Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

16-09-2020 3:40pm

olestoepoke wrote: »

We thought about it about 4 weeks ago. We live in Dublin so considered Galway, Donegal or Kerry for 4 nights. Went online and started to gather prices and got a shock. The 4 night stay was gonna cost over 1,000 yo yo. Decided that we wouldn't pay that much and more when we get there to sit and look out at the rain. Saved the money and put it off a holiday next year to Portugal or Spain. Rip off republic.

They are doing good autumn deals in the Caisléan Oirr in Annaghry near Donegal Airport. Lovely area too, nice for walks and an easy day trip to Aranmore Island. I've flown in there a couple of occasions during non-Covid times and hired a car, always felt like going abroad. I'm sure there are plenty of other little places too Offering value for money.

peejay1986 · 16-09-2020 4:25pm

Considering travelling somewhere within Ireland for two nights, but worried about our county being put on the higher 'Level 3'. If we were to book a hotel and then faced a local lockdown, I assume that's just...tough ****...and we'd lose our money?

miamee · 16-09-2020 4:29pm

A lot of places will offer free cancellation up to the day before you travel now or you can ask them before you book. They might let you move to a later date if there was another lockdown.

Stratvs · 16-09-2020 4:30pm

Last week went to Whitford House Hotel Wexford (a family operation since early '60s). Out Mon back Fri. 4 x nights B&B for 2 total €424. Large balcony room with all you needed. One way system on stairs/corridors. Breakfast table service but great selection and nothing too much trouble. Had to give times for breakfast & then each morning got a time for dinner usually either the time we wanted or within 30 mins either way of it. Mains were huge so we usually just had a main each & few drinks. Mains averaged €16-22. Generally spent €60-70 each night. All staff masked all time. Sanitizers everywhere (even santized pen before handing to you). Staff on door all time checking who was coming/going. Felt safe and very comfortable with the place overall.

Wexford itself also lived up to it's sunny s/east reputation. Had a few outdoor coffee/cake in town and visited Kennedy Arboretum, Johnstown Castle & gardens, Kilmore Quay, Curracloe & Rosslare beaches & did the tour of Hook lighthouse on the way home (one to recommend).

Very happy with the value and experience overall.

16-09-2020 8:53pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Travel outside Dublin

There is strong advice for people in Dublin to stay within the county.

Anyone living in Dublin is being advised to limit travel outside the region, and only meet one other household when outside the county.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0915/1165333-dublin-covid-restrictions/

Advice, not instruction. That's likely to change to the latter tomorrow but for now it's still advice.

Advice means you can go ahead.

lisasimpson · 18-09-2020 9:14am

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Advice, not instruction. That's likely to change to the latter tomorrow but for now it's still advice.

Advice means you can go ahead.

After whats happened in Tullamore it will defo not be advisable for the next couple of weeks

JimmyVik · 18-09-2020 9:18am

lisasimpson wrote: »

After whats happened in Tullamore it will defo not be advisable for the next couple of weeks

What happened in Tullamore?
Never mind. I found it. Outbreak in a hotel.

Did you see yer man from the hotel in Rosslare on Prime Time last night.
"Will you be turning away people from Dublin?"

"eh, eh , eh , thats up to the government and the individual"

History Queen · 20-09-2020 9:14am

I'm heading to the Clonakilty Park Hotel for 5 days in October. Has anyine been recently and have any feedback on the hotel and/or general area. We got a self catering house and are a family of four.

podgeandrodge · 20-09-2020 2:57pm

It's a tough decision. I have booked a few hotels down along south coast for early October (in 3rd week of Dublin restriction) and some were booked on booking.com with no refund. I will lose a fair few quid if I don't go.

fits · 20-09-2020 5:22pm

podgeandrodge wrote: »

It's a tough decision. I have booked a few hotels down along south coast for early October (in 3rd week of Dublin restriction) and some were booked on booking.com with no refund. I will lose a fair few quid if I don't go.

I wouldn’t book anything on non flexible terms these days. Booking.com might refund you with the restrictions.

Patser · 20-09-2020 5:59pm

Patser wrote: »

Living in Kildare, and having cancelled 2 trips due to the LOK lockdown, making a break for Dingle tomorrow- and delighted with the fact that the weeks we cancelled in August were hit with red level storms and now in September we seem to have a great week ahead.

