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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2009 » Archive through March 29, 2009 » Any members in Ireland? « Previous Next »

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flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2194
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 8:29 am:   Edit Post

Annie and i are making my second trip to ireland in october. If there are any alembicians from there who know some neat places away from the mainstream tourist sites, we would certainly appreciate it.
ps- Dublin is one place we wont be going to this time.
i did make arrangements for fishing already.
thanks
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2144
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 2:29 pm:   Edit Post

I have an Irish Colleague Jeff. I'll ask hi for recomendations.

Graeme
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1423
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 4:29 am:   Edit Post

Jeff there has been a few pop up from time to time but they don't seem to stay long. If I may ask, where are you going? I've made 4 trips and love it.

Sam
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2199
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 10:32 am:   Edit Post

email sent sam
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1424
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post

Got it and replied. Thanks Jeff have a great time.
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2147
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 4:36 am:   Edit Post

Hi jeff. After talking to my colleague (and not knowing whereaboouts you'll be), he has recommended sticking to the west coast from Blarney up to Sligo taking in the sights such as the ring of kerry, Dingle, the cliffs of Moher, Doolin (good for traditional music), Galway and Connemara. obviously, the Giants causeway is worth a visit but you'd have to cross the border.

graeme
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1425
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 6:52 am:   Edit Post

That border is pretty invisible these days. There are fewer check points and much less military presence. If you go to the Dingle peninsula make sure to drive the Connor Pass. It's scary and spectacular at the same time.
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2203
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 9:35 am:   Edit Post

why doesnt anyone like the east side of ireland?
rraymond
Advanced Member
Username: rraymond

Post Number: 347
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post

...because it's the side closest to England!
LOL!
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2219
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 6:46 pm:   Edit Post

Well, the middle of the east coast is Dublin and some other city-like areas. When we go over, it's usually to get away from that, unless you're planning to see the Book of Kells. The southeast is nice, but we mostly gave it a pass. The northeast is absolutely beautiful, especially around the Giant's Causeway. We also found a place called the "Grianan of Aileach", a multi-thousand year old little coliseum/meeting place on top of a large hill somewhere in Donegal.

We have a family home in Cork and generally prefer the more scenic southwest corner, staying around friends and family, and generally enjoying the locality. We try to split our trip evenly between touring and relaxing at "home".

Last time we were there was in late May. The sun didn't set until around 10PM, but many things were closed by five or six. We actually hit several attractions in the 5-8PM window and they were great with no crowds and still largely viewable. We found a lot of ruins, climbed to Queen Maeve's tomb, and saw the Ross Abbey in a cow pasture among our "after hours" sightseeing.

It's really going to depend on what you're into. There is great history, interesting architectural ruins, great people, and beautiful natural vistas. We used both small hotels and B&Bs while traveling away from home. Each had their charms and benefits. Some places will have serious partying and entertainment going on, especially on weekend evenings. Ask wherever you're staying to get the most current info on what's happening in the area.

The local musicians and dancers are wonderful. We went a couple nights to a town just a few miles over the border into Kerry from our house and listened to some great stuff. The pubs are generally hopping from 10-12 nightly, with some staying open a little later. The "serious" locals consume at a rate of 3-4 pints an hour, and keeping up can make for an interesting walk home. I can't drink Guinness, but I really enjoyed the Smithwick's Ale on tap. Our town had a "chipper" that comes in the evening to cater to the pub crowd. Fish and chips are great as you'd expect, and they do "garlic mushrooms" (just a breaded and seasoned fried mushroom) that were very tasty as well. Lamb anything is usually great over there, and if you drive around the southwest corner of the island you'll come to appreciate how many sheep there are on that little island.

Admittedly, I haven't been over in almost seven years, so things could have changed since then. There's really no wrong way to enjoy a trip to Ireland, so enjoy it however you two prefer.

-bob
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2204
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 7:06 pm:   Edit Post

good answer Ray
we'll be doing b and bs as we did last time
as i said- dublin is out this trip
cork is in so is waterford
rob_steen
Junior
Username: rob_steen

Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 4:37 am:   Edit Post

Hi,

Sorry for not responding sooner.

Hopefully I'm not the only Irish member here!

Unfortunately, being from Ireland I don't know a lot of the good tourist spots, but one I would recommend is Bunratty Castle. Not too far from the spectacular cliffs of Moher and the Blarney Castle.

Apart from the castle itself, there is the Folk Park with genuine examples of old Irish houses from several periods, all moved brick by brick, or stone by stone. With good guides in each house to answer questions. The old school house is a laugh.

There's also a medi-evil banquet in the castle. I had to drag my other half to it, but thanks to the flowing wine in it I nearly had to carry her back ater it. Surprisingly good fun.

No matter where you go I hope you have a good time.

- Rob.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3588
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 6:26 am:   Edit Post

Hey Flax, you gonna kiss the Blarney Stoned? hehehehe

Bill, tgo
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2205
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post

no bill
i have a fear of traveling overseas carrying
and just seeing that there has been some police killings in northern ireland- i'll pass on going through there.,,
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1426
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 6:52 am:   Edit Post

Hey Rob, there's some interesting things not too far from where you are. Jeff already mentioned Newgrange and the Boyne Valley. There's Monasterboice, the Hill of Slane, and the Royal Hill of Tara.
Dang, I might have to join you Jeff!
flaxattack
Senior Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 2206
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 9:08 am:   Edit Post

flights are cheap right now!
aer lingus

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