked to our own neighbors at all. After traveling to Ireland for the first couple of days I realized as a young child this was not how life was everywhere. In Ireland the locals welcome you as their own. They are thrilled to help in any way possible with your travels, giving advice for the best places to eat, sights to see, and best ways to travel. They are so enthusiastic about their culture and beautiful country that they want to share every corner of it with the all types of travelers who venture there. This type of lifestyle and culture inspires you to grasp onto the simple things in life. I stayed in B&B's with my cousins and family members throughout our trip. We were able to meet the local children and connect on levels while being from such different places. The Irish sense of hospitality I find never reaches an ending point. We played a game called "spoons" with the entire family after dinner, followed by exploring the country side in a game of hide and seek. The adults were able to converse about where to go around Westport, which lead us to our hiking day trip on Croagh Patrick. The next day we found ourselves on what seemed to be the top of the world on Croagh Patrick. We viewed the Irish country side and gazed with amazement on how untouched this country truly was. This is such a rarity in our world today.

As I've grown older I have traveled to many different continents and have seen many different types of cultures and beautiful landscapes. However, something inside of me always brings me back to the warm feelings I can still feel today thinking about my experience in Ireland. A home away from home.

Carolyn is a reservationist at

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

 

Other websites: Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Ashley Crane's visit to ireland December 2010

December 9, 2010/December 10, 2010

 Even though our flight was delayed, we ended up arriving in Dublin on time the following morning. After retrieving our luggage and heading through customs, Martin, our driver from Fitzpatrick’s Castle was awaiting our arrival. We headed to Fitzpatrick’s Castle, our first stay in Ireland. On our drive over, Martin was very kind to be our tour guide. We passed Dublin city, drove through Dun Laoghaire, the cute town of Dalkey (where Bano hangs out) and then arrived in Killiney, where Fitzpatrick’s Castle is located. Fitzpatrick’s Castle was wonderful and the staff is so welcoming. Each room of the hotel is different, especially if you compare the rooms from the old side of the castle to the newer side. The old side has the luxurious feeling as soon as you step inside, including secret passageways and crawl foot tubs. On the new side of the castle the rooms are spacious with amazing views of Dublin harbor. You could stay at Fitzpatrick’s hundred times and each time would be different. We decided to go into Dublin City to explore. We took a ten minute walk from Fitzpatrick’s to Dalkey where the Dart train stops. The Dart train took a total of 25 minutes to the downtown area of Dublin. In Dublin there is so much to see and do. We walked passed Trinity College to Temple Bar. We had lunch at a local pub, brown bread and vegetable soup, which was just what I needed after a long day of traveling. Caitlin and I walked passed St. Patrick’s to the Guinness Storehouse, which is one of Dublin’s number one tourist attractions. Since we had both been before, we went to a new part of the storehouse called “Pour the Perfect Pint” where we learned the techniques of pouring the perfect Guinness. After Guinness, we walked around Grafton Street, which was all decorated for the holidays. We headed back to Fitzpatrick’s to meet for dinner at The Dungeon. I had a warm goat cheese salad, beef illet with potatoes and for dessert a seared pear with vanilla ice cream. All the food we had in Ireland was amazing. We hung out in the Dungeon for after dinner drinks and then headed to our rooms for the next full-planed day ahead.

 

December 11, 2010

 I tried my first ever Irish Breakfast, which includes sausage, poached eggs, bacon, a tomato, black pudding and brown bread. After breakfast we were on our way. Terry drove us through Wicklow and down the coast to New Ross. New Ross is where JFK’s family is from and you can even tour his grandparents’ house. We stopped to have tea at a local shop and then back on the road to Dunbrody. When we arrived at Dunbrody Manor House I could tell why people make it a destination in itself. The interior and exterior of the property is well thought out and beautiful. There is a cooking school and a world-class spa on the property as well. The owner, Kevin Dundon, is a famous chef in Ireland who was very charming and welcoming. Next we drove to Waterford. The Waterford Factory was closed at the time so we had lunch at the show room and spent time looking at all of the fabulous pieces. Caitlin and I spent some time shopping on the streets of Waterford before heading to our second night accommodations, Athenaeum Manor Hotel. We went to our rooms first to freshen up before dinner. My room was large in size and clean with purple accents of color.  The Athenaeum has a superb menu of delicious options. I had a Caesar salad, Risotto with mushrooms and a crème brulee for dessert. There were musicians playing in the dinning area during and after dinner because the manor was having a Christmas party, which we were happy to join in on the festivities. After enjoying the music we headed up stairs to relax and go to bed.

 

