Staycation Ireland.. Anyone doing it

Viscount Aggro

How is anyone supposed to plan and book a homestay holiday?
I know the likes of Parknasilla is booked out for the whole summer.
Do these people know something I do not?

tom1ie

Viscount Aggro wrote: »

How is anyone supposed to plan and book a homestay holiday?
I know the likes of Parknasilla is booked out for the whole summer.
Do these people know something I do not?

Just book for end of august start of September and make sure you can get your deposit back if restrictions don’t allow.

saabsaab

I wonder if they just vaccinate everyone in some holiday destinations now or in the next group. Say all Achill, Connemara or Killarney could be a selling point and not too hard as the population is low in such places. Could open up by April/May?

Bits_n_Bobs

saabsaab wrote: »

I wonder if they just vaccinate everyone in some holiday destinations now or in the next group. Say all Achill, Connemara or Killarney could be a selling point and not too hard as the population is low in such places. Could open up by April/May?

Easier to depopulate west of the shannon, we could put them all on the Arran Islands In holding pens. Then fly in Eastern Europeans etc. to staff the resorts and the west would be open for holidays

Maximus_1

Viscount Aggro wrote: »

How is anyone supposed to plan and book a homestay holiday?
I know the likes of Parknasilla is booked out for the whole summer.
Do these people know something I do not?

No. People are fed up and are hoping for the best but watching the news this evening and more talk of vaccine delays some might be disappointed. We've just decided to forget about a holiday this year. It's easier than wondering!

saabsaab

Bits_n_Bobs wrote: »

Easier to depopulate west of the shannon, we could put them all on the Arran Islands In holding pens. Then fly in Eastern Europeans etc. to staff the resorts and the west would be open for holidays

Mr Cromwell?

finbarrk

The new Royal Canal Greenway that opened the other day. looks interesting. Might give it a go.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2021/0324/1205768-greenway-royal-canal/

bubblypop

bubblypop wrote: »

I have 3 nights booked in May for Clare. Doubtful we will be going cos the hotel probably won't be open. So we booked for June as well, more expensive of course.

Sorry- I wouldn’t be putting money on inter county travel in place by June- maybe late June - I’d recommend a late July /August provisional booking also as long as you can go then and costs you nothing to do that.

Greenlights16

Sure you can book any hotel in the north and you’ll be up there in June / July. Nothing stopping you. Hasn’t been a checkpoint by psni at any point on border

Galgorm taking bookings at the minute

kildarecommuter

finbarrk wrote: »

The new Royal Canal Greenway that opened the other day. looks interesting. Might give it a go.
https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2021/0324/1205768-greenway-royal-canal/

It’s a great day out, I’d recommend it

finbarrk

kildarecommuter wrote: »

It’s a great day out, I’d recommend it

Well I'd be thinking of taking 2 days to do it. Maybe stay in Mullingar. Go to Longford the first day and get the train back and to Maynooth the second day and train back again perhaps.

duffysfarm

two days to walk 130km? jaysus you must have fierce long legs!

finbarrk wrote: »

Well I'd be thinking of taking 2 days to do it. Maybe stay in Mullingar. Go to Longford the first day and get the train back and to Maynooth the second day and train back again perhaps.

beggars_bush

duffysfarm wrote: »

two days to walk 130km? jaysus you must have fierce long legs!

I'd say they meant cycle

finbarrk

duffysfarm wrote: »

two days to walk 130km? jaysus you must have fierce long legs!

No. I intend to bring a bicycle. Or maybe hire one for the couple of days.

aismac

I just wanted to say that's it's not too late to book something, but maybe consider looking beyond the typical coastal communities. I just relisted my 3 bed cottage in the midlands - has a 5* rating, an acre of private land, surrounded by trees. Has been popular before but I thought inquiries would come in thick and fast and they haven't been! I know some are being cautious but others not.

Keep checking anyway - I was slow relisting as I need to sort out a bed down there and had hoped to get it down before putting it back up on Airbnb. As it is I had to go ahead (but will get it sorted but will be happier when it's done). I can't wait to get back to it and away from the crowded parks in Dublin where you're literally jostling for space on the footpaths sometimes.

A.

FlubberJones

All this staycation talk, just for clarity, the offer of a staycation is simply "see the outdoors", "go walking", see the hills and the ocean etc... that's it isnt it?

opinionated3

FlubberJones wrote: »

All this staycation talk, just for clarity, the offer of a staycation is simply "see the outdoors", "go walking", see the hills and the ocean etc... that's it isnt it?

Well there won't be anything open so what's the point?

HeidiHeidi

FlubberJones wrote: »

All this staycation talk, just for clarity, the offer of a staycation is simply "see the outdoors", "go walking", see the hills and the ocean etc... that's it isnt it?

Sounds pretty much like most holidays I've been on anyway!

