Anyone been to Ireland?

[BeachyKeen]

We leave for a two week vacation in Ireland on August 7th. We're staying in the country by Limerick for the first ten days and then in Dublin for the last four nights. If anyone has been to Ireland, what was the most memorable day trip or tour you took and are there any tips on Ireland you can share?
The best tip I've gotten so far is from my father-in-law. He said that even though Irish law states that the pubs can't open their front doors until 11:00 a.m., if you go around back, the back door is always open and the pubs are full of people.

[jtm1631]

My mother in-law lives in Northern Ireland but I will ask my wife if she has any good suggestions for the Dublin area.

My wife and daughters just got back from 15 days there and loved visiting all of the old castles and going to the coast.

[nemcd]

Good for you! I love Ireland and hope you have a fantastic time.

Are you staying in one place in each area or moving around? Hotel, B&B, castle or self-catering for accomodations? Renting a car? If you are and have not driven on the left - upgrade the rental to an automatic. I had several very scary moments on one lane roads, rocks to the right, cliff to the left and truck in from of me trying not to panic, trying to shift, brake and not turn on the windshield wipers.

I could go on for hours about what to do and see but here are a few highlights:

Limerick Area:

• Learn a limerick in a pub - this is where they originated - also ask your host about where you can see Ceili or set dancing
• Take a day to drive the Ring of Kerry - beautiful scenery, a few towns to stop in for shopping or tea, Iron Age Forts & Ogham Stones and Old Monasteries
• Adare is the most adorable town
• Dresden is located in Drumcollogher - if you are into that type of figurine
• Angela's Ashes walking tour is available - I have not been
• Plenty of golf, fishing, cycling and walking tours in Limerick and boating on the River Shannon - ask the hotel or B&B owner for a recommendation
• If you are up to a longer drive I would highly recommend a trip to Céide Fields near Ballycastle, County Mayo. Here are the remains of a Stone Age landscape of stone walled fields, houses and megalithic tombs over 5,000 years old - very cool to visit!

Dublin Area

• Look out for palm trees! The Dublin area has lots of them!
• Temple Bar - of course
• Here is a link to a pass for discounts, etc. for attractions in Dublin
• http://www.dublinpass.ie/dublinpass/
• The Book of Kells at Trinity College. There is a good walking tour of Trinity College too - you can see some Oregon trees the US sent to the college.
• Grafton Street - pedestrian only for shopping and restaurants
• Bewleys Cafe for fantastic Irish fare - especially the pastries

Just like anywhere else, engage the locals in conversation. The Irish, as you may have heard, love to talk and tell stories. Have a Guiness, Harp, Bushmills and Baileys any/everywhere! Just an FYI about the pubs there - there are singing pubs and non singing pubs - my father was tossed out of a non singing pub for trying to get his own way and belting out Danny Boy.

Have a feckin brilliant time! I look forward to the trip report!!

[Icon oclast]

I spent a weekend in Dublin in 69 when I was in the Navy. We took a day bus tour along the coast and to a monastery. we pub hopped Dublin and had a great time. They have or had some cool nightclubs everything from a cave like place where some pretty good bands played to a family club where you drink and all sing along to the music. Beautiful country and people.

[Heather]

I lived in Limerick for around four months in 2000 (I moved there "permanently" to go to grad. school, but for a number of reasons was very unhappy and moved back to Chicago before I started classes).

In the Limerick area, you can visit Bunratty Castle and have a pint or two at Durty Nellie's pub right next to it. There is also King John's Castle on the Shannon; I saw a theatrical production there once and think they do still put them on now and then. Most of my time out in Limerick was spent in pubs, they are really extraordinary and thinking about them makes me feel a little sad. I learned great Irish songs and heard lots of great tall tales, in accents I had to strain to understand.

A trip to Killarney is a good idea, too. Some of the old English estates are gorgeous, though a sad reminder of the dichotomy between the rich English landowners and the poor Irish peasants. I also spent a good amount of time in Tralee and did drive the Ring of Kerry route. The Cliffs of Moor were absolutely astounding. Kinsale, in county Cork, was a beautiful coastal city with lots of charm.

In Dublin, the most amazing thing for me was the Trinity College Library, which does contain the Book of Kells. Also, I did see some Irish dancing in the famous Temple Bar.

It bothers me now that I was so messed up emotionally when I lived there and could not really enjoy the idea that I'd moved there. I'd love to go back one day. Have a great trip!