December 12, 2010

Today we got up around 7:30am and meet down stairs in the dinning room. It looked different in the daylight with the wall of windows and French doors leading to the large garden. We sat down for breakfast and each of us ordered tea; something I normally wouldn’t do but already addicted on the third day in. When you order tea in Ireland, they bring each person their own teapot, which I found amazing. After having breakfast we got back on the road, leaving Waterford behind us. Each time we drove from town to town, Terry, our driver/guide would tell us stories of the history and legends, captivating us with each word. We could point out far in the distance and ask about some random ruin and he would know the whole story behind it. We arrived in Ardmore where the Cliff House Hotel is located but at first we could not find it. The Cliff House Hotel blended right in with its surroundings, so well that it was right in front of us. As soon as you walk in to the hotel you understand why it was named The Cliff House, floor to ceiling windows and view to die for. The decor was beachy and modern, each room having a view of the ocean. I could defiantly see myself coming back to stay. After our short tour we got back on the coach and headed to Cobh (pronounced “cove”). We enjoyed the two-hour ride with a nap. Cobh is a small harbor town right outside of Cork. It was where all of the Irish immigrates left for the new world and we got to experience that history by walking through the Cobh Heritage Center. The museum also showed artifacts from the Titanic. We had a quick lunch and then a forty-minute ride up to Blarney, where we had a few stops to make. First we stopped at a local B&B that came highly recommend. The owner, her family and dog were so welcoming and she had baked us Queen Cakes (muffins) and scones with tea; it was delicious! We chatted and toured for a while and then headed to Blarney Castle. Caitlin and I were very excited to “Kiss the Blarney Stone”, which is said to give you the gift of gab. We climbed the narrow spiral stairs to the top of the castle where you had to sit backwards and tilt over the side to kiss the stone. Dennis, the older gentleman that holds you up while you bend over backwards was very nice. Of course my camera died just as I was going to kiss the stone but they had a professional there to take my picture as well. We walked back over to meet Ellen and Terry at the Blarney Woolen Mills, which is located right across the street from the castle. Here we spent a frantic hour trying to buy gifts for our family, friends and of course our selves. It was a success! After the hour of shopping we returned to the coach bus and headed to Killarney. We made a short stop to meet John , the owner of the tour bus company. John was a kind man with a  very strong accent. We were also lucky enough to meet his wife and children, Sean, 18 months and Kiera, 3 years old. After the quick hello we headed to Killarney Park Hotel in downtown Killlarney for a quick tour. It was all decorated for Christmas and each room had such a warm, comfortable feeling. Down the block was our hotel for the night, Dromhall. We had a great dinner and dessert in the bar of the Dromhall Hotel. After dinner Terry showed Caitlin and I around the city. Killarney is a charming town with a great night life, even on a Sunday night.

 

December 13, 2010

After another filling breakfast, we headed to Kenmare, where we toured The Park Hotel. The hotel was actually closed for the winter but opened its doors just for us. It was right on a lake and had beautiful stained glass windows. They showed us their renowned spa and pool, which included a treatment just for jetlag. We had tea in the colorful town of Kenmare and then headed through Killarney’s National Park. As we drove through, Terry explained the importance of each part we passed. With every turn was another opportunity for a magnificent picture. We stopped at Ladies View, which was so picturesque; you could sit there all day. We headed to Ross Castle to take a few pictures and then we pasted through Killarney one last time. Terry drove us to his house so we could pick up a few Irish music CDs for the drive and he gave us an opportunity many do not experience, seeing a local’s home. I also got a chance to take some pictures with the neighbor’s cows and then we were off to Adare Manor. The town of Adare has thatched cottages, which I had never seen before and of course Adare Manor. We had a tour of the manor. Each room was beautiful with very large bathrooms; some having fireplaces in them. After taking beautiful pictures of the grounds we headed to Bunratty Castle. Right out side of Shannon, Bunratty is a must see. It takes you back in time to the medieval era. They have a banquet show with story telling and you can tour the castle like we did and see all of the original pieces of this old castle. Just as it got dark we headed to Limerick to check into our hotel, One Pery Square. We did not get to explore Limerick but One Pery Square was an amazing hotel. The decor and excellence of the hotel was worth the stop. We had dinner at a local restaurant and then to bed.

 

December 14, 2010

We barely had time for breakfast as we had to drop Ellen off at the airport. Shannon airport was no more than 20 minutes away from Limerick. We said good-bye to Ellen and Terry and then picked up our rent a car from Avis inside the Shannon Airport. We found our car in the parking lot and set up our GPS. Caitlin got used to driving on the other side of the road pretty quick, as the highways were just like ours. It took one hour and thirty minutes from the Shannon Airport to our hotel in Galway, Best Western Flannery’s. We checked in and dropped our bags off and then headed straight into town. We took a local bus, only 1.50 Euro. We spent the whole day walking around and shopping, in stores and at a few Christmas markets they had in the squares and on the streets. We walked through the Latin Quarter and to the Spanish Arch where we took pictures of Galway Bay. We stopped for a quick bit and then shopped some more. After 6 hours for shopping we headed back to the hotel for a nap and a great dinner in the hotel bar. After dinner we headed back into town to go out in the University town of Galway. We went into a pub of full of local music and dancing; it was a fun night.

 

December 15, 2010

We woke up to have a tour of BW Flannery’s. The rooms were basic but clean and the hotel was in a great location especially if you have a car because it would be hard to park at a downtown hotel. We had lunch in the hotels bar again and then we were on the narrow roads heading north to Ashford Castle. After about 45 minutes we arrived and my jaw dropped as we pulled in. The only way to describe how I was feeling was basically like a princess. Our room had amazing views of the lake and the land. We spent some time wondering around the castle, we almost got lost. They even have a whole wall dedicated to all of famous people that have stayed at Ashford, to many to remember. We walked around the grounds, taking over a hundred pictures trying to capture the essence of magical feeling we were experiencing. Caitlin and I decided before it got dark to walk to the town of Cong, which lied on the outskirts of Ashford’s property, about a 15-minute walk. The town was quiet as we walked through the Cong Abbey. We ate a late lunch at a local pub and then headed back to Ashford, it was already getting dark out. But before we went back in we walked over to the golf course and the cottage on the grounds. Around 7:30pm we headed down to the Drawing Room for dinner. We ate a three-course meal while a piano player created another magical atmosphere. We stayed in the castle that night enjoying our room.

 

December 16, 2010

We headed down to George V Dinning Hall were an amazing breakfast was served, al la carte and a buffet for everyone. Caitlin and I didn’t want to leave but we knew we had an exciting day a head of us. We said farewell to Ashford and Co. Mayo and on to the Cliffs of Moher. It was about a two and a half hour drive to the Cliffs and we spent about an hour just standing there in awe. There is no way to describe the Cliffs of Moher, it is just something you must see first hand. It is a true wonder of the world. After dragging us away from the cliffs we drove another hour and a half to Doonbeg, our last accommodations of the trip. The Doonbeg Golf resort is wonderful and anyone would be more than happy to stay in any one of their suites on property. Each room is a suite equipped with large sitting rooms, large bedrooms, large bathrooms, fireplaces and even a kitchen. It was dark when we were touring but you could smell the ocean and could tell that the views must be spectacular. We ate another amazing meal and then headed to the spa, which was closed but they let us enjoy it on our own. We relaxed the rest of the night and packed for our journey home.

