Ireland Whirlwind Tour

[aeromed202]

My daughter is going to Ireland on a study program soon. The surprise came when my wife announced the rest of us are going too for 2 weeks at the end of her semester. Ha, I thought we were poor. Well, we are tight but I guess we will just have put off retirement a while longer. SO..
The question is what should we try to do and see? Just looking at a map it looks like most of the country is reachable in a days drive out and back from most anywhere.

[kilo delta]

Have a look at this link... http://www.discoverireland.ie/ :)

[Aviator32]

Depends where she is based. I prefer Cork to Dublin and County Cork itself is a magical place. Take a raincoat!

[aeromed202]

I know what you mean. I've been to England and Scotland a few times-never skimp on the brollie. She'll be in/around Dublin but our portion is up for debate.

[Aviator32]

I know what you mean. I've been to England and Scotland a few times-never skimp on the brollie. She'll be in/around Dublin but our portion is up for debate.

No, no - In England it can be a bit rainy sometimes but in Ireland it rains a lot!! There is a reason the country is so green! All the weather sweeping in from the west and across the pond has to dump all the rain on Ireland to get over it on it's way to the UK. By the time the clouds reach the UK most of the rain has already been dropped!

I wouldn't spend too much time in Dublin really. Like any big city bits of it are ok and some bits are not nice at all. I like the South west of Ireland the best but you can see a lot in two weeks so pick up your daughter in Dublin and go on an anti-clockwise tour of the country, staying in small towns and B&B's. Some of the nicest, friendliest B&B's I've ever stayed in were in Ireland. You'll have a great time.

[lefty]

Well here's a contribution from a Scot who knows Ireland pretty well.

It's a bit like Scotland - the capital city on an otherwise boring east coast, and all the wonderful scenery in the west. Frankly, the middle is pretty boring.

I agree with Aviator about County Cork - Kinsale is great, West Cork too. Kerry, especially the Dingle peninsula, are an absolute must, and head north to Clare (don't miss the Cliffs of Moher) and Galway.

Then you're into glorious Connemara, and the the much wilder Mayo, and, if you have time, Donegal.

But, the great thing about Ireland is, wherever you are, you will have fun, and that's down to the Irish. I say no more.

Except that you MUST try the Guinness.....:guinness: It's not like it is anywhere else.

Send me a PM if you want some places to stay.

[beana51]

My darling wife a child of Cork, when I married 58 years ago , was a ringer of Maureen O'Hara....and to a degree still is...she,we,instilled a strong appreciation of Irish,and Celtic culture.to our children then,.coupled with an old Son Of ROMA like me..our kids have great Roots,and it still goes on...I tell ya tho,The Romanizition of this wild redheaded,green eyed,Barbarian was a JOY

........For Years the most popular American tours of Europe were the Combo of Ireland and Italy....what a combo!!...Not without good reason, growing up in any big city,like NYC,we were already intertwined...in those neighborhoods of the great depression days..HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

"MAY YOU LIVE AS LONG AS YOU WANT,AND NEVER WANT FOR AS LONG AS YOU LIVE"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3ddeZGXZyQ&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qRGxzXauhs&feature=related

[Matt Wynn]

Except that you MUST try the Guinness.....:guinness: It's not like it is anywhere else.


Boy is it! entirely different taste, maybe see how/where it's made..... St.James' Gate, Dublin
http://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx

it's my 2nd favourite tipple for a reason, and top position is Laphroaig or Talisker...

Anyways, back on track, couldn't agree more about going anti-clockwise, theres a massive change in coastlines too on both sides, you'll notice it :) County Kerry and County Mayo have always been favourites of mine for the coastline. anyways enjoy yourself and the surroundings is the key thing with Ireland...

[aeromed202]

This is great, thanks gents and ladies. As for stout I never acquired a taste. Now lager and lime is another matter entirely. Keep the suggestions coming and I understand we'll have a car to bop around in (they're making me drive of course).

[lefty]

Re accommodation, look no further than Bed and Breakfast establishments

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/accommodation/listings/?pts=-449737840&l=

These range from modest homes, through farmhouses to quite palatial establishments, with costs varying accordingly, but much better value than the hotels.

At whatever price bracket, you will find spotless, comfortable rooms, a friendly welcome and a breakfast that will last most of the day !

That's enough from me - I'll just wait for my commission check from the Bord Failte..:jump:

[kilo delta]

Re accommodation, look no further than Bed and Breakfast establishments

http://www.discoverireland.com/us/accommodation/listings/?pts=-449737840&l=

These range from modest homes, through farmhouses to quite palatial establishments, with costs varying accordingly, but much better value than the hotels.

At whatever price bracket, you will find spotless, comfortable rooms, a friendly welcome and a breakfast that will last most of the day !

That's enough from me - I'll just wait for my commission check from the Bord Failte..:jump:


Actually...because of the recession many hotels are doing some excellent deals on rooms at the moment. Also many hotels have gone into receivership and you'll get great accommodation rates in these too.
I live slap bang in the middle...in the boring bit ;) http://athlone.ie/ although the Shannon is always very popular with tourists. My favourite city is Galway...always something going on to entertain you. Kinsale,Co.Cork and the Ring of Kerry are beautiful too,as has been mentioned.
Don't be afraid to haggle with regards to prices as there are still a lot of "chancers" willing to rip off tourists.

[aeromed202]

Forgot to say that we had a great honeymoon in England and Scotland and B&B'd our way almost entirely. Then we took the kids about 10 yrs later but discovered B&B prices had doubled or tripled. We were lucky to find a decent and inexpensive hotel chain that saved the trip for us. I don't know what B&B prices are now.

[kilo delta]

I don't know what B&B prices are now.

During the Celtic Tiger boom years people got greedy and prices went through the roof for everything. Rates are coming down to more realistic levels now,though, but it still pays to shop around.