My wife and I will be spending two weeks in Ireland in the second half of
July. Normally when we take driving vacations we do not book in advance
or have a set itinerary, but since this will be the height of tourist
season there we thought we better book our accommodations in advance this
time. Any suggestions on where to stay, what to see, and how much time we
need would be very much appreciated. We do not have an infinite budget,
especially with the weak dollar these days, so we plan to stay at B&B's
rather than hotels and castles. We will rent the smallest car we can get
away with that will hold one set of golf clubs and a couple of suitcases.
We figure a Toyota Corolla sized car will be appropriate. (Side question:
Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
the steering wheel is on the other side?)
We started planning our trip with the thought of circling the entire
country during our two week stay. However, we decided we don't want to
worry about rushing through everything and driving all day. This is a
vacation, after all. We want to have plenty of time to kick back in the
towns, have a few pints in the pubs, enjoy the local music and other
culture, and talk to the people we meet. Also, it is nice to stay in one
place for more than a day so we don't have to pack and unpack so often,
and we can get a better feel for the area. As we drive around we would
like to stop and take in the scenery wherever our fancy strikes, check
out some of the many ancient ruins and castles, and look at the rocks and
monoliths until they grow weary on us. Therefore we have scaled back the
scope of out itinerary, knocking the north, Dublin, and the southeast out
altogether :( . That way we can get a fuller, more relaxed look at the
places we do include.

Day 1: Fly into Shannon, arriving in the morning. If we are lucky enough
to get some sleep on the plane we will explore Limerick and environs. We
will stay in Adare for two nights, maybe at the Berkley Lodge.

Day 2: Play golf in the morning at Adare Manor Golf Club, the less
expensive of the two courses in Adare. In the afternoon we will explore
the area some more.
Places to check out in this area may include Bunratty Castle & nearby
folk park, Ballybunnion beach area, Lough Derg, Loop Head, and Limerick.

Day 3: Head north up the coast, checking out Spanish point, the Cliffs of
Moher, and the Burren if time permits. Make our way to Galway, where we
will stay for three nights, maybe at Kilcullen House.

Day 4: Day trip to Inishmore in the Aran Islands.

Day 5: Golf and sightseeing. Perhaps we will go back down to the Burren
area if we didn't catch it coming up the coast.

Day 6: Continue up the coast into Connemara. It looks like there are many
scenic routes here, so we may loop around a bit, making sure to catch the
coastline as well as the scenic inland areas and Connemara National Park.
We will stay in or around Westport for two nights.

Day 7: Check out Achill Island and as far north as we are comfortable
with before heading back to Westport. An alternative would be to proceed
on to Sligo for a night.

Day 8: From Westport or Sligo I feel we better make some tracks so we
will have adequate time for the southwest of Ireland. We would like to
see some of the interior of the country, so I thought we would head south
toward Anthlone. This is a part of the trip where I am not real sure how
far we can comfortably drive before stopping for a rest, so suggestions
on the route and timing from Sligo to Cork would be most helpful. The
gardens, science centre and National Birds of Prey Centre around Birr
Castle Demesne sound interesting to us, so that may be a good place to
stop for the night.

Day 9: Keep heading south toward Cork, with the Rock of Cashel being the
main attraction along the way. We hope to make it to Cork or a little
closer to the coast, where we will stay two nights.

Day 10: I would really like to get a taste of the Gaelic sports, so I
thought this would be a good day to go to a hurling match. Day 10 is a
Sunday, so I think they will be playing then. I have been unable to find
a schedule to confirm this. We can skip the Blarney Stone thing in this
area.

Day 11: From the Cork area head either along the coast or through the
pass of Keimaneigh, check out the Beara peninsula, and on to the Ring of
Kerry. Stay at or around Waterville for two nights, maybe at The Old
Cable House.

Day 12: Play golf at Waterville Golf Links, the one high end course we
will play. Explore the Ring of Kerry area in the afternoon.

Day 13: Maybe explore Killarney National Park and then on to the Dingle
peninsula. Stay in Dingle for the night. We hear the local music is good
there.

