If you want to use your cell phone, contact your carrier about international service for the days you will be there.
I would not buy anymore Euros. You will get a better exchange from using the ATM in country.
Take a scarf. Leave a copy of passport with your husband. Prepare to be enchanted by the Emerald Isle.

I'm an orphan, will you adopt me please? haahhaaa

Nothing to add, I've never been to Ireland. Just have
a wonderful trip. It sounds great! Make sure you share
some pictures when you get back!

when are we leaving?

Roaming rates (international service) on cell phones can be extremely expensive. What we usually do is take two phones, one with the usual number so our family and friends can contact us in an emergency, and also as it has all our family/friends' numbers stored, but don't use it overseas, and the other phone we buy a local pre-paid sim card and swap out the normal home sim for the duration of the trip. Using that phone is much cheaper.

When I go overseas, I get international service that is pretty reasonable. I'd check with your provider, as it varies by country for mine.

get one of those little cotton under your clothes for cash/cards...mother never left anything in the room...

take oldest undies and trash them as you go. ship home the pretties (like the sweathers, wool, ect) be aware that the kissing the blarney stone is a major ordeal, lol...pal said that castle stairs are often very steep and small...

she also popped airbornes the minute she got on the plane and stayed healtier than her dh, and friend who didn't...

my mother always did 2 color clothes that she inner-changed..like 1 pair of blue, one of black pants...and red white blue blouses...can't stress enough you most comfortable shoes...

Prepare for DAMP cold. All that green in the UK comes at a price. (Haven't visited Ireland; only England and Scotland in the UK.) How lovely to have a driver/escort!

I have been to Ireland twice many, many years ago. I would definitely kiss the blarney stone again if at all possible. Galway Bay was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Dublin had some fun pubs. I remember Ireland as being very damp and chilly. Above all, have fun.

No advice from me. Just envy. Visiting Ireland is high on my Bucket List.

Oh I do have advice: If you attend church do not forget to turn of your alarm clock in your purse like my dear step mom did not do.

I hope your trip goes smoothly, and tell us all about it.

Have a ball!!!!

Don't order Scotch, order Irish Whiskey if you are so inclined! Do pack for misty, damp weather, layering your clothing is best and have a windbreaker. Watch for the terns and puffins, one of my best memories are the birds along the coast! In the rural areas you may still find that peat is still burned for warmth. And you may get to hear Gaelic spoken in the pubs. Ireland is wonderful, I'm very envious.

Have fun and don't overpack!

Pack your bag & then unpack it & leave out half the stuff..Minimum number of shoes.. ballet style slippers w/carryon for on plane . One complete change of clothes in carryon [in case luggage goes one way & you the other -- it does happen!] Toiltries - buy the travel size -- don't haul your regular size] When my sis & I travel - there's a no-makeup pact! Remember this is a civilized country that has laundry facilities, drug stores, etc.. And if you're really frugal, remember Oxfam stores [like goodwill] in case there's some sort of need that you hate to buy new because you already have one at home but need it NOW!.. Plan on buying one realllllllly great thing for yourself [in Italy, a leather bag -- France visit a perfuumier and get a special blend made just for you]... check out prices of this kind of stuff here in the US & figure the Euro exchange rate to see if you can get a real deal in the duty-free shop!

Many place that you buy souvieners can and will ship them home. DH always mailed them home to me and marked them as gifts. He paid less duty etc. Just make sure the are bought with a credit card and insured.

At the last minute, when I flew to Scotland/Ireland, I managed a first class flight.

And I will never forget that. First time, and probably the only time, but it was sooooo worth it.

Thank you everyone. I've been out all day attending to last minute details and you all gave me some great suggestions.

I bought Cuddl Duds leggings and a long sleeve undershirt to wear underneath my clothes. Since I've already have venous problems my doctor told me to buy TEDS compression stockings to wear on the plane and reminded me to stand up and walk around every hour. I do tend to overpack but I am getting better about that and luckily I don't have to take anything dressy so that helps.

I've been reading about the VAT and it mentioned paying for purchases with a credit card and asking the sales clerk for the appropriate paperwork at the time of purchase. I'll have to remember to have customs stamp the paperwork when we leave.

My phone won't work overseas so I rented one from Verizon. My DD told me to tape huge $$$ signs on the front so that I'll remember to keep it short. My son has to take his laptop for work and we made sure the hotels and B&Bs had free Wifi, many of the McDonalds and Starbucks do too. But I really don't want to step into one of those - that's too much like home.

Our driver gave us a packing list: warm socks, warm shoes, warm underwear, rain gear, and layers - sweaters, sweatshirts, a zip up fleece hoodie. He said that I might want to pack a pair of gloves too. I think I'll take my Columbia ski jacket since that keeps me warm all winter here. It has an outer rain repellant shell and a zip in inner fleece jacket that you can wear separately so it's like having 3 different jackets.

I think I'm ready. I even bought a new suitcase since my old Samsonite weighs 15 pounds empty. The new one is only 9. Every little pound helps. The biggest incentive to avoid over packing is that it leaves room for the gifts I hope to bring back for my family. I do hope to find a special souvenir for myself too. I'm not interested in an Aran sweater but they do have beautiful woolens and other knits.

Thanks again - I knew you'd have great advice.

