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new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
It looks like my vacation time(to Ireland) may be moved to late sept or early oct. I'm from florida and am a bit worried about the weather. I'm told to expect rain and cold. How cold is cold? And are there any special musical events that will also coinicide with this time. Thanks for your input!!
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
If you're from Florida I suspect you'll want a long sleeved shirt. It's all in your perspective. I'm from upstate NY, and looking out my window right now, and the weather report from Dublin, I'd trade. Looks like they're having T-shirt weather to me. In January.
weather.com is your friend. Tell them where in the world you're interesed in, then when the data comes up, between the weather map the ten day forcast there will be a row of buttons. The one on the far right is labeled "Averages."
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
September has been my favorite time to visit. The last time I was in Ireland in September was in 2000, and the weather was very nice.
However, since you're from Florida and will be just coming off summer, I would suggest that you bring along a good sweater (cotton sweaters are useless in Ireland when it gets chilly, so bring a wool one... one of those that can be worn with nearly anything). Also bring a light-medium jacket for the evenings.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I agree with brianc and I would just elaborate upon the clothing idea. When I studied abroad in Ireland during the fall, I lived in polyester clothing. I avoided the cottons primarily because they don't dry. Ever. It would typically rain several times a day (one day went from sun to rain to hail and back to rain within a span of about 2 hours), so if you're gonna be travelling around, avoid heavy cotton clothes that take hours to dry. Outdoor stores like EMS or REI would be able to recommend good wet weather clothes.
As far as music is concerned, I know there was a jazz festival in Cork that I went to, but I can't remember when that was. Worth checking into if it's when you're gonna be there.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I have heard that Ireland can have good weather in the early autumn months, but I think that if you were to free yourself of too many clothes on your travels, then you might find that it's good to really experience the new level of self-consciousness that comes from being in the rain, it's an experience that can really free your mind and it can be a lot of fun, too.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I was there this past November and all I had were jeans, T-shirts, a heavy over shirt, and my jacket... I was fine. I had a good collapsible umbrella along, but only used it 3 or 4 times during the 5 weeks I was there. Unless the rain is coming down hard you just dart from car to pub to restaurant etc. Make sure you have shoes that are well broke in because you'll be doing more walking than you think. And make sure there's plenty of gription on the sole -- it can get slippery.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Tunes is right ! There's nothing like the beauty of rain on a nice soft day. You don't have to get soaked to the skin, just dress properly for it and feel the rain on your face.
The late Peter Ustinov used to have a house in Ireland and the story goes that he was on the phone speaking to a friend and cut the call short, saying: I'm sorry, I've got to go, I can see the rain coming and I don't want to miss it !
OK, maybe he WAS a bit eccentric, but I think he had a point.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
In Ireland it can rain anytime so you will always needs some raingear. I've never been to Florida but I suspect you should expect it to colder than home although for us September and October are quite mild months
The national weather service is on the web at www.meteireann.ie
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
It never gets cold here where I am (East Clare) I never wear a vest and only ever a thin shirt. I wear thin coat in Winter. It has been known to stop raining occasionally and it gets very windy November to February. We did get snow on Christmas day this year, it just covered the ground but disappeared within an hour. We got something similar to that last year one day also. It does get cold esewhere eg Galway, Kerry, The Midlands and over on the East though.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
There's public transport in Dublin alright, Cork, Limerick, Galway and the like, but not in the sticks. Total non existance where I am. If you don't have a car you might as well have had your legs chopped off. I am very lucky in that my wife drives and doesn't drink so I still manage the odd session once a week. But without her it would be a very dry session.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Cold in Ireland means "Raining", (which is the same thing "warm" means.) If you bring proper rain gear (ie. some bright synthetic fabric impermeable to wind and water) the Irish people will laugh at you and say things like "Is that your tent?" They don't wear raincoats, and avoid getting wet by pretending it isn't raining. Just so you're forewarned.
Public transportation by bus from anywhere to anywhere is pretty convenient but don't expect toilets. Train transportation from major cities to Dublin and back, but don't expect to get from, say, Galway to Sligo that way (unless you want to go through Dublin).
