Going to Ireland - suggestions

matchmaker · 18-01-2006, 23:52

The family are going to Killarney for our summer holiday this year. All our travel and accomodation is booked, apart from:

Somewhere nice in the Belfast area to stay on our first night - the ferry gets in just before 5pm, and

Somewhere nice in stay in or around Athlone on our second night.

Last year we stayed in the Belfast Travelodge - I didn't sleep a wink all night because of the night club next door

Any suggestions?

Johnnyc · 19-01-2006, 00:07

For Belfast you could try the Radisson SAS at old gasworks site on Ormeau Road or The Hilton beside the Waterfront Hall on Oxford Street. Parking a bit poor at the Hilton (tight multistorey) but neither of these have nightclubs in the vicinity.

**GAFF** · 19-01-2006, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Somewhere nice in stay in or around Athlone on our second night.
?

I'm not really familiar with Atlone but this link might help

http://www.athlone.ie/Tourism/Accommodation.aspx

Btw when are you here ? Will you be around Dublin ?

matchmaker · 19-01-2006, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAFF

I'm not really familiar with Atlone but this link might help

http://www.athlone.ie/Tourism/Accommodation.aspx

Btw when are you here ? Will you be around Dublin ?

Arrive in Dublin afternoon of 29th July. Staying overnight and headed up to Belfast 30th

rossm · 19-01-2006, 01:04

Have you driven in Belfast / Dublin before?

My advice would be not to expect it to be anything like driving at home. Yeah - they drive on the left and in the north the signs are the same, but thats where the similarity ends.

As you come off the ferry in Belfast - have your journey well planned. You hit a motorway junction right away. I got the immediate feeling in Belfast that the drivers take no prisoners. They are constantly right up the back of your car and whizz about everwhere, cutting you up, changing lanes all over the place and cutting accross chevrons. Especially with you getting there at 5pm it will be a bit mad.

As for somewhere nice to stay in Belfast - if you wanted somewhere guarenteed quiet and nice - I would highly recommend a sea front guest house in Bangor. Its about a 25 minute drive just south of Belfast - just follow the airport road past the airport and it takes you straight to Bangor. Theres a really nice marina and the guest houses / hotels have a lovely view back over the water to Scotland.

If your going down to Dublin from there - doin't forget some Euros for the toll road once you get into the Republic - coins are best but can't remember the toll off hand.

Once your into Dublin - you'll see that the driving in Belfast was just a warm-up. The Dubliners are mental drivers and have some obscure road markings and signs. Speed signs are all in Km/h now as well. The traffic lights dont go from red to amber then green - its just straight from red to green. So if your not expecting it - you will get tooted at for being slow. They also like to drive right up at the back of your car, which isn't a good thing when cars like to pull out in front of you a lot or go the wrong way down one way streets (as seems to happen in Dublin a lot). The main thing to watch out for is the road markings at junctions. I still haven't figured it out but maybe someone can advise. They have this solid white line and a dashed line together at junctions. You would assume it means give way - but in a lot of cases its you that has the right of way, or the junction is controlled by traffic lights. This will of course cause everyone behind you to start tooting their horns and then drive right up close to theback of you.

One strange thing that happened to me over there was while driving at night, I had a police (Garda over there) car behind me. Obviously watching what I was doing sticking just on the speed limit etc, it was following me for a while. There were bus lanes to our left. A taxi that had been going along begind the police car, flew up this bus lane at the first oppertunity. Talking about 40-50mph type speed. The police did nothing.

Also remember Dublin is pretty big city (over 1million population) so make sure you have a good satalite navagation system or map.

Don't let that put you off though - it really is a fantastic place, tons to see and the whole driving thing is just part of the experience. As long as you've got insurance that covers you over there you'll have plenty peace of mind.

PS - No offence intended to Belfast / Dublin drivers - but its really nothing like driving at home for us relaxed Scots ;-)

bpm · 19-01-2006, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossm

PS - No offence intended to Belfast / Dublin drivers - but its really nothing like driving at home for us relaxed Scots ;-)

Jaysus, were not that bad! youwere just unlucky with the traffic that day...

As regards a place to stay in Belfast, there's a nice cheap place in Newtownabbey, just off the A8 called "Corr's Corner" Its just off the Motorway/ dual Carraigeway, about 10 minutes from the boat. Cost is about £50-60 for a room that will easily sleep 4. the Triple room has 2 double beds and a sofa bed!

