Hi, I went to Ireland 2 1/2 yrs ago. My friend and I drove also and really enjoyed it.  We did not take cell phones as the cost didn't seem to fit our need. Internet cafe's there too so we emailed home. B&B's are great there and cheaper than hotel rooms. You don't need reservations unless you are planning on staying in a really popular tourist B&B that is near everything. We had no problems finding one as they are virtually on every corner now. You can go down a street and see whole blocks of B&B's built recently.  I do strongly recommend that you make lunch time your biggest meal as it is much much cheaper to eat lunch than it is dinner. Even the Irish can't afford to eat out since they decided to go Euro. Many regret it alot. Also some roadside sites that used to be free are now being charged admission.  We avoided the really big tourist sites like Blarney Castle because they charged the equiv of 16- 18 dollars American just to get in and i'm sure it's likely higher now.  Enjoy, I loved it and would go every year if I could afford too. As for the B&B's check to see if on their sign they have the shamrock and tourist board seal of approval, they are registered. In the fall of 07 we paid about 42-45 dollars Amer each a night, ensuite, 2 beds and full  breakfast.  You will love it. ________________________________ From: Shirley Weber <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 1:42:14 PM Subject: Re: [S-I] Fwd: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland to beclosed for a while Hi John, My daughter, son-in-law and myself did this in 2005.  Did use a cell phone when we knew we might be for the night and called places we had checked evening before and some we waited until we arrived in area.  Never had a problem but did make use of the cell phone so I would advise taking one that can be used overseas or buy one after you are there. I took my car charger with me and that is how we kept phone charged.  No problems with renting cars, but age maybe a factor.  I was 75 at the time and was renting the first car from here so it would be at airport and knew I was told I could not drive but placed my son-in-law as driver.  So check this out. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Polk" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 9:50 AM Subject: Re: [S-I] Fwd: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland to beclosed for a while >I am heading for Ireland in two weeks, all in May, initially in Dublin, but > then a swing through the North. Plans are pretty loose at present but will > not include researching in archives, etc. Strictly a sightseeing venture. > General plan is Tara, Armagh, Giants Causeway, Bushmills, Roe Vally, > Londonderry, Omaha, Lifford, Donegal. Only have six days for all this > before > getting back to Dublin for reunion with some friends. > > We will be looking to stay at B&B's but have not made any reservations > yet. > I prefer to decide things day by day on the go rather than nailing > everything down in advance. Is this a mistake?  All advice appreciated. > Last > time I did this was in 1959 when I was on a bike and stayed at youth > hostels. > > John Polk > Maryland USA > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 10:56 > Subject: [S-I] Fwd: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland to be > closed > for a while > > >> Hi folks, our list member forgot to copy us....distracted by preparations >> for her upcoming Scottish trip, perhaps. Anyway, more good news from >> Northern Ireland. >> >> What to do? >> >> Go to Salt Lake. Send the family off on a ski trip or whatever it is they >> do up there when the snow finally melts, and hit the stacks. They have a >> lot of stuff there including a long long collection of local history >> books, indexed parliamentary papers, all the microfilm collection, of >> course, but the actual library books are what to hit first since it is >> awkward searching them from afar. >> >> Or hit the Linen Hall Library in Belfast. Armagh Museum, etc, etc. Lots >> to >> see and do. >> >> If anyone is planning a trip over and would like to ask for suggestions, >> advice, hints on the best places to eat, and what to do or see, now's >> your >> time! >> >> >> Linda Merle >> >> >> ----- Forwarded Message ----- >> From: [email protected] >> To: [email protected], [email protected], >> [email protected], [email protected], >> [email protected], [email protected] >> Sent: Thursday, May 6, 2010 7:06:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern >> Subject: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland to be closed for a >> while >> >> >>>From the most recent copy of The Bulletin of the Presbyterian Historical >>>Society of Ireland: "Owing to the building work in Church House, the >>>library of the Presbyterian Historical Society will be closed for the >>>foreseeable future. Urgent inquiries are best made by email-- >>>[email protected] -- or letter care of Church >>>House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW, N. Ireland. I >> >> Is mise le meas, >> Gobnait >> >> Cast a cold eye >> On life, on death. >> Horseman, pass by! >> W.B.Yeats' tombstone >> >> www.johnaalogan.com >> www.theorangepiguk.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message