Except there would usually be the reward of a pint or two afterwards, hopefully we'll be able to have them outdoors at least.

Plumbthedepths

No inter county travel before July according to Daniel O Connell of the Irish Examiner. No looking good for those that want a staycation.

Minier81

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Sounds pretty much like most holidays I've been on anyway!

Except there would usually be the reward of a pint or two afterwards, hopefully we'll be able to have them outdoors at least.

My thoughts exactly!! Dream holiday. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

JimmyVik

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

No inter county travel before July according to Daniel O Connell of the Irish Examiner. No looking good for those that want a staycation.

FFS

krissovo

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

No inter county travel before July according to Daniel O Connell of the Irish Examiner. No looking good for those that want a staycation.

I hope its a political spin where they say July, we get pissed off and then surprise us that it is actually June so us minions are happy despite the bad news.

Cape Clear

What's the story with booking self catering accommodation within your own county from April 12th?

combat14

Cape Clear wrote: »

What's the story with booking self catering accommodation within your own county from April 12th?

doesnt look like hotels opening till june at the earliest and even then maybe only for a bed to lie in

reopening all the schools in one bang on the 12 april is the priority now even though most work could be done online, let numbers fall further and give us real chance of summer

at this stage even july could be doubtful

JimmyVik

combat14 wrote: »

doesnt look like hotels opening till june at the earliest and even then maybe only for a bed to lie in

reopening all the schools in one bang on the 12 april is the priority now even though most work could be done online, let numbers fall further and give us real chance of summer

at this stage even july could be doubtful

Definitely not going to fall with the schools fully opened.
Might as well write off until August

combat14

JimmyVik wrote: »

Definitely not going to fall with the schools fully opened.
Might as well write off until August

even then who knows as they will want to gaurantee schools reopen in september too .. will be a very short season by the looks of it..

bladespin

combat14 wrote: »

doesnt look like hotels opening till june at the earliest and even then maybe only for a bed to lie in

Hotels are open now, restaurant and bar facilities are fairly limited though.

josip

bladespin wrote: »

Hotels are open now, restaurant and bar facilities are fairly limited though.

Is that their 12 night stay offer, including room service for €1850?

bladespin

josip wrote: »

Is that their 12 night stay offer, including room service for €1850?

Nope, I've offers of around €100 per night B&B sat the moment, that will probably go up as we get to the better weather.

Patser

josip wrote: »

Is that their 12 night stay offer, including room service for €1850?

If only that was all inclusive, we'd all be flying out and back in:D

12 days away from family , 'So sorry love, home next week. Terrible in here, nothing to day but watch Netflix and have Heineken delivered to door. Terrrible....'

bladespin

Patser wrote: »

If only that was all inclusive, we'd all be flying out and back in:D

12 days away from family , 'So sorry love, home next week. Terrible in here, nothing to day but watch Netflix and have Heineken delivered to door. Terrrible....'

I thought it was - well meals anyway!

tom1ie

Plumbthedepths wrote: »

No inter county travel before July according to Daniel O Connell of the Irish Examiner. No looking good for those that want a staycation.

Why, if you’ve booked after July?

wandererz

Connacht Tribune: Connemara braced for invasion of staycationers.

https://connachttribune.ie/connemara-braced-for-invasion-of-staycationers-327/

Bits_n_Bobs

We have a week self catering booked for mid-May in Kerry. Pretty sure we can kiss it goodbye at this stage which is a real disappointment. I can appreciate that hotels/bars/restaurants should remain closed (and I wouldn't go near them myself...). However its difficult to understand keeping self catering closed if inter-county travel is allowed.

mossy464

Have a 2 night hotel stay booked in Wexford in mid June and a week in a couple of spots in the west from end of June into July. Really hoping this talk of no inter county travel until July is political spin as suggested above.

Minier81

Bits_n_Bobs wrote: »

We have a week self catering booked for mid-May in Kerry. Pretty sure we can kiss it goodbye at this stage which is a real disappointment. I can appreciate that hotels/bars/restaurants should remain closed (and I wouldn't go near them myself...). However its difficult to understand keeping self catering closed if inter-county travel is allowed.

I'm in the same boat. Self catering booked for may. I'd happily enjoy take away and eat in if allowed travel inter county.

Patser

I can't see them opening hotels in June (if things go to plan) but not lifting inter County travel - it'd be laughed out if town. Even now you can cross County borders by 20km if needed, which makes Garda checkpoints almost impossible to maintain.

But until things open up there's little point travelling- and all eyes are now on vaccination numbers. For months they've been saying things will ramp up in April, so get us up to near a 1 million people fully vaccinated by early May, another wedge on or getting 1st vaccinations - UK experience shows this leads to a dramatic drop in infections and hospitalisation - and by then the pressure to open things up in June grows.

