Conference tallis::celt

    As a West of Ireland man myself let me extend to you a hearty welcome!!
    In regards to accomodation it is best to telephone ahead at least
    before 3:00 pm to be sure of a room
    The Tourist Office should be able to supply a copy of "TOWN AND
    COUNTRY HOMES" a guidebook which lists hundreds of family-run
    guest houses that supply bed and full irish breakfast for 10 pounds.
    Single bookings may be asked to pay a supplement of 3-4 pounds.
    Check for Festivals in your destinations.Example is the Galway Races
    when every house,tent,caravan is chock-a-block from july 30 to
    aug 5 within a radius of 30 miles!!!!              
    You cant beat Galway for Pubs in which anyone can go in on their
    own and enjoy themselves. Try the Crean,Taafes,An Pucan,The Quays
    Sean o"Neachtains for real trad,or the Cellar,for M.O.R or O"connors
    Salthill for rock.There is a LOT going on here at the moment
    Galway arts festval features street carnivals theatre and all
    that kind of thing and is fast becoming Irelands leading Arts festival
    Whatever books might say about not booking rooms is not true anymore,
    there is a big increase in European visitors and this is leading
    to a busy season so book early,most landladies will be glad to help
    with recommendations etc.
    Entertainment starts at 9:30 to 10:00 pm a time most Americans
    may find late but the Irish are accustomed to.
    Pubs close at 11:30 pm (11:00 pm on Sundays) but there are extensions
    during festivals.Either way,these closing times are strictly enforced
    in cities but not so much in rural areas..........: )
    Galway city is good for Irish made clothes Crystal, porcelain etc.
    No problem with restaurants anything from McDonalds to Chinese here
    very big in seafood(Morans of the Weir) etc.
    			See You       John Dooley
    					Oranmore
    					Co. Galway 
    
     
    

    The best thing to do is the minute you arrive in Dublin is to get
    out and go west and southwest. Kerry,Clare,Galway,West Cork etc.
    Other than that  everything the previous reply has is relevant.
    Good things are the busking in west Cork on the last weekend of
    august. Contact Bord Failte the Tourist Board. 

    Ah, but you see, the excuse for the trip is the wedding of a fellow
    DECie in Dublin on the Saturday after I arrive so I can't quite explain
    leaving before that  :^)  But I love the countryside so I'll be
    heading out there as soon as my feet hit the ground on Sunday
    (providing my feet hit the ground on Sunday - I understand these
    Irish receptions can take a bit out of a person).  I hadn't really
    considered this before but will it be difficult to head out on the
    Sunday or should I just consider it a writeoff and go out to Dalkey
    Island and wait until Monday to head west?  Ah, the problems of
    being impetuous...
    
    Thanks for the information on and welcome to Galway.  I think I 
    might actually head there first because last time I was out I was
    only there for a day or two and I've heard you can spend a good week or
    two in the area so the more suggestions you give me the merrier I'll
    be when I get there.  The problem is making the decisions, I'm already
    regretting booking the return as early as I did and I haven't even
    gotten there yet.
    
    Also, if anyone has any information on renting canoes for a trip
    on the Liffey, I've been giving that some thought too (you see,
    I'll need an entire two months the way I'm going).
    
    Oh, before I forget, I'm terminating my employ with Digital next
    Wednesday (one, two, three...Awwww! - Violins in the background)
    so responses before then would be well appreciated (I know, demanding
    pain in the neck, aren't I) - and if anyone wants to find out if
    there's life after DEC, I'll buy you a pint and maybe we can figure
    it out  ;^)
    
    Thanks again,
    Christine
                 

    RE: .2
    
    
    The only good thing in West Cork is the bus for Dublin !!!!  :-)
    
    
    
    keVin
    
    
    p.s  Welcome Back ... I take it your "Well Rested" ??    :-)
    

    
    
    Well now to let the folks know back home that you really have been
    to Ireland then do the following.
    
    1 Climb Croagh Patrick (barefoot)
    
    2 Do 10 stations of the rosary around one of the Holy wells while
      crawling around on your knees
    
    3 Spend a day footing turf in a west Mayo bog
    
    4 Join one of the emmigration queue`s
    
    
    regards 
    	Brendan
    
    
    P.S
    	only joking really
    have a enjoyable holiday  and if you have time try a cruise on the
    Shannon or Salmon fishing on the Moy or Corrib.
    

    Don't you need a license to go salmon fishing??  To tell you the
    truth I think the idea of salmon is much more attractive on nice
    thick slices of fresh brown bread with creamy Irish butter and it
    just doesn't look anything like that when it comes out of the river.
    At least not the way I do it, maybe I'm doing something wrong?
    
    :^)
                                                                    
    Christine
    

    
    
    Salmon Fishing!
    
    Only way to do it is to head to the Weir and head out past Morans
    Resturant..They still use the curraghs back there and its great
    crack just watching them..They seem to be able to know when
    the salmon are in the area and then surround it with a net. 
    It gets really interesting when the lads bring down a few bottles
    of "medicine" Fish have been seen comming up out of the water
    singing "Galway bay".  Actually you could try  asking them for
    a lift out to the Aran islands in a curragh just to see what they
    would say..But I dont think its possible from there...Then again
    after a few........
    
    Anyway  enjoy your holiday!
    
    Mick

    
    	Jeez, anyone would think reading these replies that theres nothing
    	to Ireland but GALWAY/the West!!!
    
    	Christine HEAD SOUTH!  The Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Co. Tipperary
    	is worth a visit.  Waterford Crystal's factory tour is worth
        an afternoon if you are nearby - the scenery in the Glen of
    	Aherlow (Tipperary) and the Comeraghs (Co. Waterford) is worth
    	the drive too!  Its pretty unspoilt around there - ALL the tourists
    	head for Galway/Connemara and Kilarney/Kerry areas!!  
    
    	Guess what area Im from!!  
    
    	I spose to be fair the Cliffs of Moher/The Burren (Co. Clare) are
        worth seeing  too!!    
                                                          
    	Ann

    One little slice of the Irish Culture pie is horses.  Try to get
    to a horse race.  On a saturday or sunday they are especially nice
    A list of meetings is avaliable at any Bord Failte office.
    
    Enjoy your trip.
    
    			JOE D
    

    Forget it......Willy Clancy week in Miltown Malbay......there's
    no competition.
    

    RE: .5 
    
    Brendan,
    
    How could you possibly equate a day footing turf in the bog with
    climbing Croagh Patrick barefoot? I'll bet you have never spent
    a day footing turf in the bog! Why, just this weekend I was at
    the Cape, and the weather was cool, and I was thinking 'Oh,
    to be home in East Galway footing turf in the bog on a day 
    like today'. 
    
    Christine, if you get a chance to foot turf (or "rayfoot" it),
    don't miss it!
    
    Eileen
    
    
    

    Thanks to everyone who replied!!  I can't wait to go.  I just wish
    I was going to have more time.
    
    Now I just have to figure out which way to go once I leave Dublin.
    Maybe I should flip a coin ;^)
    
    Thanks again!
    Christine