 

December 17, 2010

The staff at Doonbeg was more than helpful when we arrive and especially when we left. Since we were leaving before breakfast was served, they set over a breakfast to go and someone to pull up our car and check us out right in our room. I wish we had more time at Doonbeg. We drove about an hour to the Shannon Airport. We filled the car up with gas and returned it to Avis. After the car was inspected, Avis drove us to the terminal were we went through customs and boarded the plane. I did not want to leave but I knew I would be back to enjoy Ireland all over again. 

 Ellen McNulty, President
Lynott Tours, Inc. since 1970
205 Mineola Blvd., Suite 1B
Mineola, NY 11501 USA
Executive:  (516) 248-2042   Reservations [800] 221-2474 US and Canada; & Executive [516] 248-2042]
Fax: [516] 248-3496
Website: www.lynotttours.com

Email:  emcnulty@lynotttours.com

My Trip to Ireland by Caitlin Dour

Our office  took a familiarization trip to Ireland this past December.  In Caitlin's case, this was a revisit, since she lived on the Dingle Peninsula in the past.  Here is her version of the trip:

 

FAM TRIP

 

Day 1

Our FAM Trip to Ireland began on December 9, 2010 at JFK Airport in New York. We checked in for our flight, went through security, and headed to the waiting area. Our flight ended up being delayed, but that couldn't stop our excitement. We finally boarded the plane, got settled in our seats and were ready for takeoff. 

 

After about a 5 hour flight, we arrived in Dublin the next morning about 5 minutes after our scheduled arrival time. We had to wait a while for our bags, but once we got them we were ready to begin our journey. We met up with Martin from Fitzpatricks Castle who was there to bring us back to the castle. He was the sweetest man and talked to us about everything from the snowy weather Ireland was having to the musician Enya. He took us the long way back to the castle and was also our guide along the way. Of course we stopped along the way to take pictures and Martin was kind enough to stop and pull over for us so we could get the best pictures possible. 

 

We arrived to the castle and the first thought that came to my mind was Spectacular. Fitzpatricks Castle was so big I couldn't believe it. We thanked Martin for the ride and checked in to the hotel. We met Emer and Nicky who both work at the hotel and they showed us each to our rooms. My room number was 103 and it was a gorgeous suite. I walked in to the room and was blown away! I loved everything about my room from the color to the bathroom to the sheets on my bed. I wanted to stay there all day. 

 

We freshened up a bit, took a short tour of the hotel and walked to the town of Dalkey to get the DART train in to Dublin. We didn't have that much time in Dublin so we wanted to make the most of it. The train ride in to Dublin was very quick, only about a 20 minute ride.  Once we got to the center of Dublin we walked around for a bit and headed to Temple Bar. We were pretty hungry so we had lunch and listened to some irish music. After lunch,  we headed to the Guinness Factory and along the way stopped at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Once we arrived at the Guinness Factory, we met up with Fiona who showed us around a bit. I had been to the factory before so it was nice to see the new things that were added, especially where they teach you how to "Pour the Perfect Pint." We learned the steps to pouring the perfect pint and then headed up to the Gravity Bar. The bar at the top of the factory is amazing with views of Dublin city. We only stayed for a little while and then we headed to Grafton Street. Everything was beautifully lit with christmas lights and there were carolers along the street. It felt wonderful to be in Dublin during the holidays and be able to have this experience. 

 

Then we headed back to the DART to get back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.  Before dinner, we were able to take a tour of the hotel and see everything it has to offer. We had dinner with Emer and Nicky from Fitzpatricks in the Dungeon Restaurant and Bar. The food was wonderful! I had a goat cheese salad, Irish fillet, and sticky toffee pudding. The entire meal was delicious! Stayed out for a while after dinner and got to chat with Emer and listen to a beautiful piano player. Even though we were tired from traveling it was the perfect start to our trip. 

 

Day 2

Woke up at 7:30, got ready, had a wonderful Irish breakfast, and met our driver Terry. We got our bags together and prepared to leave Fitzpatricks for our drive to Waterford. It was about a 2 hour drive, so along the way we stopped in New Ross for some tea and fruit scones. After we had our tea, we headed to Dunbrody House for a show around. Dunbrody house was beautiful. We got a tour of the hotel along with the spa by Kevin Dundon, who owns the hotel. He also has a cookery school at the hotel . After our tour of the hotel, we continued our drive to Waterford. Once we arrived in Waterford, we had lunch at the Waterford Crystal cafe and got to do some shopping at the Waterford Crystal showroom. Then we were able to walk around the city of Waterford and enjoy some more shopping. The city is beautiful and again decorated beautifully with Christmas lights. After our afternoon in Waterford we went to the hotel we were staying at, The Athenaeum Hotel. We had time to relax before dinner in our rooms, then we went to the hotel's restaurant for a lovely dinner. I had a ceasar salad, mushroom risotto, and creme brulee. Everything was once again very delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant was nice because there were Christmas parties also happening at the restaurant. After dinner, we relaxed in the sitting room for a bit before heading back to our rooms for the night. Our second day in Ireland was coming to a close, but we were preparing for the busy day ahead of us. 

