My wife and I (I’m 73, she’s 70) just booked our 4th trip. Going in October this time. Flying into Dublin, stay the day of arrival at the Clayton Airport Hotel to get our bearings and proper rest. Then train to Galway, where we’ll rent a car. Stay a few days in Athenry, 20 minutes from Galway. Do a couple day trips to Connemara and Doolin (take a boat to Aran Islands). Then, we’ll head up to Donegal for a couple days, maybe even Malin Head. Really want to spend time in the little towns up that way: Athlone, Sligo, etc. Having been there three times already, we’ve learned a lot of “next trip, we’re not gonna do THAT!” kind of things. Relax, take some time to just be! Talk to shopkeepers, waitstaffs; start your day with a fab breakfast! Those breakfast sausages are unbelievable! Have the extra cuppa!
Billy from Ireland here. I thoroughly enjoyed your series of videos on your trip to Ireland. You both appear to be genuinely enthusiastic travellers. One of the problems with trying to cover as much as possible on a trip is not allowing time for any immersion into the culture of the area. I see this a lot here as people assume being a small country it can be sufficiently explored in a few days, thus turning a holiday into a survival course and ultimately self defeating. Your plan to take more time and be satisfied with less running around is something that visitors should take seriously. I live in Cork with family and friends in Tipperary and Kilkenny, so next time you're over I'll be glad to give you recommendations on the parts you didn't get to down south. Thanks for the videos and keep up with that laid back attitude.
@billyo54. Thanks for watching our videos! Your comments made us smile 😀. We do enjoy it when we travel! There was so much more to see that we missed in the northern part of Ireland, that we wished we just had three more days! If we had those extra three days we would have wished for three more! 😀 Looking forward to next years return. We’ll be putting out a video request for ideas around Southern Ireland! Thank you for the kind feedback! 👍😀🇺🇸🇮🇪
Thank you for your comment, it’s very helpful. I leave for Ireland in 12 days (so excited). If I had planned the trip I would have planned to visit for at least 14 days. However the trip was a birthday gift from my kids, so we have about 8 days to explore. As much as we want to see as much as possible, we also want to take time to immerse ourselves in the culture . . . and a few pubs. 😊 We’ve chosen 3 places to spend time at Cork/Cobb, Galway, Dublin. I’ll definitely have to plan a second visit in the future.
@@thissecondhalfadventure I’m back from Ireland! An unbelievably beautiful country!!! We had plenty of pints and I have to say the Jameson and ginger is my new favorite go to!
Our goals in 7 days time, bucket list golf courses, sitting in a great small town pub, and the scenery and people and just 'being' in a park or a town square
Wonderful goals! You’ll be able to soak up the atmosphere & culture and make lifetime memories. Have a pint for us! Sláinte! And thanks so much for watching and commenting!
@denisegiuliani734. Thanks so much for letting us know you’re watching! Your comment gave us a big smile 😀 Best wishes and safe travels on your upcoming trip 👍. If you get a chance let us know how your trip went when you return.
Thanks so much, Don! Encouragement from fellow UA-camrs really helps on the journey, and we’ve found it to be a very supportive community of creators. We always love your stuff as well! 😊🇮🇪🇺🇸♥️
I need to return to Ireland, I didn't get to Skellig Michel, or spend time in the Gaeiltacht in Munster. I could also spend time in Dingle and Galway. I just didn't have enough time, only three weeks.
Check out belfast next trip plenty to do over 2-3 days Troubles taxi tour takes you peace wall and explains some history Titanic museum Ulster folk transport museum Ulster museum Golf courses Fibber magees get spot for a drink live band for tourists locals Plenty of pubs restaurants to check out Hope yous visit again
@seanb-ol3up. Thank you for watching and for your Belfast recommendations! We actually tried to stay at Helen’s Tower near Bangor (Irish Land Trust) and I was going to play golf at Ardglass. Had planned to see Belfast but the tower wasn’t available. It all worked out as we had a great stay in Bushmills! When we return we plan to fly into Belfast or out of Belfast to return home. Is Belfast a walkable city? If it is we probably won’t rent a car til we need it. Hope you keep watching! 👍😀
Hi! I am also located in Indiana and am looking for a good travel agent to assist in planning and booking our family’s trip to Ireland this summer. Do you mind sharing the name and contact information for your travel agent? Thanks!
