Summer holiday in Ireland this year

tamara25

I haven’t booked any holiday yet for this year. We usually go away in July. The summer is very long if we have nothing to look forward to. We don’t know yet how long this lockdown will last. Would I be very foolish to put down a deposit now & keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to go in July for a few days? I am thinking it will be extra busy this year for holidays in Ireland as so many had to cancel their foreign holidays?

Plumbthedepths

I suggest you hold onto your money and wait until restrictions start to lift.

miamee

Moved to Travel forum.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Your back garden is as far as you’ll be allowed to travel to this summer

Boxcar_Willie

I really can't see anything returning to normal until a vaccine is found.
A year away at least .

I'd book it within reason, you should be able to negotiate a small deposit given the circumstances and refundable dependant on the situation at the time. International travel is further off for sure but life will go on and has to. No way such a strict country wide lockdown continues past June in my opinion. Smaller targeted advisories in identified hotspots more than possible.

Lex Luthor

booking.com with free 100% cancellation might be an option now

landofthetree

Lex Luthor wrote: »

booking.com with free 100% cancellation might be an option now

This. Use the search with free cancellation. You can even search for places with free cancellation+no prepayment needed-pay at the property.

Generally it will cost you around 10% more to have that option but its a small price to pay in the current situation.

woodchuck

+1 for the refundable rates. It'll give you something to hope for, but you won't be down any money if you need to cancel.

I was wondering if it'll be busier with so many people doing staycations too. But there'll obviously be a lack of the usual foreign tourists too.

Cape Clear

Just booked a week in a mobile in West Cork which we spent a couple of nights in last summer. No deposit and the understanding is that given the uncertainty we may end up cancelling it without penalty. Good for the head to have something to look forward to. Happy also that it is on a private site and quite rural. Social distancing is here for the foreseeable and I wouldn't be expecting any pubs/entertainment venues to be functioning for a good while yet.

JimmyVik

Dont ever book anything again without a 100% back cancellation available, for any reason.

combat14

have checked out booking.com .....
hotel prices here are still far too expensive this summer .. in fact they are ridiculously expensive but what's new lol

Cape Clear

combat14 wrote: »

have checked out booking.com .....
hotel prices here are still far too expensive this summer .. in fact they are ridiculously expensive but what's new lol

Prices haven't been adjusted but as time goes on this will change in my view. Hotels might open at some stage over the next few months but outside of providing a room and a breakfast the other offerings could be quite limited.

Spanish Eyes

If places are open for holidays, what do you do in the vicinity if everything is based on social distancing, and pubs, restaurants, places of interest, historical sites, swimming pools beaches and so on are closed?

Just thinking ahead!

Lex Luthor

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

If places are open for holidays, what do you do in the vicinity if everything is based on social distancing, and pubs, restaurants, places of interest, historical sites, swimming pools beaches and so on are closed?

Just thinking ahead!

sit inside the mobile home as normal in Ireland cos its always raining

Cape Clear

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

If places are open for holidays, what do you do in the vicinity if everything is based on social distancing, and pubs, restaurants, places of interest, historical sites, swimming pools beaches and so on are closed?

Just thinking ahead!

Places can't stay closed indefinitely but any that do reopen will have strict restrictions to adhere to. Some reckon golf courses may re open in a month's time without club houses.

Lex Luthor

we've been lucky enough the last 2 years we took a weeks holiday in Kerry & West Cork and got lucky with the weather

but we think now we have used it all up or we just got repaid for years of rain, but not hopeful we will be as lucky again

JimmyVik

Lex Luthor wrote: »

we've been lucky enough the last 2 years we took a weeks holiday in Kerry & West Cork and got lucky with the weather

but we think now we have used it all up or we just got repaid for years of rain, but not hopeful we will be as lucky again

We have the very same opinion on holidays in Ireland.
Great when you get the weather, but when you dont its just a waste of your days off. Never forget the time we went to Kerry for a week. Half way through we just came home. It was lashing rain every day and the forecast for the rest of the week was just as bad.

So last year we chanced Northern Ireland after about 5 years of going abroad. Same thing happened. One nice day out of 7.



You book your holidays off in advance and then it rains and ruins them. Thats why we usually go abroad where you have a much higher chance of it not raining at least.



This year it looks like our holiday will be in the back garden.

Because I’m bored I had a look at cruising down the Shannon or Erne. Bloody hell its not cheap!

UrbanFret

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Because I’m bored I had a look at cruising down the Shannon or Erne. Bloody hell its not cheap!

Not an option at the moment. Lock gates are,Well locked!:(

UrbanFret

UrbanFret wrote: »

Not an option at the moment. Lock gates are,Well locked!:(

Never even thought about that. Seems weird to say the rivers are locked down

junebabies

Anyone think centre parks will open? Or hotel pools? Will be staying in the back garden otherwise.