Got what looks like a great self catering deal in centre of town, 10 years since I've been down, so looking forward to seeing what I remember and what's changed

Just home, and had a genuinely fantastic time. Of course we were absolutely blessed with the weather, so beaches like Clogher strand for silence and scenery and Ventry for swimming were unexpected bonuses. Also walks to the folly and up to Eask Tower allowes us to experience the best things for free.

Daughter had a holiday to remember, feeding lambs out on Slea head her highlight despite a boat trip to Fungie and going to fly owls with Kingdom falconry.

Dingle had a great vibe to it, and life about the town. Good food as well.

And have to mention that our choice of holiday home (Inishowen suite in Captain's House) was perfect- quirky, in centre of town but quiet, private outside patio, great host and unusually designed almost perfectly for a family of three

jos28 · 20-09-2020 8:10pm

Patser wrote: »

Just home, and had a genuinely fantastic time. Of course we were absolutely blessed with the weather, so beaches like Clogher strand for silence and scenery and Ventry for swimming were unexpected bonuses. Also walks to the folly and up to Eask Tower allowes us to experience the best things for free.

Daughter had a holiday to remember, feeding lambs out on Slea head her highlight despite a boat trip to Fungie and going to fly owls with Kingdom falconry.

Dingle had a great vibe to it, and life about the town. Good food as well.

And have to mention that our choice of holiday home (Inishowen suite in Captain's House) was perfect- quirky, in centre of town but quiet, private outside patio, great host and unusually designed almost perfectly for a family of three

Sounds brilliant, the views from Eask tower are amazing. Must add the falconry to my list for the next trip to the Kingdom. Must check out Captain's House.

twin_beacon · 23-09-2020 11:19am

does anyone know where I can get a detailed map of the Wild Atlantic Away online? I was using the this link but now its just redirecting to discover ireland, which is no help at all. We have a long drive tomorrow along the route, and need to come up with a plan as to what parts to leave out, as we won't have time to do everything.

We started off heading North along the WWW from Spanish point in Clare on Monday. We finished up in Galway on Monday night. The WWW is stunning along that route. Went from Galway to Westport yesterday, its really is too much to drive in one day if you drive along all the WWW route. My Fiancee and I shared the driving yesterday, and we were both shattered when we got to westport. We probably skipped around 2 hours of the WWW route yesterday.

EDIT: found this third party WWW web site, its pretty good. Day of rest in Westport now, I've tomorrows route planned. Just one thing I noticed about Wesport, I only seen one of the "wet" pubs open last night. I was hoping to have a pint in either the Clock Tavern, Matt Molloys or the Porter House, but they were all closed. They seem to be only opening this weekend.

yourdeadwright · 23-09-2020 11:27am

JimmyVik wrote: »

What happened in Tullamore?
Never mind. I found it. Outbreak in a hotel.

Did you see yer man from the hotel in Rosslare on Prime Time last night.
"Will you be turning away people from Dublin?"

"eh, eh , eh , thats up to the government and the individual"

Its impossible to enforce
How do you even know if there from Dublin ?

Say I book a hotel they don't ask me for proof where i'm from ,

Plenty of Dubs living outside of the Dublin up and down the breath of the country, you cant just say no to someone because of there accent ,

Minier81 · 23-09-2020 6:40pm

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Its impossible to enforce
How do you even know if there from Dublin ?

Say I book a hotel they don't ask me for proof where i'm from ,

Plenty of Dubs living outside of the Dublin up and down the breath of the country, you cant just say no to someone because of there accent ,

They don't ask for proof of where you are from but they ask you for an address at the time of booking. Of course anyone could lie. I do know of people during the kildare lockdown where hotels phoned them offering them date changes to discourage them coming, same for dubs now.

Totally agree you should bot judge from the accents, as a culchie living in dublin myself, and my hometown is full of dubs!!

kildarecommuter · 31-01-2021 7:05pm

Bumping this thread !
Anyone else playing safe and booking somewhere in Ireland this summer rather than waiting to see can we travel?

