Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

redarmyblues · 13-08-2020 9:11pm

tom1ie wrote: »

Hi guys, we are heading to Sligo and looking for a few recommendations for restaurants.
Also can anyone recommend somewhere in either longford or Mullingar to break up the trip and get a nice lunch (rather not go to a service station).
Thanks all.

I would wait until Carrick, lots of choice there. The Oarsman gets top billing but there are a couple of other good places whose names escape me now..

tipperaryboy · 13-08-2020 10:12pm

Anyone travelled to their staycation by train recently? Are they asking reason for travel? Heading to Belfast in few days

13-08-2020 10:32pm

Westport was full of British holidaymakers this week.

CrankyHaus · 13-08-2020 10:33pm

tipperaryboy wrote: »

Anyone travelled to their staycation by train recently? Are they asking reason for travel? Heading to Belfast in few days

According to the internet social distancing on trains is not being enforced, even in terms of controlling how many board, and they're liable to be packed if you're unlucky. So bring a good mask.

podge018 · 14-08-2020 9:34am

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/staycation-is-just-another-sad-casualty-of-the-war-against-pointless-pedantry-1.4329534

jos28 · 14-08-2020 3:17pm

joe40 wrote: »

Just going up to Belfast tomorrow for two nights. Any recommendations for attraction/restaurants/ bars if open, I think they can serve outdoors.
It has been quite a while since I've been there.

Friends of mine were here recently and loved it
https://www.sixbynico.co.uk/belfast/the-chippie-2/

scooby77 · 14-08-2020 4:43pm

Doing 2 nights Dun Laoghaire this weekend. Hoping late lunches couple beers. Then later dinner couple beers! Saturday anyway. Are TripAdvisor rankings for there on the ball or any better recommendations please ?
(Couple, early 40s, no kids with us...not huge fish eaters!)

sasta le · 14-08-2020 5:01pm

joe40 wrote: »

Just going up to Belfast tomorrow for two nights. Any recommendations for attraction/restaurants/ bars if open, I think they can serve outdoors.
It has been quite a while since I've been there.

Dont bother with the Titantic expericence rubbish

GoneHome · 14-08-2020 9:12pm

Seamai wrote: »

Was in Baltimore last weekend for 3 nights, really hit the jackpot with the weather. Stayed at a place called Rolf's (I'd highly recommend it), had breakfast in the sunny garden each morning. We did Mizen Head, Three Castle Head (one of Ireland's best secrets), swimming in Barleycove, great food, plenty of exercise. Pretty quiet roads ablaze with wild flowers, stunning. It would be hard to fault any aspect of it

Sligo (never been) for a few days next month, let's hope it's as good.

West Cork is a great part of the country, especially where you were, I've extended family down that general direction that we spend a couple of weekends a year with, always very enjoyable, they're big into their music down that side (and the drinking that comes with it, couldn't keep up with them

)

jrosen · 14-08-2020 9:27pm

Desperately feel like a break but the thoughts of being stuck in the rain has me hesitant to book anything.

saabsaab · 14-08-2020 10:15pm

GoneHome wrote: »

West Cork is a great part of the country, especially where you were, I've extended family down that general direction that we spend a couple of weekends a year with, always very enjoyable, they're big into their music down that side (and the drinking that comes with it, couldn't keep up with them )

True enough. Five or six is only a start for some.

cloudatlas · 14-08-2020 10:16pm

I've been on a lot of day trips 'Castle ward' in Northern Ireland is amazing.

But I wouldn't stay at a hotel because they are all packed and the R number in Northern Ireland has gone up.

Oberkon · 14-08-2020 11:29pm

sasta le wrote: »

Dont bother with the Titantic expericence rubbish

I have to agree , once was enough. I overheard a kid saying it’s so boring here it’s all reading walls . I had to laugh as I thought the same .

drunkmonkey · 14-08-2020 11:37pm

jrosen wrote: »

Desperately feel like a break but the thoughts of being stuck in the rain has me hesitant to book anything.