 

Day 3

We had an early wake up call again today. We  headed to the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. The Cliff House Hotel is stunning! As you drive up to it, you would not think it was a hotel. Situated along the water, every room has a beautiful view of the ocean. We were able to take a tour of the hotel and see different types of rooms, the restaurant, pool, and spa area. I can't wait until my next trip to Ireland because I will definitely be staying at the Cliff House. Our next stop was Cobh, as we got to visit the Cobh Heritage Center where cruise ships dock. We took a tour of the exhibit inside which was very touching. It provides lots of information on the history of Cobh, emmigrants leaving Ireland for America, as well as information about the Titanic. I would recommend everyone visit the Cobh Heritage Center. After Cobh our next stop was Blarney where we got to visit a B&B called The Killarney House. We had some tea and scones with the homeowners who were very welcoming and showed us around the B&B. Then we went to the Blarney Castle, and took a tour of the grounds as well as the castle. I had never been to the castle before so I was happy that I got to visit it. We walked up to the top of the castle and got to kiss the Blarney Stone. There is a lovely gentleman there who helps everyone kiss the Blarney Stone and take your picture as well. The views from the top of the castle were breathtaking, I could have stayed there all day. After our visit to the castle we did a bit of shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills where I also could have stayed all day. After a bit of shopping we made our way to Killarney. Along the way we stopped to meet John whom I have spoken to on the phone, but never met. It was great to meet with him and have a nice chat. Then we continued along to Killarney and once we arrived we took a tour of the Killarney Park Hotel, a beautiful 5 stay hotel situated in the center of town. During our show around we saw different types of rooms, the restaurant, sitting room, and game room. Each hotel had lovely Christmas decorations but I particularly liked their decorations. After our show around we headed to our hotel, Dromhall Hotel. We checked in, freshened up, and had a nice dinner in the restaurant of the hotel.  Once again the meal was delicious. After dinner we had some time to go out in Killarney and walk around the town since we weren't going to be there for long. I wish we had more time in Killarney since it is such a fantastic town, but the time we did spend there was worth it. After our night out in Killarney we went back to the hotel to get some rest for another busy day.

 

Day 4

Woke up early at Dromhall Hotel and had breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Got our things together and headed to Kenmare for a show around at the 5 star Park Hotel. The hotel was closed but we were still able to get a tour. The hotel has an older feel but it is spectacular. We were also able to take a tour of the spa, which has a very modern feel. At the hotel, they leave sheep stuffed animals in each of the rooms and they were generous enough to give us each one to take home. After our visit we stopped for tea and scones before we drove around Killarney National Park. We stopped at "The Ladies VIew" for some wonderful pictures. After our drive around the Park we made a quick stop at Ross Castle before we continued on to Adare. We arrived in Adare and went straight to Adare Manor for our next show around. Adare Manor is out of this world. I have never seen anything like it! It is stunningly beautiful from the outside and even more stunning on the inside. Our show around of the manor was wonderful. We got to see the sitting room, restaurant, plenty of rooms, the pool, and gym facilities. Then we headed to Bunratty Castle for a tour of the folk park and of the castle. We received a guided tour of the castle which I enjoyed because I got to learn more about the castle and its history. We met grabbed a quick bite to eat at the pub at the folk park. I had a warm chicken salad that was absolutely delicious. It was nice to see the folk park decorated for christmas. It is open to visitors who are able to bring children to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. We left Bunratty Folk Park and headed up the road to Innisfree B&B. We weren't able to stay long as it was late, but we were able to get a tour of the B&B and meet the owners. Then it was on our way to Limerick for our overnight stay at 1 Perry Square. We arrived and relaxed for a bit before we went to dinner in town. We went out to dinner at a new restaurant at the Savoy, Limerick. To top it off I had my first Irish Coffee of the trip. After dinner we we our with aynt back to the hotel as we had another early day ahead of us. 

 

Day 5

We woke up early , had breakfast at the hotel, and had to make a stop at the airport to drop Ellen off. We dropped Ellen off, said goodbye to our driver, Terry and picked up our own car for the rest of the trip.

 

Self Drive

Ashley and myself rented a car from Avis for the rest of our stay in Ireland. We were given a 2010 Ford Mondeo automatic car. I was nervous to drive on the other side of the road, but once we left the airport and got on the highway my nerves went away. Driving on the other side turned out to be a lot easier than I thought. We were heading for our next stop on our trip, Galway, and we arrived in just under 2 hours, but it seemed a lot faster than that. We arrived and checked in to our hotel, the Best Western Flannerys Hotel. We dropped our things off, got ready and left to spend the day in the city of Galway. Since it was about a 20 minute walk in to town, we took the bus which was only about a 10 minute ride from the hotel. We arrived in to the city and immediately started to shop! There was a Christmas market in the middle of town so we walked around there for a bit before we continued on to the main street in Galway. We saw the Spanish Arch & St. Nicholas's church, and stopped in the famous King's Head Pub for some lunch. We stayed in the city all day and then headed back to our hotel to relax and have some dinner. After some down time we went back in to Galway City for a night on the town. We had an amazing night listening to some wonderful Irish music and met some new friends! After our night on the town we headed back to our hotel and rested up for our next days adventure to Ashford Castle!