Day 14: Finish Dingle, Brandon Mountain, Connor Pass (if I feel good
after driving on the wrong side of the road for two weeks!) and head back
toward Limerick, maybe via Kerry Head. Stay in or around Limerick our
last night.

Day 15: Fly out of Shannon around noon.

Thanks for any suggestions on this itenarary.
Homer

Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:

...
    >Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
    >continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
    >the steering wheel is on the other side?
No idea. Why not go for an automatic?

    >We started planning our trip with the thought of circling the entire
    >country during our two week stay. However, we decided we don't want to
    >worry about rushing through everything and driving all day. ...
A very good decision.

    >Day 1: Fly into Shannon, arriving in the morning. If we are lucky enough
    >to get some sleep on the plane we will explore Limerick and environs. We
    >will stay in Adare for two nights, maybe at the Berkley Lodge.
Adare is pretty, worth a photograph or two, but not enormously
interesting.

    >Day 2: Play golf in the morning at Adare Manor Golf Club, the less
    >expensive of the two courses in Adare. In the afternoon we will explore
    >the area some more.
    >Places to check out in this area may include Bunratty Castle & nearby
    >folk park, Ballybunnion beach area, Lough Derg, Loop Head, and Limerick.
I think Bunratty is a good visit. Consider it for day 1 (if you have
energy) as it is quite near Shannon. Lough Derg is very nice, but
frustrating as much of it is not easily seen from the road. You can
get a short boat trip from Killaloe (and Killaloe itself is worth a
visit).

    >Day 3: Head north up the coast, checking out Spanish point, the Cliffs of
    >Moher, and the Burren if time permits. Make our way to Galway, where we
    >will stay for three nights, maybe at Kilcullen House.
Time will permit. It's not too demanding a trip.

    >Day 4: Day trip to Inishmore in the Aran Islands.
    >Day 5: Golf and sightseeing. Perhaps we will go back down to the Burren
    >area if we didn't catch it coming up the coast.
    >Day 6: Continue up the coast into Connemara. It looks like there are many
    >scenic routes here, so we may loop around a bit, making sure to catch the
    >coastline as well as the scenic inland areas and Connemara National Park.
    >We will stay in or around Westport for two nights.
Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
4. The Inagh Valley
5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.

    >Day 7: Check out Achill Island and as far north as we are comfortable
    >with before heading back to Westport. An alternative would be to proceed
    >on to Sligo for a night.
I'd stick with Achill: you can't do everything. One night in Sligo is
too little to be worthwhile.

    >Day 8: From Westport or Sligo I feel we better make some tracks so we
    >will have adequate time for the southwest of Ireland. We would like to
    >see some of the interior of the country, so I thought we would head south
    >toward Anthlone.
The town of Athlone is not very interesting, but the nearby ancient
monastic site Clonmacnoise is well worth seeing.

    >This is a part of the trip where I am not real sure how
    >far we can comfortably drive before stopping for a rest, so suggestions
    >on the route and timing from Sligo to Cork would be most helpful. The
    >gardens, science centre and National Birds of Prey Centre around Birr
    >Castle Demesne sound interesting to us, so that may be a good place to
    >stop for the night.
Birr is an odd place, but pleasant. There used to be a couple of good
restaurants on the Mall, but I haven't been there recently, so I
cannot report on them.

It's a fair enough trip for one day -- not too demanding.

    >Day 9: Keep heading south toward Cork, with the Rock of Cashel being the
    >main attraction along the way. We hope to make it to Cork or a little
    >closer to the coast, where we will stay two nights.
    >Day 10: I would really like to get a taste of the Gaelic sports, so I
    >thought this would be a good day to go to a hurling match. Day 10 is a
    >Sunday, so I think they will be playing then. I have been unable to find
    >a schedule to confirm this.
Cork is a hurling county, and Sunday is the preferred day for matches,
so there is likely to be something available. Ask locally.

    > We can skip the Blarney Stone thing in this area.
You can, indeed.

    >Day 11: From the Cork area head either along the coast or through the
    >pass of Keimaneigh, check out the Beara peninsula, and on to the Ring of
    >Kerry. Stay at or around Waterville for two nights, maybe at The Old
    >Cable House.
Decisions, decisions. Both routes out are great. What I would do: if
sunny, take the coastal route; if overcast or raining, go the inland
route and make sure to visit Gougane Barra.