I'd rather it was raining with 10ft waves than sunny and flat. Do not believe the forecasts on met.ie download a few apps like weather bug and arcus.

Mossie1975 · 14-08-2020 11:42pm

Seamai wrote: »

Was in Baltimore last weekend for 3 nights, really hit the jackpot with the weather. Stayed at a place called Rolf's (I'd highly recommend it), had breakfast in the sunny garden each morning. We did Mizen Head, Three Castle Head (one of Ireland's best secrets), swimming in Barleycove, great food, plenty of exercise. Pretty quiet roads ablaze with wild flowers, stunning. It would be hard to fault any aspect of it

Sligo (never been) for a few days next month, let's hope it's as good.

Sounds like my kind of holiday

appledrop · 15-08-2020 10:16am

Just so you know while we are all staying at home the Chairman of Failte Ireland decided he would go to Italy on his holidays!

You couldn't make it up!

Brock Turnpike · 15-08-2020 10:18am

jrosen wrote: »

Desperately feel like a break but the thoughts of being stuck in the rain has me hesitant to book anything.

Why? Unless the forecast is for a week of blowing a gale and rain coming in sideways, then what's the issue? Far too much being made of us not having a Mediterranean climate. Just get on with it.

Mehaffey1 · 15-08-2020 10:42am

Just packing up our stuff into the car after 4 great days stay in an AirBnb in Castlebar. 1st day spent on Achill Island and Keem Beach is unreal even if it is difficultly busy with parking toilets etc. 2nd day hired bikes from the brilliant Bikes and Boards at Lough Lannagh Holiday Villagr and did the Greenway to Turlough. Had planned to do swimming pool and parks on the 3rd day but we enjoyed the beach so much we made the most of the great weather and went for a 2nd trip. Meeting some friends for lunch now before the long drive home to Monaghan.

Great eating to be had in Castlebar. The Olive Tree was lovely Turkish cruisine and was a bargain price. Al Muretto Italian restaurant absolutely fantastic, steak was unreal. Cafe Rua did a great Irish Breakfast that kept a fat boy like me full for hours.

Gieltys Bar and Restautant on Achill is a cool little spot with nice Guinness and big portions. Grainne Uaile was nice for food in Newport last night too.

Cape Clear · 15-08-2020 11:01am

appledrop wrote: »

Just so you know while we are all staying at home the Chairman of Failte Ireland decided he would go to Italy on his holidays!

You couldn't make it up!

Link please

Nothing illegal as it's on the green list. So nothing to be outraged about.

pc7 · 15-08-2020 11:06am

Cape Clear wrote: »

Link please

Nothing illegal as it's on the green list. So nothing to be outraged about.

It’s not, but come on and look at the optics, he’s the head of Failte Ireland, we have been asked to holiday at home this year and he is the face of holidays at home!

15-08-2020 11:09am

Cape Clear wrote: »

Link please

Nothing illegal as it's on the green list. So nothing to be outraged about.

Here https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/tourism-chief-on-holidays-in-italy-amid-massive-campaign-to-promote-staycations-39451408.html

Not that I think there’s a big pile wrong with it either.

Plumbthedepths · 15-08-2020 11:10am

Cape Clear wrote: »

Link please

Nothing illegal as it's on the green list. So nothing to be outraged about.

No outrage on my part, I was in Italy myself up to last Monday. However it's not my job to try and encourage people to holiday at home. A little hypocrisy tbh .

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tourism-chief-on-holidays-in-italy-amid-massive-campaign-to-promote-staycations-39451408.html

sydthebeat · 15-08-2020 11:12am

Back yesterday after 7 days in galway.

The weather was fantastic. Spent time at silver strand, dogs bay, tra mor, island view and coral stand beaches.

Ireland is beautiful when you get the weather to enjoy it.