 

Day 6

We slept in,  since there was no specific time for us to arrive at Ashford.  We were given a show around of the Best Western Flannerys Hotel then had a late breakfast before we got back on the road. We were on our way to Ashford Castle! I was so excited about our visit to Ashford, I couldn't wait to get there! The drive to Ashford was very quick, however some of the narrow roads made me a little nervous about driving again. We were told that the drive up to Ashford is truly magical, so I was anxiously awaiting that moment and it did not disappoint! Ashford Castle is beyond words, it is a truly magical place. Just walking through the doors, I was speechless. We checked in and our room was not ready yet, but we were able to take a quick tour of the rest of the castle. We learned about its history and were able to see the sitting room, restaurant, bar area, and the spa. Once our room was ready we were brought up to it and immediately couldn't believe that we got to stay here. Our room was amazing! It was two floors with the sitting area upstairs and our bedroom and bathroom downstairs. The view from our room was even better, as it was a view of Lough Corrib. It was a dream to be at Ashford. After we got settled in, we decided to take a walk around the grounds of the castle and enjoy everything it has to offer. We took a walk around the castle then took a walk in to the town of Cong, where they filmed the movie "The Quiet Man." We stopped in to one of the local pubs for a late lunch before we headed back to the castle to relax for the evening and have a nice dinner. For dinner we had the option of eating in the main dining room or the sitting room and we choose to dine in the sitting room. It wasn't any different than eating in the main dining room and I actually preferred to eat in the sitting area. The ambiance was quiet yet serene, with a lovely piano player and the room was dimmly lit with candles. For dinner I had a goat cheese salad, stripes of steak fillet, and bread & butter pudding. It was the perfect dinner to a perfect day at Ashford. After dinner we relaxed for a bit in the sitting room and headed back to our room. We closed our amazing day out with a movie and a good night's sleep. 

 

Day 7

Woke up at Ashford and got ready to head to the main dining room for breakfast. It was a bit rainy in the morning and we heard it would clear up for our day at the Cliffs of Moher. Breakfastwas delicious! I had an Irish Breakfast along with some fruit from the buffethad.  After breakfast we checked out and got on the road for our ldrive to the Cliffs of Moher. Our drive took a bit longer than planned as we stopped along the way to take pictures. We also tried to stop at Ailwee Caves but since we didn't have reservations booked because of their Santa display we couldn't get in. So we continued on our journey to the Cliffs. We finally arrived to the Cliffs and even though it was windy it was absolutely beautiful. We walked around, took some pictures and in the process almost got blown away. We stopped in to the visitors center and did a bit of shopping before we had to leave. The Cliffs of Moher are absolutely spectacular even on a cloudy day. The next time I am in Ireland I will definitely be going back to visit. We left at the perfect time because just as we got in the car it started to rain. It only rained a little on our drive to our next hotel, the Doonbeg Golf Club. We got to Doonbeg in a short amount of time and couldn't believe what we saw. Doonbeg is a beautiful resort on the water in Co. Clare with multiple cottage apartments. We checked in and were shown to our cottage suite just across from the main building. It was an amazing suite with three floors.  Walking through the door you enter the middle floor with the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Upstairs is bedroom number one with a walk in bathroom and downstairs was bedroom number two also with a walk in bathroom. Even though staying at Ashford Castle was a dream come true, Doonbeg is pretty amazing as well. After we settled in, we got our last show around, which of course was Doonbeg. We saw different types of suites and how each are similar, yet have their own touch which was one of the things I loved about Doonbeg. Each suite has either two, three or four bedrooms which would be perfect for families. It was dark so we couldn't see the amazing views of the water from most of the rooms, but the show around was still really nice. We also got to see the incredible spa, and unfortunately by the time we got there it was already closed. The next time I visit Doonbeg I plan on taking full advantage of the spa! After our show around we got to eat in the restaurant, Darby's which was right across the way from our cottage. For dinner I again had a caesar salad, hamburger with chips (or as we say in America fries), and sticky toffee pudding. After we dinner we headed back to our cottage to re-pack since we were going home in the morning. After helping each other re-pack we went to bed because we had to be up by 7 AM to be on the road by 7:30 AM. 

 

Day 8

 Since we were up so early and breakfast wasn't available at the restaurant until after we left, the staff at Doonbeg was kind enough to bring over breakfast for us. They brought us some pastries and tea to have before we got on the road. We checked out and left for the drive to Shannon Airport. We heard snow was on the way so we wanted to make sure we were at the Airport before the snow arrived. On the way it did start to snow but only a dusting. Before we got to the airport we made a stop to fill up the tank of our car as Avis requires all cars to have a full tank of gas upon returning it. From there we continued on to the airport and dropped our car off at Avis. The gentleman at Avis had to inspect it to make sure there was no damage and after that he took us to the terminal for departures. Once we arrived we checked in for our flight which was getting ready to board shortly. My suitcase was over by 6 lbs so I had to try and re-arrange things in my carry on and suitcase. After that was settled we received our tickets, went through security and headed for our gate. I couldn't believe our trip was over. I had such a wonderful time and made some great memories. I was happy to be going home but I was already thinking about my next trip to Ireland. Our first FAM trip was a success and I look forward to many more amazing FAM trips to come hopefully in the near future. 

Caitlin Dour is a Reservatiobnist at Lynott Tours.

 

www.lynotttours.com 

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master 

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Romantic Kilronan Castle in Co. Roscommon Ireland

There ia a long, winding drive entrance to the estate. You drive along the road circling the blue lake. On a rise above is the castle, a grey stone fantasy castle which contrasts with the green estate that surrounds it. As you enter, the stained glass windows which medieval characters adds character to the place. Period furniture, oak paneled walls, and a 2 storey high lobby with crystal chandelier complete the picture. Straight ahead is main dining room, where you are greeted by name. Service was perfectly timed, and the food excellent. I met the chef the next day. He hails from Sri Lanka, so there is a bit of an Asian inspiration to the locally sourced food.

　

There is a lift to the tower rooms. I had a junior suite overlooking the lake. It was nicely decorated, with a tower sitting area with a table and two chairs under the arched windows. The bath had a tub and a separate shower. Everything was marble.

There was a wedding going on here, but the banquet suite is quietly tucked away, and you did not hear any noise from the party. The Spa is beautiful,. AN instant sense of calm overcomes you as you enter the serenely lit space. Many treatment rooms and a beautiful pool.

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Lough Erne Resort - Gateway to Northwest Ireland

Lough Erne is fabulous, and a gateway to the scenic northwest. It is perfect for exploring Donegal, Omagh, Fermanagh, Sligo and Leitrim. The luxury Hotel Spa and Championship Golf Course is just perfect for arelaxing stay in Ireland.