@20duncan05 Thanks for watching! On our first trip to Ireland we used a local agent. They moved away from here and I heard they’re focused more on group travel tourism. We knew that they were working through CIE Tours that focuses more on Ireland travel and Great Britain travel. On our second trip this past September we worked entirely with CIE . They offer a variety of tours for families, large groups, small groups etc. Sadly, we get no compensation from CIE. ☹ I know there are agents in Indy and South Bend that specialize in Irish travel but we don’t have any experience with any of them. I could go on, but feel free to ask any other questions you might have. Hope you have a Happy New Year!
@20duncan05 Just got home from an early New Year’s session with friends. One of them is a successful travel agent. She has great sources and is capable of setting up a trip to Ireland. She’s detail oriented and would listen to your questions. Kristin and Terry have been around most of the world and could help you with your summer trip. Once again, we don’t get compensated from her ( maybe a beer) but she’s detail oriented and might be able to help. Safe travels.
@duncan05 My apologies! Got distracted watching something.😀 If you want contact: Kristin@kaptivatingtravels.com. She gets many requests so mention Chris and Karen from Second half adventures to get her attention.
The Irish Government should give the two of you Free vacations / holidays in Ireland and Aer Lingus Free First Flights Chicago O,Hare to Dublin every Year as Chicago is just 60 miles away from you, You do a fantastic job for Irish Tourism[ FREE] how cool is that? i,m not joking , Thanks a Million ☘☘☘☘☘.
@johnburns6422. You just gave us the biggest smile with your comment 😁 Please let us know if you have any connections to work that out for us😂 We truly enjoyed our first trip and we’re excited to come back in September 👍👍
My wife and I (I’m 73, she’s 70) just booked our 4th trip. Going in October this time. Flying into Dublin, stay the day of arrival at the Clayton Airport Hotel to get our bearings and proper rest. Then train to Galway, where we’ll rent a car. Stay a few days in Athenry, 20 minutes from Galway. Do a couple day trips to Connemara and Doolin (take a boat to Aran Islands). Then, we’ll head up to Donegal for a couple days, maybe even Malin Head. Really want to spend time in the little towns up that way: Athlone, Sligo, etc.
Having been there three times already, we’ve learned a lot of “next trip, we’re not gonna do THAT!” kind of things. Relax, take some time to just be! Talk to shopkeepers, waitstaffs; start your day with a fab breakfast! Those breakfast sausages are unbelievable! Have the extra cuppa!
Billy from Ireland here. I thoroughly enjoyed your series of videos on your trip to Ireland. You both appear to be genuinely enthusiastic travellers.
One of the problems with trying to cover as much as possible on a trip is not allowing time for any immersion into the culture of the area. I see this a lot here as people assume being a small country it can be sufficiently explored in a few days, thus turning a holiday into a survival course and ultimately self defeating. Your plan to take more time and be satisfied with less running around is something that visitors should take seriously. I live in Cork with family and friends in Tipperary and Kilkenny, so next time you're over I'll be glad to give you recommendations on the parts you didn't get to down south. Thanks for the videos and keep up with that laid back attitude.
@billyo54. Thanks for watching our videos!
Your comments made us smile 😀. We do enjoy it when we travel!
There was so much more to see that we missed in the northern part of Ireland, that we wished we just had three more days! If we had those extra three days we would have wished for three more! 😀
Looking forward to next years return.
We’ll be putting out a video request for ideas around Southern Ireland!
Thank you for the kind feedback!
👍😀🇺🇸🇮🇪
Thank you for your comment, it’s very helpful. I leave for Ireland in 12 days (so excited). If I had planned the trip I would have planned to visit for at least 14 days. However the trip was a birthday gift from my kids, so we have about 8 days to explore. As much as we want to see as much as possible, we also want to take time to immerse ourselves in the culture . . . and a few pubs. 😊
We’ve chosen 3 places to spend time at Cork/Cobb, Galway, Dublin. I’ll definitely have to plan a second visit in the future.
@@katjar4881 I live very close to Cobh (pronounced Cove). I would suggest a visit to Midleton Distillery, Blarney Castle, Fota House and Cork City.
@@katjar4881 what an amazing birthday gift! Have a pint (or a Jameson and ginger) for us, and thanks so much for watching and sharing!
@@thissecondhalfadventure I’m back from Ireland! An unbelievably beautiful country!!! We had plenty of pints and I have to say the Jameson and ginger is my new favorite go to!
