Author |
Message |
flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack
Post Number: 2194 Registered: 4-2004
| Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 8:29 am: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
email sent sam |
bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen
Post Number: 1424 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 10:53 am: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
...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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
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: | |
flights are cheap right now! aer lingus |