31-01-2021 7:09pm

I’ve about 5 places in the south west on my list but unless there’s foreign travel I’ll wait until 2022. Last year around Ireland was horrible.

combat14 · 31-01-2021 7:18pm

hotel prices here still ferociously dear?

why do people think or is it all my imagination?

31-01-2021 7:25pm

Get onto done deal and buy a Caravan now !

Minier81 · 31-01-2021 7:30pm

Yes Irish holiday booked for a week in may and planning another one late summer. Needed something to look forward to :-)

jrosen · 31-01-2021 8:57pm

Not booking Ireland, hoping towards the end of the year travel might be safer but happy to hold off if not. Have taken some time off in December and have somewhere we want to go so will book if it’s looking better.

Not one person I spoke to made me want to book an Irish holiday. So I’ll keep my money

Mehaffey1 · 31-01-2021 9:47pm

Would love to be confident of booking somewhere without fear of having to cancel a month out. Not fun or fair with a 3 year old who'd be so excited to go on holidays. Went to Co. Mayo at the end of Summer 2020 and loved every minute of it.

Very much so fed up with Lockdowns. In October I upgraded the car from a boy racer Civic to a family bus Kia so have all the room and comfort for trips and haven't been anywhere. Would usually be out the door by 9.30am every Sunday morning and not back to 6pm, hard looking at four walls and out the window at the rain.

cee_jay · 31-01-2021 10:04pm

We have booked a week camping in the west of Ireland in July. I have 2 vouchers to use from cancelled bookings in 2020 - In Wexford and Donegal. Hoping to get a 2 night stay in Wexford as soon as any restriction is lifted.

appledrop · 31-01-2021 10:11pm

I've booked a week in hotel in Ireland.

Last year we got caught out + everywhere was booked so only got away for 2 nights.

Hotel good option as can cancel within 24 hours.

Obviously if we can go away I'll be on that plane in flash but can't see it happening.

strandroad · 31-01-2021 10:13pm

If you're booking hotels, is any payment required before arrival these days? I would really like to book something but everything feels so unstable still.

appledrop · 31-01-2021 10:20pm

strandroad wrote: »

If you're booking hotels, is any payment required before arrival these days? I would really like to book something but everything feels so unstable still.

I just booked directly with hotel. Don't use any sites like booking. com etc and make sure rate with hotel is cancellation one and not prepaid one. I never find very much in difference in price anyway.

Haven't paid a penny they just take your credit card but nothing charged until time you stay + cancellation usually up to 48 or 24 h before.

Twee. · 01-02-2021 5:50pm

A small group of us have just booked 9 days away in the west, taking in the August bank holiday for an extra day. Inis Meain, Clifden and Westport. We have houses rented apart from Inis Meain where doing some "glamping" in these pod yokes. Everything is free cancellation so we just have to sit tight now and hope we can go! No intention of going abroad this year, unless I can get to London to visit some friends and family. Too much unknown in terms of travel and getting airline refunds & vouchers.

JimmyVik · 02-02-2021 11:54am

cee_jay wrote: »

We have booked a week camping in the west of Ireland in July. I have 2 vouchers to use from cancelled bookings in 2020 - In Wexford and Donegal. Hoping to get a 2 night stay in Wexford as soon as any restriction is lifted.

I would never book camping in Ireland more than a few days in advance.
If it rains there is nothing more miserable than camping in Ireland

If it doesnt rain it can be great fun.

Cape Clear · 02-02-2021 12:01pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

I would never book camping in Ireland more than a few days in advance.
If it rains there is nothing more miserable than camping in Ireland
If it doesnt rain it can be great fun.

Is it the case that most camp sites are done on a first come first serve basis still? That places don't really take bookings as the chance of no shows owing to weather are pretty high.

JimmyVik · 02-02-2021 12:07pm

Cape Clear wrote: »

Is it the case that most camp sites are done on a first come first serve basis still? That places don't really take bookings as the chance of no shows owing to weather are pretty high.

Most of them encourage you to book in advance, to get your money if it rains

Ive never known one not to make room for a walk-in though. And even if there was no room, there are surely loads of other campsites near by.
Camping is great fun and we go a lot, but you need the weather to be nice. If i saw it was going to rain I would just stay home and let them keep the money if id actually booked in advance, which i only got caught out with once.
And a lot of people do that.

