|
| A trip to Ireland (Read 916 times) |
| view log My clam (shell) picture. |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 5:48 PM |
We had a car, so I'm not sure about getting around. Dublin had great transport (we got the car our last day there) so I imagine Belfast would have decent access as well.
Assuming you don't have to pay to stay at the consulate &/or your aunt, that'll surely help with the budget! |
Boston 2008
DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 5:52 PM |
| Quote from dnephin on 1/15/2008 at 5:48 PM: We had a car, so I'm not sure about getting around. Dublin had great transport (we got the car our last day there) so I imagine Belfast would have decent access as well.
Assuming you don't have to pay to stay at the consulate &/or your aunt, that'll surely help with the budget!
For my own sanity I might want to consider renting a car for two days at least. So I'll have means to some freedom!
We don't have to pay to stay there. I've met my aunt's friend a few times, she's very nice! I'll even have my own room, which is great considering I'm a light sleeper and there will be days when I'll want to get up early and head out.
|
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 5:55 PM |
Hi there-
Just to advise you that when in Belfast you will be using Sterling - "English money" - and if you venture south and come down to Dublin, then you will need Euro's as the Republic is part of the Eurozone, unlike Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and the sterling zone.
Unfortunately I won't be around for the 10K in the Phoenix Park mentioned above as I will be running the Connemara Marathon that weekend in the west of Ireland http://www.connemarathon.com/ but when you get the exact dates of your stay and when you are free, either in Belfast or Dublin, let me know, as I have a house 20 miles from Belfast and am up north a lot of weeekends and would love to meet up for a run 
Liam |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:03 PM |
Quote from Liam3494 on 1/15/2008 at 5:55 PM:Hi there- Just to advise you that when in Belfast you will be using Sterling - "English money" - and if you venture south and come down to Dublin, then you will need Euro's as the Republic is part of the Eurozone, unlike Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and the sterling zone. Unfortunately I won't be around for the 10K in the Phoenix Park mentioned above as I will be running the Connemara Marathon that weekend in the west of Ireland http://www.connemarathon.com/ but when you get the exact dates of your stay and when you are free, either in Belfast or Dublin, let me know, as I have a house 20 miles from Belfast and am up north a lot of weeekends and would love to meet up for a run Liam
Different forms of money within? This ought to be interesting!
A marathon? Hmmmmmm. I'll have to check that out. I'll post my dates as soon as I get them from my aunt. I'm at their mercy for picking when we go. My boss has approved my trip for anytime. Thank you! |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:04 PM
modified: 1/15/2008 at 6:23 PM |
*note to self* Quit trying to post while talking on the phone. 
(double posts) |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:04 PM
modified: 1/15/2008 at 6:33 PM |
What about zoos? My youngest is requesting pictures of animals there. I'll have to spend some time researching all the things I'd like to see.
Never mind....found this:
Belfast Zoo
Antrim Road
Newtownabbey
Belfast City
An Unforgettable Experience awaits you at one of Belfast's premier attractions set against the stunning back drop of Cave Hill.
Your visit to Belfast Zoo will take you through beautiful landscaped parkland with spectacular views over Belfast Lough and beyond - a new adventure awaits you around every corner.
|
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:04 PM |
| Double Post. |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:04 PM
modified: 1/15/2008 at 6:06 PM |
| Also, if you have any favorite places to eat or places to avoid, I would love to have an inside scoop! |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log My clam (shell) picture. |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:11 PM |
| Quote from Mississippi on 1/15/2008 at 5:52 PM: For my own sanity I might want to consider renting a car for two days at least. So I'll have means to some freedom!
We don't have to pay to stay there. I've met my aunt's friend a few times, she's very nice! I'll even have my own room, which is great considering I'm a light sleeper and there will be days when I'll want to get up early and head out.
I'll check with my wife on who we rented our car through. We booked it here. Hertz maybe? It was a good deal, cheaper than we could find online in Ireland. While most credit cards provide foriegn driving insurance, none of ours would cover Ireland, as it is considered a dangerous place to drive. So you'll likely want to pony up for the all-inclusive coverage. Peace of mind.
But don't let that deter you. I had no problems driving. It was a stick, which I drive here. Stick is more common in Europe than here. The roads are very narrow though.
Using the pound in Northern Ireland actually made things more simple for us than with the euro. We just doubled the price to convert to dollars. The euro wasn't quite a 2-1 deal. Who knows what the rate will be when you're there though. |
Boston 2008
DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:22 PM |
| Quote from dnephin on 1/15/2008 at 6:11 PM: I'll check with my wife on who we rented our car through. We booked it here. Hertz maybe? It was a good deal, cheaper than we could find online in Ireland. While most credit cards provide foriegn driving insurance, none of ours would cover Ireland, as it is considered a dangerous place to drive. So you'll likely want to pony up for the all-inclusive coverage. Peace of mind.
But don't let that deter you. I had no problems driving. It was a stick, which I drive here. Stick is more common in Europe than here. The roads are very narrow though.
Using the pound in Northern Ireland actually made things more simple for us than with the euro. We just doubled the price to convert to dollars. The euro wasn't quite a 2-1 deal. Who knows what the rate will be when you're there though.
I'll find out from my aunt what they plan on doing. I know we'll have a car to use but I certainly won't ask for it knowing my aunt and uncle will want it. PLUS...now that you've said that about it being dangerous to drive there, I might give up on the theory of driving. I'm not aggressive enough.
|
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/15/2008 at 6:26 PM |
Connemara Marathon is closed! No more entrants allowed.  It sounds awesome though. Too bad.
Maybe I'm better off...
 |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log My clam (shell) picture. |
posted: 1/16/2008 at 12:24 AM |
Mississippi:
We used this place:
RentACarIreland.com
I don't know if there's a difference between using this place for Northern Ireland vs. Ireland.
As I said, we booked here, but now I recall, we paid a pickup fee there and the extra insurance.
Really, don't be afraid of driving there. |
Boston 2008
DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob |
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/16/2008 at 2:45 AM |
| Quote from dnephin on 1/16/2008 at 12:24 AM: Mississippi:
We used this place:
RentACarIreland.com
I don't know if there's a difference between using this place for Northern Ireland vs. Ireland.
As I said, we booked here, but now I recall, we paid a pickup fee there and the extra insurance.
Really, don't be afraid of driving there.
Thank you Dan! |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/16/2008 at 7:38 PM |
The airline tickets have been purchased. We leave the US on the 8th and head home on the 18th.
Liam and Joe, please let me know if you'll be around during that time so we might try to meet up to run. I'll be looking for a race during that time frame too.
The only day I cannot meet up would be for the 10th since we'll be attending a political celebration that day.
|
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
|
|
|
| view log |
posted: 1/17/2008 at 6:52 PM |
| Quote from dnephin on 1/15/2008 at 4:18 PM:
Another tip: We used ATM machines there vs. exhanging $. Worked great. Your bank/credit card most likely charges a 3 percent credit/debit card transaction fee. Still, was just handy to use the plastic.
Don't forget to tell your banks/credit card companies that you're going though. They'll start blocking them once they see all these international charges if you haven't let them know. For your own protection, I guess, but I think someone in my home town is more likely to steal and use my credit card information than someone in Ireland ... |
|
|
|