If you're looking for a nice place to stay in Athlone, theres here...

http://www.hodsonbayhotel.com/

But if your not looking to buy the place just to stay the night, there's the Royal Hoey Hotel (yup I spelt it right!) here..

http://www.iol.ie/wmeathtc/hoey/

The best place to check for Accomodation over here is www.ireland.ie

**GAFF** · 19-01-2006, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Arrive in Dublin afternoon of 29th July. Staying overnight and headed up to Belfast 30th

I normally go away around that time, but not too sure this year due to a friends wedding. If I'm around and you have time maybe a mini meet could be organised. Sure we can sort something closer to the time.

Johnnyc · 19-01-2006, 13:31

Tolls in Dublin are 1.60 or 1.80 Euro. PPP Motorways down South are a dream to drive one and the speed limit is a little higher than the UK. If you are worried about arriving in Belfast then PM me for directions. It's not difficult though. You keep left when leaving the docks and head onto the M3. Right two lanes take you onto the Sydenham Bypass leading on to the Bangor road. You just drive straight on for about 10 miles and you are in Bangor. Left 2 lanes take you into east belfast. If you take the Newtownards turn off it will take you to the Upper Newtownards road where you will find guest houses.
If heading into belfast drive past the M3 turn off, then follow the road as it goes around towards the bridge. Head straight on towards the waterfront hall ahead where you will find the Hilton or pass the hilton entrance an turn right with St George's market on your right then left onto the ormeau road. You can turn off to Ormeau Ave and the travelodge on the right but if you keep going and turn left at the gasworks entrance you will see the new Radisson ahead.

matchmaker · 19-01-2006, 14:33

This will be our fifth visit to Ireland so I've experienced Belfast traffic before

The motorways in the south are great - I love seeing that "120" sign

We've now decided to stay in Bangor, and the next day have decided to head over to Galway City - we stayed there last year and liked it

I'd quite like to meet up with any of the Irish boys in Dublin on our way back

domhnall · 19-01-2006, 14:37

not sure if it's a Skoda fetish that the PSNI have but we got pulled over a couple of times near Lisburn over Christmas. Dunno if they were suspicious about a Scottish plated brand new Octavia being there or if they were just re creating the Skoda ad where the police pull the vRS over

**GAFF** · 19-01-2006, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by matchmaker

I'd quite like to meet up with any of the Irish boys in Dublin on our way back

Remind us closer to the time and we'll try sorting out something

18-01-2006, 23:52	#1
matchmaker Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Stirling Posts: 2,792 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Thanks: 24 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Going to Ireland - suggestions The family are going to Killarney for our summer holiday this year. All our travel and accomodation is booked, apart from: Somewhere nice in the Belfast area to stay on our first night - the ferry gets in just before 5pm, and Somewhere nice in stay in or around Athlone on our second night. Last year we stayed in the Belfast Travelodge - I didn't sleep a wink all night because of the night club next door Any suggestions? __________________ Alan "Darth" - Black Magic Octavia VRS with Forge DV, BMC CDA induction kit, Milltek cat, Supersprint exhaust, Xenons, ESP, cruise, parking sensors and Kumho 225/45/17 tyres Been to Star sufficient bhp & ample lb/ft All time low - 7.8 mpg Last edited by matchmaker; 19-01-2006 at 00:02.

19-01-2006, 00:07	#2
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Going to Ireland - suggestions For Belfast you could try the Radisson SAS at old gasworks site on Ormeau Road or The Hilton beside the Waterfront Hall on Oxford Street. Parking a bit poor at the Hilton (tight multistorey) but neither of these have nightclubs in the vicinity. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

