Son's Planned Honeymoon In Ireland, Part 2!

[haynes9]

The boy is doing a pretty good job of getting things set up. He has had some challenges since he would be on the Emerald Isle over the Christmas holiday, but so far, so good.

He is interested in the village of Adare in County Limerick and Bunratty in County Clare. Anybody had any experiences there or know some information? He has one night set up in a castle which looks beautiful (Dromoland Castle). He has decided against trying to rent a car since the surcharge would be between $1300 - $2000. I understand the view of the car rental companies (He will be 22) but isn't it amazing that we will send kids that age to Iraq and Afghanistan, but we can't rent them a car? But I digress . . .

Thanks in advance for the help! Have a great day!

[Madadh]

I have been to Bunratty castle - it is great fun. If they can, have the medieval dinner there. There is also a good village for shopping, but it may not be open. I know the car rental is expensive, but unless they have a coach to get them around, they should bite the bullet and get a car. Not easy to walk a new bride around the country (unless he is planing to walk in the Duke's footprints )

We stayed in the village of Patrickswell in Limerick. It is south of Shannon Airport and was very centrally located. There was a nice pub there that the locals gathered for music and good conversation.

[AShruleEgan]

Try all the car rental companies at Shannon. Maybe one of them will wave the young driver fee. He may need to take the accident waiver insurance, in order to negotiate dropping the young driver fee. Accident waiver should still be cheaper than the young driver fee. Can't hurt to ask. You need a real person on the phone, who can make that decision. http://www.bnm.com/shannon.htm

There are a few more rental cars at the airport but for some reason, I can't find them listed anywhere.

Watch out for Hertz. They tell you one thing on the phone and when you get to the counter, they tell you that they won't give you the car without taking additional insurance. Tell them to stick it and go to another counter. There are many to choose from and would love your business. We used Alamo this past time and had no problems.

No matter, he will somehow need a car. Getting a bus or train to get around, will never be the best way to see the sites.

Also, tell him to get gas long before he gets near Shannon. There are no gas stations anywhere near Shannon and they charge you big time if you didn't refill the tank before you get to the airport.


As for Bunratty and Clare, I can't help you there. I've only been from Shannon on up to Donegal and still have a lot of territory in between to cover. You'll have to ask Irish Stepper (Shelley) about the Bunratty area. She left us a day early, just so she and George could go to that.