Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

bladespin · 05-02-2021 12:54PM

SNNUS wrote: »

You can holiday in Ireland but it's just not a proper enjoyable holiday.

Yes and no, in the past (when our boys were very young) we holidayed here, mainly in Cork and it was brilliant - a lucky mix of really good weather and lots of things to do etc.

It was expensive; accommodation wise a week cost as much as a fortnight in Portugal would, and the food costs were literally 3 times (or more) what they would have been. But there's also a high confidence level about anywhere we ate, we knew they'd all be good really, not the same story abroad etc.

We still remember the great times we had now and again - years later, that's the main value of a holiday for me.

Unfortunately, we did try the same thing last year, the weather was good and bad (not complaining- we're Irish after all lol) but it wasn't the same, queues everywhere, everything restricted, just like everyone and everything everywhere was but it wasn't a hol, we spent time but didn't have a holiday if that makes sense - we've all agreed that if we can't get abroad this year then we'll just have a few days off at home and save the time and money for whenever we can go on a proper hol.

SNNUS · 05-02-2021 01:09PM

bladespin wrote: »

Yes and no, in the past (when our boys were very young) we holidayed here, mainly in Cork and it was brilliant - a lucky mix of really good weather and lots of things to do etc.

It was expensive; accommodation wise a week cost as much as a fortnight in Portugal would, and the food costs were literally 3 times (or more) what they would have been. But there's also a high confidence level about anywhere we ate, we knew they'd all be good really, not the same story abroad etc.

We still remember the great times we had now and again - years later, that's the main value of a holiday for me.

Unfortunately, we did try the same thing last year, the weather was good and bad (not complaining- we're Irish after all lol) but it wasn't the same, queues everywhere, everything restricted, just like everyone and everything everywhere was but it wasn't a hol, we spent time but didn't have a holiday if that makes sense - we've all agreed that if we can't get abroad this year then we'll just have a few days off at home and save the time and money for whenever we can go on a proper hol.

That's the thing with Irish holidays, there is an awful amount of luck involved with the weather and it's more bad luck than good. Sunny days at the Beach are nice but you can only plan them a day or two in advance.

I stayed in a Mobile home in Clare at the end of August for a week and it was just too cold, too cold to go for an extended time on the beach and there is only so much walking you can do..

drunkmonkey · 05-02-2021 01:12PM

SNNUS wrote: »

Did you manage to see The magic road and St. Kevin's stump?

Is there a magic road in Doolin?, been up to the one on they way to jonny foxes and it's brain bending, a ball rolls down the hill but if you take the handbrake off the car at the right point it starts going backwards up the hill.

josip · 05-02-2021 01:33PM

Cape Clear wrote: »

Some seem to think that this is the moancation thread.

True. Maybe we could arrange some sort of prisoner exchange.
All the moaners here on the Staycation thread for all the moral police over on the Travel thread.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 02:34PM

DessieJames wrote: »

and where did i say this?

you think a holiday is just drinking yeah

i'll be going away anwyay, let the holier than thou people and begrudgers stay at home and whinge till their hearts content,Ireland is a nation of begrudgers.

You said there was nothing to do after dinner just back to your hotel room. But that was untrue, there is 101 things to do after dinner in Ireland.

Personally i won't begrudge you if you go away, just don't start moaning if we enter another lockdown in Sept if it is due to people bringing a variant of the virus in.

Cape Clear · 05-02-2021 02:40PM

SNNUS wrote: »

That's the thing with Irish holidays, there is an awful amount of luck involved with the weather and it's more bad luck than good. Sunny days at the Beach are nice but you can only plan them a day or two in advance.

I stayed in a Mobile home in Clare at the end of August for a week and it was just too cold, too cold to go for an extended time on the beach and there is only so much walking you can do..

We were away for 16 days last year in Kerry, West Cork and Tipp at different times during July and August. We got 13 out of 16 great days 2 shocking days and one mixed showery day. Mobile homes can by quite cold from the middle of August onwards unless they have central heating and double glazing.

Cape Clear · 05-02-2021 02:50PM

josip wrote: »

True. Maybe we could arrange some sort of prisoner exchange.
All the moaners here on the Staycation thread for all the moral police over on the Travel thread.