JimmyVik

junebabies wrote: »

Anyone think centre parks will open? Or hotel pools? Will be staying in the back garden otherwise.

Went to centreparcs for 3 nights in November. Nice place, but

My God ... the price
My God ... the price


Sorry, had to say it twice because my wallet is still empty after it

junebabies

JimmyVik wrote: »

Went to centreparcs for 3 nights in November. Nice place, but

My God ... the price
My God ... the price


Sorry, had to say it twice because my wallet is still empty after it

Haha I've heard its expensive all right but at this stage I'd pay it as we have had Easter holidays cancelled and won't be going away in August now either 😢

I enquired about provisionally reserving a house in Connemara from a booking agency based out west- their T&C's haven't changed i.e. in terms of retaining booking deposit, cancellation terms etc etc- so there was no hope of me going ahead with that.

The soonest sign that we'll have an easing of movement around the country I'll be getting on to some of the privately rented Irish holiday homes to see if they're interested in renting for a week in June-I'm currently searching out a few properties and making general enquiries directly to the owners- I reckon though prices will be astronomical even at that time of year because (a) they're not cheap normally (b) so many families are now "off" for the summer and (c ) any scenic area/popular area is reserved months in advance.

Lex Luthor

JimmyVik wrote: »

Went to centreparcs for 3 nights in November. Nice place, but

My God ... the price
My God ... the price


Sorry, had to say it twice because my wallet is still empty after it

I cant justify the cost of that place

JimmyVik

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I cant justify the cost of that place

For what we paid we could have stayed in a top hotel in Dublin and had all of Dublin to go to restaurants and activities. And paid into the national aquatic center every day if we felt like a swim and didnt feel like a hotel pool.
And that was BEFORE the cost of the activites which are EXPENSIVE.

ooh it makes me shiver thinking what that place cost us for a few days.

But some members of the family wanted to go so we all ended up going.
They seem to brainwash people into thinking they are getting good value. Great marketing. But I always count my wallet before and after and that place put a gigantic hole in it i'll tell you. I wont ever be going again for sure. Its enjoyable enough, but THE PRICE OF IT.

Sorry for the dramatics

Still, might turn out this covid thing and flights stopping are the best thing that ever happened centerparcs. Theyll be booked out now when they open agian.

Lex Luthor

JimmyVik wrote: »

For what we paid we could have stayed in a top hotel in Dublin and had all of Dublin to go to restaurants and activities. And paid into the national aquatic center every day if we felt like a swim and didnt feel like a hotel pool.
And that was BEFORE the cost of the activites which are EXPENSIVE.

ooh it makes me shiver thinking what that place cost us for a few days.

But some members of the family wanted to go so we all ended up going.
They seem to brainwash people into thinking they are getting good value. Great marketing. But I always count my wallet before and after and that place put a gigantic hole in it i'll tell you. I wont ever be going again for sure. Its enjoyable enough, but THE PRICE OF IT.

Sorry for the dramatics

Still, might turn out this covid thing and flights stopping are the best thing that ever happened centerparcs. Theyll be booked out now when they open agian.

ya its extorninate, to say the least

got a great chalet in Castletownbere last July for €800/week and we were right on the waterfront
Spent some time cycling, on the dinghy, driving around and eating out in top class restaurants for probably what CP would get you for 3 days accomadation

JimmyVik

Lex Luthor wrote: »

ya its extorninate, to say the least

got a great chalet in Castletownbere last July for €800/week and we were right on the waterfront
Spent some time cycling, on the dinghy, driving around and eating out in top class restaurants for probably what CP would get you for 3 days accomadation

That would be the cheapest 3 day option at centerparcs too

JimmyVik

JimmyVik wrote: »

That would be the cheapest 3 day option at centerparcs too

I’m gonna be straight out nosey here. How much did you spend, for how long and how many?

JimmyVik

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

I’m gonna be straight out nosey here. How much did you spend, for how long and how many?

Its painful talking about it.

Our lodge spent over €1300 on 2 adults and 2 children for 3 nights in November. 2 other families with us but in another lodge but im not including what they spent at all here. They spent even more than us per family. It was about €750 for the lodge. So an extra €550 spent in 3 nights on activities and meals etc.



Brought food with us. We had breakfast and lunch at the lodge. We had dinner in a restaurant on two nights. Not much choices there to eat and the food is only ok. I would be disappointment if I got the same food for the same price in a normal restaurant if you know what I mean. Did some activities but not that much tbh.


