As a general rule courses in the Northern Ireland tend to be better value than in the Republic. Try the cheaper "Valley" course at stunning Royal Portrush or the Old Course at Potstewart Golf Club, both great value links. In the Republic County Donegal is full of underrated, brilliant value links courses. Try Rosapenna Golf Links or Donegal Golf Club. In the West I'd go for Westport Golf Club, a difficult and scenic links in Co Mayo.

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Columbus, Ohio: Hello! The song Christmas in Killarney always makes me think of a very picturesque and very quaint Irish town. Is this accurate or are there other smaller towns you would recommend that would fit this description? Thank you!!

Anto Howard: Maybe when the song was written Killarney was quaint, but no longer. I never recommend that visitors should stay in Killarney because it really is a bit of a tourist trap that just isn't authentic anymore. Prices are artificially high. It's also not 'small' anymore.

If you want to go to the Kerry/Cork area there are scores of really beautiful little villages. Schull is West Cork is a beauty, and Kenmare is a more 'real' large town than Killarney. Castletownebere and the other small towns on the Beara Peninsula all fit the bill, as do Kilorgin and Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry.

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Charlotte, N.C.: What is your best advice in visiting the Causeway? How do we maximize the visit? We are departing from Charlotte to Shannon and have a driving/B&B package for only 6 nights and departing from Dublin back to USA.

Anto Howard: I might get in trouble for saying this but I personally find the Giant's Causeway a bit of a disappointment. It is interesting, and beautiful, but there are more stunning sights in Ireland (The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren). So I wouldn't plan to spend a lot of time there. But the Causeway is part of one of the most under-appreciated and glorious drives in Ireland: The Antrim Coast. Nine stunning glens all run down to the sea along a rugged area of coastline that includes some of the most serene seaside villages in Ireland. So the answer is the best way to see the Causeway is as part of a drive along the Coast and try to see it at dawn or dusk to make the most of it.

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Springfield, Ohio: We are taking a British Isles cruise in June. We will be visiting three ports in Ireland (Cork, Dublin & Belfast) and also three ports in Scotland (Glasgow, Inverness and Edinbough). Do you suggest bringing GBP and euros bought in the US before we leave? What currency in needed in each of these 6 ports? (Can you tell me which places take what currency? ) Thanks!

Anto Howard: Before I answer your question a little (not very serious) warning: don't call The UK and Ireland 'The British Isles' when you are in the Republic of Ireland, people don't like it and never use it. The term hints of the old colonial days.

I always recommend getting your foreign currency out of the local ATM machines. It is the easiest, safest and often the cheapest way. Your US ATM card will work in the vast majority of machines in Ireland and the UK.

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Chicago, Ill.: My husband and son (29) and I are going to Ireland in Sept 3-22. My son is only coming for 7 days to golf with my husband and then he will fly to London for 3 days. For the week we will be together, I feel they could get in 3 days of golf. We want to stay at a castle for a night, can you recommend one? We will be traveling from Dublin to Gallway traveling south. Thank you.

Anto Howard: Not too far from Galway, in County Mayo, is the glorious Ashford Castle, a famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece built in 1870 for the Guinness family. Prince Rainier, John Travolta and Jack Nicholson have all stayed here and it really is a romantic place with the most amazing location at the head of Lough Corrib (a lake). Be warned, it's not cheap.

Further south in County Clare is Dromoland Castle, another 19th century castle full of towers and crenellations and also situated on a forest and lake. Once again, not cheap.

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Albany, Ga.: A group of us will run the Dublin marathon Oct 27th then spend the next week staying in Ireland. We will have cars and are tentatively planning on staying in B&B's in Killkenny, Dingle, Doolin and Clifden. Is this a reasonable itinerary to see a good bit of Ireland over 10 days? We don't want to rush. —Paul

Anto Howard: I'd say it was just about the perfect itinerary. They are all good towns that attract plenty of tourists but still feel like real places. The distances—especially for an American —are small and the roads good so you won't spend too much time getting around. I always advise visitors not to rush around too much—the thrill of Ireland is in meeting the locals and getting to know a couple of places well. And above all you are heading west, which is the most unique part of the country. On the way to Kilkenny you might consider a diversion to the Neolithic passage tomb of Newgrange—2000 years older than the pyramids. Incredible place!

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Arlington Heights, Ill.: My daughter, granddaughter (age 18) and I are planning on going to Ireland next summer (2009) leaving from ORD—we will only have 9 days to spend there and would like to know the best cities to visit and whether we should travel by car. We want to see as much as possible in that short time. Also we would like to spend one night in a castle. Is that a possibility?

