thanks! we're planning to see parts of the country that my family's ancestors are from, so this would include from Galway to Nothern Ireland (County Tuney, Londonderry). We're also trying to tie in some great golf courses, fly fishing, and of course shopping for Waterford crystal, aran sweaters, etc......also would love to see some great local bands and entertainment.
Thanks again for your help!

I just went to Ireland in December.. in addition to it being expensive.. also know there is a VAT 9not sure what it means) it's a tax they put on everything except books, food and kids clothes I think. it is 21 percent. Now you can get about 10 percent of it back when you leave.. but it's like a refund.. sure you'll get it back but you have to wait a certain amount of time.

I booked a tour through CIE Tours, the Irish folk and pub tour. It was fun and we visited most of the main sites in Dublin and the countryside.. I did the 9 day tour..

Also for me I had to pay single rates which add a additional 699-700 dollars to your amount.

Dublin is more expensive than the countryside, buy your sourveneriis in the smaller towns

Take a alarm clock, as wakeup calls don't always work and your cell phone unless it's international won't work.

Me I planned for cold and wet.. didn't need a umbrella but my wool cap worked great same goes for for my pea coat. Only once did I need a scarf.. I took thermals but it was a waste of space.

You can use your credit card nearly everywhere but I still say take some Euros, and you might get a better rate if you get them here than there.

I had fun on my tours but cheaper might be renting a car and tooling around. there are someplaces the tour buses can't go so you might enjoy that.

If you go to Blarney Castle kiss the stone, don't chicken out, it's not that scary. A little claustraphobic climbing but still fun.

Take extra memory cards or film and plenty of batteries.

I got lucky in that my dinner and breakfast where included in the package, but luch averaged about 20 bucks a day. More if you drink. In Dublin a pint at Brazen Head was almost 6 euros while in a local bar in Killarney it was less than 4 euros. That should give you an idea.

Weather was a light misty rain, we had a few days of sunshine, but it never got really bad. At places like the Cliffs of Moher it was windy as you can get. pocket your hats or things that will blow off near there, also get in a habit of wrapping your strap of your camera on your wrist to protect from dropping.

Folks are friendly.. enjoy everything you'll want to go back.

My next trip to Ireland will be this year and I'm going to Northern Ireland, my plan is to go every year and explore more.