Need help in planning a trip to Ireland

Here's a kiss for you, Happy: X!

That is why you check with the Exporters and do not carry the stuff yourself.

Mad Cow seems to put a damper on meat in Europe. Friends in the Netherlands have 1000# at a time shipped from Chicago. The natives think that they are Heathens for eating so much beef. They seems to enjoy the Texas cooking though. Can you say Chicken Fried Steak?

I thought that Blarney Stone tasted funny...

But I have been more articulate since I kissed it.

I heard(from an irish immigrant) that the local drunks frequently walk to blarney stone after a long evening of heavy drinking and releive themselves on it. Apparently, it is a tradition of sorts.

Ask your friend how they got in the castle after it was closed. Not to mention that the stone is at the very top of it.

By "book" the trip, are you thinking of escorted tours?
For some things that's a good idea, like the Ring of Kerry.
But since you're not going over for two years I'd suggest you get all the information you can and just read up on it. Then make a 'flexible' itinerary.

I think the best months to be there are May & September. Pleasant during the day and not too cool in the evenings.
Although Ireland isn't known for it's 'hot' weather, it can get in the 70's during the summer & air-conditioning just won't be found in the pubs, and the rental cars too. (Hotels are though).

I'd spend a day or two in Dublin, but ask someone at the Tourist Office, (they're in most towns), or the manager of your hotel what areas to 'avoid'.

I always fly into Shannon because it's a much more 'user-friendly' airport than Dublin & the ride to and from Shannon is nice. Take in Bunratty Castle & Folk Village just 10 minutes from Shannon airport. And a nearby town, Ennis, is a pleasure. Trad music in Cruises pub.

The S.W., Cork & Kerry, (Killarney is a tourist trap), shouldn't be missed. And Wexford town, (Co. Wexford in the 'sunny' S.E.), is one of my favorites.

You posted this a while ago, but since you said you're planning for 2004, I'll go ahead and give you my advice.

I've not been there yet, but I'm going for three weeks in October. I'm a photographer, so I've spent a lot of time reading up and scoping out the most scenic parts. Here's what I can tell you now, and I'll give you an update after October when I get back.

Here's two big tips: Spend a lot of time on the west coast and rent a car. The scenery on the west is like nowhere else in the world and to get there, you can't rely on the bus or train. I'm flying into Kerry airport from London, picking up a car and then driving to the Dingle Penninsula. I'll spend 4 days there, then I'm going to Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Galway, the Aran Islands (a definite don't miss), and the Connemara region. After that I'm taking the train to Dublin to spend 3 or 4 days in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.

When looking for travel planning advice, go to http://groups.google.com and search the group rec.travel.europe. It's loaded with advice from thousands of people who've been there already. It's a surefire bet you'll find just about any answer you're looking for there.

If you're looking for pictures of certain places, again check out Google. They have a tab labelled "images" on the home page and you can find all kinds of photos by entering keywords (i.e. Dingle Penninsula).

Try not to see to much in too little time. Enjoy the experience and know that you'll come back again.

Do check out the pubs, they're lively and inviting.

When you hear people talking about crack and hookers, don't be alarmed... they don't mean the same thing there as they do in the U.S.

Thanks td. I appreciate your help.