Thank you,
Carol

Anto Howard: Best way to see Ireland in a short time is in a car. But even though the country is small don't rush about and try to see everything, pick a few places and spend a bit of time in each so you can get into the slower pace of the country areas.

With the exception of Dublin (and perhaps Galway) Ireland is not really about cities, so I wouldn't spend too much time in them.

• I would base myself in Dublin for a couple of days to see the Capital and to do half day visits to the historical and natural wonders of Meath and Wicklow.

Then I'd head west and base myself a small town in Connemara (Clifden perhaps, or Leenane) and from here I'd spend a few days exploring this most beautiful and mysterious part of Ireland. You could do a few hikes here, or get bikes and cycle through the mountain passes.

If you have time I'd head down south to West Cork and Kerry. I'd base myself in Schull in West Cork or on the Dingle Peninsula and I'd drive around the peninsulae of the Southwest.

• Not too far from Galway, in County Mayo, is the glorious Ashford Castle, a famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece built in 1870 for the Guinness family. Prince Rainier, John Travolta nd Jack Nicholson have all stayed here and it really is a romantic place with the most amazing location at the head of Lough Corrib (a lake). Be warned, it's not cheap.

Further south in County Clare is Dromoland Castle, another 19th century castle full of towers and crenellations and once again situated on a forest and lake. Once again, not cheap.

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Montgomery, Ala.: I'm starting to plan a trip to Ireland for a group of 8 ladies. We go on a European trip every March. When would be the best time to go to avoid the high tourist season yet still have decent weather? We travel on a budget, and need advice on the best way to see the main attraction areas using public transportation between cities. Which popular attractions can we cover in 6 days? Thank you for your help!

Anto Howard: I love it when I hear about groups of friends who do annual trips. I do a similar thing myself with a bunch of childhood friends.

Best time to get decent weather and avoid the heaviest tourist traffic is the shoulder months of early June and mid-September.

If you are using public transport I really does limit you options for getting out into the more isolated villages of rural Ireland. Best idea is to base youself in cities or big towns and take day trips or overnight trips to the smaller places. Try Dublin as you Eastern base, Galway City in the west and Dingle in the South. Use trains between these places and buses to get to the smaller towns. Check the bus timetable to see what time you can get out of the town the next day.

My advice for a short, six-day stay is one night and a day in Dublin and then head West. Base yourself in Galway and concentrate on going to the Connemara region and to Co. Clare. Make sure you see the Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, and as much of Connemara as you can. As you pass through Meath on your way back to Dublin try to see the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange, a real marvel.

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Boise, Idaho: My husband and I are planning on a trip to Ireland in the fall. We are active travelers in our 60s. We do not want to go with a tour group to Ireland nor do we want to rent our own car to get around. What is the best way to tour Ireland and see the sites around the country? Thank you in advance.

Anto Howard: In truth, a car is the best way to get to the more isolated parts of Ireland. If you are using public transport it really does limit you options for getting out into the smaller villages. But it can be done. Best idea is to base yourself in cities or big towns and take day trips or overnight trips to the smaller places. Try Dublin as you Eastern base, Galway City in the West and Dingle in the South. Use trains between these places and buses to get to the smaller towns. Check the bus timetable to see what time you can get out of the town the next day. Don't try to see everything, focus on a couple of areas and allow yourself to fall into the pace of life there.

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Bakersfield, Calif.: What are the best areas to stay for a week and day trip from? —Michael

Anto Howard: I would base myself in Dublin for a couple of few days to see the Capital and to do half day visits to the historical and natural wonders of Meath and Wicklow.

Then I'd head west and base myself a small town in Connemara (Clifden perhaps, or Leenane) and from here I'd spend a few days exploring this most beautiful and mysterious part of Ireland. You could do a few hikes here, or get bikes and cycle through the mountain passes. If you like the city buzz you could base yourself in Galway.

If you have time I'd head down south to West Cork and Kerry. I'd base myself in Schull in West Cork or on the Dingle Peninsula and I'd drive around the peninsulae of the Southwest.

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McLean, Va.: I'll be taking a car trip through Ireland with my 22-year-old daughter in June 2008. Will she be able to share the driving—are there age restrictions for driving a rental car in Ireland? Thanks!