    >Day 12: Play golf at Waterville Golf Links, the one high end course we
    >will play. Explore the Ring of Kerry area in the afternoon.
    >Day 13: Maybe explore Killarney National Park and then on to the Dingle
    >peninsula. Stay in Dingle for the night. We hear the local music is good
    >there.
Little point in going to Dingle without a bit of time in hand. Don't
try to achieve too much in one day. Again, judge by the weather.
Killarney is okay in poor weather (better in good weather, of course);
Dingle is almost a waste of time if the weather is bad, but magic
under the sun -- the Slea Head drive is great.

    >Day 14: Finish Dingle, Brandon Mountain, Connor Pass (if I feel good
    >after driving on the wrong side of the road for two weeks!) and head back
    >toward Limerick, maybe via Kerry Head. Stay in or around Limerick our
    >last night.
Kerry Head is a bit disappointing.

Overall, I think you have a pretty good plan.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > ...
    >>Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
    >>continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
    >>the steering wheel is on the other side?
    > No idea. Why not go for an automatic?

About $200 more! If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
shift from the passenger side.
    >
    >>We started planning our trip with the thought of circling the entire
    >>country during our two week stay. However, we decided we don't want to
    >>worry about rushing through everything and driving all day. ...
    > A very good decision.
    >
    >>Day 1: Fly into Shannon, arriving in the morning. If we are lucky
    >>enough to get some sleep on the plane we will explore Limerick and
    >>environs. We will stay in Adare for two nights, maybe at the Berkley
    >>Lodge.
    > Adare is pretty, worth a photograph or two, but not enormously
    > interesting.

I figured that, but thought it would be a nice restful spot to get our
bearings and take a day trip out of. Also, if the weather is really good,
I thought we could head down to Dingle for a day to hedge our bets in
case the weather is lousy when we come back around that way later in the
trip. Is it feasible to do that in a day if we are careful not to stop
much between Adare and Dingle?
    >
    >>Day 2: Play golf in the morning at Adare Manor Golf Club, the less
    >>expensive of the two courses in Adare. In the afternoon we will
    >>explore the area some more.
    >>Places to check out in this area may include Bunratty Castle & nearby
    >>folk park, Ballybunnion beach area, Lough Derg, Loop Head, and
    >>Limerick.
    > I think Bunratty is a good visit. Consider it for day 1 (if you have
    > energy) as it is quite near Shannon. Lough Derg is very nice, but
    > frustrating as much of it is not easily seen from the road. You can
    > get a short boat trip from Killaloe (and Killaloe itself is worth a
    > visit).
    >
I agree. We will do Bunratty straight off the plane if we are not zombies
from the flight.

    >>Day 6: Continue up the coast into Connemara. It looks like there are
    >>many scenic routes here, so we may loop around a bit, making sure to
    >>catch the coastline as well as the scenic inland areas and Connemara
    >>National Park. We will stay in or around Westport for two nights.
    > Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
    > 1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
    > 2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
    > 3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
    > 4. The Inagh Valley
    > 5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.

Great suggestions. We will try to catch these points. I presume the Inagh
Valley is along route R 344.
    >
    >>Day 7: Check out Achill Island and as far north as we are comfortable
    >>with before heading back to Westport. An alternative would be to
    >>proceed on to Sligo for a night.
    > I'd stick with Achill: you can't do everything. One night in Sligo is
    > too little to be worthwhile.
    >
Understood.