Brock Turnpike · 15-08-2020 11:13am

Mehaffey1 wrote: »

Grainne Uaile was nice for food in Newport last night too.

Are they still charging €5.50 for a Guinness?

bladespin · 15-08-2020 11:16am

Cape Clear wrote: »

Link please

Nothing illegal as it's on the green list. So nothing to be outraged about.

Nothing illegal either way (green listed or not) but if you can’t see what’s wrong about it then you’re missing the point completely.

Cape Clear · 15-08-2020 11:16am

pc7 wrote: »

It’s not, but come on and look at the optics, he’s the head of Failte Ireland, we have been asked to holiday at home this year and he is the face of holidays at home!

Honestly I had to Google to find out who the chair of Failte Ireland was. His name sounds vaguely familiar but not his face. As a chair his role is to ensure the organisation is been run correctly from a governance point of view. He's Michael Cauley by the way

Nigel Fairservice · 15-08-2020 11:18am

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Here https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/tourism-chief-on-holidays-in-italy-amid-massive-campaign-to-promote-staycations-39451408.html

Not that I think there’s a big pile wrong with it either.

Ya, he said the trip to Italy was booked months ago and has 2 upcoming breaks in Ireland planned for September and October. Something out of nothing.

Cape Clear · 15-08-2020 11:21am

bladespin wrote: »

Nothing illegal either way (green listed or not) but if you can’t see what’s wrong about it then you’re missing the point completely.

I'm seeing squinting window syndrome.

micks_address · 15-08-2020 11:25am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Ya, he said the trip to Italy was booked months ago and has 2 upcoming breaks in Ireland planned for September and October. Something out of nothing.

I kinda disagree...public health advice has only been to travel abroad if it's an essential journey. Lots of people I know lost money on pre booked holidays by not going due to this advice. Yet here we have someone promoting staycations heading away. I think he will ultimately loose his job over it.

CrankyHaus · 15-08-2020 11:39am

micks_address wrote: »

I kinda disagree...public health advice has only been to travel abroad if it's an essential journey. Lots of people I know lost money on pre booked holidays by not going due to this advice. Yet here we have someone promoting staycations heading away. I think he will ultimately loose his job over it.

Yeah but he booked it months ago. You can't expect him to make any sacrifice for the public good can you?

Nigel Fairservice · 15-08-2020 11:40am

micks_address wrote: »

I kinda disagree...public health advice has only been to travel abroad if it's an essential journey. Lots of people I know lost money on pre booked holidays by not going due to this advice. Yet here we have someone promoting staycations heading away. I think he will ultimately loose his job over it.

I think the ethics of travelling abroad is a separate issue (I wouldn't personally go abroad at the moment and have cancelled 4 trips that I had booked for this year). The article makes a big deal about the head of Failte Ireland going abroad when they're meant to be promoting staycations. He seems to be doing both. I wouldn't be hanging the guy over it.

micks_address · 15-08-2020 11:44am

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Yeah but he booked it months ago. You can't expect him to make any sacrifice for the public good can you?

We didn't go on our trip to Spain, was booked in January. Lost money on it. Others I know booked last year and didn't go. Flights weren't cancelled so money lost. It just smacks of stupidity. Working in a public job and you flout public health advice...

Tenzor07 · 15-08-2020 11:47am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I think the ethics of travelling abroad is a separate issue (I wouldn't personally go abroad at the moment and have cancelled 4 trips that I had booked for this year). The article makes a big deal about the head of Failte Ireland going abroad when they're meant to be promoting staycations. He seems to be doing both. I wouldn't be hanging the guy over it.

Nothing will happen, this will blow over in a couple of days...

He will still collect a big fat cheque at the end of the month.

People will just accept it as they always do with any controversy in public life, end of story.

micks_address · 15-08-2020 11:47am

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

I think the ethics of travelling abroad is a separate issue (I wouldn't personally go abroad at the moment and have cancelled 4 trips that I had booked for this year). The article makes a big deal about the head of Failte Ireland going abroad when they're meant to be promoting staycations. He seems to be doing both. I wouldn't be hanging the guy over it.

