Ireland 2012 Guidebook
Guidebook corrections:
Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.
None. Really enjoyed the Guide (2011) and will never travel without one of yours in the future.
Joe & Kathleen Kelly in Jasper, GA USA 01/27/2012
Enniskerry - Brook Cottage has closed their B&B business according to email from Mary Moran. She recommended Coolakay House B&B.
Kenneth in Georgetown, TX USA 01/11/2012
Appears that Chart House B&B, Kinsale is no longer a B&B. The property is now listed on HomeAway as a self catering rental and the web site in the Ireland 2012 book no longer works.
Kenneth in Georgetown, TX USA 12/31/2011
Car insurance through the rental agency is mandatory, you can't use your credit card coverage. Adds a significant amount to your rental contract.
Erica Hansen in Alamo, CA USA 12/05/2011
There is a charge for getting on the grounds at Ashford Castle.
Elaine Roppo in Livermore, CA 94551-2956, CA USA 11/20/2011
Meadowlands Hotel food in Tralee was dreadful. The breakfasts and the dinner (we only ate the dinner once) both suffered and there was a nasty smell in the elevators and hall. There was no internet or computer available either for the 3 nights we stayed. The staff was warm and friendly (though we only encountered one grumpy person the entire trip!)
William Gamble in Culver City, CA USA 10/11/2011
The Guidebook says that the Kilmainham Goal in Dublin opened at 9:30 am. When we went there on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 it opened at 10:00 am, and the first tour wasn't until 10:30 am. Others who'd read your Guidebook also arrived early. Taking pity on us, however, they let us into the museum part of the Goal at 9:45 am--it was fascinating and we're glad we had the extra time to visit it prior to the tour.
Donna Murphy in Fairfax, VA USA 10/10/2011
Park at Bushmills and take free bus to Giant's Causeway rather than pay 6pounds. Ann's B and B in Howth is closed
martha Aguiar in CAMPTON, NH USA 10/03/2011
ATMS are all over the Dingle and Kerry penisulas. Most pubs have free wi-fi. Many sites are not accepting Heritage Card and we only broke even. Sites are free on Wednesday. Tour buses do go on the Dingle penisula tour now!
Teresa Ribadeneyra in Chatham, NY USA 09/21/2011
Le Caprice restaurant in Dublin is now closed.
Sean in Philadelphia, PA USA 07/20/2011
Not really a correction, just a FYI--Lismore Castle closed at 4:00 when we visited in mid-June. It was supposed to be open until 4:45, and you could stay on the grounds until 6:00. (that's what the sign said) The person at the Tourist Center said that Lismore Castle will close early if there is no one around! There were several other disappointed people who could not get in that afternoon.
I noticed there was one tour bus parked in the lot when we arrived shortly after 4:00, and they came out as we were returning from the tourist office at about 4:15. We were disappointed-lesson-arrive well before posted closings. Barbara
Barbara in Indianapolis, IN USA 07/14/2011
There are a few pricing changes (we were there about a week ago). Dublina now costs 7.50 Euro, Duluce Castle costs 4 Pounds, The Museum in Waterford is closed as they are moving locations. We were told the Museum will be located across from the Waterford Crystal Factory and will open at the end of June this year or maybe the first week in July. The friary in Ennis is still closed as they are putting on a new roof. Sean Egan is no longer with the museum in Waterford since they had to shut down for a month and when they reopen, he is not returning. Instead he is now at Kite Design Studios at 11 Henrietta Street sharing a space with the 4 people who started the Irish Handmade Glass Studios.
Kathy in San Antonio, TX USA 06/24/2011
I'm in Dublin now and the Evensong service times for St.Patrick's have recently changed to 5:30 for Mon-Friday. (Dublin Guidebook says 5:45)
Jennifer Rock in Melbourne, FL USA 06/13/2011
In the info on getting to Dublin from the airport by bus it is recommend to take the 748 bus to Wood Quay to get to Harding Hotel. The bus driver did not actually say there was no 748 Airlink bus any more but he did say the route had change and they no longer stoppe at Wood Quay. He left me off at stop #13 Christ Church which was only a 5 min walk to the hotel.