I don't care too much for either group tbh. There's plenty of other threads for people to debate the rights and wrongs of international travel. I for one am looking forward to having an Irish holiday come July and enjoy reading about the trips and recommendations some have shared here over the past 9 months or so.

bladespin · 05-02-2021 02:55PM

Cape Clear wrote: »

I don't care too much for either group tbh. There's plenty of other threads for people to debate the rights and wrongs of international travel. I for one am looking forward to having an Irish holiday come July and enjoy reading about the trips and recommendations some have shared here over the past 9 months or so.

Then be ready for the mixed bag, moans and praise - unfortunately an 'enjoyable' holiday here can be a matter of luck - I've definitely known both sides.

DessieJames · 05-02-2021 03:12PM

average_runner wrote: »

You said there was nothing to do after dinner just back to your hotel room. But that was untrue, there is 101 things to do after dinner in Ireland.

Personally i won't begrudge you if you go away, just don't start moaning if we enter another lockdown in Sept if it is due to people bringing a variant of the virus in.

There wasnt though, one of my family stayed at home last summer, went down the country, it rained most of the week so they coudnt go anywhere outside the hotel, they had an hour 45 minutes in the hotel bar with food then had to leave,they said never again, lesson learnt and will be going abroad this summer and they are dead right too.

If Holohan gets his way we'd be in lockdown for a number of years with no pubs open and no travel at all,he is a lock down fanatic, i choose to ignore the fear and scaremongering they churn out to the masses every day that so many people tragically believe.

Anyway thats the last ive to say on the issue!

bladespin · 05-02-2021 03:16PM

average_runner wrote: »

You said there was nothing to do after dinner just back to your hotel room. But that was untrue, there is 101 things to do after dinner in Ireland.

I'm sorry but like what?

No pubs, no cinema, no music, no gym; all the choice you really have is a walk or go back to the room.

DessieJames · 05-02-2021 03:24PM

Each to their own and all that, for me personally Ireland is grand for a long weekend, but ive never had an actual proper sun holiday here, you simply cant rely on the weather period, a holiday for me is going abroad to Spain, Greece,etc,etc where you are guaranteed sun and to lie by the pool /beach and get away from it all.

If people choose to holiday at home then that's their perogative and entirely up to them, ill take the test, go abroad on holiday, wear a mask ,social distance,etc all the necessary precautions, take a test coming back, after 5 days ill take the test again and that's that, i dont see where the issue is, you cant arrive into the country now without a negative PCR test, if you do your risking a huge fine or even jail so i think the vast majority of people will adhere to this.

Cape Clear · 05-02-2021 03:31PM

bladespin wrote: »

Then be ready for the mixed bag, moans and praise - unfortunately an 'enjoyable' holiday here can be a matter of luck - I've definitely known both sides.

We've had some very enjoyable holidays in Ireland over the last 11 years or so including last summer. Ireland certainly has it's advantages over other destinations.

ednwireland · 05-02-2021 03:48PM

generally go abroad but did west cork/ cork city several years ago great sceenry in west cork but thats it, accomodation was basic

last year was athlone and waterford which was grand except half the places i want ed to go form athlone (bir castle , clonmacnoise) wer closed due to the offaly lockdown, but accomodation and food is just so pricey here.

did greece and poland before that but i love both those places but after two weeks of perfect sunsets on various greek islands i could have done with a cloud (poland was just so cheap though)

average_runner · 05-02-2021 03:57PM

bladespin wrote: »

I'm sorry but like what?

No pubs, no cinema, no music, no gym; all the choice you really have is a walk or go back to the room.

Pools and gyms were open in the summer, so were the cinemas.

Cafes were open. You go for a nice cycle, maybe some water activities. Nice parks all around. If near a beach, go surfing or maybe a bit of hill walking if near the mountains. Horse riding also an option.

Only things that werent open fully was the pub and music venues

bladespin · 05-02-2021 04:02PM

average_runner wrote: »

Pools and gyms were open in the summer, so were the cinemas.

Cafes were open. You go for a nice cycle, maybe some water activities. Nice parks all around. If near a beach, go surfing or maybe a bit of hill walking if near the mountains. Horse riding also an option.

