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Honeymoon in Ireland: recommendations needed

  • 22-06-2012 12:19AM
    #1
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭


    This thread is for suggestions for honeymoon locations and ideas in Ireland. Cost-saving tips would also be appreciated.

    All ideas welcome. Thank you.


Comments

  • #2
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭Dostoevsky


    For reasons I'd rather not delve into here it now looks likely that we'll be having our honeymoon in Ireland. We love the place so much we intend to spend the rest of our lives here. Because of that, we didn't want to have our honeymoon here. Anyway, that's the way things are now.

    Our primary requirement is to be by the sea, preferably where you can hear the water outside while you're in bed. Failing that, being next to historic sites beside rivers and lakes would also be good. I suppose generally we'd like a break from cities and the rat race. Culturally Irish things - traditional music, language etc - would be a bonus. I suppose in a sense we're looking for that place where we can escape to from Dublin in the future as well.

    All suggestions will be welcome. Thanks.


  • #3
    Beruthiel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42,361 ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    If you intend to splash out for a night or two, then Ashford Castle on the shore of Lough Corrib is a fantastic spot.
    For something cheaper, there is no where as beautiful as the Aran Islands on a sunny day.


  • #4
    Sleepy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 25,000 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    The Connemara Coast in Galway sounds like what you're looking for. Beautiful part of the country too: connemaracoast.ie

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  • #5
    Gatica
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,302 ✭✭✭Gatica


    We've stayed at the Ice Hotel in Ballina, Co. Mayo. It's on the river and the room doors open up to the really peaceful and lovely view of the river. I don't think you can hear it cos it's quite deep and doesn't have the trickling sound. But the hotel is fab and their spa is really relaxing...


  • #6
    ABajaninCork
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,411 ✭✭✭ABajaninCork


    We stayed in Bunratty Castle. Was originally going to be the Galway Bay hotel, but that was a disaster! (Very long & boring story, but basically AVOID!!).

    Decamped to the Bunratty Castle as it is the sister hotel to the Blarney Woollen Mills where we had our wedding. We were treated like royalty. Lovely scenery, the Burren is close by and there's the beautiful coast road where we explored Clare. The Cliffs of Moher are fantastic too!


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  • #7
    BusyMumof3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 ✭BusyMumof3


    Dostoevsky wrote: »
    This thread is for suggestions for honeymoon locations and ideas in Ireland. Cost-saving tips would also be appreciated.

    All ideas welcome. Thank you.

    Okay. This is a real cost saver but worth considering none the less. There is the most beautiful beach up on the antrim coast. I passed it on a coach tour to the causeway this Easter. We had good weather and the skies were spotless above miles of white beach and sparkling sea. What caught my interest was the youth hostel located right down on the beach. It was far closer to the water than the pricey "luxury" B&Bs nearby. You get a dbl room ensuite with balcony looking out to sea. Shared kitchen and lounge. The prices mean you could.stay longer or do more during your stay. There was so much to do around, that I am going back, to the hostel this time, this summer with my son. He needs some mummy time right now and such a beautiful setting will help us both. You dont need to say you are honeymooning at a hostel. Just say the location. Which you will easily locate from clues given. BTW its newly purpose built so not grotty/rundown. Best of luck and enjoy your new life together.


  • #8
    Bubblefett
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,032 ✭✭✭Bubblefett


    I'd always suggest Kellys http://www.kellys.ie/
    Not a historic castle, but is a proper 5 star experience. The food is unbeatable, the spa is luxurious and the service is fantastic. Can't praise it enough, me and the boyfriend tend to opt for a few days there instead of week in the sun purely cause we're always treated like royalty.
    Only draw back is the price but they're good for offers and all your meals are included (full board- full breakfast menu, 3 course lunch, afternoon tea and buns and 3 course dinner. Half board, the same without lunch). We g half board cause we're too stuffed to eat that much in a day


  • #9
    Dovakhin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭Dovakhin


    I love Achill island - beautiful scenery, good food and lots of historical sites nearby - especially neolithic and celtic sites, the Céide fields for example. Also the museum of country life isn't too far away and is well worth a look. (Although it obviously depends on the time of year, wouldn't go there outside of the summer!)

