Who: Brenda Clement of Aurora
Where: Waterville in the Ring of Kerry, Iveragh Peninsula.
Best meal: The delicious fresh seafood dinner served in the dungeon in the Kinnity Castle was all the tastier because of the atmosphere and fine service. Most of our meals were in the typical Irish pubs, crowded with soccer fans and friendly locals, and topped off with a Guinness or Irish beer, and so the night of candlelight and fine dining at the castle was a special treat.
Best deal: The bed and breakfasts are abundant in southwestern Ireland. Although the dollar-to-euro exchange made things a bit pricier, we were able to find charming B&Bs everywhere we traveled with no reservations. As I was traveling with my aunt and cousin, we preferred B&Bs that would accommodate “triples,” thus saving even more money.
Best time to go: Waterford crystal and Irish fine linens are the best shopping deals, unless you have a desire to buy some beautiful woolly sweaters. The most affordable places to eat are pubs, or stop in the convenience stores and pack your own picnic for a seaside meal with some nice wine.
Best travel tip: Rent a car at Shannon airport and have the most confident and best driver take the challenge to drive on the left side of the road. The frequent round-abouts, narrow country roads lined with high hedges and confusing street signs make driving a challenge.