Entry is from the Belleek Road (where you will find the pottery factory just a few minutes away). You enter through the Hiume Golf Course, past luxurious private homes and across a meandering bridge to the resort. At night the winding bridge is lit up.

The Nick Faldo designed course is the centerpiece of the resort, with its most famous hole, the Emerald Isle, jutting out into the lake. Buggies are available. Ruari(Rory McIlroy) is the professional golfer associated with the course, but resident pro Lynn McCool was happy to show us around. The half way house will shortly become a seafood restaurant. The pro shop has a great assortment of quality goods. The golf academy was in the building stages while we were there.

Round “self catering” units, complete with kitchen and 2 or 3 bedrooms are reminiscent of Bavaria, and are perfect for a family or a group of golfers. There is plenty of storage, large bedrooms, bathrooms, and a central living room and kitchen in each. But it is truly Irish style otherwise. The friendly and helpful staff are full of Irish wit and chat. The view from the bar, restaurant and lobby is magnificent, overlooking the golf course and Lough Erne. The Thai Spa, easily reached from the guest rooms, was relaxing a beautifull. I only sampled the pool and jacuizi. But they were uncrowded.

The hotel bedrooms are large and well designed and appointed. We had a view of the lake. On the clear sunny days we were there, life could be no finer. Dinner in the Noel McMeel dining room was top notch, the wine excellent, and the after dinner relaxation in the bar were the best. It took about 2 ½ hours to drive to Dublin from Lough Erne, traveling through Cavan, Navan and Meath.

　

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Lough Derg Ireland

Lough Derg is 32,000 acres  of spectacular waterway, ideal for all kinds of watersports, cruising and angling. Beautiful countryside around the lake shore, perfect for walking, cycling, horse riding and other visitor pursuits. 

Dotted along the lakeshore are pretty quaint towns, villages & harbours, each offering a distinctive atmosphere and fine facilities. For the visitor, it all adds up of Lots to Do – either On the Water or in the Nearby Countryside… and a wonderful opportunity to Relax and Chill Out.

Many communities hold exciting festivals and events during the year, which give the visitor a great opportunity to capture the unique mood of the area and to join in the fun and celebrations with friendly local people.  

There’s great traditional music and entertainment all year round too in the many pubs, concert venues, theatres and other hostelries dotted around the lake shore. What better way to get close to the very heartbeat of Ireland than by sampling a ‘seisiun’ in one of the cosy pubs of Feakle, Co. Clare or Terryglass and Garrykennedy in Co. Tipperary?

 

http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

10 of The Best Things To Do in Ireland (but there are 16)

10 of The Best Things To Do in Ireland

Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s a good thing, too, since I own one of the longest-running tour operations in Ireland. Fortunately, I visit whenever I like, which is often. If you have just one chance though, do this, please. Try some of these ideas, or encourage your clients to do so.

Here’s my list of the top 10:

1. Fly over Ireland

As the night sky lightens and the mists dissolve, Ireland appears. Nothing heightens the senses as your first glimpse of the Emerald Isle. Many shades of green can be spotted in postage-stamp pastures, framed by stone walls. Yes, it really is that green.

2. Go to a pub

Pubs are great places for a quick meal or for tea or coffee or soda and a great place to talk with the locals. The pubs are gathering spots for the local Irish community, not alcohol-fueled bars. By the way, you can generally bring a child into most pub at any age. Many Irish pubs have traditional music evenings once a week. Go. No doubt, you’ll meet a colorful group of eccentric Irish characters, who will be long-remembered after you return home. Here is one: http://www.lynotttours.com/i-dublintours.htm

DUBLIN LITERARY PUB TOUR:

Join a colorful group of actors as they depict the lives of writers and poets of long ago, visiting pubs and reciting their works. Dublin is the world's most famous drinking city, and that of course is all down to the unique atmosphere and endless variety of it's countless pubs. Explore the capital city of Dublin on a literary pub tour which gets you acquainted with some of the city's more than 1,000 pubs. You are then free to spend your time exploring the Dublin of writers, poets and madmen on your own. Daily, all year. Walking tour. Transportation not included.

　

　

3. Stay at a manor house

Located throughout Ireland, these charming country house hotels are full of character and personality and are some of the most stylish and unique places to stay in Ireland. The country house hotels exude that special combination of nostalgia, tradition and homey atmosphere in comfortable and luxurious surroundings. Enjoy leisurely breakfasts, country walks, cozy log fires. Relax in drawing rooms with deep sofas. Special ones are Renvyle House in Connemara, and Rathsallagh House in Wicklow. http://www.lynotttours.com/i-luxury.htm

4. Hear a storyteller

The Seanchi of old, the Irish word for storyteller, entertains even today with oral tales of fairies, Celtic warriors and legendary deed-doing. Find a pub with turf fire glowing, where tales are presented and songs sung, a perfect setting in which to take you back through the romantic mists of time. You’ll listen as history comes alive. Some great ones are the Cottage Bar, Salthill, in Galway (Wednesdays) and the Brazen Head, Dublin (nightly except Monday, May-September).

5. Visit Cobh

Cobh (pronounced cove) in the southwest was originally a small fishing village, and then the base for the British Navy. Many of the ships that sailed to America departed from Cobh, so if your ancestors hailed from Ireland, they may have left from here. The heritage center documents the hopes and aspirations of those who traveled from here. It is a very moving experience. Cobh is a picturesque town, and is associated with the loss of the Titanic and Lusitania. The graveyard for many of the victims is in the town.

Now, it is a port of call for many cruise ships around Great Britain and Ireland, with shore excursions to nearby Blarney Castle or Kinsale.

