Aer Lingus Classic items. Tickets, planning, etc.

Mr Janny

Welcome to the Office of Secret Intelligence
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
Mar 27, 2006
42,737
33,751
113
If anyone plans on visiting the UK as part of this trip look into the newly implemented ETA (electronic travel authorization)
Appreciate this. We booked a day trip to the Giant's Causeway and Belfast. Guessing we'll need to get this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nrg4isu and Angie

UKClone

Member
Oct 21, 2016
21
54
13
42
Montrose, United Kingdom
Appreciate this. We booked a day trip to the Giant's Causeway and Belfast. Guessing we'll need to get this.
I live in the UK (Scotland); note there is no border patrol between Ireland and Northern Ireland so you probably don’t need to get an ETA but worth checking. Also, in case you’re taking a rental car, make sure they let you drive it Northern Ireland as many Irish rental car companies won’t.
 

ImJustKCClone

Ancient Argumentative and Accidental Assassin Ape
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jun 18, 2013
61,414
46,490
113
traipsing thru the treetops
They are really attacking the giveaways, emails, etc.

I hope they release some to the public. I'd like to piggyback another destination onto this possible trip.
We will be spending 4-5 days traveling with our grandson across Scotland, then taking the ferry to Dublin to spend about 10 days there. After that we hook up in Dublin for one of the game packages provided by Aer Lingus. We booked our own flights because we prefer determining our own route (we HATE Chicago connections). When I reached out to Aer Lingus for information on how to join up with the group they were very unhelpful, noting that if I had booked my flight through their airline we would have transfers from airport to hotel, and back to Dublin at tour's end for our flight home. I asked if we could purchase space for two on the transfers and was again reminded that I should have purchased flights through Aer Lingus. So we'll either schlep our bags onto the train to get back to Dublin, or we'll rent a car. Yay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nrg4isu

DGC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Oct 16, 2018
450
618
93
41
My wife and I are doing the 3-city package and flying out of Chicago. If there is anyone in central / western Iowa doing the same and want to carpool to the airport let me know.
Full disclosure - wife is an emaw.
 

ImJustKCClone

Ancient Argumentative and Accidental Assassin Ape
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Jun 18, 2013
61,414
46,490
113
traipsing thru the treetops
My wife and I are doing the 3-city package and flying out of Chicago. If there is anyone in central / western Iowa doing the same and want to carpool to the airport let me know.
Full disclosure - wife is an emaw.
We are on that same tour. :)
 

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 27, 2006
28,591
13,590
113
IA
Here's what ChatGPT gave me when I asked about day trips around Dublin.

1. Howth

  • Travel Time: 30 minutes by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit).
  • Why Visit?
    A picturesque fishing village with scenic coastal views, hiking trails, and great seafood.
  • Top Activities:
    • Walk the Howth Cliff Path Loop.
    • Visit Howth Castle and Gardens.
    • Enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants.
  • Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Howth.

2. Malahide

  • Travel Time: 25 minutes by DART.
  • Why Visit?
    A charming seaside town known for Malahide Castle and its beautiful grounds.
  • Top Activities:
    • Tour Malahide Castle and Gardens.
    • Stroll along the marina or beach.
    • Explore quaint cafes and shops in town.
  • Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Malahide.

3. Bray and Greystones

  • Travel Time: 45 minutes to Bray; an additional 15 minutes to Greystones by DART.
  • Why Visit?
    A seaside escape with a stunning cliff walk between Bray and Greystones.
  • Top Activities:
    • Hike the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk (7 km).
    • Relax on the beach or enjoy the local cafes.
    • Visit Bray Head for panoramic views.
  • Train Station: Dublin Connolly or Pearse Station to Bray or Greystones.

4. Kilkenny

  • Travel Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes by train.
  • Why Visit?
    A medieval city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful architecture.
  • Top Activities:
    • Explore Kilkenny Castle and its grounds.
    • Visit St. Canice’s Cathedral and climb the Round Tower.
    • Wander the Medieval Mile and enjoy local crafts.
  • Train Station: Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny (MacDonagh Station).

5. Belfast (Northern Ireland)

  • Travel Time: 2 hours by train.
  • Why Visit?
    Northern Ireland’s capital, rich in history, culture, and Titanic heritage.
  • Top Activities:
    • Tour the Titanic Belfast museum.
    • Visit the historic Crumlin Road Gaol.
    • Stroll through the Cathedral Quarter for pubs and street art.
  • Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast Lanyon Place.

