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Dear Kitty,

For your first trip to Ireland, it is usually better to take a tour and to get an overview of places you want to see - i.e. some tours do the whole coast, others concentrate on the south, west or north or a little of each. In your case, you need to determine how long you have for Ireland and then look at the tours. I recommend CIE Tours (www.cietours.com), or you may wish to join my July tour which covers the southeast and south in depth, and part of the west (last July, we did the North, plus the east and west). Then, at the end of a tour, stay on and go up to Antrim for a few days (by bus from Shannon or train from Dublin), taking local day trips in and aroiund Belfast. For more info, please go to my web site, www.IrelandExpert.com, and also post more questions. If you want to book a CIE Tour, I can do it for you and get oyu a 5% discount.
Hope this helps,
PAT
The Ireland Expert

Dear Pat,

Thank you for replying to my post. I went onto your web site and enjoyed learning about you. I also visited the CIE web site and am interested in what it has to offer.

I joined your forum under KMorse, but couldn't figure out how to send a message. I read the current posts and learned a lot, but still have some questions of my own. How do I go about this? Thanks.
Kitty

Dear Kitty,

Thanks for your message and thanks for visiting my web site and joining my Forum. To post a question, click to the 'Ask Pat"Forum and simply log in (with your user name and password), and then click 'Start a New Topic" - and then put a title on your question, and then type your question in the box. If you prefer to add to a current topic/thread, just click it to open and then hit "Reply" and type your comments in the box.

Will look forward to your new questions there.
PAT
WWW.IRELANDEXPERT.COM

Kitty, on our first (and so far, only) trip to Ireland, we figured out where we wanted to go and just rented a car and took off. the experience was terrific and we saw everything we wanted to see. the roads were well marked and the maps were easy to follow. We were able to stay as long as we wanted in each area and had no trouble making our way around the island. We're not much for guided tours and felt perfectly comfortable going on our own and the people we met were helpful and gave good advice on scenic routes to travel on to our next destination. We did have a travel agent who arranged for hotels at each of our destinations. Give yourself enough time in each place you want to visit and explore the area and talk to the people and I'm sure you will have a ball!
The local governmental offices usually have someone on staff that you can contact to do a little genealogical research for you in advance. Then you can spend your time exploring the grounds your ancestors walked on.
I know whichever way you decide to go, you'll love it! Ireland is so beautiful and the people are so warm and welcoming, just make the trip. You will not regret going, even if you don't find much about your ancestors. And the stories you'll have to tell about driving on the wrong side of the road, from the wrong side of the car, will have people entertained!

Hi K,
I have been to Ireland several times, but as I have a lot of family there, I have always gone on my own, and rented a car. I had no problem with the driving....just have to be aware at all times that you are on the other side of the road!
I know several people who have taken tours and had a great time, also. But you are right that there is not much time to explore on your own.
I guess it depends on how comfortable you would feel going off on your own. As others have said, whatever way you go, the people are wonderful and very helpful, and you should have a fabulous time!