On the one hand you have half the tourism sector in Ireland on its knees due to closures..then the government advising only travel abroad if essential. I don't think you can be in a publically funded job (is it a public service post?) and openly flout public health advice

appledrop · 15-08-2020 11:50am

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Yeah but he booked it months ago. You can't expect him to make any sacrifice for the public good can you?

We all booked our holidays months ago + all lost out + we are not head of Failte Ireland promoting staying in Ireland!

Darc19 · 15-08-2020 11:53am

Sad to see that the indo is now plummeting to depths beneath the gutter level of the daily muck searching for anything to rile the fools that subscribe to it.

Maybe people don't want to see that he also holidays in Ireland frequently including this year.

Maybe people are just jealous

Or maybe people are just suckers for gutter "journalism"

Mehaffey1 · 15-08-2020 12:08pm

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Are they still charging €5.50 for a Guinness?

4.20 which given how much of a touristy place it is I thought it was reasonable. Specials on the boards for food at 14 or 15 euro which looked great even though I batted for the double burger.

micks_address · 15-08-2020 12:09pm

Darc19 wrote: »

Sad to see that the indo is now plummeting to depths beneath the gutter level of the daily muck searching for anything to rile the fools that subscribe to it.

Maybe people don't want to see that he also holidays in Ireland frequently including this year.

Maybe people are just jealous

Or maybe people are just suckers for gutter "journalism"

People aren't jealous... People are pissed off that they did the moral thing and didn't travel as ordinary citizens abroad and here you have a guy in a public job enjoying holidays in Italy... Reminds me a bit of p Flynn...ah sure it's grand I've five holidays a year only one of them flouted public health advice

whiskeyman · 15-08-2020 12:14pm

Darc19 wrote: »

Sad to see that the indo is now plummeting to depths beneath the gutter level of the daily muck searching for anything to rile the fools that subscribe to it.

Maybe people don't want to see that he also holidays in Ireland frequently including this year.

Maybe people are just jealous

Or maybe people are just suckers for gutter "journalism"

I hate the indo, but this story will stick with many of the public.
The gov advice is not to travel.
Many of us adhered to this advice and lost money because of it but we felt it was the right thing to do for our country.

This is far from a nothing story.
For a government obsessed with spin and optics, this is so poor.

Brock Turnpike · 15-08-2020 12:46pm

Mehaffey1 wrote: »

4.20 which given how much of a touristy place it is I thought it was reasonable. Specials on the boards for food at 14 or 15 euro which looked great even though I batted for the double burger.

Weird. They charged me €5.50 for a Guinness a couple of weeks ago.

15-08-2020 3:02pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

Back yesterday after 7 days in galway.

The weather was fantastic. Spent time at silver strand, dogs bay, tra mor, island view and coral stand beaches.

Ireland is beautiful when you get the weather to enjoy it.

You are so very lucky. I had absolutely miserable weather a while back in Connemara, and though I am normally very cold-tolerant, I was perishing most of the time. Forced myself into the water in the pouring rain, actually (as I heard a parent close to me say to their child€ the water seems to warm up a bit in the rain. How I would have loved my forays to your above mentioned beaches to have been in tolerable weather. I did, however, get one nice day which I spent swimming at the magnificent Salerna beach (near Cleggan), then walking Omey Island where they were holding, of all things, beach bingo on the strand.

15-08-2020 3:05pm

cloudatlas wrote: »

I've been on a lot of day trips 'Castle ward' in Northern Ireland is amazing.

But I wouldn't stay at a hotel because they are all packed and the R number in Northern Ireland has gone up.

There are so many very beautiful places in NI, and County Down is great for day trips, so much to see in it.