Only things that werent open fully was the pub and music venues

After dinner??? Hill walking and surfing at night aren't really on my agenda I want to relax and chill (like most)- pools and gums were heavily restricted last year and are closed this , the cinemas etc are also currently closed and from big Tony's mutterings wouldn't give confidence in them being open this summer, doubt I'd want to go to a cafe after dinner either, sorry but it makes no sense.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 05:14PM

bladespin wrote: »

After dinner??? Hill walking and surfing at night aren't really on my agenda I want to relax and chill (like most)- pools and gums were heavily restricted last year and are closed this , the cinemas etc are also currently closed and from big Tony's mutterings wouldn't give confidence in them being open this summer, doubt I'd want to go to a cafe after dinner either, sorry but it makes no sense.

In fairness its winter now when the virus is more rampant after the disaster of an xmas.

Things will open up in the summer like they did last year. Every where I went last year, pubs were open and food was optional and no time limit.

So you want to relax in the evening, where do you want to relax? When I mention spending evenings in the pub, people moan here.

So where do you want to relax on a holiday that wasn't open in the evening?

bladespin · 05-02-2021 05:32PM

average_runner wrote: »

In fairness its winter now when the virus is more rampant after the disaster of an xmas.

Things will open up in the summer like they did last year. Every where I went last year, pubs were open and food was optional and no time limit.

So you want to relax in the evening, where do you want to relax? When I mention spending evenings in the pub, people moan here.

So where do you want to relax on a holiday that wasn't open in the evening?

You're missing my point though - yes, last year some were open albeit heavily restricted, it didn't 'feel' like a holiday, this year you say there are 101 things to do after dinner but I disagree, unless you're into night surfing (pretty suree that's not allowed either tbh) or something like that it's pretty much back to your room.

drunkmonkey · 05-02-2021 05:43PM

What do you want to do, I'm not getting this back to your room thing. I'd say that's hotel/location specific if you felt forced to bed. Certainly not my experience of last summer.

bladespin · 05-02-2021 05:54PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What do you want to do, I'm not getting this back to your room thing. I'd say that's hotel/location specific if you felt forced to bed. Certainly not my experience of last summer.

Are we not discussing the coming summer? Last summer wasn't spectacular in any of the hotels we were in either tbh, we weren't herded back to the room but there wasn't much else to do either, no music or entertainment really, yes we had a few drinks, we're nor sessioneers either so the buzz wore off that quickly (excuse the pun), went for a few walks which were nice but hardly a high point to remember either, maybe night surfing is something I should try - bet I'd remember that for years to come.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 06:05PM

bladespin wrote: »

You're missing my point though - yes, last year some were open albeit heavily restricted, it didn't 'feel' like a holiday, this year you say there are 101 things to do after dinner but I disagree, unless you're into night surfing (pretty suree that's not allowed either tbh) or something like that it's pretty much back to your room.

There was a 101 things last year too. You seem to be pub focus though, which is ok.

Where we were in the caravan, they had the field behind it, big bbq if you want, the brewery was there serving drink and music till late.

Could bring your own food, your own chairs if you wanted, plenty of tables and seats for all and shelter from the weather if needs be.

Puppet and magic show early on also.

These kind of events were on all over the country last summer, be less restrictive this summer.

The hotel we went for 5 days, had seats outside, again shelter from the weather if needs be and serving beer. Could stay as long as you want.

Yes it wasnt 2019 but still had a great time.

fdevine · 05-02-2021 06:21PM

Hotels differed considerably last summer at differnt times and in different locations.

We stayed in a large hotel in east Cork. Pool was available late but not if taking children so that was ruled out as an evening activity. Besides that you had to prebook a one hour slot at least 24 hours in advance. Hotel bar was only availabe for prebooked 90 minute dinner slots and drinks were only served with food. Drinks could not be purchased for consumption in the lobby or outside. Breakfast times also had to be prebooked.

Literally nothing to do in the evening, after dinner, other than walk the town for the umteenth time where everything was shut with the exception of takeaways or head back to your room.

One evening we got a takeaway and drove to what looked to be an idylic lakeside picnic spot only to find the tables were a meter off the main road. Once the inevitable rain arrived it was pretty miserable.

Definitely opting for self-catering this year.

happyoutscan · 05-02-2021 06:51PM

Different horses for different courses.

