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2012 Ireland Dream Trip: 21st Edition Published

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:56:21 +0000

I am happy to announce the 2012 edition of my book Michele Erdvig’s Ireland Dream Trip is now available. Called “the BEST GUIDEBOOK ON THE PLANET!” by my readers, the new edition is completely up to date with the freshest info available in a published book.

I have written this very personal guide to be your best friend as you travel around the Emerald Isle. Covering the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Ireland Dream Trip takes you to tourist hot spots, directing you to the best places to stay, where to get a great meal on a budget, fun pubs and excellent sightseeing. Looking for quirky, off-the-beaten-path places that are well worth seeing? I describe wonderful hidden gems that only the locals know and you will not find in any other book. In over 38 years of traveling continually to Ireland I have sought out the finest and most unique things in every category just for you.

Why waste your money buying dozens of books for your trip? I have created Ireland Dream Trip so you can easily plan your perfect trip to Ireland. As another of my readers said recently:

“I’ve already invested nearly $75 in guidebooks and I can already tell from the first couple of sections in your book that I should have saved my money and spent it on the trip itself. No glitzy color photos, no expensive paper, no exhausting and confusing entries of the blue million things you have to see or don’t even bother – you’ve given me everything I’ve hoped to find in every other book I’ve opened.”

What makes Ireland Dream Trip unique?

Expert, Personal Advice for the Best of Ireland
Step-by-Step Trip Planning
User Friendly
Simple & Easy to Use
Cuts Through Info Overload
Quick Facts at Your Fingertips
Exactly What You Need to Know
All Your Questions Answered
Updated Yearly
Specially Bound to Lay Flat & Add Pages
Maps
Sketches
Charts
Packing List

What is inside Ireland Dream Trip?

Ireland’s Best Lodgings
Restaurants
Pubs
Sightseeing
Day Trips
Itineraries
Scenic Drives
Documentation
Customs
How to Get Tax Back
Budgeting
Photography Tips
Shopping
Maps
Passports
Money
Airlines
Car Rentals
How to Drive on the Left
Discounts
Weather
Packing List
Toll-free Phone Numbers
How to Phone Ireland
Castles
Gardens
Historic Houses
Museums
Folk Parks
Medieval Banquets

I invite you to Read an excerpt of just one of the fabulous and unique places I recommend for you to stay in Ireland. My book is full of many others and is your introduction to the real Ireland of the welcomes.

Is Ireland Dream Trip the right book for everyone? No. There is no one guidebook that is right for every person and circumstance. Those who plan on backpacking around Ireland staying in hostels or campsites will want to choose another book.

For ordering info CLICK HERE. Your book will be sent immediately via priority mail. In the lower 48 states you should receive Ireland Dream Trip in 2 – 3 days. When I am in the States I personally oversee every order. And when I am traveling in Ireland I have a quick and reliable mailing service.

Although Ireland Dream Trip will give you all the resources you need to plan your trip, if you happen to find you have another question – no matter how difficult or simple – I am always available on my Free Ireland Travel Forum to help you. We have a wonderful online community of generous and helpful people willing to share their tips and trips with you. Please consider this my personal invitation to join in the fun we have helping with the trip planning process. Who knows, perhaps you too will become addicted to the beautiful Emerald Isle.

Priority Postage Ireland Dream Trip

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Ireland Friday Freebie: Kilmalkedar

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:35:48 +0000

Kilmalkedar Church is a 12^th century Hiberno-Romanesque ruin not far from Gallarus Oratory on the R556. The now roofless church was founded by St. Maolcethair in the 7^th century but is also associated with St. Brendan the Navigator. There are some fine carvings around the arches and on the surrounding stones. The Alphabet Stone is inscribed with Ogham and Roman alphabets. An ancient sundial contains a hole and many carvings. Legend says the tall holed Ogham stone was used to seal a bargain. Today those renewing marriage vows touch fingers through the hole in the stone. Free admission. Always open.

This is the last Ireland Friday Freebie for 2011.

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Ireland Friday Freebie: Cong Abbey

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:19:34 +0000

Last Friday we strolled along the river and through Cong Woods. Since Cong Abbey is adjacent to the woods I thought another visit to Cong would compliment the area.

Cong Abbey is a serene ruin set beside the river in Cong village, Co. Mayo. Originally the site of a monastery founded by St. Feichin in the 7^th century, the present structure was built in the 1120s by Turlough Mor O’Connor, High King of Ireland. Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland was buried there in 1198. Part of the cloister, several doorways and some nice carvings remain. But the most interesting building is the Monk’s Fishing House on an isle in the river. Though roofless now, it must have been warm and cozy centuries ago, for it has a tiny fireplace and a hole in the floor to fish through. Open daily. Free admission.

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Ireland Friday Freebie: Cong Woods

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:26:44 +0000

Cong Woods Co. Mayo. There has to be a reason John Ford chose the tiny village of Cong for his epic Irish fairy tale of a movie “The Quiet Man”. The scenery, ah the scenery! The little village is picturesque, the abbey charming and Ashford Castle is grand. But wander out in back of the abbey to Cong Woods. Cross over the river by way of the old stone bridge. Enter into the enchanted glade through a pointed archway benignly watched over by the carved head of a monk. Fallen leaves carpet the pathway. A green, mossy smell permeates the still air. Is it a Monet painting? No just the trees reflected in the still waters. Is that glimpse from the corner of your eye one of the little people? If they are to be found…perhaps here?

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Ireland Friday Freebie: The Dark Hedges

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:07:21 +0000

Everyone has heard of the fabled Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and the picturesque Antrim coast. Yet hidden just a few miles inland are The Dark Hedges an ancient avenue of beech trees that looks like something from the mists of Celtic twilight. Thick gnarled limbs form an arched Druid’s tunnel where shadow and light plays through entwined branches. They twist into fantastical, wind-tortured abstract shapes. Legend tells that a gray lady haunts the thin ribbon of road snaking beneath the ancient beech trees.

The Dark Hedges – also known as Bregagh Road – can be found in Stranocum near Armoy in County Antrim. They line the avenue leading to Gracehill House, which is now a golf club. I walked the enchanting avenue on a sunny, late afternoon in October. Brilliant rays of the setting sun spotlighted the knotted trees. The leaves were not changing yet and the twined branches formed a green tunnel that is one of the most delightful and mystical I have seen in Ireland. I passed beneath the undulating, woven archway in the cool, crisp autumn air. Few tourists frequent the small country lane. But those who take the time to seek it out will find the Dark Hedges to be a place of haunting beauty that is simply breathtaking. Thick old limbs embrace like lovers, forming a natural tunnel through verdant farmlands. The timeless aura is evocative of a Tolkienesque landscape.

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The Dark Hedges photos are available in my Irish Shop without the watermarks.

How to Call Ireland From the United States of America

Michele Erdvig — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:06:27 +0000

Phoning the Republic of Ireland from the USA is very simple. Follow the five easy steps below to connect your phone call to Ireland.

1. It’s About Time: What time is it in Ireland? You don’t want to call to make a room reservation at 3 am Irish time! Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time. If you call from the east coast it is five hours later in Ireland. From the west coast it is eight hours later.

2. International Access Code: 011

3. Country Code: 353

4. Area Code: Delete the first zero but do use the rest of the area code.

5. Phone Number: Add the remainder of the phone number.

SAMPLE: 011-353-88-888-88

For lots more help with your trip go to Michele’s main website: http://www.irelandyes.com/

“Ireland Travel Expert”

Michele’s Irish Shop: www.zazzle.com/irelandyes*

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Ireland Friday Freebie: Grey Abbey

Michele Erdvig — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:10:47 +0000

Grey Abbey in the village of Greyabbey, Co. Down is a serene and quaint ruin of a Cistercian foundation established in the 12^th century by Affreca, daughter of the Norse King of Man and wife of John de Courcy. Thought to be the very first totally Gothic building in Ireland, it was built as a symbol of thanksgiving for Affreca’s surviving a storm at sea. Trees and pretty parkland surround the impressive ruins and cemetery. Admission free.

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