6. Visit Kinsale in County Cork

County Cork is filled with unique gourmet specialty producers - cheesemakers, basket weavers, and even an old fashioned English food market. Cork's pretty coastal town of Kinsale is just one of many places serving up mouthwatering seafood. Walk the colorful narrow cobbled streets down to the harbor, see the colorful shop-fronts and enjoy the scenic views. Visit the star-shaped Charles Fort with its spectacular views and learn about Ireland's history. The Old Course, one of the most challenging golf courses is here, too. Known as the Pebble Beach of Ireland, the course juts into the Atlantic, and rises hundred of feet above high dramatic cliffs. It is surrounded by ocean on all sides.

7. Behold the Cliffs of Moher

The rugged Cliffs of Moher, looming above the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean far below, offer spectacular scenic vistas. A visit to the Cliffs, one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland, was formerly a wind-blown scramble up a rocky incline. Now, a state of the art visitor center describes the geology and history of the area, and provides an indoor viewing platform of nature’s glory and the nesting grounds for many Atlantic sea birds. The Cliffs of Moher are just north of Shannon.

8. Visit Achill Island

The windswept Achill Island, on the west coast of County Mayo, is associated with a female pirate (Grace O’Malley), 5,000 year old megalithic tombs and promontory forts. The site that stays with you, however, is the Deserted Village. There are approximately 80 ruined stone houses in the village. Each house consisted of just one room and this room was used as kitchen, living room, bedroom and even stable. Once a thriving community, the village was a victim of the famine, and became abandoned. It is reachable by road.

9. Kilkenny

Kilkenny dates from the sixth century. What makes the town important today is that it is the finest example of a medieval town in Ireland, with a cathedral, castle, and even a craft shop housed in the stables of the castle, where some of Ireland's finest designs are made. The town, just 1 ½ hours southwest of Dublin, is haunted by the spirit of Dame Kyteler, who was hanged for witchcraft in the 14th century. The spirit resides at Kyteler's Inn, but roams the streets of Kilkenny as well.

Have a pub lunch at Langton’s, Ireland’s "Pub of the Year" for many years. In fact, it won so many times that the owners were asked to withdraw from the competition to give someone else a chance.

10. Newgrange

Just north of Dublin is an historic site older then the Pyramids! Newgrange, the large cairn, or burial site was erected during the Stone Age. Legend has it that the people here worshiped the sun, because the Newgrange tomb is situated so that the sun shines into the chambers on the shortest day of the year, December 21st.

My complete list is much longer. After all, I have been to Ireland more than 40 times. Just ask me for a copy.

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours, Inc. Known for small scheduled group tours, FITs, customized self drive and chauffeur driven programs, and special interest travel in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The company will celebrate 40 years in Ireland in 2010.

www.LynottTours.com Emcnulty@LynottTours.com

　

　

11. Go to a Garden

You may not know that Ireland has a temperate climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream. There are even palm trees in Ireland! Many public gardens, and some private ones can be visited. Some of my favorites are here: http://www.lynotttours.com/i-GARDENS.htm

　

12. National Gallery

The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish and European fine art. Admission to the collection is free. www.nationalgallery.ie. It’s right in the center of Dublin, and you could easily spend a few hours there.

　

13. Drive the Atlantic Coast

See the glorious west coast of Ireland along the Grand Atlantic Drive - a craggy seacoast, a road lined with charming villages. The roads twist and turn. The rocky crags are best enjoyed April through August, when the area is alive with flowers.

14. Take the family

There’s no doubt about it – the Irish love kids, and Ireland is a wonderfully welcoming place to visit for families with children. Most public places and visitor attractions cater for those children, with changing facilities, children’s menus, high chairs and ramps for strollers. Visit Ireland - a land where a warm welcome is found at every corner, every doorstop and every pub.Visit the places your grandfather went, the tales he heard, the songs he sang.

15. Rent a cottage or a castle in Ireland or Britain for a family reunion. . When you'd like to be on your own, in a village of 8-10 identical cottages with other vacationers from around the world. Walk to the local store, cook your own meals for that finicky eater, and have your own home away from home for a week or more. Each cottage sleeps a family easily and cheaply. There is a large courtyard and grassy lawn area joining the cottages, which makes it very easy for everyone to get caught up on the years while the kids all play. Cars are provided, so each family takes their own unique day trips to destinations like Blarney Castle, and more. In the evening we all get for dinner and more social time. How about life on a

farm

, or a large house or castle for all of you?

16.  But what will you eat?

Fortunately, the days when Irish vegetables are cooked for an entire week are long gone. Most people are very impressed at the quality of new Irish cooking. About the only thing that is not readily available is peanut butter. Bring your own.

One of the greatest transformations in these countries in recent years has been in cuisine. Once known for its unappetizing meals, Ireland  now boasts numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. A good place to start: http://www.goodfoodireland.ie

My complete list is much longer. After all, I have been to Ireland more than 40 times. Just ask me for a copy.

Ellen McNulty is President of Lynott Tours, Inc. Known for small scheduled group tours, FITs, customized self drive and chauffeur driven programs, and special interest travel in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The company will celebrate 40 years in Ireland in 2010. www.LynottTours.com Emcnulty@LynottTours.com

10 of The Best Things To Do in Ireland

10 of The Best Things To Do in Ireland

Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s a good thing, too, since I own one of the longest-running tour operations in Ireland. Fortunately, I visit whenever I like, which is often. If you have just one chance though, do this, please. Try some of these ideas.

Here’s my list of the top 10:

1. Fly over Ireland

As the night sky lightens and the mists dissolve, Ireland appears. Nothing heightens the senses as your first glimpse of the Emerald Isle. Many shades of green can be spotted in postage-stamp pastures, framed by stone walls. Yes, it really is that green.