    This:

    http://www.bervie-guesthouse-achill.com/

    is a gorgeous place to stay and very romantic (plus not too expensive in my experience).


  • #10
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭Dostoevsky


    Thanks everybody for the suggestions so far.
    BusyMumof3 wrote: »
    Okay. This is a real cost saver but worth considering none the less. There is the most beautiful beach up on the antrim coast. I passed it on a coach tour to the causeway this Easter. We had good weather and the skies were spotless above miles of white beach and sparkling sea. What caught my interest was the youth hostel located right down on the beach. It was far closer to the water than the pricey "luxury" B&Bs nearby. You get a dbl room ensuite with balcony looking out to sea. Shared kitchen and lounge. The prices mean you could.stay longer or do more during your stay. There was so much to do around, that I am going back, to the hostel this time, this summer with my son. He needs some mummy time right now and such a beautiful setting will help us both. You dont need to say you are honeymooning at a hostel. Just say the location. Which you will easily locate from clues given. BTW its newly purpose built so not grotty/rundown. Best of luck and enjoy your new life together.

    Can't find that place. The DiscoverNI website is not helping as you can't search hostels in County Antrim alone. And here are the options on the Giant's Causeway website.


  • #11
    LadyTBolt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 473 ✭✭LadyTBolt


    Another romantic place for consideration would be Ballymaloe House. I stayed there a couple of years ago and it was absolutely amazing. The grounds are stunning, the rooms are so quaint, the food is unbelievable and it is such a wonderful experience.


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  • #12
    eamor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 123 ✭✭eamor


    Myself & himself in the same position. We are getting married next month and I honestly don't want to go away. We have decided to go to Inchydoney Island lodge & spa for a few nights. It looks fab, we have heard great reviews, so Im really looking forward to it.:D:D


  • #13
    slimboyfat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 627 ✭✭✭slimboyfat


    Dostoevsky wrote: »
    Thanks everybody for the suggestions so far.



    Can't find that place. The DiscoverNI website is not helping as you can't search hostels in County Antrim alone. And here are the options on the Giant's Causeway website.

    I think it was this hostel http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/P4053-Whitepark-Bay-Youth-Hostel-Ballintoy-Ballycastle.aspx they were referring to.


  • #14
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭Dostoevsky


    slimboyfat wrote: »
    I think it was this hostel http://www.causewaycoastandglens.com/P4053-Whitepark-Bay-Youth-Hostel-Ballintoy-Ballycastle.aspx they were referring to.

    Yeah, I saw that but discounted it as the poster said 'What caught my interest was the youth hostel located right down on the beach,' but it's up on a height. It does look lovely though.


  • #15
    lowkeys
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46 ✭lowkeys


    I'd recommend the antrim coast also. A fabulous spot with loads to do. I stayed there a few years ago and you could rent a cottage which would keep the costs down. you can try and let directly via owners direct website and it cuts out the middle man!
    Another great place is Kerry. The kenmare bay hotel have some lovely self catering cottages i stayed in earlier this year and if you haggle you might get breakfast thrown in or a good deal if you stay for a while. Kenmare is a good spot for exploring the southwest.


  • #16
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭Dostoevsky


    LadyTBolt wrote: »
    Another romantic place for consideration would be Ballymaloe House. I stayed there a couple of years ago and it was absolutely amazing. The grounds are stunning, the rooms are so quaint, the food is unbelievable and it is such a wonderful experience.

    Ballymaloe is indeed very lovely, although inland. We looked at it when we were looking for a suitable venue in east Cork/south Waterford. Very peaceful. However, the context of our visit was falling in love with the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton. The Bayview is a very good 4* hotel in terms of food (fairly upmarket) and comfort, but aesthetically the building itself could be much more in tune with its environment.