Distances are much longer there - so if you're using my Canadian logic of "300 km? That's about... let's see... 100 km per hour... 3 hours! maybe 3 and a half if we stop for lunch..." It's more like "50 km? let's see, 60 km per hour, 40 on the curves, divide by the tractor factor, and 25 km per hour in the seven towns between here and there - that will take about an hour and a half!"
September is pretty slow where I was, but there's a festival in Ennis in November.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Keri, you hit the nail on the head there. In Ireland a murky, miserable, drenching wet day in summer would be described as "a grand soft day", the same sort of day in autumn would be "a dirty auld day". Crazy, you might find some inspiration here, http://www.theirishguide.com/announcements/whatson.html.
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Autumn is very mild and often better weather than summer, you only need light rain gear for the showers. Buses will go to every town and city with trains to all major cities, you can land usually fairly close to most parts of the country but of course not direct from the states! You will find taxi's in all rural areas as well as buses. The Irish forcast for tonigth is winds which could reach 90 mph hitting the north west but apart from the odd power cut nothing much else gets damaged. Hard to bet concrete homes! If you play to move about why not rent a car
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Ireland has some very good hostels and they would be reasonable in price. You will find very good ones outside of the cities and will probably be able to get a room of your own if you travel in Oct. Ireland is expensive in a lot of ways and how expensive really depends on your lifestyle. If you drink, like to eat in resturants and all that, then expect to pay. Buses are cheap, trains are expensive and taxi's are fair in some areas. You should check out the Irish tourism boards website and see what they have about accommodation. Its called Board Falite.
new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
It looks like my vacation time(to Ireland) may be moved to late sept or early oct. I'm from florida and am a bit worried about the weather. I'm told to expect rain and cold. How cold is cold? And are there any special musical events that will also coinicide with this time. Thanks for your input!!
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by crazy
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Don't forget to calculate the wind chill factor.....
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by kris
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
If you're from Florida I suspect you'll want a long sleeved shirt. It's all in your perspective. I'm from upstate NY, and looking out my window right now, and the weather report from Dublin, I'd trade. Looks like they're having T-shirt weather to me. In January.
weather.com is your friend. Tell them where in the world you're interesed in, then when the data comes up, between the weather map the ten day forcast there will be a row of buttons. The one on the far right is labeled "Averages."
Click on that one.
KFG
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by KFG
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
September has been my favorite time to visit. The last time I was in Ireland in September was in 2000, and the weather was very nice.
However, since you're from Florida and will be just coming off summer, I would suggest that you bring along a good sweater (cotton sweaters are useless in Ireland when it gets chilly, so bring a wool one... one of those that can be worn with nearly anything). Also bring a light-medium jacket for the evenings.
Have fun!
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by brianc
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I agree with brianc and I would just elaborate upon the clothing idea. When I studied abroad in Ireland during the fall, I lived in polyester clothing. I avoided the cottons primarily because they don't dry. Ever. It would typically rain several times a day (one day went from sun to rain to hail and back to rain within a span of about 2 hours), so if you're gonna be travelling around, avoid heavy cotton clothes that take hours to dry. Outdoor stores like EMS or REI would be able to recommend good wet weather clothes.
As far as music is concerned, I know there was a jazz festival in Cork that I went to, but I can't remember when that was. Worth checking into if it's when you're gonna be there.
Enjoy!
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Jason G
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I have heard that Ireland can have good weather in the early autumn months, but I think that if you were to free yourself of too many clothes on your travels, then you might find that it's good to really experience the new level of self-consciousness that comes from being in the rain, it's an experience that can really free your mind and it can be a lot of fun, too.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Tunes!
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
I was there this past November and all I had were jeans, T-shirts, a heavy over shirt, and my jacket... I was fine. I had a good collapsible umbrella along, but only used it 3 or 4 times during the 5 weeks I was there. Unless the rain is coming down hard you just dart from car to pub to restaurant etc. Make sure you have shoes that are well broke in because you'll be doing more walking than you think. And make sure there's plenty of gription on the sole -- it can get slippery.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Tunes is right ! There's nothing like the beauty of rain on a nice soft day. You don't have to get soaked to the skin, just dress properly for it and feel the rain on your face.
