I want to go to Ireland for my honeymoon. Have you been there?

Question

If you have, I would like some suggestions on the most beautiful parts. I'm looking to stay away from the most touristy places, with exceptions to maybe some cliffs. Could you suggest a few nice but fairly cheap bed and breakfasts along the way? Also, when would be Ireland's off-season? We're looking to stay about a week, two if we're lucky, but we're trying to decide the cheapest time to go. Tight budget! Any suggestions would be great =)

Answer 1

Hi, it might be an idea to build your honeymoon around a festival or event. These go on all year and you can find out what is on at www.discoverireland.ie. Lots of these festivals have street entertainment or free events, so they're a great way to structure your trip.

I agree with the other poster, Sep/Oct is one of the best times to come here. An example of some things to do this autumn would be:

Fly in to Shannon airport. The Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival runs during Sept/Oct, with music and dancing and good craic. That’s in Co. Clare, and will give you a chance to visit the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and maybe the Ailwee Caves. You could head up to Galway from there, the Oyster Festival is on the last weekend in September (not that you’ll be needing oysters on your honeymoon…). From there, head out into Connemara. The Westport Arts festival is on the first week of October. Achill Island has stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and cheap B&B accommodation. Sligo has a traditional singing festival on at the same time. Donegal is also beautiful. The world-famous Ballinasloe horse fair begins early Oct (this year on the 3rd). From there, you could swing south to visit the monastery at Clonmacnoise, tour around Lough Derg and head down to Tipperary to see the Rock of Cashel. Depending on how much time you have you could head for Cork with its millions of things to do and see, including kissing the Blarney Stone, or it’s a short trip back to Shannon.

May is another good time to come, weatherwise. Its not such a good idea to come completely off-peak (Nov-early March) as many attractions and places shut down, especially in the more isolated (and worthwhile visiting) parts of the country.

The best budget option is to hire a car (it may seem pricy, but is much better value that public transport and you get to go off the beaten trail) and stay in either hostels or Bed & Breakfast accommodation (links below). You could even buy a cheap tect and go camping. For a honeymoon, you may prefer the B&B option, although some hostels do private rooms as well as dorms. The An Oige website also has some great ideas for things to do and see.

Avoid the bigger towns and you will save heaps of money. B&Bs in less well-known towns can cost as little as EUR30 a night per room, including full breakfast. And negotiate the price, you absolutely shouldn’t be paying any more than EUR50 for a room off-peak.

Prepare your own lunch and dinner with supermarket supplies – there’s nothing as romantic as a picnic, and restaurant prices can be astoundingly high.

Keep your money for the pub and for music events.

There’s also a link below for some walking holidays – a really cheap way to see some beautiful parts of the country.

Have a great wedding and enjoy the honeymoon!

Answer 2

First off, congratulations on your marriage.  Secondly, Ireland's "off-season" is cold.  I would suggest The Cliffs of Mohr, in ' The Ring of Kerry".  The stay in the Cabra Castle was very nice too.  As for the B&Bs, I would suggest you see a travel agent.  I went to one to take a bus tour of Ireland, and I stayed at two of them.  The tour certainly lived up to it's name, "Unforgettable Ireland".  While you are there, ask what "Cead Mi Fialtre" means.

Answer 3

Me and my wife went last August. Perfect weather. It rained for a week straight before we got there and started again the day we left.  I would have enjoyed it even if it had rained. If you are daring, do what we did.  Get you plane ticket and reserve a car.  Forget about planning the trip.  We started in Dublin and worked our way around the southern coast.  The more we got lost the more we saw.  Don't get me wrong- get a good map.  But don't plan your destination, there are B&B's everywhere.  Warning! most roads are very narrow- get a small car.  Oh and we had a "Picture book" of southern Ireland. Best trip of my life thus far.  We spent about $2500 for everything including spending cash.

Answer 4

no, haven't been..

Answer 5

I have been living in Galway city, which is on the west coast of ireland, for the past few years and would recommend it for a honeymoon.

The best time to go would be in September when most of the tourists have gone and there can be really nice weather if you are lucky.

The city is a small one and there are some lovely places to dine or quiet cafes in the day.

If you like the countryside you can stay close to mountains, cliffs or beaches. I don't know of any particular b and b's but I know there are alot in you look on the internet.

Kinvara and Lisdoonvara are both towns in county galway that are nice to visit.

Answer 6

No we've never been. We keep meaning to go but it's hard to get a direct flight from Borneo to Knock.

Answer 7

Yes I have. Go to the west coast - the cliffs are lovely and for non crowded areas - I would go up north to Donegal. Very serene and the people are wonderful.

I have no rec for B&B's sorry...but most are excellent. I picked some at random and all were fine. I am pretty low maintenance and unfussy ...and not on my honeymoon though. I really had a decent time/service almost everywhere I've stayed.

Dublin is a must for a little bit if it is your first visit- but it is a city so not exactly all that romantic. I would advise not going in the summer as that is high season and very crowded.

Edit - it is a bit cold for some in the off season - Ireland doesn't really get extreme weather like the US though - so it is manageable. You don't need to bundle up much. If you don't like the chill, the Spring might be best for you. Autumn is very nice weather wise but not really that warm.