Mike Haire in Petaluma, CA USA 06/04/2011
Just a little additional info: When in Dublin, if you get the bus from the airport, buying the 3-day "Rambler," it's helpful to note that the three days are ANY three and not necessarily consecutive.
Cynthia in Seattle, WA USA 05/27/2011
Omission from 2011 Book - 5% Discount is not available during July & August at Anvershiel House B&B, Portrush, Co. Antrim.
Victor Bow in Portrush, N. Ireland 05/27/2011
Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, p. 263. Admission is e6 per adult at the car park, not e8 per car; no separate fee for the Atlantic Edge exhibit. Fee to climb O'Brien's Tower is still e2.
p. 235 - The Old Smokehouse, Dingle. The "rustic woody setting" has been replaced by an elegant light, airy dining room overlooking the river. Great atmosphere that belies the name.
p. 223 - Dingle Pitch and Putt - not at all as described, and I wanted to play it! Nothing but a mowed pasture.
Paul Porwoll in Johns Island, SC USA 05/26/2011
The cost of the Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre is now 11.50 Euros rather than 10.50. At the Queenstown Story parking area, you get your ticket from the blue P machine (not a disk from the tourist office.)
Chris in Cedar Point, NC USA 05/17/2011
No-- Rick and his crew do an amazing job..
Chris Canning in Boca Raton, , FL USA 05/13/2011
The chocolate shop on Dingle Pennisula burned down and has another temporary location in another town.
Lyndsay in Alexandria, VA USA 04/29/2011
On page 87 of the Ireland 2011 guidebook it states that readers get a 10 percent discount when booking reservations at the Harding Hotel's official site. After making the non-refundable deposit I was advised that the discount only applies to reservations made by phone or email.
Thomas Small in Rose Valley, PA USA 01/27/2011
Greetings to the hard-working Rick Steves crew! Ireland 2011 edition: The Dublin maps on pages 54-55, 62-63, 70-71, 86-87, and 92-93 have switched the names of the LUAS lines. The line to the north, that connects the two train stations, is the RED line, and the one that runs south from St Stephens Green is the GREEN line. As far as I can tell, the book's text is correct whenever it references either LUAS line; likewise the color Dublin map is correct (But the discrepancy certainly confused me during my trip pre-planning.)
Our trip to Dublin isn't until May; I'll be back to fill in the rest of the survey then. Thanks!
Rebecca Kalal in Eureka, CA USA 12/27/2010
Clarification on the Connemara loop. Take N-84 out of Galway, but at Headford pick up R334 to Cross. N-84 doesn't get you all the way to Cross. The Ostann Aran no longer runs a shuttle to the ferry.
Mary Schroeder in Seattle, WA USA 10/23/2010
I would recommend your Essential Packing Checklist include a mention of sleepwear and electrical adapters (which you mentioned earlier in book.)
Carol Ann Parker in San Jose, CA USA 09/26/2010
Wow. An earlier edition of this book is filled with so many insulting comments about the Irish and Irish history, it's appalling. (I haven't yet seen the 2010 edition.) Rick Steves, your biases are blatant and altogether nauseating.
Jenny in Brooklyn, NY USA 09/18/2010
New motorways have opened up since the publication of Ireland 2010 guidebook, so rely on a good map like Ordnance Survey's Road Atlas. Also, the ETAs in the back of the book for the different cities are wrong.. driving in Ireland may be slow due to country roads (especially R roads), but it's not THAT slow! However, my driver is an expert driver and drives really fast, so maybe that's why driving from A to B wasn't as slow as we thought.
Pearl in Pleasanton, CA USA 09/18/2010
One day from Galway to Portrush is not enough. We took two and felt rushed.