Darc19 · 15-08-2020 6:42pm

whiskeyman wrote: »

I hate the indo, but this story will stick with many of the public.
The gov advice is not to travel.
Many of us adhered to this advice and lost money because of it but we felt it was the right thing to do for our country.

This is far from a nothing story.
For a government obsessed with spin and optics, this is so poor.

He's chairperson. Basically a governance overseer and not involved in the running of the organization.
Considering he's paid very little it probably took him less than a minute to decide the gutter press intrusion is not worth it.

I suspect he will continue to enjoy his holiday and wouldn't give two hoots to what the indo or sinn fein think.

Interesting that sinn fein think it's OK to travel to a funeral of a gun runner during the main lockdown but a resigning issue cos someone takes a holiday to a country that travel to is permitted.

micks_address · 15-08-2020 8:47pm

He's resigned?

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/failte-ireland-chairman-resigns-after-travelling-to-italy-on-holiday-amid-irish-staycation-push-39451897.html

Only conclusion really.

votecounts · 15-08-2020 8:52pm

Darc19 wrote: »

He's chairperson. Basically a governance overseer and not involved in the running of the organization.
Considering he's paid very little it probably took him less than a minute to decide the gutter press intrusion is not worth it.

I suspect he will continue to enjoy his holiday and wouldn't give two hoots to what the indo or sinn fein think.

Interesting that sinn fein think it's OK to travel to a funeral of a gun runner during the main lockdown but a resigning issue cos someone takes a holiday to a country that travel to is permitted.

you do realise that there was unlimited travel when the funeral occured, didn't break any rules in that regard, not that i agreed with the amount of people that attended the funeral

Darc19 · 15-08-2020 10:49pm

votecounts wrote: »

you do realise that there was unlimited travel when the funeral occured, didn't break any rules in that regard, not that i agreed with the amount of people that attended the funeral

Nor did Michael Cawley

maestroamado · 15-08-2020 11:38pm

whiskeyman wrote: »

I hate the indo, but this story will stick with many of the public.
The gov advice is not to travel.
Many of us adhered to this advice and lost money because of it but we felt it was the right thing to do for our country.

This is far from a nothing story.
For a government obsessed with spin and optics, this is so poor.

This indeed is for me a bit strange as Italy on the green list so why does he resign.
I have always being of opinion if Government guidelines fallowed all ok, he is also a private citizen and entitled to holiday.
I think the problem in meat factoiies is way more serious and nothingb said about it.
Surely this be start of accountability in this country.
I think whoever in charge of HSA should also go to Italy...

Stratvs · 16-08-2020 12:36pm

So far have just done a few day trips
- Dunmore East had excellent lunch at The Harbour Inn
- Clonakilty and Inchydoney back via Dinos in Kinsale for lovely fish/chips
- Mount Congreve gardens and the Waterford Suir Valley Railway (highly recommend)
ate at The Elm Tree near Carrigtwohill on way home and was excellent.
- Cobh, Got takeaway lunch box at SeaSalt deli and had it by the bandstand overlooking haulbowline, also took in Fota House gardens which are free just €3 for the car park.

Have a 4 night booked for Wexford next month to Whitford House a place we often stayed fadó fadó when the kids were small so looking forward to that.

16-08-2020 8:25pm

Doing 2 nights in a castle hotel in Cavan, tonight & tomorrow in the 2 night b&b + 1 dinner deal. At the coffee end of the sumptuous dinner. In my experience most dinner deals include a "dinner allowance", but here, in complete contrast, the inclusive dinner guests are given the full banquet.

I enjoyed a very interesting drive up from Dublin, stopping at the Hill of Tara (free), Bective Abbey (free), Loyd Spire inland lighthouse, Kells high crosses & round tower (free), & beautiful Moynalty Village, a Tidy Towns winner.

alchemist33 · 16-08-2020 8:27pm

Just arrived in Kerry from Donegal to find a yellow rain warning for tomorrow. Bleeurgh!

Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

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