The chances of rain in Ireland are very high. Its one thing being in a hotel when its lashing rain for the weekend. You dont want to be stuck in a tent

finbarrk · 02-02-2021 1:40pm

It's difficult to book a holiday in Ireland long term in advance, with confidence, as the enjoyment of the holiday usually is weather dependent.

beertons · 02-02-2021 2:11pm

We're going to rent a chalet again in Kerry, in the wife's home place. Basic enough, cooking and sleeping is all we'll do there. Last year, we were on the beach every day. Bliss.

Brock Turnpike · 02-02-2021 2:31pm

finbarrk wrote: »

It's difficult to book a holiday in Ireland long term in advance, with confidence, as the enjoyment of the holiday usually is weather dependent.

This isn't true.

JimmyVik · 02-02-2021 3:46pm

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

This isn't true.

Oh yes it is

Kerry25x · 02-02-2021 3:51pm

I had an amazing couple weeks roadtripping around Ireland last summer, we were blessed with the weather and did mostly outdoor/nature activities. It was something I'd wanted to do for years and it was actually great to finally find the time.

However, the thought of doing it for the second year in a row is a bit depressing if I'm being honest.

Plumbthedepths · 02-02-2021 4:00pm

Based on the miserable and expensive experience of some of my friends last year, nope is my answer.

Minier81 · 02-02-2021 4:11pm

Kerry25x wrote: »

I had an amazing couple weeks roadtripping around Ireland last summer, we were blessed with the weather and did mostly outdoor/nature activities. It was something I'd wanted to do for years and it was actually great to finally find the time.

However, the thought of doing it for the second year in a row is a bit depressing if I'm being honest.

I have to admit I feel the same. The optimist in me is hesitant to admit it!! I love an outdoorsy holiday and wouldn't necessarily be going for traditional sun destinations but I do love going abroad. Loved my irish holiday last year, so much so i want to do at least one full week in Ireland in future, previously would have done a few days maximum. Either going to make the best of it in ireland for 2021 and looking forward to 2022 holidays both in ireland and further afield.

JimmyVik · 02-02-2021 4:32pm

Minier81 wrote: »

I have to admit I feel the same. The optimist in me is hesitant to admit it!! I love an outdoorsy holiday and wouldn't necessarily be going for traditional sun destinations but I do love going abroad. Loved my irish holiday last year, so much so i want to do at least one full week in Ireland in future, previously would have done a few days maximum. Either going to make the best of it in ireland for 2021 and looking forward to 2022 holidays both in ireland and further afield.

But what was the weather like though?
I have taken my 2 week summer holiday in Ireland 3 times now.
Twice it was raining for at least half of it if not more. On the nice days we were wondering why we dont do it every year. On the bad days we discover why

And once it was glorious for the whole holiday (last summer).
We just dont enjoy holidays when the weather is against us.

Minier81 · 02-02-2021 7:32pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

But what was the weather like though?
I have taken my 2 week summer holiday in Ireland 3 times now.
Twice it was raining for at least half of it if not more. On the nice days we were wondering why we dont do it every year. On the bad days we discover why

And once it was glorious for the whole holiday (last summer).
We just dont enjoy holidays when the weather is against us.

The weather was a mix for our holidays last year. Overall it was good, a few rainy mornings or afternoons, and then other times fabulous weather for eating 99s in the sun and on the beach. The sort of places I've gone on summer holidays have been similar though for weather. I know those sort of holidays aren't for everyone but the Mediterranean every year isn't for me! We already had appropriate outdoorsy wet wear so were prepared for all eventualities. No if it actually pee-ed rain all day for r a whole week I would be annoyed, but that is a rarity over the summer

beggars_bush · 02-02-2021 8:24pm

We always bring wetsuits with us on holiday. Very easy to turn a wet day or two into surfing lessons

average_runner · 03-02-2021 2:10pm

Planning on Lahinch for a week with the kids. Will do surfing school, kayaking, horse riding, wall climbing and visit a few areas.

Will camp in West Galway for a long weekend. Also have a caravan so will spend many a weekend in Wicklow and go to the beach there.