    >>Day 8: From Westport or Sligo I feel we better make some tracks so we
    >>will have adequate time for the southwest of Ireland. We would like to
    >>see some of the interior of the country, so I thought we would head
    >>south toward Anthlone.
    > The town of Athlone is not very interesting, but the nearby ancient
    > monastic site Clonmacnoise is well worth seeing.
    >
    >>This is a part of the trip where I am not real sure how
    >>far we can comfortably drive before stopping for a rest, so
    >>suggestions on the route and timing from Sligo to Cork would be most
    >>helpful. The gardens, science centre and National Birds of Prey Centre
    >>around Birr Castle Demesne sound interesting to us, so that may be a
    >>good place to stop for the night.
    > Birr is an odd place, but pleasant. There used to be a couple of good
    > restaurants on the Mall, but I haven't been there recently, so I
    > cannot report on them.
    >
    > It's a fair enough trip for one day -- not too demanding.
    >
    >>Day 9: Keep heading south toward Cork, with the Rock of Cashel being
    >>the main attraction along the way. We hope to make it to Cork or a
    >>little closer to the coast, where we will stay two nights.
    >>Day 10: I would really like to get a taste of the Gaelic sports, so I
    >>thought this would be a good day to go to a hurling match. Day 10 is a
    >>Sunday, so I think they will be playing then. I have been unable to
    >>find a schedule to confirm this.
    > Cork is a hurling county, and Sunday is the preferred day for matches,
    > so there is likely to be something available. Ask locally.
    >
    >> We can skip the Blarney Stone thing in this area.
    > You can, indeed.
    >
    >>Day 11: From the Cork area head either along the coast or through the
    >>pass of Keimaneigh, check out the Beara peninsula, and on to the Ring
    >>of Kerry. Stay at or around Waterville for two nights, maybe at The
    >>Old Cable House.
    > Decisions, decisions. Both routes out are great. What I would do: if
    > sunny, take the coastal route; if overcast or raining, go the inland
    > route and make sure to visit Gougane Barra.
    >
    >>Day 12: Play golf at Waterville Golf Links, the one high end course we
    >>will play. Explore the Ring of Kerry area in the afternoon.
    >>Day 13: Maybe explore Killarney National Park and then on to the
    >>Dingle peninsula. Stay in Dingle for the night. We hear the local
    >>music is good there.
    > Little point in going to Dingle without a bit of time in hand. Don't
    > try to achieve too much in one day. Again, judge by the weather.
    > Killarney is okay in poor weather (better in good weather, of course);
    > Dingle is almost a waste of time if the weather is bad, but magic
    > under the sun -- the Slea Head drive is great.
    >
We figure we will have some of day 13 plus the next morning to explore
Dingle before heading back toward Limerick. With daylight until about
10:00PM we figured that would be sufficient time to take it in,
especially if we pass on Kerry Head. Do you agree, or should we cut back
somewhere else so we can have two days on Dingle? I do not want to feel
rushed here.

    >>Day 14: Finish Dingle, Brandon Mountain, Connor Pass (if I feel good
    >>after driving on the wrong side of the road for two weeks!) and head
    >>back toward Limerick, maybe via Kerry Head. Stay in or around Limerick
    >>our last night.
    > Kerry Head is a bit disappointing.
    >
    > Overall, I think you have a pretty good plan.
    >
Thanks for your thoughtful input. It makes us feel good about our overall
strategy.

Suggestion 1. Take raincoats!

Its not called the emerald Isle for nothing!

"Homer Simpson" ...
    >Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
    >continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
    >the steering wheel is on the other side?
It is the same - not the mirror one. As well the pedals - no problem.
Maija

Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >news:[email protected] :
    >> Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>
    >> No idea. Why not go for an automatic?
    >About $200 more!
Persuasive.

    >If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
    >shift from the passenger side.
That sounds awful! If it helps, I can tell you that first gear is
left-forward. Does that seem familiar?

    >>>Day 1: Fly into Shannon, arriving in the morning. If we are lucky
    >>>enough to get some sleep on the plane we will explore Limerick and
    >>>environs. We will stay in Adare for two nights, maybe at the Berkley
    >>>Lodge.
    >> Adare is pretty, worth a photograph or two, but not enormously
    >> interesting.
    >I figured that, but thought it would be a nice restful spot to get our
    >bearings and take a day trip out of. Also, if the weather is really good,
    >I thought we could head down to Dingle for a day to hedge our bets in
    >case the weather is lousy when we come back around that way later in the
    >trip. Is it feasible to do that in a day if we are careful not to stop
    >much between Adare and Dingle?
It seem like too much bother to me. Dingle should not be your main
destination, but the tip of the Dingle peninsula. It adds up to a lot
of driving (some of it on slow roads) for a day trip.

