Help sought --Irish Airfields

[salmabambi]

Hi to all .....I wonder if anyone can help. I am looking at planning a trip to Ireland and would be grateful for any help in selecting suitable airfields as I have not visited before.

Generally ... I shall be flying out of Wolverhampton Halpenny Green in a Piper Lance -- 6 up probably and I guess Southern Ireland would be more direct. I would be looking for somewhere of intrest ... not just a Bacon Buttey at the airfield, ...... small fishing village / town nearby that sought of thing - that someone can recommend. Possibly a weekend trip .. or with Halfpenny Green now running lights a late arrival back.

Would appreciate any suggestions ... Northern or Southern Island.

Just for a change ... done Le Touquet / France ... Switzerland ... Germany to death ... so would make a nice change. :ugh:

Thanks guys

Steve

[dublinpilot]

Given that you're 6 up and probably a fair bit of baggage, I'm guessing that you're have fairly specific runway requirements. (I don't know the performance of a Lance).

If you let us know how much runway you need it will be helpful, as I suspect it will narrow down your options significantly.

dp

[holyflyer]

Perhaps Waterford - nice friendly airport with full facilities. Won't charge the earth. Airspace easy. Will sell you duty free for your return trip. Car hire etc available at the airport.

Waterford City is a very nice place, plenty of atmosphere, although now lacking the Crystal factory. Nearby to the airport is Tramore. Lovely beach, racecourse etc. Plenty to see in the surrounding area.

From Halfpenny Green route direct to STU then SLANY then direct EIWF

You could take a flight to nearby Kilkenny (900m Grass) - again the local members will give you a warm Irish welcome. Ancient city, lots to see, good shopping (for the ladies).

See www.flyinginireland.com (http://www.flyinginireland.com) for further ideas, photo's of airfields etc.

[nouseforaname]

try and get over to the west side if you can. There is good stuff to see over there. Arann Islands are def worth a trip, so is Bantry but that might be a bit tight with 6 up.

I'd recommend Kilkenny but not Waterford, they will charge you for your pax and there isn't much to see there!

There is a few things to see in Weston (Dublin) too and you are less than a half hour cab ride from the city centre.

[stickandrudderman]

I flew into Inverrin last year and thoroughly enjoyed my stay in a small fishing village called Roundstone, about 45 mins drive away.
Trouble is there are no car hire facilities at Inverrin, but the landing fees are a LOT cheaper than Galway.

[jollyrog]

Kerry is nice and has everything you need, including car hire.

They do charge a passenger fee though.

[holyflyer]

Waterford, they will charge you for your pax

Interesting, never been charged for pax at EIWF. GA charges all in line with other Irish airports (excepting Galway).

Just checked and Kerry didn't charge for pax when I popped in last year.

[dublinpilot]

I'm a regular visitor in Waterford, and have never been charged a per pax charge.

It's a few years since I was in Kerry, and I was charged per pax there.

dp

[Vizsla]

Shanon for some nostalga of the prop crossing of the Atlantic

[mde]

Waterford, Cork, Weston are all OK but require transport
Kilkenny is 900 Metres of grass part downhill short taxi ride to the town--good craic
Sligo might be a good choice
You could pop over the border to Inniskilling for duty free
Avoid Galway like the plague, dont even talk to them
Remember any transit through controlled airspace requires a flight plan
There are many other friendly airfields in Ireland but not suitable for a fully loaded Lance--try something in future that can handle 600M of grass
You could try Knock not much there although we were there last year for their flyin and found the natives in the local village most helpful and entertaining especially after a few of the black stuff

enjoy your trip

[jollyrog]

Newcastle (Wicklow) has been on my list for a while and would be worth a visit, if you don't mind some grass. It's adjacent the sea. 800m I think, but don't quote me. I have some data, but it's in my flying bag in Ireland (I'm in England now) but could get someone to look if you're seriously interested. John Nugent is the owner and he posts on the Flying In Ireland forum.

Abbeyshrule was also a nice aerodrome (about 900m of tidy tarmac), but well inland and not so close to the sea.

Cork and Shannon are quite welcoming, even though they're big. Landing fees aren't bad at all, don't know about the parking.

There are 3 tarmac runways, about 500-550m each on the Arann Islands, which must fit the bill, although I suspect they're a bit short. PM me if you want charts. You could do Kerry on the way, for entry.

I still think you'll find Kerry is the place. Right side of Ireland for some fabulous scenery, both on the way there and in the locality, with easy car hire and a short drive to the fishing villages you mention.

[jollyrog]

or with Halfpenny Green now running lights a late arrival back
Please note that there's no IFR in Ireland without an IR, so night flying, except SVFR in a CTR, which limits things somewhat.

I've read elsewhere that Britsh pilots attemting to arrive/depart night have been subject to twenty questions, so best play it by the book.

[holyflyer]

Newcastle (Wicklow) has been on my list for a while and would be worth a visit, if you don't mind some grass. It's adjacent the sea. 800m I think, but don't quote me. I have some data, but it's in my flying bag in Ireland (I'm in England now) but could get someone to look if you're seriously interested. John Nugent is the owner and he posts on the Flying In Ireland forum.

Newcastle is a lovely place and John is doing a grand job. N/S runway right by the beach. Circuits over the sea. Its very close to the Marriott Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Course. Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, close by. 30-40 minutes by car into Dublin.

[Consol]

Arann Islands are a great place to visit, you can touch'n'go all of them in five minutes! Seriously stop and enjoy them. So long as you don't impede the commercial service you can come and go as you please (leaving some €s in the Lifeboat box is the etiquette). Great scenery around Sligo and Donegal. Waterford is very GA friendly. Galway is not, very bad attitude. Connemara has gone a bit the same. Trim is a friendly if quiet place. Kilkenny too, two miles from the town (sorry, city). Lots of smaller places but field length often an issue.
Airspace is fairly simple, lots of 'G' and simply file a flight plan and call on the radio if you want to use 'C'. You won't find 'A' unless you are very high or very lost.
In general you will find Ireland a relaxed, friendly place to fly. Lots to see and do and always a welcome cup of tea or coffee if you catch the local club members on a good flying day. Come on over, your PPL is good for more than just a few hours in the circuit.:ok: