Ireland, what say you?

[BoyNextDoor]

I am going to be touring Ireland this summer. Not a long stay, just a week.

Any places that I have to go? see? have a pint?

What is your favorite place?

 

[phrodeau]

Take the Ring of Kerry. Go clockwise.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

I heard they drive on the wrong side of the road over there.

 

[phrodeau]

I heard they drive on the wrong side of the road over there.

The roads are so narrow, everybody drives in the middle.

 

[about_average]

The Waterford Crystal factory is pretty interesting, as is the Waterford Museum, both in the first settlement in Ireland.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

I'd rather visit hell than Ireland.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

I'd rather visit hell than Ireland.

Wait another year or so.

 

[patient1]

The Waterford Crystal factory is pretty interesting, as is the Waterford Museum, both in the first settlement in Ireland.

I have to agree that I liked Waterford best.

Boy Next Door, I would strongly suggest that you take a bus tour, so that you can concentrate on the beautiful scenery, and escape the stress of driving. I loved the cleanliness, the beers and ciders, the food ( sea food is great, being an island ), and the people.

 

[Sean]

Ring of Kerry is a good shout. I took LTR round Connemara last year, stunning coastline.

 

[butters]

Ring of Kerry is a good shout. I took LTR round Connemara last year, stunning coastline.

did you see any of the horses?

 

[pink]

I have to agree that I liked Waterford best.

Boy Next Door, I would strongly suggest that you take a bus tour, so that you can concentrate on the beautiful scenery, and escape the stress of driving. I loved the cleanliness, the beers and ciders, the food ( sea food is great, being an island ), and the people.

This is a really good idea. I saw London, Paris and Madrid from a bus. That was one of the happiest times of my life, that trip.

 

[thør]

Isn't there a single malt tour?

 

[lovetoread]

did you see any of the horses?

I dont remember horses, but lots and lots of sheep.

And the sheep were everywhere. There were very little fences or if there were fences the sheep didnt care.

 

[butters]

I dont remember horses, but lots and lots of sheep.

And the sheep were everywhere. There were very little fences or if there were fences the sheep didnt care.

maybe they don't wander the hillsides anymore and it's all to sheep grazing. wouldn't know, only heard of them and seen them on tv

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connemara_pony

 

[Jennifer]

I'll be there at the end of August.

 

[Mr Noone]

I'll be there at the end of August.

Wow! Me too!

BND, if in Dublin, avoid Temple Bar, in the south inner city, unless you fancy paying nearly double for a pint. The Guinness Storehouse Museum/tour however is pretty interesting. If you're looking for literary culture, check out the Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College library; you'll also get to see the Seomra Fada (Long Room) and feel the presence of Swift and Sheridan, Yeats and Beckett.

This year is the Centennial of the 1916 Easter Rising, and (politics aside), Sinn Féin do a nice tour of the historical sites in the north inner city from their offices at 44 Parnell Sq. They also sponsor an exhibit on the Rising at the Ambassador Theatre, which I've heard is brilliant.

Outside Dublin, there are tonnes of things to see and do. Ruins everywhere. You can take a bus or train or drive up to Belfast and see the Titanic Museum. It is what a 21st century museum can and should be. I'm going back. For natural history, while you're in God's Wee Ulster, a drive west of Belfast along the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway is worthwhile.

In the Republic, try the Cliffs of Moher in Clare. Galway city is nice, very lively. Go a little west and you'll be in the Gealteacht (Irish speaking area).

There's more. So much more.

 

[Jennifer]

Meet me at the Gresham for tea. I'll even pay!

 

[Mr Noone]

Meet me at the Gresham for tea. I'll even pay!

Deal!

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Great stuff - thanks folks!

Couple of questions because you can't do it all ...

Is the Burren worth seeing? (maybe on a scale of 1 - 10)

If I wanted to impress with a really nice dinner (not worried about cost) where would you suggest? One of the castles or in Dublin? or ....?

If you had to choose between Ashford Castle and Waterford Castle, which one would you see, visit, stay at?

 

[phrodeau]

Great stuff - thanks folks!

Couple of questions because you can't do it all ...

Is the Burren worth seeing? (maybe on a scale of 1 - 10)

If I wanted to impress with a really nice dinner (not worried about cost) where would you suggest? One of the castles or in Dublin? or ....?

If you had to choose between Ashford Castle and Waterford Castle, which one would you see, visit, stay at?

I'd suggest getting oysters in Galway, but it might be a long wait until September. If you're staying in Galway, the Burren is a great day trip.