The late Peter Ustinov used to have a house in Ireland and the story goes that he was on the phone speaking to a friend and cut the call short, saying: I'm sorry, I've got to go, I can see the rain coming and I don't want to miss it !
OK, maybe he WAS a bit eccentric, but I think he had a point.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by murfbox
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
In Ireland it can rain anytime so you will always needs some raingear. I've never been to Florida but I suspect you should expect it to colder than home although for us September and October are quite mild months
The national weather service is on the web at www.meteireann.ie
Good luck
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Cuso
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
It never gets cold here where I am (East Clare) I never wear a vest and only ever a thin shirt. I wear thin coat in Winter. It has been known to stop raining occasionally and it gets very windy November to February. We did get snow on Christmas day this year, it just covered the ground but disappeared within an hour. We got something similar to that last year one day also. It does get cold esewhere eg Galway, Kerry, The Midlands and over on the East though.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Bernie
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
You guys are great, thanks...one more thing. How is the public transportation?
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by crazy
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
There's public transport in Dublin alright, Cork, Limerick, Galway and the like, but not in the sticks. Total non existance where I am. If you don't have a car you might as well have had your legs chopped off. I am very lucky in that my wife drives and doesn't drink so I still manage the odd session once a week. But without her it would be a very dry session.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Bernie
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Cold in Ireland means "Raining", (which is the same thing "warm" means.) If you bring proper rain gear (ie. some bright synthetic fabric impermeable to wind and water) the Irish people will laugh at you and say things like "Is that your tent?" They don't wear raincoats, and avoid getting wet by pretending it isn't raining. Just so you're forewarned.
Public transportation by bus from anywhere to anywhere is pretty convenient but don't expect toilets. Train transportation from major cities to Dublin and back, but don't expect to get from, say, Galway to Sligo that way (unless you want to go through Dublin).
Distances are much longer there - so if you're using my Canadian logic of "300 km? That's about... let's see... 100 km per hour... 3 hours! maybe 3 and a half if we stop for lunch..." It's more like "50 km? let's see, 60 km per hour, 40 on the curves, divide by the tractor factor, and 25 km per hour in the seven towns between here and there - that will take about an hour and a half!"
September is pretty slow where I was, but there's a festival in Ennis in November.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Keri, you hit the nail on the head there. In Ireland a murky, miserable, drenching wet day in summer would be described as "a grand soft day", the same sort of day in autumn would be "a dirty auld day". Crazy, you might find some inspiration here, http://www.theirishguide.com/announcements/whatson.html.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Backer
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Don't bother buying a bunch of sweaters to take over there. Take enough to get by the first day and buy stuff when you're there.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Candace
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Autumn is very mild and often better weather than summer, you only need light rain gear for the showers. Buses will go to every town and city with trains to all major cities, you can land usually fairly close to most parts of the country but of course not direct from the states! You will find taxi's in all rural areas as well as buses. The Irish forcast for tonigth is winds which could reach 90 mph hitting the north west but apart from the odd power cut nothing much else gets damaged. Hard to bet concrete homes! If you play to move about why not rent a car
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by compaqjohn
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
We are a bit worried about prices..I think that is one of the main reasons we have leaned away from renting a car.
any advise about youth hostels and such?
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by crazy
Re: new vacation date to ireland...any suggestion for sept/oct
Ireland has some very good hostels and they would be reasonable in price. You will find very good ones outside of the cities and will probably be able to get a room of your own if you travel in Oct. Ireland is expensive in a lot of ways and how expensive really depends on your lifestyle. If you drink, like to eat in resturants and all that, then expect to pay. Buses are cheap, trains are expensive and taxi's are fair in some areas. You should check out the Irish tourism boards website and see what they have about accommodation. Its called Board Falite.
# Posted on January 14th 2005 by compaqjohn