I Need A Map Of Ireland

Ireland Travel Tips: Donegal County

Travel advice for going to Ireland, tips on Ireland. Airfare, car rental, lodging and shopping.

Airfare

Search the airlines for the best prices and let this guide your travel dates. A flight in December was $850 per person, while in April it was $425. December was direct from Dulles (IAD) to Dublin; April was Philadelphia (PHL), to Dublin, (DUB).

Airlines are charging for excess baggage weight. Six pounds over would be a $50 charge.

Do not take anything electrical unless the placard on the device states 240 Volt. The adapters only allow connection. If you plug in a 110 only, it is gone.

Car Rental

Again spend time searching. There are wide spreads in pricing. The optional insurance is not a bad idea. Dublin is crowded, and the back roads are narrow and winding. Parking is expensive and was not included in the downtown hotel. The parking cost $42 for 24 hours.

The cars are right-hand drive and mostly manual transmissions. Search the rental contract for their fuel policy, some charge up-front for a tank of fuel and require the car returned empty. I have not found a way to return an empty fuel tank. In April, I found Budget to be the least costly. And they are located at the airport, eliminating two shuttle rides. Car prices change constantly, so it is a good idea to check as you approach your departure date. (I saved $120 doing this).

Currency

Before going, use your bank to convert Dollars into Euros, it is cheaper than using the exchanges. When using credit cards there, have the charges billed in Euros; this can save 2% on most transactions. There are toll roads coming out of Dublin that you might encounter. Your US debit card works well if you need more Euros

County Donegal

The terrain runs from mountain ranges to sandy beaches. The people are friendly with strong family ties. The foods are fresher than we can get here. The supermarket fish is fresher than we can get here. Self-catering lodging is reasonable. www.discoverireland.com

And www.donegalcottageholidays.com are two good sites. Advantages are 2 or more bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, and room to spread out.

Shopping

Currently, The Republic of Ireland is more expensive than Northern Ireland. So if you are going through the UK, stop and shop. Most stores take Euros as well as Pounds.

Save the VAT receipts. At the Dublin airport, once through security, walk to your left towards gate "C". Both return centers are there, opposite each other. Prepare the paper work ahead of time.

At the supermarket, the carts (trolleys) are locked. A Euro inserted to release the cart, and the Euro returned when the cart is put back in the line, (queue). Carry plastic bags or be prepared to pay for bags.

General Information

Internet access is available in some cafes and hotels. A cheap cell phone is 30 Euros. The US phones don't work in Europe, so buy one, and a SIM card.

Take your own GPS, down loading a map of Ireland to a SIM card before you go, and setting your destinations.

Addresses are vague, few houses numbered. Road and street signs are infrequent.

The tourist office has good detailed maps.

There are seven TV stations. You can watch re-runs of The Virginian.

Mind the holidays there as businesses close down.

Yes, the beer is cold.