[BeachyKeen]

Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to print them off and bring them with me. Heather, we'll have a pint or two at Durty Nellie's for you.

Nemcd, we're staying at self catering apartments in each area. We're actually staying right outside of a town called Adare which is close to Limerick in a stone barn that has been converted into living space. We're planning on doing day trips from there and if necessary, finding a room for the night in far off towns. I know this is redundant, renting a home and paying for a room at the same time, but we got the stone barn for a good price and wanted to have a base for the ten days we're there. We do have a manual shift car reserved. I tried talking my DH into renting an automatic but he's confident about driving on the left side of the road and shifting at the same time. We have travelled to other areas where this was the case and he did pretty well.

In Dublin, we're staying at a self catering apartment between Trinity College and St. Stephens Green, about a block from Grafton Street.

Anyone else have any suggestions or tips?

[Andiline]

Beachykeen, unfortunately I don't have any tips but I've been interested in Ireland for some years now. Have checked airfares a couple of times but the problem have been the hotel prices so far... One day I'll go to Ireland too and then I will ask you for advice...

[BeachyKeen]

Originally Posted by Andiline

One day I'll go to Ireland too and then I will ask you for advice...

I'll try and post pictures after we get back. Maybe they'll give you incentive to save money and visit Ireland.

[TonyHD]

The West of Ireland is the best of Ireland!
<O:p</O:p
My favorite town in all of Ireland is Dingle. Although rather far from Limerick, if you have a chance, stay in Dingle and drive the Peninsula, it’s amazing. From Limerick, you can easily make it to the Cliffs of Moher, and Galway. On the way to Galway, drive through The Burren. From Galway, take the ferry over to the Aran Islands. Remember, in Ireland, it’s all about the people, and the best way to mingle with the people is in the pubs. There is nothing like a real Irish pub. We love Ireland. It has a way of grabbing a hold your soul.
<O:p</O:p
I was just there in May and miss it already. Have a few pints of the black stuff for me.
<O:p</O:p

[TonyHD]

One more thing, when driving, the first few right turns are extremely unnerving.

Especially after a few pints.

Have a great time, you will love it.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by BeachyKeen

We do have a manual shift car reserved. I tried talking my DH into renting an automatic but he's confident about driving on the left side of the road and shifting at the same time. We have travelled to other areas where this was the case and he did pretty well.

Driving on the left side didn't bother me; shifting with my left hand took some getting used to, however. Be careful and safe!

[ryberg]

I'm not an Ireland purist about where you go, not being in a posiiton to be one, as I spent both my brief visits there in Kilkenny. Rest assured it's wonderful and there's plenty of good "crack" there, as well as in the West.

I went about this same time of year and was blessed to encounter sessions of the national folk music festival, the Fleadh Cheoil, there. Musicians all over inside and outside the pubs, playing. And of course the Guinness...

You will enjoy!

Steve

[synestere]

We used to visit Cork every October for the jazz festival . Lovely place and was voted the European city of culture last year . If you visit Cork be sure to visit the castle in Blarney( very close by ) and kiss the stone and you will get the gift of the gab (eloquence ).
To test the quality of a pint of Guinness examine the size of the rings of foam left inside your glass (the bigger and thicker the better). If it´s a Good un order another as soon as you have had a gulp ´cos it takes a while to pour a pint of the black stuff .
The craic is always good in Ireland.

[Necie]

You must do the drive around the Ring of Kerry,just beautiful! I hope the rhododendrons(sp?) are still blooming when you arrive(we were there mid-June) absolutely gorgeous!Stop at Dingle Bay and see if you can spot any dolphins.Watch for the "Old Schoolhouse" where they serve fresh from the oven fruit scones & the best Irish coffee I've ever tasted.Adare is a very quaint little town with thatched-roof cottages.Tralee is nice as well,with lots of shopping,outdoor cafes & a lovely Rose Garden.The city of Cork is also close by with the Blarney Mill Outlet Stores & of course the Blarney Castle where you'll be blessed with "The Gift of the Gab" if you kiss the stone.You might also consider a stop at the Irish National Stud Farm(southwest of Dublin)we are not horse fanatics, but found this place very interesting & they have lovely gardens you can stroll around as well.When in Dublin if you visit Trinity College,walk up Bride street to Burdock's for fish & chips (take-out only) and eat them in the gardens at the college.Have a wonderful trip!

[nemcd]

Soooo - how was your trip?!?!