As we are in a great part of the country we had a great summer from home last year and will do the same this year. Plenty of beaches, climbing etc etc etc. Very lucky to have all of that on our doorstep here in the west. The weather made it for the most part.

Now if we lived elsewhere in the country (devoid of such local amenities) there is not a hope in hell we'd staycation here. No chance in hell.

I love the airport, the flying, the nice beer surrounded by foreign people. Just getting away.

Won't be going away this summer either (even if the airports open) but will maybe get away in October.

*Just my meaningless addition to all the chat here.

Patser · 05-02-2021 08:04PM

Have booked a week in Lahinch in July, got a 2 bedroom apartment in a hotel with a pool in centre of town for €1k.... Happy with that. Indoor pool gives us some bad weather insurance, but beach, cliffs of moher, Burren, aran Islands gives us lots of distractions.

For €1k in July!! With separate bedrooms, I'm delighted- if it all goes ahead restrictions wise

drunkmonkey · 05-02-2021 08:15PM

That's pretty good, I had stay in the atlantic down the road for 1 night last July and it was €160. Your hotel is way better.

Cape Clear · 05-02-2021 08:33PM

average_runner wrote: »

There was a 101 things last year too. You seem to be pub focus though, which is ok.

Where we were in the caravan, they had the field behind it, big bbq if you want, the brewery was there serving drink and music till late.

Could bring your own food, your own chairs if you wanted, plenty of tables and seats for all and shelter from the weather if needs be.

Puppet and magic show early on also.

These kind of events were on all over the country last summer, be less restrictive this summer.

The hotel we went for 5 days, had seats outside, again shelter from the weather if needs be and serving beer. Could stay as long as you want.

Yes it wasnt 2019 but still had a great time.

Out of interest where was this?

Irish Gunner · 05-02-2021 08:34PM

Since I started the post I've only got to Donegal and cancelled 3 trips to Kinsale and one to Belfast last year

Kinsale this year nearly booked out for the summer

Still shopping around for places to stay

Need something to look forward to

Cape Clear · 05-02-2021 08:36PM

fdevine wrote: »

Hotels differed considerably last summer at differnt times and in different locations.

We stayed in a large hotel in east Cork. Pool was available late but not if taking children so that was ruled out as an evening activity. Besides that you had to prebook a one hour slot at least 24 hours in advance. Hotel bar was only availabe for prebooked 90 minute dinner slots and drinks were only served with food. Drinks could not be purchased for consumption in the lobby or outside. Breakfast times also had to be prebooked.

Literally nothing to do in the evening, after dinner, other than walk the town for the umteenth time where everything was shut with the exception of takeaways or head back to your room.

One evening we got a takeaway and drove to what looked to be an idylic lakeside picnic spot only to find the tables were a meter off the main road. Once the inevitable rain arrived it was pretty miserable.

Definitely opting for self-catering this year.

Self catering has its advantages in the current climate while many of the attractions and reasons for going to hotels are either curtailed or unavailable for the foreseeable.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 08:37PM

Cape Clear wrote: »

Out of interest where was this?

The campsite was redcross. Heard of others also doing it.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 08:38PM

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Since I started the post I've only got to Donegal and cancelled 3 trips to Kinsale and one to Belfast last year

Kinsale this year nearly booked out for the summer

Still shopping around for places to stay

Need something to look forward to

Last year we got to redcross 6 times, Waterford twice, wexford 2 times.

average_runner · 05-02-2021 08:41PM

happyoutscan wrote: »

Different horses for different courses.

As we are in a great part of the country we had a great summer from home last year and will do the same this year. Plenty of beaches, climbing etc etc etc. Very lucky to have all of that on our doorstep here in the west. The weather made it for the most part.

Now if we lived elsewhere in the country (devoid of such local amenities) there is not a hope in hell we'd staycation here. No chance in hell.

I love the airport, the flying, the nice beer surrounded by foreign people. Just getting away.

Won't be going away this summer either (even if the airports open) but will maybe get away in October.

*Just my meaningless addition to all the chat here.

Do the research before you go is the key. Lahinch this year for a week, loads to do there or to drive to. Then another trip clifden also later in the summer. Bank hols we be in redcross and many weekends also

Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

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