If you are booking activities make sure you find out before if there are extras.
eg pottery paining for 2 kids seemed cheap enough when you book it but then when the kids get there they have to choose pottery to paint. so you pony up 2x €20 for the pottery that they paint. Same with the teddy bear activities. It adds up.
You can look up the price of all the activities on their website.

Dont get me wrong. I enjoyed it, till I counted the cost afterwards.

Cape Clear

JimmyVik wrote: »

Its painful talking about it.

Our lodge spent over €1300 on 2 adults and 2 children for 3 nights in November. 2 other families with us but in another lodge but im not including what they spent at all here. They spent even more than us per family. It was about €750 for the lodge. So an extra €550 spent in 3 nights on activities and meals etc.



Brought food with us. We had breakfast and lunch at the lodge. We had dinner in a restaurant on two nights. Not much choices there to eat and the food is only ok. I would be disappointment if I got the same food for the same price in a normal restaurant if you know what I mean. Did some activities but not that much tbh.


If you are booking activities make sure you find out before if there are extras.
eg pottery paining for 2 kids seemed cheap enough when you book it but then when the kids get there they have to choose pottery to paint. so you pony up 2x €20 for the pottery that they paint. Same with the teddy bear activities. It adds up.
You can look up the price of all the activities on their website.

Dont get me wrong. I enjoyed it, till I counted the cost afterwards.

Thanks for your honesty in posting the details. CP obviously saw a gap in the market when they developed the site in Longford. Aside from Trabolgan in Cork there are no other holiday parks to compare them to in the country.

JimmyVik

Cape Clear wrote: »

Thanks for your honesty in posting the details. CP obviously saw a gap in the market when they developed the site in Longford. Aside from Trabolgan in Cork there are no other holiday parks to compare them to in the country.

Ive been to Trabolgan a good few years ago.
To be fair centerpacs beats it by a mile. But then it is at least 3 times the price, or more even.


There is obviously a market for this kind of thing in Ireland. It would be nice if Ireland had good holiday parcs like in France and the UK with kids clubs and decent activities etc for the same sort of prices.

krissovo

We are putting all our holiday money into the back garden this year. A great climbing frame/playhouse for the kids, furniture & BBQ upgrade. I will take days off based on weather forecast rather than block booking 2 weeks like I normally do.

We looked at Shannon river cruise hire and nearly booked but deposit is too high. This would work on a few levels, if pubs & restaurants are open then happy days but if not you can cook on the boat.

JimmyVik

krissovo wrote: »

We are putting all our holiday money into the back garden this year. A great climbing frame/playhouse for the kids, furniture & BBQ upgrade. I will take days off based on weather forecast rather than block booking 2 weeks like I normally do.

We looked at Shannon river cruise hire and nearly booked but deposit is too high. This would work on a few levels, if pubs & restaurants are open then happy days but if not you can cook on the boat.

Unfortunately I have to book days off 6 weeks in advance and cant check the weather first, which is always a problem if having to holiday in Ireland.
Thats why we always holiday abroad now. Too many ruined holidays with rain and cold rain at that.

Really annoying. I would love to be able to check the weather forecast and then take days off. That would be a dream come true.

Cape Clear

JimmyVik wrote: »

Ive been to Trabolgan a good few years ago.
To be fair centerpacs beats it by a mile. But then it is at least 3 times the price, or more even.


There is obviously a market for this kind of thing in Ireland. It would be nice if Ireland had good holiday parcs like in France and the UK with kids clubs and decent activities etc for the same sort of prices.

Haven't been to Trabolgan in years but the reports I've heard about the place of late haven't been great. Was at a Haven site in North Wales last Easter for a fortnight and due to return this July. Have to say the activities were reasonably priced as was the accommodation which we found basic, clean and functional. Not gone on the food offerings but we didn't mind hopping in the car and going out for a meal. We paid €1,200 including ferry last year and we were quoted under a €1k for this July for the same package.

Have had some good holidays at home the last few years but finding a reasonable priced house is a struggle.

In May 2016 we paid €300 a week for a 3 bed house in Kenmare a year later the same house was €500 a week.

JimmyVik

Cape Clear wrote: »

Haven't been to Trabolgan in years but the reports I've heard about the place of late haven't been great. Was at a Haven site in North Wales last Easter for a fortnight and due to return this July. Have to say the activities were reasonably priced as was the accommodation which we found basic, clean and functional. Not gone on the food offerings but we didn't mind hopping in the car and going out for a meal. We paid €1,200 including ferry last year and we were quoted under a €1k for this July for the same package.

Have had some good holidays at home the last few years but finding a reasonable priced house is a struggle.

In May 2016 we paid €300 a week for a 3 bed house in Kenmare a year later the same house was €500 a week.

Ive found the same with holiday homes and hotel rooms in Ireland.
Crazy prices.