Anto Howard: Legally your daughter can drive in Ireland if she's over 16 and has a full license. But a lot of the car rental companies only rent to people who are 24 or over. But there are a few exceptions, who rent to people over 21. Try the local agencies like Dan Dooley (who definitely rent to over 21s) and Murray's.

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Rego Park, N.Y.: We are going to Ireland in August. Do they get a lot of rain at that time? —Irma

Anto Howard: Hi, Irma. August is the warmest month in Ireland and the most popular with tourists, but it does get some rain, though not too much. Best advice is to bring a light rain jacket and/or umbrella just in case.

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Wallingford, Pa.: 3 of us (senior citizens) have been invited to visit a friend in Mt. Charles, Donegal, for a week and we would like to travel another week in Ireland by bus. How do we find out about bus routes and places to stay along the way that are reasonable? Also, we were told to fly into Dublin and out of Shannon. Can we do that at a reasonable air fare?

Thanks,
Elaine

Anto Howard: Donegal is a wonderfully wild and beautiful part of Ireland that is relatively undiscovered by tourists, so your trip will be off to a good start.

The best way to see Ireland is by car, it allows you to go to the most interesting and isolated places and to change your plans on a whim.

• But you can do it by bus. Bus Eireann, the national bus company goes to most towns and villages. Their website should be your bible for timetables and planning your trip. You will have to do some planning to make sure you can get in and onto of towns when you want to—although there are worse places to be stuck for an evening than a picturesque town in Connemara.

• As I'm not sure where you are going I can't recommend cheap place to stay. Get yourself a good guidebook (maybe one I wrote??) that is geared towards the budget traveler. Also the website www.discoverireland.ie will have places to stay in many towns.

• Yes, Ryanair and Aer Arann have very cheap flight between Dublin and Shannon.

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Princeton Junction, N.J.: My wife and I (25- and 26-years-old) are traveling to Ireland from July 31 through August 11 with our families (both sets of parents and a total of four younger siblings). We will be flying in and out of Dublin and driving counter-clockwise around the country. We already have lodging and are beginning to look into car rentals, which we have heard to be quite expensive. Do you have any recommended agencies? How about vehicle sizes for ten people with luggage driving on Ireland's back roads? A co-worker mentioned that he had rented a private coach in Europe once as part of a group of about twenty. Are there any private services in Ireland that would drive a group of ten? Would you recommend this over renting cars? Thanks for your advice!

Anto Howard: In general the Irish owned agencies are a lot cheaper than the chains like Hertz etc. Try Dan Dooley and Murray's. They do have larger vehicles for families etc. I'm sure a lot of the bus hire companies would get you a minibus for ten people with a driver but if cost is an issue (you mentioned the expensive car rentals) then this option is not suitable as it would be very expensive. Irish roads have improved dramatically in the last fifteen years and so long as you take your time on the country roads you'll be fine. Beep before you go around very tight bends where you are unsighted.

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Brick , N.J.: We'll be flying to Shannon soon to do some genealogical research on my GG grandparents in Roscommon county. We are looking for a centrally located hotel in Roscommon town so our evenings can experience the flavor of the area. Suggestions?

Thanks,
Frank

Anto Howard: I have to be honest with you here, Roscommon is the one county in Ireland I know least about. I have spent time sailing the river there, but not in the town. So I could look up a hotel for you, but I wouldn't feel right recommending something I didn't know personally. Sorry about that. You could try www.roscommon.ie or www.visitroscommon.com.

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Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: I am considering renting an RV to explore Ireland. Are there RV parks accessible from the major touring areas? More importantly, are most of the roadways accessible to RVs? Any other information or comments concerning RV rental in Ireland would be appreciated. Thank you.

Anto Howard: RV touring is becoming more popular in Ireland and most of the better camp and caravan sights would be fitted out for RVs these days. With a bit of planning you'll have no problem finding a site near any area you want to visit (Ireland is pretty small, after all).

Irish roads have improved dramatically in the last fifteen years and so long as you take your time on the country roads you'll be fine. Beep before you go around very tight bends where you are unsighted. There may be a few 'boreens' or tiny roads that you can't go up.

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Lewisport, Ky.: I'm planning a second visit (10days) to Donegal, Ireland and the surrounding area in mid-Sept. Should I book the air now or see if the prices go down and also would it be better to book to Shannon or Dublin? I intend to drive after reaching one or the other. I think Shannon, but my friend says the drive will be easier from Dublin due to the roads.