6. Wicklow and Glendalough (via Train + Bus)

  • Travel Time: 1 hour to Wicklow Town by train, plus a 30-minute bus ride to Glendalough.
  • Why Visit?
    Stunning mountain scenery, lakes, and ancient monastic ruins.
  • Top Activities:
    • Hike in Glendalough Valley (choose from several trails).
    • Visit the Monastic City and its iconic round tower.
    • Enjoy the serenity of the lakes.
  • Train Station: Dublin Connolly Station to Wicklow Town, then take a local bus to Glendalough.

I booked us one day to Belfast and Giant's Causeway, another day to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. The day we land, we're doing a walking tour of Dublin that is "best of the best" on TripAdvisor to get our bearings. There are some great trips through TripAdvisor - I think all of those were either green or gold-rated.

If people haven't already gotten their plane tickets, flights are about half-price right now from what they usually are from MPLS-Dublin on AerLingus. Usually flights are $900-$1200 per person roundtrip, right now they're between $480 and $560. We got ours - if you're worried about paying right now, you can do a down payment instead and then pay the rest off by June. Just keep in mind that you wouldn't be able to select seats until you pay it off - which is why we went ahead and just did it now.

Hotels are also already filling up, as that's the tourist season and general overall European holiday in addition to the ISU game, so looking at those now is a good idea, also.
 

NWICY

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2012
35,489
31,637
113
My wife and I are doing the 3-city package and flying out of Chicago. If there is anyone in central / western Iowa doing the same and want to carpool to the airport let me know.
Full disclosure - wife is an emaw.
So what is her opinion on Tang?:D
 

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 27, 2006
28,591
13,590
113
IA
I live in the UK (Scotland); note there is no border patrol between Ireland and Northern Ireland so you probably don’t need to get an ETA but worth checking. Also, in case you’re taking a rental car, make sure they let you drive it Northern Ireland as many Irish rental car companies won’t.

My daughter and I went to Edinburgh before continuing to Bath and London this past August (just happened to be during Fringe), and we both love Scotland. I'd been to London really briefly on a prior trip, and absolutely love it, also - but Scotland is something special. I plan to go back and do a Highlands tour, etc. All of this is to say how jealous I am of you for living there.

I'd wondered if there would be border patrol up there - I was guessing not. We'll grab it just to be safe, but this is incredibly helpful.
 

UKClone

Member
Oct 21, 2016
21
54
13
42
Montrose, United Kingdom
My daughter and I went to Edinburgh before continuing to Bath and London this past August (just happened to be during Fringe), and we both love Scotland. I'd been to London really briefly on a prior trip, and absolutely love it, also - but Scotland is something special. I plan to go back and do a Highlands tour, etc. All of this is to say how jealous I am of you for living there.

I'd wondered if there would be border patrol up there - I was guessing not. We'll grab it just to be safe, but this is incredibly helpful.
Yeah, it’s a pretty great place. We’re up in Angus between the North Sea coast and the Cairngorms. If you want any ideas, feel free to reach out!
 

Cycsk

Year-round tailgater
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 17, 2009
28,407
17,339
113
Just a heads up here. We are working on a direct flight out of Des Moines to Dublin via CF. Still working on details. I know its late but figure a lot of people could switch flights this far out.

Now you've got my interest. For me, trips to road games are not just about the games, but about the experiences with fans. Lately, I haven't been very interested in the Ireland part, but it would certainly be a good time with other Fanatics.
 

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 27, 2006
28,591
13,590
113
IA
Yeah, it’s a pretty great place. We’re up in Angus between the North Sea coast and the Cairngorms. If you want any ideas, feel free to reach out!

I will! I have ancestors from around Perth, so that's definitely adjacent and an area I'd visit. I'd also like to see Balmoral.

That's amazing you are there every day, I can only imagine how beautiful it is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aclone

ChrisMWilliams

Publisher
Staff member
Bookie
Apr 10, 2006
25,232
50,292
113
41
Bondurant, Iowa
www.CycloneFanatic.com
Now you've got my interest. For me, trips to road games are not just about the games, but about the experiences with fans. Lately, I haven't been very interested in the Ireland part, but it would certainly be a good time with other Fanatics.

I had a call on this today. Will be putting out a survey to gauge interest here in the next few days. Thinking we would do a red eye on the 19th and return the Sunday after the game for people who need to work / get kids to school on Monday.