Have a fabulous trip!

My first DH was from Belfast, NI so I have been to Ireland 4 times. Love it. Where will you be visiting? I love County Cork.

Linda

I've been to England only once on business before I retired. The gentry still take afternoon tea at about 4 pm. I noticed an unwritten protocol: When you first visit a business, the top mamager greets you first and has the first coversation and does the first entertainment. (He sizes you up.) Next, you are passed to the next in line of authority, and so on doen until you arrive at level where you both can go out on the town and party and talk at abandon.

There is a way to cut your alcohol consumption at a noon time visit to a pub and still be "with the flow". Office workers often visit a pub for lunch. Instead of ordering a beer, order Chandry (spelling?). Chandry is made with 50% beer and 50% lemonade. its quite good. Of course, you can stick with sodas, too. Watch out for Guiness beer. Its alcohol content is higher than stateside beer.

That was a smart move to hire a driver. He'll be your guide as well. You won't have to worry about reversing your driving reflexes. Driving courtesys are a little different than stateside - also parking rules. In small towns, parking is not allowed on main traveled roads and streets because the lanes are too narrow, that is, until after 3 pm or whatever the local ordinance is. After the parking curfew lifts in late afternoon, people are allowed and do park on the sides of the street. When there isn't enough space, they drive one side over the curb and park with about 1/2 of the car in the street. Even at that, sometimes meeting and passing an oncoming car is dicey. That's where the courtesy come in. The driver who intends to yield to the oncoming vehicle, flashes his headlamps. That's dome with the turn signal stalk, a common feature now on US cars. It wasn't always that way in the US. It got that way when US car makers copied European features into the turn signal stalk making our cars more compatible with the rest of the driving world.

Whilst driving in the countryside, you may pass over a short bridge and notice that the concrete guard walls have pockets that lean outward. These are very curious. I was told these are pedestrian safeties!! If a pedestrain happens to be caught part way across a bridge when a fast car suddently approaches, he can get into a pocket and lean outward to permit the vehicle to pass. Don't sneeze. There's only inches of space between you and the vehicle. The driver expects the walker will pop into a pocket and probably won't slow down. Be aware of this.

Most of the populance speaks an understandable version of English. However, old dialects still exist and is the "mother" tonge for some. A scot's brogue is unintelligble to a US born person. He may as well be speaking Celtic or Welsh.

Once you get to know people, I found they were a warm-hearted and caring bunch. Steep yourself into the culture and you'll enjoy it.

Be careful in hotel lobbies especially when you are occupied with checking in. Pick pockets abounded in London. I don't know about Ireland, but it does not hurt to use caution. If you see street urchins, mostly boys, lurking in the lobby, that's a tip off. The wife of one of my associates lost $8000 of jewels at the check-in counter. She was carrying her jewelry in a small bag. She laid it on the counter and a few seconds later it was gone.

Guard your passport like it was gold. A passport is a highly marketable item in the undergound world. Loose it, and you'll have a world of trouble.

Remove all references to religious preference from your billfold/purse and person when you travel on a plane that is capable of flying more than a few hundred miles. If perchance a religious malcontent tries a hi-jack, they home in on other religions for torment and object lessons. Don't let yourself be that object. This is a precaution only. Its not meant to scare. Airport security has improved from 10 years ago.

... don't mention the rugby!

If you have some spare time -- check out Frommers site for info/advice... cell phones info etc

Here is a link that might be useful: Frommers

I treated myself to a small Belleek china vase from Blarney Woollen Mills, couple wool scarves and one cashmere, and a pullover cap that I absolutely love love love.

Did buy my son, his request, Irish whiskey, from distillery in Scotland.

glenda don't you LOVE belleek? had to buy it here, but dh bought me a clock for christmas few years back...

I was glad of the advice to bring a small purse size flashlight with me. I t was handy when in a small Bed and Breakfast in London when the bathrooms were on a different floor..

Never been to Ireland. Mom said when they flew over on the approach everything was GREEN she never forgot how lovely that was.

Enjoy !!

Sounds like a great trip. Could you share with us the name of the company and contact info where you hired the driver? Thanks.

Kiwi - I offer you my condolences about the rugby.

Dawn - The driver was recommended by my girlfriend who used him 3 years ago and was very satisfied. I'd be happy to share his name, web site and blog after I return. I'd feel more comfortable about making a recommendation after I've experienced it myself. He often posts photos of his clients while they're touring so I just might find myself on his blog.

I feel so fortunate that I'm able to do this. My father always wanted to visit Ireland but my Mom's health prohibited it. Dad cared for her for many years with love and tenderness and when she finally passed away his health had deteriorated and he had to move in with us and we became his caregivers. He was a dear, gentle soul who tried to remain self sufficient as long as possible. His grandparents were born in Ireland and his grandfather came over as boy during the Famine to work in the coal mines near Scranton, PA. In 1900 my great grandmother had 6 boys ranging in age from 18 down to 4. The 4 eldest worked in the mines, the 18 year old was a mule driver and the 13, 11 and 9 year old were slate pickers. The 9 year old was my Grandfather. My father would have been so gratified to know that I was going - I almost feel like I'm finishing something for him. OK time to wipe away the sentimental Irish tears.

Thank you again for all your help and good wishes.