Had a great time last year, kids had a ball

drunkmonkey · 03-02-2021 2:13pm

The wall climbing was closed because of the restrictions during the summer. You probably know the area but fanore is a great beach if it's polluted or tide is in on Lahinch.

Cape Clear · 03-02-2021 2:33pm

average_runner wrote: »

Planning on Lahinch for a week with the kids. Will do surfing school, kayaking, horse riding, wall climbing and visit a few areas.

Will camp in West Galway for a long weekend. Also have a caravan so will spend many a weekend in Wicklow and go to the beach there.

Had a great time last year, kids had a ball

You might meet this fellow there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxchJAodhzQ

bladespin · 03-02-2021 2:38pm

Not this year, looking back at last year it was an awful waste of money, the hotels were overpriced, overbooked and restricted in what they could offer and the same could be said of any amenities that were open, it was pretty crap and easily forgotten tbh, haven't heard any of the family lament them the way they normally would - assport is up to date and 'm waiting for the gates to open.

drunkmonkey · 03-02-2021 2:55pm

Holohan's comments wouldn't exactly inspire confidence we'll be allowed outside our locality during summer. Thought I misheard it yesterday unfortunately not

"Holohan’s announcement managed to cause further anxiety. Few people expected to be swanning off to Ibiza this summer, but now the spectre of only being allowed to visit beaches in our own localities has been raised, meaning you may have to forget about that staycation you had planned outside your own county"

Body blow after body blow is an odd way to rally the troops. We need a plan
https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/body-blow-after-body-blow-is-an-odd-way-to-rally-the-troops-we-need-a-plan-40044766.html

finbarrk · 03-02-2021 3:17pm

I have no problem with holidaying in Ireland once the weather is good. Did 4 different breaks last Summer. Donegal, Waterford, Aran Islands and Killarney. But they were all done after consulting the advance weather forecast. And it will be the same for us this Summer.

DessieJames · 03-02-2021 4:00pm

Didnt do it last year and wont be doing it again this year, the crap weather, cost involved in staying here as opposed to abroad, not a chance, ill get my tests done, go on holiday, come home,isolate for 5 days, get another test done and get on with life.

DessieJames · 03-02-2021 4:11pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Holohan's comments wouldn't exactly inspire confidence we'll be allowed outside our locality during summer. Thought I misheard it yesterday unfortunately not

"Holohan’s announcement managed to cause further anxiety. Few people expected to be swanning off to Ibiza this summer, but now the spectre of only being allowed to visit beaches in our own localities has been raised, meaning you may have to forget about that staycation you had planned outside your own county"

Body blow after body blow is an odd way to rally the troops. We need a plan
https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/body-blow-after-body-blow-is-an-odd-way-to-rally-the-troops-we-need-a-plan-40044766.html

I for one am glad i ignored the "advice" from NPHET last year and went away for a few days abroad in the sun, it done me the absolute world of good, it was constanly raining here at the time and it was just constant doom and gloom from Holohan same as it is now no let up the man really does seem to thrive on the misery of it all,i came home, i didnt go anywhere at all for around 2 weeks even though you didnt have to at the time,and i felt all the better for it physically and mentally.

i'll certainly be ignoring the scaremongering again this summer and doing the same, by then a large amont will be vaccinated and Holohans words will fall on deaf ears to a lot of the general public.

average_runner · 03-02-2021 4:37pm

DessieJames wrote: »

I for one am glad i ignored the "advice" from NPHET last year and went away for a few days abroad in the sun, it done me the absolute world of good, it was constanly raining here at the time and it was just constant doom and gloom from Holohan same as it is now no let up the man really does seem to thrive on the misery of it all,i came home, i didnt go anywhere at all for around 2 weeks even though you didnt have to at the time,and i felt all the better for it physically and mentally.

i'll certainly be ignoring the scaremongering again this summer and doing the same, by then a large amont will be vaccinated and Holohans words will fall on deaf ears to a lot of the general public.

Will cost you extra this year for your test in and out, then a fine on the way back and quarantine in your own home.

josip · 03-02-2021 4:40pm

average_runner wrote: »

Will cost you extra this year for your test in and out, then a fine on the way back and quarantine in your own home.

While there will probably be tests, there won't be fines for travel come summer.

Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

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