Jo Anne Vaughn in Colorado Springs, CO USA 09/16/2010
Yes. Ireland 2010: Seaview bed and breakfast in Dun Laoghaire. Does not respond to e-mails or telephone calls. Also closed on and after October 1.
laoghaire
Mary Clark in Silverthorne, CO USA 08/20/2010
The GPS from Hertz was not updated with the new roads
Dan Doll in Lincroft, NJ USA 08/18/2010
Al Muretto restaurant in Galway is now named Bella Roma. Phone number is the same. Website is http://www.bellaroma.ie/
Steve in Washington, DC USA 08/14/2010
When recommending a B&B rating, look at it from the eyes of a woman as well.
Miriam Ting in Santa Cruz, Ca USA 08/08/2010
We visited the National Museum of Archaeology and History in Dublin in June, 2010.The original Cross of Cong has been moved to a museum in County Mayo. Also there is an excellent exhibit of bodies found in bogs.
Becky Danninger in Cary, NC USA 07/21/2010
The travel times for the motorways is out of date. Now that the major motorways (i.e. Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Cork City) are operational, the travel times have been greatly reduced (thankfully).
Peter Henrich in Chicago, IL USA 07/17/2010
The description of Northern Ireland as a province of the UK in the Northern Ireland Almanac table on pp. 314-315 is puzzling. It is even more puzzling to see the recognized countries of England and Scotland described as provinces. Doing a cursory search at Google re Northern Ireland, including Northern Ireland government websites, I can find nothing to support the use of the word "province." Can you please elucidate? Clearly I'm missing something and would like to add to my education.
David in Lafayette, CA USA 06/20/2010
Correction to the 2010 Ireland Guidebook:
The email address for O'Neill's B&B in Dingle is info@ oneillsbedandbreakfast.com (not oneills@godingle.com). Also, they have a website: www.oneillsbedandbreakfast.com
Cynthia in Kirkwood, MO USA 06/20/2010
On page 40 you say that the official name is "The Republic of Ireland". This is not correct, the official name (in the English language) is simply "Ireland". "The Republic of Ireland" is just a description.
Alan in Yokohama, Ka Japan 05/06/2010
Bulmans pub in Kinsale has a fancy restaurant upstairs called Toddys. Excellent meal choices.
Holly in Pasadena, CA USA 04/12/2010
I feel as though the Ireland 2010 book makes it seem like getting to Rock of Cashel from Kilkenny is a snap....well it is if you have your own car! If you plan to use public transport, know that I figured out going from Kilkenny to ROC using public transport takes no less than 3 connections, and one was very tight (10 minutes), so No, not doable. Easier done as day trip from Cork.
A Outlaw in Charleston, SC USA 03/20/2010
The road around the Ring of Kerry that you have marked R657 is actually (according to the road signs and the GPS) R566
A nice idea may be in the fornt of each chapter, give the county the city is located in, right up front.
A great B& B not in your book is The Black Horse, in Dingle, located across the street from Dick Mack Pub and next to the church,(on the same side of the street as the church slightly downhill.) 40 euros each including breakfast.
An actual address for all places would be of help when using a GPS.
GPS's do not know every road in Ireland, (even with the Ireland chip) so there may be some frustrations.
The ferry on Valentia Island (Ring of Kerry) is closed in the winter. Supposed to open in April according to the locals, we had to backtrack.
We are still in Ireland, your book is super.
Michael Brock in Spokane Valley, WA USA 03/09/2010
The best of Ireland 2010 says the only way to get to Cobh (Cove) from Cork is by car. This is not so. There is a train to this location and the Heritage center is right in the station. THe Titanic Trails tour was SO WORTH it!
