Jan 5, 2010
Posted by Corey | 11 Comments
Prizes to Keep You Warm
It’s freezing this week in the US, so we thought it was a good time to crack out the “warm” prizes to giveaway. Look at these great hats (one Guinness cap and one Raglan Road hat)… and TWO packages of Carolan’s Irish Cream Coffee.
Leave us an Irish travel tip or tell us about an Irish site you’re dreaming about, and you’ll have a chance to win something to help keep you warm.
We’ll draw three winners from those who comment and one winner from the main giveaway pool. Remember, if you haven’t already signed up, you’ll need to do that to win… Sign Up Here. Winners will be drawn later this week.
Leave your comments here or on our Facebook Page.
Okay, I am jonesing for a couple of weeks or so in Co. Donegal. I have never had as much time up there as I want. Sooooo beautiful! And a dear friend who lives up in the Blue Stacks.
Tip: Do not stick to a strict schedule when visiting–explore at your leisure, especially the countryside. And give yourself a MINIMUM of seven days to vacation there.
Dreaming of: the Cliffs of Moher. The day we went, last month, it was cloudy, rainy and empty. But just as we walked up over the ridge out of the visitor’s center, the clouds cleared and the sun came out…as if just for us. The site of the Cliffs is breathtaking. Very serene and has a calming effect on all who stand on her edge.
Seems as though more debate than any other revolves around the task of renting a car in Ireland. I’ve rented from three companies in seven trips to Ireland, but the last three have been with Dooley’s. The prices are good and it is the only company I can locate that has all the costs up front. Nice people to deal with, and for those of you who are devotees to Pat Preston’s site, a mention of Pat gets you 10 percent off the cost of the car. I no longer have a thought of who is rent from. Dooley’s does it for me.
Irish Travel/Tech Tip Combo..
Scan you passport, drivers license, credit cards, and other important documents you travel with.
Save the scanned items to a USB flash drive.
Encrypt the USB flash drive with free software called TrueCrypt. http://www.truecrypt.org/
This could be immensely useful if you lose your passport or other items and suddenly become an undocumented and broke traveler.
I’m with Judy above: dreaming of County Donegal. I’ll *never* get enough of County Donegal. Also County Clare and walking the cliffs at Kilkee early in the morning, just me, my husband, and the dog that lives at the Diamond Rocks Cafe.
I never get tired of visiting County Clare and Miltown Malbay. The people there are so friendly and the pub’s like Michael A’s always have great company and Irish Football on the tv. There may even be a bit of Irish singing going on by the locals. More than that the area is beautiful from walks on the strand to the beautiful countryside and churches. Be sure and go by the Church in Quilty.
P. S. I don’t drink coffee……
Gene, I was always a devotee of autoeurope.com and kemwel until my last trip. On that trip, I was doubly charged and never received any satisfactory resolution. On my next trip, I will try Dooley.
My tip would be: Do not be afraid to boldly go forth, whether that be a sign that catches your eye and bids you follow, a pub that calls you to settle in and join the Craic or an itinerary which you decide to scrap in favor of staying “a few extra days” in a spot that grabs hold
As for where I am dreaming about:
It is the call of the sea and the crashing waves
the songs of the old men given up to watery graves
The fishermen’s chatter and pony cart’s clatter
The seals call and the wild rain splatter
soaring cliffs and stone walls, row on row
It is there that my soul longs to go
Get Lost on the small roads and stay long enough in an area to talk to the locals.
That Raglan Road Hat looks pretty sweet! Would go nicely with the 6 inches of snow we are receiving right now !!
Not sure if you’ve given these away yet, but anyways here is my tip. If traveling with young children and you want to catch some traditional Irish music, do some searching before you go to find places that have early music sessions. Most sessions start after the time children are not allowed in the pubs. Although we heard that some pubs overlook the rules, we didn’t want to chance being kicked out and miss out on some great trad while in Ireland! If you’re in Dingle on the weekend, head to the Marina Inn on Sunday evening. They have open sessions starting at 7:00. Our kids had a blast dancing to the music at the Inn!