The Original Plan:
Our plan for today is to head to the airport in Dublin, bright and early, where we will fly home to Chicago, via London and Frankfort (hey – no snickering!  These are frequent-flyer reward tickets, so beggars can’t be choosers!)  Once we land in Chicago, Matt or Chanda should be waiting for us, [...]

Description: The Clontarf Castle hotel is situated in a historic castle in one of the oldest sections of Dublin.  It has been recently renovated, and is a great value for the price!
Website: Clontarf Castle Hotel
Pictures:

Cleanliness/Upkeep: 5 Absolutely beautiful hotel room, with an excellent interior design and decor.
Location: 4  About 15-20 [...]

The Original Plan:
Our plan for today was to sight-see in Dublin, and switch locations for our final night (and our second castle) – Clontarf Castle (map link).  Our plan is to see whatever we missed yesterday, along with whatever our hosts recommend.  Our plane takes off early tomorrow morning, so our night will be somewhat [...]

Description: Leeson Bridge Guest House is a historic B&B/Hotel near the city center of Dublin, about four  blocks southeast of St. Stephen’s Green.
Website: Leeson Bridge Guest House
Pictures:

Cleanliness/Upkeep: 4 (Very clean, except that we got a smoking room.  We did have a fan for the window, which took care of the smell.  Mostly [...]

The Original Plan:
Our plan for today was to drive back to Dublin to our B&B for the night – The Leeson Bridge Guesthouse (map link). Possible sites to see (over today and tomorrow): National Museum, Temple Bar (shopping, art), Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Moore St. Market, Custom House
How It Worked Out:
Our days of late [...]

The Original Plan:
Our plan for today was to drive to County Meath, in the center of Ireland, to our first castle stay – Ross Castle (map link).  This is likely to be our longest driving day (3 1/2 hours), so we’ll likely pick up something we missed yesterday and wing it, depending on our energy [...]

Description: Ross Castle B&B is a restored 16th Century Tower House/Castle in County Meath, Ireland, just outside of Oldcastle.  It sits in a picturesque countryside in central Ireland, with nearby lakes, woods and rolling fields.
Website: Ross Castle B&B, County Meath
Pictures:

Cleanliness/Upkeep: 4 (Keep in mind that this is an old castle, [...]

The Original Plan:
Our plan for today was to drive further north to Clifden to our B&B for the night – The Atlantic View (map link). Possible sites to see: Clifden, Salmon Runs, Connemara NP, Kylemore Abbey
How It Worked Out:
We left Galway (sadly – it would have been nice to wait around for the boat [...]

Description: The Bay View B&B lives up to its name – it looks directly over a beautiful bay out to the Atlantic Ocean just outside of Clifden, Ireland.
Website: Bay View B&B, Clifden
Pictures:

Cleanliness/Upkeep: 4 (Very clean, though slightly outdated interior – still very nice)
Location: 4 (Not bad for our trip – right between [...]

The Original Plan:
Our plan for today was to drive up along the coast to Galway, to our B&B for the night – The Prague House (map link). Possible sites to see: Burren National Park, Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, The Claddagh
How It Worked Out:
We made it about 200 yards from our B&B before stopping [...]