Sarah White in Liberty , TX USA 02/16/2010
Rock of Cashel: Parking is pay as you leave. Old Midleton Distillery is named “The Jameson Experience” and this is what the signs say from the roads. Blarney Stone: Photos are available for purchase at the base of the castle, not at the parking lot. Muckross House: Your info about the parking lot for the horse and buggy was helpful, but I think that there are actually two of these lots--one on either side of the main parking lot. This would be helpful to know should you be coming from the other direction. Also, the parking lot signage calls them “Jaunting Cars.” I know you warn us to call about hours before we go, but we found when we were there in September 2009: Muckross House farms were only open from 13:00-17:00; Kissane Sheep Farm was open only to special, previously scheduled groups
Madeleine Schamehorn in Redlands, CA USA 02/06/2010
Hello, I am very disappointed with the views expressed by Shirley in Pagosa Springs CO regarding myself and Anvershiel House, Portrush and would like to respond to them. When Shirley & Glenn arrived at Anvershiel House, they were greeted with the same warm and friendly greeting that all my guests receive along with advice on Restaurants, Bars and things to do in the area. When they arrived on 9th October 09, there were only two rooms available and I offered them their choice of the rooms. They choose their room and never complained to me about the size of it or the bathroom. However, I could have complained to them when I went into their bedroom after their first night to find the room full of condensation with the carpets soaking wet because they decided to use the bedroom as a Laundry room to dry their clothes. Any guests staying at Anvershiel seeking laundry facilities will be offered advice on the local laundrys, I will even deliver and collect their laundry for them or in some instances I will laundry the clothes for them. Unfortunately, Shirley and Glenn did not mix with me or the other guests staying at Anvershiel, they chose to stay in their room, so I find their comments surprising to say the least
Erna in Portrush, N. Ireland 01/25/2010
Not this time, because I only used the book as a general reference instead of following specific recommendations. But thanks to Rick, his book and videos encouraged me to make what was my first trip abroad after 35 years, my first trip to Ireland, and to do it alone with just a Rick Steves backpack. Oh, yes--Rick isn't a big fan of public transport over there, anyway, but anybody with a bad knee should know that climbing in and out of Bus Eireann is hard on the joints. But the locals are just as friendly as reported, always offering to lend an arm or give me a boost up.
Denise Plouviez in Columbia City, IN USA 01/10/2010
No corrections, except that Waterford Crystal is now closed. RS Ireland, 2009 was right on-target most of the time. We used the suggested 3-week trip by car as a basis, then adjusted for our tastes, and extended it to 30 days. We bought 2 other books and were given one other. Rick's was the best by far. We used it several times a day. I appreciated the opinions in that book. Other books merely list attractions. The Dublin advice was, as the Irish say, "dead on". This book allowed us to truly enjoy our month in Ireland - our first trip away from the No. Amer. Continent.
Shirley in Pagosa Springs, CO USA 11/08/2009
No, the book was our "bible" while we were there. Very accurate and indispensible.
Jake in Queen Creek, AZ USA 10/24/2009
Hi There! Greetings from Kinsale! John Maher here, proprietor of the now defunct 'Muddy Mahers'. Just to advise that we've lost the lease on our bar/restaurant. We are no longer trading, but would hope to open in a different location a.s.a.p.. While I'm online, I'd like to thank your guides for the huge business you have caused to walk thru' our doors over all these years. We'll keep you posted on our next move...once we figure out what it is!! Cheers!
John Maher in Kinsale, Ireland 10/14/2009
We wanted to take the train from Dublin to Bellfast but a bridge was out and so a train and a bus was required or just a bus the entire way. The reality of Bellfast's political situation was worth the trip which takes the entire day.
Gail Moser in Bandon, Or USA 10/12/2009
Please add Newlands Lodge in Kilkenny to your book. www.newlandslodge.com Mairead Morrow is the owner. Lovely place! Our favorite out of the four we stayed at on our trip. Breakfast was lovely and made with love. Price was very competetive. She even went out and got an anniversary card for us when she learned we were celebrating 17 years. Very thoughtful hostess in so many ways. Only slight negative, they are not in town. It is about a 10 minute drive into town. The bed was great. The decorating of the whole house was lovely.