As depressing as it is the Govt are being a bit smart on this, they are not setting dates or levels because they know that'll come back to haunt them. Look at the UK again, everyone was promised normality by June, booked foreign holidays and now the Govt are trying to row back

My May reservation was cancelled by the hotel, still holding out hope for my June reservation!:)

ShatterProof

Does it count as a staycation if you head to The North? Are they not opening up in June?

gandalf

Booked a week in a holiday rental in Kerry for the end of July so I reckon we're safe. It just depends now if the pubs and restaurants get to open or else there be more self catering than I would hope for 😜

combat14

ShatterProof wrote: »

Does it count as a staycation if you head to The North? Are they not opening up in June?

inter county not till july?

was thinking of going north... but not sure if they will still be hijacking and burning cars by then .. july not a great month so hopefully august will be good time to go north...

Squeaksoutloud

I can see intercounty being allowed from 23rd/24th May. 6 weeks from Mondays restrictions being lifted. We are going to be in such a different place in 4 weeks time I find it hard to believe they can keep it going any longer.

Have a self catering break booked for 26th but as it is linked with a hotel my optimism is waning I'll be able to go.

Cape Clear

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

I can see intercounty being allowed from 23rd/24th May. 6 weeks from Mondays restrictions being lifted. We are going to be in such a different place in 4 weeks time I find it hard to believe they can keep it going any longer.

Have a self catering break booked for 26th but as it is linked with a hotel my optimism is waning I'll be able to go.

Inter county travel and hotels/hospitality are interdependent more so given the expanding quarantine list. Iirc both opened up simultaneously last year. What penalties would a hotel face if any for operating self catering accommodation at present?

Squeaksoutloud

Cape Clear wrote: »

Inter county travel and hotels/hospitality are interdependent more so given the expanding quarantine list. Iirc both opened up simultaneously last year. What penalties would a hotel face if any for operating self catering accommodation at present?

None I guess. However it doesn't make sense for them to open at present for self catering. It will be interesting to see if inter county is lifted prior to hospitality will hotels bother with their self catering options. Hopefully with a reduced price due to all facilities not being open.

JimmyVik

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

None I guess. However it doesn't make sense for them to open at present for self catering. It will be interesting to see if inter county is lifted prior to hospitality will hotels bother with their self catering options. Hopefully with a reduced price due to all facilities not being open.

We cancelled a centerparcs booking we had last year. They gave no discount, given the hugely reduced service you would have had. 2 visits to the pool for a couple of hours over 3 days. Takeaway food only. And they would not reduce the price. Theyve actually increased their prices for bookings next year. It was already expensive.


Decided not to chance a hotels for this summer and did a house swap with a friend the other side of the country for July.
We dont really care if there are travel restrictions in the summer, we are going anyway. Too much is too much.

gmisk

combat14 wrote: »

inter county not till july?

was thinking of going north... but not sure if they will still be hijacking and burning cars by then .. july not a great month so hopefully august will be good time to go north...

I have Belfast booked for 11th June, train up and down for my husband's birthday. Hopefully inter county travel restriction gone by then, if not I made sure to book hotel (was really reasonable) and train I can get refund on. Likely that shops and indoor dining will be allowed in NI a good bit before then.
I think the stuff in Belfast is rather overstated....it is literally at a "peace wall" and that is it, it's not as if the whole place is on fire lol

JimmyVik

gmisk wrote: »

I have Belfast booked for 11th June, train up and down for my husband's birthday. Hopefully inter county travel restriction gone by then, if not I made sure to book hotel (was really reasonable) and train I can get refund on. Likely that shops and indoor dining will be allowed in NI a good bit before then.
I think the stuff in Belfast is rather overstated....it is literally at a "peace wall" and that is it, it's not as if the whole place is on fire lol

Will you have to quarantine for 14 days in a hotel when you get off the train back in connoly

gmisk

JimmyVik wrote: »

Will you have to quarantine for 14 days in a hotel when you get off the train back in connoly

Ha ha I am not sure how they would manage that.

Sheep Shagger

JimmyVik wrote: »

We cancelled a centerparcs booking we had last year. They gave no discount, given the hugely reduced service you would have had. 2 visits to the pool for a couple of hours over 3 days. Takeaway food only. And they would not reduce the price. Theyve actually increased their prices for bookings next year. It was already expensive.


Decided not to chance a hotels for this summer and did a house swap with a friend the other side of the country for July.
We dont really care if there are travel restrictions in the summer, we are going anyway. Too much is too much.

How Centerparc get away with charging so much for a reduced service and limited swimming pool slots is beyond me.

If only people refused to book whilst this nonsense happens.

Cape Clear

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

How Centerparc get away with charging so much for a reduced service and limited swimming pool slots is beyond me.

If only people refused to book whilst this nonsense happens.

I wouldn't just limit the question to Centerparc's! Any one staying at a hotel this year or last probably paid above the odds for reduced service offerings.