    >> I think Bunratty is a good visit. Consider it for day 1 (if you have
    >> energy) as it is quite near Shannon. Lough Derg is very nice, but
    >> frustrating as much of it is not easily seen from the road. You can
    >> get a short boat trip from Killaloe (and Killaloe itself is worth a
    >> visit).
    >>
    >I agree. We will do Bunratty straight off the plane if we are not zombies
    >from the flight.
It has the advantage of not being too taxing -- certainly a more
sensible thing to do than driving if you are tired. If you're bursting
with energy, or do the visit from Adare after a night's sleep, look
also for Craggaunowen. They can direct you there from Bunratty.

    >> Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
    >> 1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
    >> 2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
    >> 3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
    >> 4. The Inagh Valley
    >> 5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.
    >Great suggestions. We will try to catch these points. I presume the Inagh
    >Valley is along route R 344.
Now I have to look at a map. Yes.

It's not easy to work all those ideas into a single circuit, but it
could be fun trying.

    >> Little point in going to Dingle without a bit of time in hand. Don't
    >> try to achieve too much in one day. Again, judge by the weather.
    >> Killarney is okay in poor weather (better in good weather, of course);
    >> Dingle is almost a waste of time if the weather is bad, but magic
    >> under the sun -- the Slea Head drive is great.
    >>
    >We figure we will have some of day 13 plus the next morning to explore
    >Dingle before heading back toward Limerick. With daylight until about
    >10:00PM we figured that would be sufficient time to take it in,
    >especially if we pass on Kerry Head. Do you agree, or should we cut back
    >somewhere else so we can have two days on Dingle? I do not want to feel
    >rushed here.
    >
I'd try to spend two nights in Dingle, but I'm not sure what I would
cut to make it. It's a place where you should want to get out and walk
about a bit, and you might consider the boat trip from Dunquin to the
Blasket Island.

    >> Overall, I think you have a pretty good plan.
    >>
    >Thanks for your thoughtful input. It makes us feel good about our overall
    >strategy.
Except for the golf, it's the sort of holiday I might take myself.
Well, I do, but usually in instalments -- a weekend here, a couple of
days there. Connemara every year is mandatory in this household.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >>news:[email protected] m:
    >>> Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>>
    >>> No idea. Why not go for an automatic?
    >>About $200 more!
    > Persuasive.
    >
    >>If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
    >>shift from the passenger side.
    > That sounds awful! If it helps, I can tell you that first gear is
    > left-forward. Does that seem familiar?
    >
Just kidding (I hope) about my wife. Yes, first gear is where I know it
to be. I should be fine if I can make my left hand do it right. There may
be a bit of grinding like when I learned to shift on my sister's TR6 many
years ago.

    >>>>Day 1: Fly into Shannon, arriving in the morning. If we are lucky
    >>>>enough to get some sleep on the plane we will explore Limerick and
    >>>>environs. We will stay in Adare for two nights, maybe at the Berkley
    >>>>Lodge.
    >>> Adare is pretty, worth a photograph or two, but not enormously
    >>> interesting.
    >>I figured that, but thought it would be a nice restful spot to get our
    >>bearings and take a day trip out of. Also, if the weather is really
    >>good, I thought we could head down to Dingle for a day to hedge our
    >>bets in case the weather is lousy when we come back around that way
    >>later in the trip. Is it feasible to do that in a day if we are
    >>careful not to stop much between Adare and Dingle?
    > It seem like too much bother to me. Dingle should not be your main
    > destination, but the tip of the Dingle peninsula. It adds up to a lot
    > of driving (some of it on slow roads) for a day trip.
    >
You are probably right. I'll just cross my fingers, pray to the rain
gods, and hope for the best.