Kimberly Lachamn in Libertyville, IL USA 10/11/2009
Jameson Distillary tour was contrary to Rick, a very educational and fun tour. Ross Castle was definitely worth going to and Rick doesn't mention it. Harding Hotel in Dublin was hot without AC and only provided a small desk fan. The open windows allowed some air in, but the drunken hillarity from the beer garden below kept us awake much of the night.
Dale in Libertyville, IL USA 10/11/2009
This is technically not a correction - But when you describe the "treacherous" Connor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula - I think more detail is needed to describe what a traveler will actually encounter ( An incredibly steep and narrow road that is actually beyond treacherous). We made the pass with no problem but I can see where most people would have a hard time making the ascent.
Ed Thurlow in Iselin, NJ USA 09/26/2009
The Bogside Inn in Derry is now closed.
Maria M Maclean in Nelson, BC Canada 09/20/2009
We just got back and apparently there hasn't been a hop/on hop off bus in Kilkenny for a while.
Connie Hallman in Rocky Hill, NJ USA 09/13/2009
Murals in Derry: There are some additional murals not listed in the guide book.
Mary Ann in Wilmette, IL USA 09/06/2009
Watties B and B in Cashel is fully updated and modern. It is not "lived in" but rather comfortable and quiet but completely modern, fresh and clean.
larry in rochester, mn USA 08/27/2009
Talbert/Kilmer Ferry has gone up from 15 to 18 Euros/carloaad. ALSO Howth FYI: Ina Cook of Ann's Guesthouse died suddenly on 8/16/09..not sure what will happen to their guesthouse..we didn't get to stay there.
Susan and Lamar Robinette in Clemson, sc USA 08/23/2009
The Bogside Artists in Derry have a new studio. Nobel prize winner Hume has been an active supporter and was at the opening. They opened up a large gallery at the other end of the Bogside--I think that the address is 46 William Street. We stumbled into it and found it to be highly educational.
Christina in New York, NY USA 08/08/2009
James Griffin bar in Trim has traditional music Monday and Wednesday evenings, not on Thursday evening as listed in the book.
Tim Burke in Apple Valley, MN USA 07/31/2009
In the 2009 Ireland Guidebook, it states that if one takes the Dublin City Tour hop-on-hop-off bus (green bus) you must get off at the Museum of Modern Art stop and then walk 200 yards if you wish to see the Kilmanhaim Gaol . Don't do this! The green bus now stops directly in front of the gaol and if you get off at the Museum stop you will be dropped off at the back of the museum and have a looong walk ahead of you. Other than that the guidebook was excellent, it made our trip efficient and memorable.
Andrea in Vallejo, CA USA 07/28/2009
On pg. 110, Mary Gibbons Tours has changed its prices to Powerscourt/Glendalough and departure time. Prices are now 35 Euro adult/30 Euro student (instead of the book's 39 Euro adult/35 Euro student), and pickup is at 9:15am (instead of the book's 10:15am) at Dublin TI. Steves' readers still pay 35 Euro as cited in the book, not the more discounted student rate. Gibbons Web site has the most current info.
Frank Catalano in Seattle, WA USA 07/21/2009
P. 233, Rick lists Kerry the Kingdom. This is actually the name of an exhibit within the museum. People will not know what you are talking about when you ask for directions. The museum is the Kerry Country Museum in Tralee and is well worth a visit.
Harriet Achtman in Scottsdale, AZ USA 07/18/2009
The Dublic City Tour (green bus) hop-on/hop-off buses that say "multilingual" use a recorded guide, and the driver just drives. Took us a while to figure it out and we were initially very disappointed to have paid 15 euro for a tape recording. Unless English isn't your first language, wait for the next bus that uses a live guide.
Speed limits in the book are correct but you might mention they're set based on the road classification, not the specific road. The 80-kph speed limit is absurdly high on some of the rural roads we took in the northernmost part of County Donegal.