19-01-2006, 01:04	#5
rossm Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Stirling, Scotland Posts: 413 Members Car: Octavia vRS Race Blue TSFI Hatchback Thanks: 3 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Going to Ireland - suggestions Have you driven in Belfast / Dublin before? My advice would be not to expect it to be anything like driving at home. Yeah - they drive on the left and in the north the signs are the same, but thats where the similarity ends. As you come off the ferry in Belfast - have your journey well planned. You hit a motorway junction right away. I got the immediate feeling in Belfast that the drivers take no prisoners. They are constantly right up the back of your car and whizz about everwhere, cutting you up, changing lanes all over the place and cutting accross chevrons. Especially with you getting there at 5pm it will be a bit mad. As for somewhere nice to stay in Belfast - if you wanted somewhere guarenteed quiet and nice - I would highly recommend a sea front guest house in Bangor. Its about a 25 minute drive just south of Belfast - just follow the airport road past the airport and it takes you straight to Bangor. Theres a really nice marina and the guest houses / hotels have a lovely view back over the water to Scotland. If your going down to Dublin from there - doin't forget some Euros for the toll road once you get into the Republic - coins are best but can't remember the toll off hand. Once your into Dublin - you'll see that the driving in Belfast was just a warm-up. The Dubliners are mental drivers and have some obscure road markings and signs. Speed signs are all in Km/h now as well. The traffic lights dont go from red to amber then green - its just straight from red to green. So if your not expecting it - you will get tooted at for being slow. They also like to drive right up at the back of your car, which isn't a good thing when cars like to pull out in front of you a lot or go the wrong way down one way streets (as seems to happen in Dublin a lot). The main thing to watch out for is the road markings at junctions. I still haven't figured it out but maybe someone can advise. They have this solid white line and a dashed line together at junctions. You would assume it means give way - but in a lot of cases its you that has the right of way, or the junction is controlled by traffic lights. This will of course cause everyone behind you to start tooting their horns and then drive right up close to theback of you. One strange thing that happened to me over there was while driving at night, I had a police (Garda over there) car behind me. Obviously watching what I was doing sticking just on the speed limit etc, it was following me for a while. There were bus lanes to our left. A taxi that had been going along begind the police car, flew up this bus lane at the first oppertunity. Talking about 40-50mph type speed. The police did nothing. Also remember Dublin is pretty big city (over 1million population) so make sure you have a good satalite navagation system or map. Don't let that put you off though - it really is a fantastic place, tons to see and the whole driving thing is just part of the experience. As long as you've got insurance that covers you over there you'll have plenty peace of mind. PS - No offence intended to Belfast / Dublin drivers - but its really nothing like driving at home for us relaxed Scots ;-) Last edited by rossm; 19-01-2006 at 01:05.

19-01-2006, 13:31	#8
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Going to Ireland - suggestions Tolls in Dublin are 1.60 or 1.80 Euro. PPP Motorways down South are a dream to drive one and the speed limit is a little higher than the UK. If you are worried about arriving in Belfast then PM me for directions. It's not difficult though. You keep left when leaving the docks and head onto the M3. Right two lanes take you onto the Sydenham Bypass leading on to the Bangor road. You just drive straight on for about 10 miles and you are in Bangor. Left 2 lanes take you into east belfast. If you take the Newtownards turn off it will take you to the Upper Newtownards road where you will find guest houses. If heading into belfast drive past the M3 turn off, then follow the road as it goes around towards the bridge. Head straight on towards the waterfront hall ahead where you will find the Hilton or pass the hilton entrance an turn right with St George's market on your right then left onto the ormeau road. You can turn off to Ormeau Ave and the travelodge on the right but if you keep going and turn left at the gasworks entrance you will see the new Radisson ahead. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git." Last edited by Johnnyc; 19-01-2006 at 13:33.

19-01-2006, 14:33	#9
matchmaker Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Stirling Posts: 2,792 Members Car: Black Octavia vRS Thanks: 24 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Going to Ireland - suggestions This will be our fifth visit to Ireland so I've experienced Belfast traffic before The motorways in the south are great - I love seeing that "120" sign We've now decided to stay in Bangor, and the next day have decided to head over to Galway City - we stayed there last year and liked it I'd quite like to meet up with any of the Irish boys in Dublin on our way back __________________ Alan "Darth" - Black Magic Octavia VRS with Forge DV, BMC CDA induction kit, Milltek cat, Supersprint exhaust, Xenons, ESP, cruise, parking sensors and Kumho 225/45/17 tyres Been to Star sufficient bhp & ample lb/ft All time low - 7.8 mpg

19-01-2006, 14:37	#10
domhnall Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Livingston Posts: 107 Members Car: Skoda Octavia Mk II L&K Estate Storm Blue Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Going to Ireland - suggestions not sure if it's a Skoda fetish that the PSNI have but we got pulled over a couple of times near Lisburn over Christmas. Dunno if they were suspicious about a Scottish plated brand new Octavia being there or if they were just re creating the Skoda ad where the police pull the vRS over

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