    >>> I think Bunratty is a good visit. Consider it for day 1 (if you have
    >>> energy) as it is quite near Shannon. Lough Derg is very nice, but
    >>> frustrating as much of it is not easily seen from the road. You can
    >>> get a short boat trip from Killaloe (and Killaloe itself is worth a
    >>> visit).
    >>>
    >>I agree. We will do Bunratty straight off the plane if we are not
    >>zombies from the flight.
    > It has the advantage of not being too taxing -- certainly a more
    > sensible thing to do than driving if you are tired. If you're bursting
    > with energy, or do the visit from Adare after a night's sleep, look
    > also for Craggaunowen. They can direct you there from Bunratty.
    >
My wife has a hankering for the medieval banquet they have there. Do you
know if it is worthwhile?
I just read up a little on Craggaunowen, and it does sound interesting.

    >>> Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
    >>> 1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
    >>> 2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
    >>> 3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
    >>> 4. The Inagh Valley
    >>> 5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.
    >>Great suggestions. We will try to catch these points. I presume the
    >>Inagh Valley is along route R 344.
    > Now I have to look at a map. Yes.
    >
    > It's not easy to work all those ideas into a single circuit, but it
    > could be fun trying.
    >
It is!

    >>> Little point in going to Dingle without a bit of time in hand. Don't
    >>> try to achieve too much in one day. Again, judge by the weather.
    >>> Killarney is okay in poor weather (better in good weather, of
    >>> course); Dingle is almost a waste of time if the weather is bad, but
    >>> magic under the sun -- the Slea Head drive is great.
    >>>
    >>We figure we will have some of day 13 plus the next morning to explore
    >>Dingle before heading back toward Limerick. With daylight until about
    >>10:00PM we figured that would be sufficient time to take it in,
    >>especially if we pass on Kerry Head. Do you agree, or should we cut
    >>back somewhere else so we can have two days on Dingle? I do not want
    >>to feel rushed here.
    >>
    > I'd try to spend two nights in Dingle, but I'm not sure what I would
    > cut to make it. It's a place where you should want to get out and walk
    > about a bit, and you might consider the boat trip from Dunquin to the
    > Blasket Island.
    >
We will mull that over. Maybe we will bag the golf at Waterville (it is
awfully expensive anyway) in favor of a couple of 9 holers elsewhere
along the way. Then we could make for Dingle earlier in the day we will
stay there, giving us the better part of two days there.

    >>> Overall, I think you have a pretty good plan.
    >>>
    >>Thanks for your thoughtful input. It makes us feel good about our
    >>overall strategy.
    > Except for the golf, it's the sort of holiday I might take myself.
    > Well, I do, but usually in instalments -- a weekend here, a couple of
    > days there. Connemara every year is mandatory in this household.
    >
Which part of the country do you hail from?

"Maija" <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

    >
    > "Homer Simpson" ...
    >>Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
    >>continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
    >>the steering wheel is on the other side?
    > It is the same - not the mirror one. As well the pedals - no problem.
    > Maija
    >
    >

Good. I hadn't even thought of the pedals. Of course, I will undoubtedly
figure it all out immediately once I am behind the wheel.

Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >news:[email protected] :

    >> It has the advantage of not being too taxing -- certainly a more
    >> sensible thing to do than driving if you are tired. If you're bursting
    >> with energy, or do the visit from Adare after a night's sleep, look
    >> also for Craggaunowen. They can direct you there from Bunratty.
    >>
    >My wife has a hankering for the medieval banquet they have there. Do you
    >know if it is worthwhile?
Not my kind of thing, so it's probably best to say nothing.

The visit to Bunratty Castle during the day is my kind of thing, and I
recommend it, even if you decide to do the banquet.

    >I just read up a little on Craggaunowen, and it does sound interesting.
And you have a nice little tie-in with visiting the Dingle Peninsula,
through St. Brendan and the replica boat to be seen at Craggaunowen.

    >>>> Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
    >>>> 1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
    >>>> 2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
    >>>> 3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
    >>>> 4. The Inagh Valley
    >>>> 5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.
    >>>Great suggestions. We will try to catch these points. I presume the
    >>>Inagh Valley is along route R 344.
    >> Now I have to look at a map. Yes.
    >>
    >> It's not easy to work all those ideas into a single circuit, but it
    >> could be fun trying.
    >>
    >It is!
If you figure it, I can throw a few more of my favourite roads into
the project.


