After much research on this subject over the years, i have found that the most expensive part of the trips are the ferry crossing. You could try Stena-Line and Irish ferries they do special offers at times, and if you get the 4am ferry it works out cheaper because its off peak. This time works well as you get off the ferry in the morning, stop off for breaky and book into you accommodation by late morning, fishing in the afternoon!!. Im doing something different this year as there is a group of us going. 1 person is taking the tackle over in the van and the rest of us are flying over to dublin from leeds bradford (40 ruturn flight) and we have got a hire car very cheap, so its worked out very cheap for us as there is a group of us, in normal circumstances we would have to take 2 cars , thus paying for 2 vehicles on the ferry. There's some ideas for you. Good luck. Mal. (MrC)