[stayed]

I am so disappointed because I do not think I will be able to make it for that weekend.  May 31st. to June 2nd. I could swing.  As you know I have 3 new grandchildren due in the month of May.  The last one is due May 22, 2013.  She has had the other two one week early, so I honestly felt I would be home by 27th. of May. 

  

Hugs Stayed

[What Next]

Not so fast Stayed!

We are looking at the dates, a few others could make it if was a different weekend also. 

Will send out the options (airports, accommodations, dates) before Friday.

We will see you here!!!

X

[stayed]

What Next, I really want to come but believe me I totally understand that it is not possible to ACCOMMODATE everybody.  I will get to more of these meet ups.  It is unfortunate that April and May are the two months in 2013 that the majority of my kids decided to have a baby, hehehe. 

If it is not an inconvenience the ,last day of May and the first weekend of June or any weekend in June, is better for me.   That being said, I totally understand if that is not possible. 

Plus, what is wrong with Dublin?  Dublin is ideal as Ryans Air and other flights fly directly into the city.  There are buses to every part of the city from the airport.  There are reasonable hotels and B&B's all over the city.  Food is good.  Night life is fun, lively, entertaining.  Guinness and Bulmer's Apple and Pear Cider, EVERYWHERE... what more do we need? hehehe.  Easy to organize as well. 

Gosh, I start off questioning if May 24th. weekend was cast in cement... and end up suggesting a whole different plan.  Generally speaking, keeping it SIMPLE is usually the best policy.  Just my thoughts.

Believe me, if I can make it to this MEET UP, I will rent a car and go wherever you decide to hold it.  It is the date that is most IMPORTANT to me.  I just want to be with ALL OF YOU again.

 I have an LBS friend who lives in Dublin and I shall be bringing her with me.  She is available anytime, hehehe... so she tells me.  ANYBODY that is considering attending this Meet Up, I can not encourage you ENOUGH to do so.  These LBS MEET UPS are the best thing I ever did for myself.  I know there are many others who feel the same way.

hugs and really looking forward to this... Stayed

 

[xyzcf]

It's so darn hard to get a date ...however, I'll only be available May 24 as I start my tour of Ireland May 27 and need to be in Toronto the weekend of June 7th. I have a non refundable ticket but again, if that's not convenient for others, I'll just have to tag along with What Next for the weekend 

[BraveNewWorld]

Dublin's a lovely city. My grandma came from there. I'm a proud Northern boy, but I feel affinity with Dublin.

I would suggest if you travel to Ireland from afar though, that you spend a day or two and visit the West Coast if you can. It is stunning. It's a small country, and easy to drive in outside of the cities ( if you don't mind the sheep blocking the roads now and then ). Try to see Dingle, County Kerry's coast, Donegal

If you're really keen, make your way to 'The Giant's Causeway' in the very North. It's my favorite place on the planet.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!

bnw

[stayed]

There you go What Next, there is NO other time available.  Xyzcf has already booked her tickets for that time period.  I will have to see what unfolds with my situation.  I will certainly TRY to get there, but I cannot let my children down.  Catching a last minute flight might be possible, I will simply play it by ear and see what UNFOLDS.

I love Dublin too BNW, just love it.  I have not had a chance to explore the rest of the country but my h and I plan on doing so, once these darn kids of ours quit having BABIES and taking all of our VACATION TIME, hehehe. 

Have fun kids.. I will watching hehehe.

hugs Stayed

[What Next]

Update:

I am delighted with the interest so far in attending this event and in an effort to make it possible for most people to attend, I want to make sure we are selecting the right weekend and the right location.

BNW is correct, two days is ample for Dublin and equally two days in the West will cover a great deal of the country in a short period of time.

If you are interested in attending, I'd really appreciate your thoughts on the options below:

Weekends
24 - 27th May (UK Bank Holiday)
31st May - 03 June
07 - 10th June

Two locations:
Dublin:
Access through Dublin Airport (serviced by budget and transatlantic airlines)
Central location - sightseeing, shopping, cultural events, public
transport access to surrounding countryside
Affordable hotels / B&Bs / City apartments

West of Ireland: Galway / Mayo
Access through either Knock airport or Shannon airport (also
serviced by budget airlines) 1 to 2hr transfer - Car or car-pooling
required.
Coastal location - beautiful scenery, R&R, biking, horseriding, walking.
Affordable hotels / B&Bs / holiday homes

You can post your preference here or PM me directly and I will respond by 11th Jan 2013 with the chosen date / location, based on all responses.

Merry Christmas everyone,

X

[limitless]

What Next,

I am really thinking about coming!

I hope that I can.

As far as the dates....I really don't have a preference.  I also will defer to those who know the country best to determine which is the "better" location.  If I am able to attend, I can go with the flow.

Thanks for planning this event!  I hope that I can see you there.

Hugs,

limitless

[Heart to Heart]

Hello eveyone,

I'm also thinking of coming.  I'm considering joining XYZCF on her Ireland tour (if there is still space available) and would love to meet you all.  Closely watching as the timeline unfolds!

Heart to Heart

[dragonfly]

What Next, thank you for your update.

A word of encouragement to all: take the leap and go! I went to Luxembourg not too long after BD. It has been one of the most uplifting, empowering and encouraging events in my process.

If possible What Next, create an option for minimum costs-maximum benefit. The goal is the get together. It would be such a shame if an LBS'er would really like to go but the costs make it impossible. Flight and accommodation are the biggest investments.
I looked at flights and Dublin offers the best low-cost flight offers from Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Western Germany. From that pespective I am very much in favour of Dublin. But I know accommodation in Dublin doesn't come cheap. Are you or another LBS'er living there and willing to offer the spare bedroom, couch or floor for people to sleep?

There is a lot to see in and around Dublin. I would be perfectly happy exploring the city and going off the beaten tourist tracks. I went to Wicklow from Dublin (http://www.glendaloughbus.com/glendalough.aspx) and found myself in a beautiful totally different setting.

If people like to explore Ireland a bit further, they can extend their stay and make a pick from all the beautiful places. The Burren, The Giant's Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, .....awesome! You live in a beautiful country.

In the end, just make a plan. It is wonderful you are doing the work and it is impossible to please everybody.

Mmmmm, checked my agenda, first weekend in June sounds good. Maybe??? Not so much because I feel I need it, but to echo Eternity "GAL-ing, Guinness, LBS, what more do you want?"