    >> I'd try to spend two nights in Dingle, but I'm not sure what I would
    >> cut to make it. It's a place where you should want to get out and walk
    >> about a bit, and you might consider the boat trip from Dunquin to the
    >> Blasket Island.
    >>
    >We will mull that over. Maybe we will bag the golf at Waterville (it is
    >awfully expensive anyway) in favor of a couple of 9 holers elsewhere
    >along the way. Then we could make for Dingle earlier in the day we will
    >stay there, giving us the better part of two days there.
There are golf courses everywhere. You'll find something to suit.

    >Which part of the country do you hail from?

Dublin native, now living about 50 miles north of there.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 16:48:49 GMT, Homer Simpson <[email protected]>
wrote:

    |About $200 more! If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
    |shift from the passenger side.

I just re-checked. It's OK. You're going this July, I'm going next
year.

I was making sure I wasn't going to be driving on Irish roads at the
same time as you:-)

I'm just envisaging the chaos as you make a three-point turn. Low,
reverse, low, reverse, low, 1, 2, 3, 4 (the gearstick, dear, the
gearstick - not there!!!).......


Cheers, Alan, Australia

Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >>news:[email protected] m:
    >
    >>> It has the advantage of not being too taxing -- certainly a more
    >>> sensible thing to do than driving if you are tired. If you're
bursting
    >>> with energy, or do the visit from Adare after a night's sleep, look
    >>> also for Craggaunowen. They can direct you there from Bunratty.
    >>>
    >>My wife has a hankering for the medieval banquet they have there. Do
you
    >>know if it is worthwhile?
    > Not my kind of thing, so it's probably best to say nothing.
Not really mine either. But if it will make the wife happy...

    > The visit to Bunratty Castle during the day is my kind of thing, and I
    > recommend it, even if you decide to do the banquet.
    >
    >>I just read up a little on Craggaunowen, and it does sound interesting.
    > And you have a nice little tie-in with visiting the Dingle Peninsula,
    > through St. Brendan and the replica boat to be seen at Craggaunowen.
    >
    >>>>> Some of my favourite country. Nice bits:
    >>>>> 1. From Maam Cross to Maam to Leenane
    >>>>> 2. Around the coast by Cashel and Roundstone
    >>>>> 3. The Sky Road between Clifden and Leenane
    >>>>> 4. The Inagh Valley
    >>>>> 5. The coast road from Leenane to Westport.
    >>>>Great suggestions. We will try to catch these points. I presume the
    >>>>Inagh Valley is along route R 344.
    >>> Now I have to look at a map. Yes.
    >>>
    >>> It's not easy to work all those ideas into a single circuit, but it
    >>> could be fun trying.
    >>>
    >>It is!
    > If you figure it, I can throw a few more of my favourite roads into
    > the project.
Yes, Yes. Tell me more! Tell me more!
    >
    >>> I'd try to spend two nights in Dingle, but I'm not sure what I would
    >>> cut to make it. It's a place where you should want to get out and
walk
    >>> about a bit, and you might consider the boat trip from Dunquin to the
    >>> Blasket Island.
    >>>
    >>We will mull that over. Maybe we will bag the golf at Waterville (it is
    >>awfully expensive anyway) in favor of a couple of 9 holers elsewhere
    >>along the way. Then we could make for Dingle earlier in the day we will
    >>stay there, giving us the better part of two days there.
    > There are golf courses everywhere. You'll find something to suit.
    >
    >>Which part of the country do you hail from?
    >
    > Dublin native, now living about 50 miles north of there.
    >
In case you are curious, I live in western Virginia.

Alan S <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 16:48:49 GMT, Homer Simpson <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    >|About $200 more! If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
    >|shift from the passenger side.
    >
    > I just re-checked. It's OK. You're going this July, I'm going next
    > year.
    >
    > I was making sure I wasn't going to be driving on Irish roads at the
    > same time as you:-)
    >
    > I'm just envisaging the chaos as you make a three-point turn. Low,
    > reverse, low, reverse, low, 1, 2, 3, 4 (the gearstick, dear, the
    > gearstick - not there!!!).......
    >
    >
    > Cheers, Alan, Australia

Yes, I'm sure doing Connor Pass that way could be quite challenging.