Anto Howard: The mystery of airfares!! Well September is still quite popular for tourism in Ireland so I don't think the fares will go down—except if there was a weird special offer or the dollar rallies. Prices to Ireland usually go up as they get closer to the departure date. My advice is to book now. If you're heading for Donegal then fly into Dublin, the drive is on better roads and quicker.

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Burbank, Calif.: Is it easy or difficult to find 1-, 2- or 3-day tours out of Belfast which cover areas of Northern Ireland?

Anto Howard: Ulsterbus runs half-day and full-day trips out of Belfast to the Glens of Antrim, the Giant's Causeway, Lough Neagh, and The Mountains of Mourne from June to September. Minicoach runs more flexible bus tours out of Belfast all around Northern Ireland.

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Annapolis, Md.: How can we (a party of four) visit the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher without renting a car? Are there local tours we can take?

Anto Howard: Destination Killarney offer tours of the Dingle region by coach or taxi. They can arrange accommodation, entertainment, special interest tours and sporting activities. There are a number of other companies in Killarney and Dingle who offer similar tours.

Healy Tours offers sightseeing tours of the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren with expert guides. There are plenty of other operators who doe the same based in Galway City.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Hi. I'm considering a one-week, solo trip to Ireland this summer. The popular "car and B&B" itinerary sounds good, but I'd prefer not to drive around by myself, since I wouldn't be able to drink at the pubs along the way. What's a good alternative for a solo traveler besides an escorted tour?

Thanks,
Marion

Anto Howard: Hi, Marion. In truth, a car is the best way to get to the more isolated parts of Ireland. If you are using public transport it really does limit you options for getting out into the smaller villages. But I understand your desire to enjoy a pint along the way and the pub is still the best spot to get chatting to the locals. So it can be done without a car. Best idea is to base yourself in cities or big towns and take day trips or overnight trips to the smaller places. Try Dublin as you Eastern base, Galway City in the West and Dingle in the South. Use trains between these places and buses to get to the smaller towns. Don't try to see everything, focus on a couple of areas and allow yourself to fall into the pace of life there.

Bus Eireann, the national bus company goes to most towns and villages. Their website should be your bible for timetables and planning your trip. You will have to do some planning to make sure you can get in and onto of towns when you want to—although there are worse places to be stuck for an evening than a picturesque town in Connemara.

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Half Moon Bay, Calif.: I am meeting my brother, brother-in-law, and mother in Dublin on May 13. (They are flying in on American from Chicago. While I will be coming in via London from the West Coast.) We are all adults between the ages of 42 and 76.

It seems that we are having difficulty finding relatively inexpensive car insurance through our credit cards as well as the car rental places in Dublin. (EuroCar, Hertz, Budget) Why is it so expensive over in Ireland? Our credit card companies say that car insurance is covered in all of Europe except Ireland/Italy. (Is that due to theft or the windy roads?)

We do not plan on driving into Northern Ireland. As a matter of fact, we haven't booked our rental car yet! (Any suggestions?!) Our plan is to arrive in Dublin on May 13, rent a car, drive to Trim and stay at the Trim Castle the first night. After that we will head towards Galway area for a few days before heading up towards County Donegal. We figure we can ask the B&B owners for suggestions for other B&B's to stay in along the way.

My brother and I would like to stay one night on the Aran Islands. Any suggestions of a neat place to stay there? Or something not to miss on the Island? Thank you for any advice you can give us! —Beth

Anto Howard: Firstly I am surprised your credit card companies said all countries in Europe are covered except Ireland and Italy? First I've heard of this. Ireland has a better road record than a lot of countries and theft would be less of an issue than in the UK. I always recommend that visitors us the Irish car rental companies rather than the international chains. They offer better service and usually a better price. Try Dan Dooley and Murray's and see if the insurance is cheaper.

Asking B& B owners for suggestions is a good idea, they will know the lie of the land. May isn't too busy in Ireland so you should be able to find accommodation without much notice.

Great idea to go out and spend a night on the Irish speaking Aran Islands. An unique, bleak, but fascinating and beautiful place. Kilmurvey House on inis Mór (the biggest of the three islands) is a rambling 200-year-old stone farmhouse at the foot of Dún Aengus fort and a few minutes from the beach. The owners are warm and chatty.

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Anto Howard: Thanks everyone for all the questions. Great to hear so many of you out there planning trips to Ireland. Just be brave and talk to the locals and build in some flexibility to follow any adventures that arise and Ireland will be the trip of a lifetime. If you need a travel book you could do worse than Fodor's Ireland 2009, which I co-wrote. Excuse the plug.

—Anto