Hope where ever you are going in Ireland you enjoy.
Any questions just ask

Unless you're an oap or have mobile problems use the coach otherwise fly from gatwick with ryanair to cork and hire a car because the freedom you have to stop off anywhere you fancy is priceless.

I can recommend west cork, heading to bantry, Gouganne Barra is a must, then throught to Cloakility and then to Baltimore from there you can head through the wonderful villages till you reach barley cove and head straight to Mizen head to the most southerly point of Ireland. It truly is amazing. I swear it is breath taking. I never appreciated it when I lived there so if you need any advice dont hesitate to contact me.

Have just booked flights from Blackpool to Dublin for myself and the wife for our wedding anniversary early March, and am planning to hire a car at the airport and drive down to somewhere like Waterford.

Never been to Eire before so can anyone recommend somewhere to stay round there (obviously nice but cheapish) and places to visit?

Only going for 3 days so want to make the most of it really.

thanks!

If i were you I wouldn't drive to Waterford if you only have 3 days. It's not that it isn't do-able, just that you can find some great places nearer to Dublin. The first thing to be aware of is that Dublin Hotels are very expensive. The only cheaper, vaguely OK ones in the cetre of the city are the Jurys and Bewleys chains, but they are quite anonymous and cosmopolitan; you could be in Coventry once you are inside one. Instead, if i were you I would hire a small car and drive due south out of the city and spend a wonderful couple of days at Hunter's Hotel at Rathnew, Wicklow, about 45 minutes drive from the centre of town. Why? It's a very old-fashioned, family run hotel, a wonderful 18thC coach-house/inn, which is cosy, welcoming and extremely comfortable. We stay whenever we are on route from the south-west of Ireland to Dublin and always enjoy it. A room will cost you 90 euro per person, per night but you will receive a warm irish welcome, eat good food and find yourself in a wonderful Wicklow landscape. By Irish standards the hotel is good value. if you go, you will understand why some us of think that Ireland can be paradise on earth and you will return to the UK refreshed in mind and spirit. I think Hunters have a website.

Thanks for the prompt reply - looks very nice but unfortunately their website says they have no availability when we want to go!!

I may look around that area instead of Waterford anyway - thanks for the advice!!!

Boevets, come on down to Waterford, it is only a couple of hours from Dublin. Some beautiful costal towns and head to West Waterford and see the beautiful town of Lismore. Maybe spend 2 nights working your way down taking in Wicklow and Wexford and head back up to Dublin for the 3rd night. You will find some very reasonably priced B&Bs along the way. If you have any questions please ask.

Would you have time to go West!! Romantic Galway and Connemara are 3/4 hours drive but a world apart. Especially in the quieter months of the year you can have the place to yourself and lovely accomodation shouldn't be too hard to find? Check it out for yourself and discover the beauty and ruggedness of the West!!

Thanks for the responses - i have booked a nice looking lodge now in the Wicklow mountains!

Sounds perfect - i will let you know!

(wouldn't mind advice on car hire though)

Hi boevets ... I have used several companies over the years, but my favourite in terms of rates, standard of cars and quality of service is Dooley Car Rentals.

David