EUROPE | IRELAND & NORTHERN IRELAND
Planning your tour of Ireland
THE BEST WAY
From LAX, Aer Lingus offers nonstop service to Dublin, and British, Continental, Delta, US Airways, American and United offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $382.
WHERE TO STAY Many Ireland travel packages offer vouchers for stays at B&Bs or other accommodations. You can choose an area in advance and be assigned to suitable lodgings; or you can wing it, and choose where you wish to stay as you go. Alternatively, you can contact B&Bs directly to make reservations. I planned my trip through Sceptre Tours ([800] 221-0924, www.sceptretours.com), which specializes in Ireland and Scotland and offers inexpensive packages.
Browns Country House B&B, 174 Ballybogy Road, Coleraine BT52 2LP, Northern Ireland; 011-44-28-2073-2777, www.brownscountry.co.uk. Eight rooms, all with bath. Near Giants Causeway and Old Bushmills Distillery. Doubles $49 to $51.
Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Course, Tadare, County Limerick, Ireland; (800) 462-3273 for reservations from the U.S., www.adaremanor. If you've always wanted to sleep in a castle, this is the place. Other amenities: 18-hole golf course, spa. Doubles from $392.
Ballaghmore Country House B&B: Ballaghmore, Borris-in-Ossory, County Laois; 011-353-505-21366, www.ballaghmorecountry. Large, comfortable, well-run home with spa treatments available. Also, self-catering units. Doubles $53 to $61.
Avoca House, 3 Merlin Gate, Geata Na Mara, Merlin Park, County Galway; 011-353-91-757-866, e-mail: avocahouse1@eircom.net. Family home convenient to Galway city center. Doubles $61 to $99.
WHERE TO EAT
Bushmills Inn Hotel, 9 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, County Antrim BT57 8QG, Northern Ireland, 011-44-28-2073-3000, www.bushmillsinn.com. Nineteenth-century coach inn has a welcoming atmosphere, turf log fires and serves Irish specialties. Entrees $20 to $48.
Fiddlers Creek, Rockwood Parade, Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland, 011-353-71-914-1866, www.fiddlerscreek.ie. Waterside pub with cozy dining area and good food. Entrees average $26.
TO LEARN MORE
Tourism Ireland, (800) 223-6470, www.tourismireland.com.
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