Review of our Ireland Trip with Irish Tourism
We recently had the pleasure of embarking on a fantastic trip to Ireland, organized by Irish Tourism, and we are incredibly thankful for the experience. Overall, it was a well-organized holiday with many highlights, though a few aspects could be improved for future travellers. Here’s a breakdown of our journey:
Car Hire
We were offered a complimentary upgrade from a small compact automatic to a small SUV, 6-speed manual, which turned out to be an excellent choice. The SEAT vehicle was comfortable, easy to drive, and fuel-efficient, holding our luggage without any issues. However, there was a strong push for extra insurance, which was a little off-putting.
- Positives: Free upgrade, excellent vehicle, good service.
- Negative: Unnecessary pressure for additional insurance.
Kilkenny – Lyrath Estate Hotel
The Lyrath Estate Hotel was a wonderful place to stay, with spacious, comfortable rooms and beautiful, well-maintained grounds. The dining experience was exceptional. However, its distance from Kilkenny city made exploring the town difficult. The city centre was crowded, and with no parking available, we missed out on visiting Kilkenny Castle and other attractions.
- Positives: Fantastic accommodation, excellent customer service.
- Negatives: Too far from the city, car park was a long walk from the hotel entrance.
Cork – Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel offered a comfortable stay in the heart of Cork. Its central location made it easy to walk around, though we struggled with the offsite car park. Dropping off and picking up luggage in front of the hotel was challenging due to the busy location. The restaurant offered great food for both dinner and breakfast.
- Positives: Central location, great dining, comfortable room.
- Negatives: Long walk to offsite car park, difficult luggage handling at the entrance.
Killarney – International Hotel
The International Hotel was in a prime location in Killarney's city centre, with enjoyable dining options and a large bathroom featuring a built-in spa. Unfortunately, there was no convenient way to drop off or collect luggage, as the hotel lacks street access for vehicles. Our room’s location was also a challenge, requiring assistance from the staff to navigate the complex corridors and stairs. Despite these inconveniences, we had a wonderful offsite meal at a traditional restaurant nearby, which we highly recommend.
- Positives: Central location, large bathroom with spa, great dining.
- Negatives: No luggage drop-off access, room was difficult to reach, offsite car parking.
Galway – Screebe House
Screebe House was a luxurious stay with excellent food and attentive hosts. However, the 50-minute drive to Galway meant we missed exploring the city entirely. Our day trip to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher took the entire day, leaving no time for sightseeing in Galway. We also missed breakfast on our first morning due to the late start time at the hotel. In hindsight, we would have preferred staying in both Galway and Screebe House to fully enjoy each location.
- Positives: Excellent accommodation, delicious food, friendly hosts.
- Negatives: Too far from Galway, missed breakfast due to late serving time, and the room was on the third floor with no elevator.
Dublin – The Green Hotel
Our stay at The Green Hotel in Dublin was wonderful. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the breakfast facility was good. The location was perfect for exploring the city, with easy access to Dublin’s attractions. We enjoyed a night out at the Celtic Nights show, a walking tour of Dublin, and a morning at the Guinness Storehouse. Dublin was the perfect way to end our trip.
- Positives: Great location, comfortable room, enjoyable activities.
- Negatives: None to mention for this part of the stay.
We are truly grateful to Irish Tourism for organizing such a memorable holiday. While there were a few minor hiccups, the overall experience was fantastic, and we would happily recommend them to others looking to explore the beauty of Ireland.