What would you consider a nice town in Ireland to spend a week around Christmas?

Question

Perhaps in the west or south. I know Killarney would have everything open, but I hate shopping malls and busses. I am looking for a sweet Irish town in a pretty setting, with a tastefully appointed B&B open, a pub or two with live music, and the usual warmth of the local people in evidence.

Answer 1

Draperstown co derry

tel [phone]

Ring and see if they are open on christmas day

Answer 2

i think you should try kinsale co. cork, if you need more info mail me

Answer 3

I wouldn't. Christmas is Family Lockdown Season in Ireland, so you wouldn't experience that same type of family vibe you would at home in your own country.

Personally I hate Christmas, the true meaning of it is lost in the crass commercialism that it has become, in Ireland as much as anywhere else. I suggest going somewhere where they don't do Christmas, you'll avoid the stress and the drunken rows.  

Answer 4

If you want to stay over Christmas itself, it may be difficult to find a good B&B. Most close down and don't really want to work or have strangers in their house on Christmas day.  A self-catering cottage might be a better bet. The best website for finding a B&B at this time of year is probably the official Failte Ireland site - www.discoverireland.ie. You'll also find self-catering accommodation there, and hotel listings if you're not having much luck with the B&Bs but want that extra bit of comfort.

For a destination, you could try Dingle or Derrynane in Kerry. Friends of mine go down every year just after Christmas and stay til after New Year. They've been doing that for nearly 15 years, so it can't be too bad!

Ballyvaughen in Clare has a Christmas festival with a market, music, choirs, etc. Ennis is good if you're after a larger town (still pretty) with a bit more life in it.

Kinsale and Kenmare are also marketing themselves as Christmas destinations and both are very pretty little towns. You would be sure of getting somewhere to stay without being overrun by people and tourists.

I don't want to say 'enjoy your Christmas' -  it's August, the weather is dreadful and thinking that Christmas is nearly upon us makes for a depressingly long winter!