Where to stay in Ireland?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I'm planning on putting in a request, for Ireland, summer 2015. I will be traveling with my DH, DD & friend. Kids are in their twenties....Not sure what area would be best for sight seeing, getting around, nightlife, shopping, restaurants, etc.

We would stay in Dublin for a number of days, (maybe get a timeshare, but I doubt it) and then would like to get a timeshare for a week to see other areas of Ireland. Maybe do day trips. What would you suggest as a good location for sightseeing & a decent timeshare, as well.

Which county should I be looking in?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

I would suggest Knocktopher Abbey in Kilkenney, south of Dublin, which is available through II or DAE. I traded in through DAE, and I see it available from time to time at DAE. When DAE found the week for me, they called and said I could have a 2BR any week in April, May, or June. I think someone had deposited some Seasons points, and Seasons at that time had reservations available all of those weeks. Kilkenny itself is an interested old town with a castle you can tour, and is maybe 15 minutes from the resort. Kilkenny is also on the motorway from Dublin south, so very easy to get around by car. The resort itself is a medieval abbey, which was taken over by an aristocratic family at the time Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries and converted to their residence, which it remained until it was converted to a timeshare. You can easily take a train into Dublin for day trips, which is what we did one day. The parking at the train station is free, and using the train avoids the hassle of Dublin traffic and parking.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I agree with the Kilkenny location - nice easy ride south of Dublin - for Dublin, it is just more fun to stay right in the City. Fitzpatricks Castle is a 22 minute ride out of town on the commuter train (think LIRR) - it is in Dalkey which is a fun little town on its own. The TSs are in a row of flats right next to the hotel which is a nice perk. We were able to take the bus right from the airport to the resort - very convenient. Since there are only 2BR sleep 6 units, it is a tough trade - but the resort does have a rental program at reasonable cost.

The other are that we just loves was Killarney - I got a last minute stay at Old Killarney Village thru II. 3BR+loft/3Bath sleeps 8 in a semi attached cottage - washer, back yard with BBQ/patio, great pub right in the complex of maybe 50 units..
When we were there (week 24), we met a family group from Long Island who had two attached units - they had traded in with II the year before into one unit and liked it soooooo much, they came back and rented two units. Very reasonable rental cost - about $1200 for the week in summer.
http://oldkillarneycottages.com

I see OKV in II but only when I am searching with a 'standard' unit, never with MAR, Starwood, etc.

My best advice to you is to rent your Aruba 2BR unit and pay for the two units you would need in Ireland for the dates you want.

For the young people in your party, Dublin and Killarney will be a lot of fun

I would spend 5 nights in Dublin (take a day trip to Belfast and the Black Taxi Tour) - then rent a car and leisurely drive down to Cork and visit the Cobh Heritage Centre (http://www.cobhheritage.com) spend the night, drive on to Killarney/Ring of Kerry/Dingle Penninsula and stay for 4-5 nights, drive up to Adare and stay at Adare Manor http://www.adaremanor.com/en/ one night, continue on and see the Cliffs of Mohr and the Burren and end in Galway to see Connemara and the Aran islands for 2-3 nights flying out of Shannon airport.

Let me pack my bag!

edit - there are only 6 2BR and 3 1BR units at the Fitzpatrick castle TS.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Thanks guys! I will put in a request in II for a few different timeshares, and see what happens.

My DD wants to go to Dublin & Galway. I think, if I could, I'd like to see Dublin, Galway, Clare & Kerry counties.

Pat....I almost never see anything in Ireland in II, so I might need to do getaways & extra vacations from II & RCI, if possible. Marriott refused to let me use one of my timeshares to request a couple of timeshares in Paris. So, I probably won't even be able to request them if they don't have a decent rating. We'll see. If I wasn't taking my DD & her friend, I would most likely just stay in hotels. I guess I'll have to see what, if anything I can get, and then mix in some hotel stays.

Thanks for the input guys! I've never been to Ireland, so I need all the help that I can get.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I see Ireland in II BUT only with unrated resorts, you will not see it with what you own.
Really annoying.

I do know we have a member here that in Galway in a very simple cottage but it is 3BR I believe - could work for you.
Possibly a swap with her would work - joycapecod.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Yes, thank you Pat. I've already spoken to her, and am considering it. Need to see what will work, and what won't. .....It is soooo annoying that you can't request whatever you want. But, after arguing over Paris, and losing, I won't even bother arguing with them for Ireland. Lol.

I see Ireland in II BUT only with unrated resorts, you will not see it with what you own.
Really annoying.

I do know we have a member here that in Galway in a very simple cottage but it is 3BR I believe - could work for you.
Possibly a swap with her would work - joycapecod.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Current getaways available in II.......

Kiltannon Home Farm
Tulla, County Clare , IRELAND



East Clare Golf Holiday Village
County Clare , IRELAND



Seasons @ Knocktopher Abbey
County Kilkenny , IRELAND



Renvyle Strand
County Galway , IRELAND

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Extra vacations currently available in RCI....



Connemara Country Cottages (#0385)
County Galway, Ireland

Fitzpatrick Castle Holiday Homes (#0513)
County Dublin, Ireland www.fchh.ie


The Huntsman Club (#4813)
County Kerry, Ireland

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Remember, say NO to Connemara Country Cottages.