Our goals in 7 days time, bucket list golf courses, sitting in a great small town pub, and the scenery and people and just 'being' in a park or a town square
Wonderful goals! You’ll be able to soak up the atmosphere & culture and make lifetime memories. Have a pint for us! Sláinte! And thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Loved watching these videos! Going in June and found this informative as well as entertaining.
@denisegiuliani734. Thanks so much for letting us know you’re watching!
Your comment gave us a big smile 😀
Best wishes and safe travels on your upcoming trip 👍. If you get a chance let us know how your trip went when you return.
Some great advice here. I don't think I've ever planned like this. Nicely done again guys!
Thanks so much, David! We keep plugging away at it… 😊🇮🇪🇺🇸♥️
Well Chris and Carol, I can tell you done your research by your videos. They are very informative. Loved them.👍😊🇮🇪🇺🇸
Thanks so much, Don! Encouragement from fellow UA-camrs really helps on the journey, and we’ve found it to be a very supportive community of creators. We always love your stuff as well! 😊🇮🇪🇺🇸♥️
I need to return to Ireland, I didn't get to Skellig Michel, or spend time in the Gaeiltacht in Munster. I could also spend time in Dingle and Galway. I just didn't have enough time, only three weeks.
@donovanfoto3263. Never enough time, right? All great suggestions. We hope to see those spots😀👍✌
I would add, leave a day for just lazing around in a peaceful location. It helps keep the energy levels up either side so you can do a lot those days.
@ludicrous6380. Great call! Connemara Park provided that for us!
Thank you for watching and your comments! 👍😀
Check out belfast next trip plenty to do over 2-3 days
Troubles taxi tour takes you peace wall and explains some history
Titanic museum
Ulster folk transport museum
Ulster museum
Golf courses
Fibber magees get spot for a drink live band for tourists locals
Plenty of pubs restaurants to check out
Hope yous visit again
@seanb-ol3up. Thank you for watching and for your Belfast recommendations!
We actually tried to stay at Helen’s Tower near Bangor (Irish Land Trust) and I was going to play golf at Ardglass. Had planned to see Belfast but the tower wasn’t available. It all worked out as we had a great stay in Bushmills!
When we return we plan to fly into Belfast or out of Belfast to return home. Is Belfast a walkable city? If it is we probably won’t rent a car til we need it.
Hope you keep watching! 👍😀
@@thissecondhalfadventure
Very walkable, about the same size as Dublin
@@TheWanderingIrishman Thanks David! We really enjoy walking around city neighborhoods, so that is good news! 👍
Hi! I am also located in Indiana and am looking for a good travel agent to assist in planning and booking our family’s trip to Ireland this summer. Do you mind sharing the name and contact information for your travel agent? Thanks!
@20duncan05
Thanks for watching!
On our first trip to Ireland we used a local agent. They moved away from here and I heard they’re focused more on group travel tourism.
We knew that they were working through CIE Tours that focuses more on Ireland travel and Great Britain travel. On our second trip this past September we worked entirely with CIE . They offer a variety of tours for families, large groups, small groups etc. Sadly, we get no compensation from CIE. ☹
I know there are agents in Indy and South Bend that specialize in Irish travel but we don’t have any experience with any of them.
I could go on, but feel free to ask any other questions you might have.
Hope you have a Happy New Year!
@20duncan05
Just got home from an early New Year’s session with friends. One of them is a successful travel agent. She has great sources and is capable of setting up a trip to Ireland. She’s detail oriented and would listen to your questions. Kristin and Terry have been around most of the world and could help you with your summer trip.
Once again, we don’t get compensated from her ( maybe a beer) but she’s detail oriented and might be able to help.
Safe travels.
@duncan05
My apologies! Got distracted watching something.😀
If you want contact: Kristin@kaptivatingtravels.com.
She gets many requests so mention Chris and Karen from Second half adventures to get her attention.
Thank you!!
@
You’re welcome 👍
The Irish Government should give the two of you Free vacations / holidays in Ireland and Aer Lingus Free First Flights Chicago O,Hare to Dublin every Year as Chicago is just 60 miles away from you, You do a fantastic job for Irish Tourism[ FREE] how cool is that? i,m not joking , Thanks a Million ☘☘☘☘☘.
@johnburns6422. You just gave us the biggest smile with your comment 😁 Please let us know if you have any connections to work that out for us😂
We truly enjoyed our first trip and we’re excited to come back in September 👍👍