The recommendation to stay near Dublin your last night is good but as someone else said, rush hour traffic could cause problems. Leave plenty of time. We missed rush-hour traffic by getting over to the N2 by taking the 153 from Navan (we stayed in Kells our last night) instead of taking the N3 to the M50, which also avoided M50 tolls.
Shan Hays in Mesa, AZ USA 07/04/2009
The Muckross House Farm is no longer included in the Heritage Card for the entrance fee. I believe it was 6 euro to get into the Farm and not covered on the Heritage Card. The house is still included.
Cindy Christofferson in Poulsbo, Wa USA 06/17/2009
No corrections, only perhaps put in bold print or underline the message that if you need to avoid stairs, ask for ground floor, not first floor accomodations./ Also reinforce your comments about being sure to use parking discs etc. and not ignoring them. We heard from fellow tourists that they were fined 40 euro for not using a 1 euro disc in Tralee.
Marie & Bob Andel in Kirkwood, MO USA 06/16/2009
Muckross House won't allow self-guided tours anymore, but the guided ones are worth it...and could go over an hour.
Gallarus Oratory isn't free anymore, because the owner of the parking lot and visitors center has put a building blocking the free access to the Oratory. We confronted the owner noting that the OPW listed the site as a free site, but the operator informed us that it's a 3 Euro facilities fee and the site is still free. We saw many people trying to get around this one by walking into farm fields, but they couldn't get over the walls. The operator has also made it more difficult to get access to Gallarus Castle by blocking off walkways from the parking lot to the castle grounds.
Plus the Talbert Ferry is 18 Euros.
Gary Zekis in Little Rock, AR USA 06/09/2009
1 - the email address listed for the Olde Bakery B&B in Kinsale is incorrect. It should be oldebakery@gmail.com. 2 - the Novecento Italian Restaurant in Dingle has closed. The smaller pizza bar down the street is still open, however. 3 - you can no longer drive for free to the Galarus Observatory; you have to park in the main lot and pay at the small visitor center. (not sure if this is all the time or just the day we went, but since we went on a weekday, I would imagine it is no longer an option)
Laura Gilligan in Chicago, IL USA 05/25/2009
The suggestion to pick up the car at Duglin airport, drive to Powerscourt, Glendalough, and then on to Kilkenny was way too ambitious after a translantic flight. It nearly killed us!
Shirlene Hayashibara in Riverside, CA USA 05/20/2009
In the Ireland 2008 guidebook (on page 176) - the Celtic Weave China shop is no longer in business. It's now a hair salon.
tory klaubo in washington, dc USA 05/20/2009
The tour from the Derry (Londonderry) TI was at 14:00 on the Friday in May when we were there, vs 14:30 in in "Ireland 2008."
Janet in Battle Creek, MI USA 05/17/2009
I am a good customer of your company. Rick has taken me all over Europe. I am having a problem contacting B&Bs in Ireland - I've been trying about three weeks. The B&Bs listed in Ricks 2009 Ireland book with the email addresses "indigo.ie" and "eircom.net" all emails are returned as undeliverable. Specifically Dingle, Kilkenny and especially Galway. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Donna Fletcher in Helena, MT USA 03/31/2009
Rick Steves' books do not miss a thing. Everything one would ever want to know he has covered. I would suggest however, that when he tells you what to pack to listen, I way over packed. And what he suggested to pack would have been more than enough
Kathleen H. Douglas in Yuma, AZ USA 03/16/2009
The Shannon River ferry is now 18 euros, not 15. The Waterford Crystal factory is now closed.
Vivian Arestia in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/15/2009
In Trim area I have tried contacting Crannmor Guest House for lodging and Mark O'Regan for fishing, but have not received any responses to several email inquiries. Perhaps they are no longer in business.
Pat Kranz in Minneapolis, Mn USA 03/09/2009