With Fitzpatricks, you can also rent directly from the resort...so u can compare prices/availability based on your dates.

On another front, friends of mine stayed in Dublin x 4 nights then did a Paddy Wagon Tour to Galway area for 3 nights. Came back, stayed one more night in Dublin before they went home. http://www.paddywagontours.com/tours.php

DH and I have did this day tour from Dublin of Wicklow Mountains - they pick up right at The Shelbourne Hotel as well as Fitzpatricks Castle, just beautiful http://www.wildwicklow.ie/Wild_Wicklow_Tour.html

And this is the company we used for Belfast Black Taxi Tour and Titanic Experience - the museum was very moving and to actually stand on the spot where the titanic was built and launched was wonderful. It was our first visit to Northern Ireland http://www.paddywagontours.com/tourV...p?id=150&cat=2
Next time, we will do the Giant Causeway, Antrim Coast Tour http://www.paddywagontours.com/tourView.php?id=55&cat=2

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Wow, thanks Pat! They offer some great tours. Both the one & 2 days tours could work really well for us.

edited to add:

Actually, after looking over some of the tours, that 3 day tour to Galway & Kerry really looks nice!

Maybe for my first trip to Ireland, I'm better off just staying in Dublin, and doing these tours. Hmmmmm........

Remember, say NO to Connemara Country Cottages.

With Fitzpatricks, you can also rent directly from the resort...so u can compare prices/availability based on your dates.

On another front, friends of mine stayed in Dublin x 4 nights then did a Paddy Wagon Tour to Galway area for 3 nights. Came back, stayed one more night in Dublin before they went home. http://www.paddywagontours.com/tours.php

DH and I have did this day tour from Dublin of Wicklow Mountains - they pick up right at The Shelbourne Hotel as well as Fitzpatricks Castle, just beautiful http://www.wildwicklow.ie/Wild_Wicklow_Tour.html

And this is the company we used for Belfast Black Taxi Tour and Titanic Experience - the museum was very moving and to actually stand on the spot where the titanic was built and launched was wonderful. It was our first visit to Northern Ireland http://www.paddywagontours.com/tourV...p?id=150&cat=2
Next time, we will do the Giant Causeway, Antrim Coast Tour http://www.paddywagontours.com/tourView.php?id=55&cat=2

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Oy, I guess I'm not staying in a 2 bdrm at The Shelbourne Dublin.



You Selected: Princess Grace, 2 Bedroom Presidential Suite, St Stephen Green view, City view, Heritage Wing


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[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Wow, thanks Pat! They offer some great tours. Both the one & 2 days tours could work really well for us.

edited to add:

Actually, after looking over some of the tours, that 3 day tour to Galway & Kerry really looks nice!

Maybe for my first trip to Ireland, I'm better off just staying in Dublin, and doing these tours. Hmmmmm........

Yup….because then u can enjoy the countryside without having to drive & of course your stops at the pubs will be better as well.

Take the upgraded accommodation option with Paddywagon, my friends did. Some reviews you will read that are negative are about the lesser rooms.
And the Dublin hotel kept my friends large suitcase when they went on the 2 day tour, they just took overnight bags

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Oy, I guess I'm not staying in a 2 bdrm at The Shelbourne Dublin.



You Selected: Princess Grace, 2 Bedroom Presidential Suite, St Stephen Green view, City view, Heritage Wing


1 / 2
Regular rate
Rate rules Room details
Room & Accessibility Preferences (optional)

Almost Sold Out
2,650.00
EUR / Night

LOL, it is a good use of a 5 day hotel cert….really nice lounge…and they have a special lounge on the first floor for hotel guests only - and of course there famous bar where all the rich and famous gather every night.

If you want to see Bono - you need to head out to Dalkey (Fitzpatricks Castle) where he hangs out.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

OK, my new plan is to stay in Dublin, and do tours.

I will take the luxury option......I'm most likely not going to get FC timeshare without renting it, so instead, I'll either book rooms using a hotel certificate, or rent an apartment. Or, both. Maybe: http://www.dublin1apartments.com/

I could possibly stay in The Shelbourne for 5 nights....Then do a 2 or 3 day tour....Then back to Dublin where I'd stay in an apartment for a week, and do some day trips. How does that sound?

Yup….because then u can enjoy the countryside without having to drive & of course your stops at the pubs will be better as well.

Take the upgraded accommodation option with Paddywagon, my friends did. Some reviews you will read that are negative are about the lesser rooms.
And the Dublin hotel kept my friends large suitcase when they went on the 2 day tour, they just took overnight bags

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

OK, my new plan is to stay in Dublin, and do tours.

I will take the luxury option......I'm most likely not going to get FC timeshare without renting it, so instead, I'll either book rooms using a hotel certificate, or rent an apartment. Or, both. Maybe: http://www.dublin1apartments.com/

I could possibly stay in The Shelbourne for 5 nights....Then do a 2 or 3 day tour....Then back to Dublin where I'd stay in an apartment for a week, and do some day trips. How does that sound?

That sounds FABULOUS!