    Its views over the sea, however, are amazing if not unique in Ireland. I wrote about it on this forum almost two years ago. Ultimately we had to abandon Ballycotton as the Bayview could not hold more than 110 people (at a stretch) and most guests would be shuttled to its sister hotel the Garryvoe Hotel some 8km or so away. Standing outside it on a summer night looking down on the fishing boats in the lit up harbour below and at the lighthouse some 1km out in the sea lighting up its surroundings is a memory still seared in my mind.


  • #17
    Dostoevsky
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,023 ✭✭✭Dostoevsky


    lowkeys wrote: »
    I'd recommend the antrim coast also. A fabulous spot with loads to do. I stayed there a few years ago and you could rent a cottage which would keep the costs down. you can try and let directly via owners direct website and it cuts out the middle man!

    I'm really keen on touring the north some time as I've never really (see below for the exception) done so yet, starting with Fermanagh, going up to Donegal (which will take a while, judging by these photos!), along the Derry coast and finishing with Antrim. The one financial downside of Northern Ireland is of course the 20% extra it's costing because of the exchange rate differential. The other thing is that I don't want to be in a part of the North where your car registration and accent mean you're made unwelcome (and worse). I was in Ballycastle years ago during the Troubles (for the Fleadh) and it was lovely and I'd highly recommend it, but I inadvertently ended up in the wrong place (a village named Dromara in Down) one night.... I've never gone back. I want to avoid such places.


  • #18
    bazzer86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭bazzer86


    For me, Valentia Island is one of the most stunning locations in the country... And you can pretend that you are leaving Ireland as its not on the mainland...:D

    I have been going there for about 5 years now and have been there 30/40 times at this stage and am still doing new things around the area... Yesterday I went to the Kerry Cliffs near Portmagee for the first time... They they were stunning and the views give the cliffs of Moher a run for their money... http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/kerry-cliffs-and-coffee-shop/81428

    The skelligs are unbeleivable... really are spectacular when you see them. Thinks its €35 per person to get the boat out... it will be worth it... The smaller Skellig

    http://www.saintsandstones.net/saints-skelligmichael-journey.htm

    In terms of food there are some lovely restuarants. The 2 most notable ones are a little pricey (the Point & QC's in Cahirciveen) where a main course is about €24 for seafood but it is very high quality...

    There are dozens of walks and cycling routes around the area and there are lots of places to go and see like Waterville, Ballinskelligs & Caherdaniel...

    All in all a winner for me... Enjoy the Honeymoon....


  • #19
    Richard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,441 ✭✭✭Richard


    Dostoevsky wrote: »
    I'm really keen on touring the north some time as I've never really (see below for the exception) done so yet, starting with Fermanagh, going up to Donegal (which will take a while, judging by these photos!), along the Derry coast and finishing with Antrim. The one financial downside of Northern Ireland is of course the 20% extra it's costing because of the exchange rate differential. The other thing is that I don't want to be in a part of the North where your car registration and accent mean you're made unwelcome (and worse). I was in Ballycastle years ago during the Troubles (for the Fleadh) and it was lovely and I'd highly recommend it, but I inadvertently ended up in the wrong place (a village named Dromara in Down) one night.... I've never gone back. I want to avoid such places.

    The exchange rate doesn't mean it'll cost 20% extra. Obviously it'll cost more than it would have this time next year, but you should find most things (apart from petrol) are cheaper than the south.


  • #20
    Sunny Dayz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,519 ✭✭✭Sunny Dayz


    If you want somewhere picturesque and costal - try Rathmullan in Donegal. AFAIK Ruthmullan House leads down to the beach, there is a lovely pier and the village is small and quaint.

    For the ultimate beach you have to visit portsalon beach further up the coast (official name is ballystockmaster or something like that) - about 2 miles of soft sand. We were there one warm June bank hol a few years ago and you'd swear you were abroad!

    Depneding on when you are going, I think Fanad lighthouse is opening to the public later this year.


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