Hi all. Thanks so much for your help. Yes, Spaw, it is hard to give up the chance for a long November weekend in the Greater Heath metropolitan area, but I plan to try to have a good time in Ireland anyway. Somehow, I'm sure I'll manage!

dulcimer, you can pm me with more details. I welcome all advice.

As far as our itinerary, we plan to check out Galway City, Carraig-an- Suir (which I'm sure I spelled wrong) in Waterford near Kerry I think, try to go to Mayo, and the Cliffs of Moher (even though I have awful vertigo, I plan to try to hike along there some, even in November).

And we have to get to Dublin to catch our outbound flight. We don't have that much time unfortunately (5 nights) but we're hoping to make a longer trip next year.

And Fortunato, the bar I used to work at (only very occasionally these days) is Murphy's in Woodley Park. Do you know it? They have fun music sometimes and a really nice session that has started on Sunday afternoons (I think they moved to us from someplace else).

I get to be in charge of our itinerary so I'll post it up here soon for more suggestions, which will help me avoid stupid mistakes in planning hopefully.

Peter T, I'll search out that Times article now. I can't believe I missed it the first time around! Thanks.