2. Go to a pub

Pubs are great places for a quick meal or for tea or coffee or soda and a great place to talk with the locals. The pubs are gathering spots for the local Irish community, not alcohol-fueled bars. By the way, you can generally bring a child into most pub at any age. Many Irish pubs have traditional music evenings once a week. Go. No doubt, you’ll meet a colorful group of eccentric Irish characters, who will be long-remembered after you return home.

3. Stay at a manor house

Located throughout Ireland, these charming country house hotels are full of character and personality and are some of the most stylish and unique places to stay in Ireland. The country house hotels exude that special combination of nostalgia, tradition and homey atmosphere in comfortable and luxurious surroundings. Enjoy leisurely breakfasts, country walks, cozy log fires. Relax in drawing rooms with deep sofas. Special ones are Renvyle House in Connemara, and Rathsallagh House in Wicklow.

4. Hear a storyteller

The Seanchi of old, the Irish word for storyteller, entertains even today with oral tales of fairies, Celtic warriors and legendary deed-doing. Find a pub with turf fire glowing, where tales are presented and songs sung, a perfect setting in which to take you back through the romantic mists of time. You’ll listen as history comes alive. Some great ones are the Cottage Bar, Salthill, in Galway (Wednesdays) and the Brazen Head, Dublin (nightly except Monday, May-September).

5. Visit Cobh

Now, it is a port of call for many cruise ships around Great Britain and Ireland, with shore excursions to nearby Blarney Castle or Kinsale.

Cobh (pronounced cove) in the southwest was originally a small fishing village, and then the base for the British Navy. Many of the ships that sailed to America departed from Cobh, so if your ancestors hailed from Ireland, they may have left from here. The heritage center documents the hopes and aspirations of those who traveled from here. It is a very moving experience. Cobh is a picturesque town, and is associated with the loss of the Titanic and Lusitania. The graveyard for many of the victims is in the town.

6. Visit Kinsale in County Cork

County Cork is filled with unique gourmet specialty producers - cheesemakers, basket weavers, and even an old fashioned English food market. Cork's pretty coastal town of Kinsale is just one of many places serving up mouthwatering seafood. Walk the colorful narrow cobbled streets down to the harbor, see the colorful shop-fronts and enjoy the scenic views. Visit the star-shaped Charles Fort with its spectacular views and learn about Ireland's history. The Old Course, one of the most challenging golf courses is here, too. Known as the Pebble Beach of Ireland

7. Behold the Cliffs of Moher

The rugged Cliffs of Moher, looming above the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean far below, offer spectacular scenic vistas. A visit to the Cliffs, one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland, was formerly a wind-blown scramble up a rocky incline. Now, a state of the art visitor center describes the geology and history of the area, and provides an indoor viewing platform of nature’s glory and the nesting grounds for many Atlantic sea birds. The Cliffs of Moher are just north of Shannon.

8. Visit Achill Island

The windswept Achill Island, on the west coast of County Mayo, is associated with a female pirate (Grace O’Malley), 5,000 year old megalithic tombs and promontory forts. The site that stays with you, however, is the Deserted Village. There are approximately 80 ruined stone houses in the village. Each house consisted of just one room and this room was used as kitchen, living room, bedroom and even stable. Once a thriving community, the village was a victim of the famine, and became abandoned. It is reachable by road.

9. Kilkenny

Kilkenny dates from the sixth century. What makes the town important today is that it is the finest example of a medieval town in Ireland, with a cathedral, castle, and even a craft shop housed in the stables of the castle, where some of Ireland's finest designs are made. The town, just 1 ½ hours southwest of Dublin, is haunted by the spirit of Dame Kyteler, who was hanged for witchcraft in the 14th century. The spirit resides at Kyteler's Inn, but roams the streets of Kilkenny as well.

Have a pub lunch at Langton’s, Ireland’s "Pub of the Year" for many years. In fact, it won so many times that the owners were asked to withdraw from the competition to give someone else a chance.

10. Newgrange

Just north of Dublin is an historic site older then the Pyramids! Newgrange, the large cairn, or burial site was erected during the Stone Age. Legend has it that the people here worshiped the sun, because the Newgrange tomb is situated so that the sun shines into the chambers on the shortest day of the year, December 21st.

My complete list is much longer. After all, I have been to Ireland more than 40 times. Just ask me for a copy.

Ellen McNulty is President of

www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish & British B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Other websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Expert

Bus Service from Shannon to Galway - Dublin

City Link new service

Public transportation in Ireland can be challenging. New bus service is available from Galway to Dublin. In this section you can see our timetables, view our route maps and check out some tips on Galway, Dublin and Dublin Airport.

Citylink.ie

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com

You may choose from the best Irish B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Outher websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Master

Cooking Lessons in Ireland

Learn to cook at the only cookery school in the world located in the middle of its own 100-acre organic farm, tsught by a fmous irish chef.

When you step through the little wooden side gate and into the courtyard of Ballymaloe Cookery School you enter a different world. A world where the loudest sounds are the sounds of the countryside and maybe, if the windows are open, the quiet chatter and gentle clatter of people at work in a kitchen. A world where the whole emphasis is on food - growing it, preparing it, cooking it, eating it and, crucially, enjoying it. A world that feels wonderfully cut-off because it is in the middle of ten acres of organic market gardens, orchards and greenhouses which are, in turn, surrounded by a hundred acres of organic farm. The farm offers cookin lessons, where you learn to cook good Irish food.

cookingisfun.ie

Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com>

You may choose from the best Irish B&B's, hotels, guesthouses, inns in Ireland, unusual manors and even the most elegant Irish castles to form your perfect vacation! We have 3 star relaxed castles to 5 star elegant ones.

Outher websites:  Cruise Tour Planners

Australia Travel Master

Ireland Travel Expert

Scotland Travel Master