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 16:48:49 GMT, Homer Simpson <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >news:[email protected] :
    >> Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>
    >> ...
    >>>Is the gear pattern on cars in Ireland the same as in the US and
    >>>continental Europe, or is it a mirror image of what I am used to since
    >>>the steering wheel is on the other side?
    >> No idea. Why not go for an automatic?
    >About $200 more! If I really have trouble shifting I will have my wife
    >shift from the passenger side.

Ouch! I trust this last bit is meant light-heartedly...

In answer to Homer's original question, the gear pattern and the pedal
layout is the same on right-hand-drive cars as left-hand-drive. The
way to think about it is that the gear lever and handbrake remain in
the same position in relation to the car: the steering wheel and
pedals remain in the same position in relation to the driver.

Martin

Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >news:[email protected] :

    >> If you figure it, I can throw a few more of my favourite roads into
    >> the project.
    >Yes, Yes. Tell me more! Tell me more!
Okay, how about this (stops at your own discretion):
- Out from Galway on the N59 to Oughterard. Boat trip from Oughterard
to Cong possible -- ask in the local tourist office in either Galway
or Oughterard.
- From Oughterard to Maam Cross, turn right for Maam, and then left at
Maam for Leenane. (Pray for sunshine.)
- From Leenane towards Kylemore, turn left into Inagh Valley (don't
worry at this point about visiting Kylemore Abbey).
- When you rejoin the N59, turn right, then take the left for
Ballinahinch and Roundstone. Follow that road around the coast to
Clifden.
- From Clifden take the road locally signposted as the Sky Road which
will get you back to Leenane (passing Kylemore Abbey).

A circuit from Westport, if time allows:
- To Leenane (again!) over the mountain route (it's not a bad road).
- To Maam, and via Cornamona to Cong (if you haven't taken the boat
trip)
- Thence back to Maamtrasna, and the drive along Lough Nafooey
- Double back to Maamtrasna and drive along the western side of Lough
Mask
- Return to Westport on a not-so-good road.

I mentioned these ideas to Herself, and she almost packed her bags to
go and do it immediately.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Homer Simpson <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>Padraig Breathnach <[email protected]> wrote in
    >>news:[email protected] m:
    >
    >>> If you figure it, I can throw a few more of my favourite roads into
    >>> the project.
    >>Yes, Yes. Tell me more! Tell me more!
    > Okay, how about this (stops at your own discretion):
    > - Out from Galway on the N59 to Oughterard. Boat trip from Oughterard
    > to Cong possible -- ask in the local tourist office in either Galway
    > or Oughterard.
    > - From Oughterard to Maam Cross, turn right for Maam, and then left at
    > Maam for Leenane. (Pray for sunshine.)
    > - From Leenane towards Kylemore, turn left into Inagh Valley (don't
    > worry at this point about visiting Kylemore Abbey).
    > - When you rejoin the N59, turn right, then take the left for
    > Ballinahinch and Roundstone. Follow that road around the coast to
    > Clifden.
    > - From Clifden take the road locally signposted as the Sky Road which
    > will get you back to Leenane (passing Kylemore Abbey).
    >
    > A circuit from Westport, if time allows:
    > - To Leenane (again!) over the mountain route (it's not a bad road).
    > - To Maam, and via Cornamona to Cong (if you haven't taken the boat
    > trip)
    > - Thence back to Maamtrasna, and the drive along Lough Nafooey
    > - Double back to Maamtrasna and drive along the western side of Lough
    > Mask
    > - Return to Westport on a not-so-good road.
    >
    > I mentioned these ideas to Herself, and she almost packed her bags to
    > go and do it immediately.
    >

Wow! This covers just about every green(scenic) road on my map for this
area, and your routes do a minimum of doubling back on roads already
taken. This will make me and my camera very happy.
About the only "green" road not included here is the R340 route from
Screeb Cross around the coast by Carna and Gowla. Maybe we can do that
circuit out of Rossaveel after our day trip to the Aran Islands if time &
daylight permit.
I am ready to go now too, but I have to wait for my flight in July.
Thanks so much for all your input!
Homer