Going to Ireland this summer! What should I do?? Where do I go?

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marky_fightthepower

Id rent a car and spend my time around Dublin

GoIreland.com

Well when you arrive in Shannon Airport you're touching down in one of the most beautiful parts of the west of Ireland so you should definately stay in Shannon or nearby Ennis for a night or two and definately rent a car - it's really the best way to explore rural Ireland. While here, you can visit some top attractions like the magnificent 'Cliffs of Moher', the Burren National Park, Ailwee Caves and as you said you like castles you should visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - a beautifully restored fortification with a reconstructed period village beside it. (Bunratty is only about a 20 minute drive from Shannon Airport on the way to Limerick city).

From here you could travel north or south along the coast. Head north for about 1.5 hrs and you'll come to the fantastic, friendly and lively city of Galway. It's a buzzing city with a great nightlife scene and lots of shops. If you do go to Galway then definately take a trip out to Connemara - an area of outstanding natural beauty west of the city. At Rossaveal you can get a ferry to the famous Aran Island which lie off the west coast of Galway.

If you travel south from Shannon you can explore the beautiful south west counties of Kerry and Cork. In Kerry you should definately visit the picturesque town of Killarney - amazing scenery, great nighlife, lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. If you're an experienced climber and up for a challenge you could climb 'Carrauntoohill' - a peak about 3,400 feet - making it the tallest mountain in Ireland. The base is not far from Killarney. If you want to do some gentle hiking then there are plenty of option around Killarney.

If you can squeeze in the 'Ring of Kerry' drive (it takes a whole day!) - it's really worth seeing - spectacular scenery!

Take the N71 from the pretty town of Kenmare (on the Ring of Kerry) and travel onto Bantry, Skibbereen, Clonakilty and Kinsale in neighbouring County Cork. Blarney just north of the city is where you'll find Blarney Castle and the famous Blarney Stone (which you have to kiss to get the gift of the gab!!)

Take the N8 from Cork to get you on the Dublin Road. You'll pass a little town called Cashel - which you'll recognise from the road by the magnificent rocky outcrop you'll see towering over the town - this is called the 'Rock of Cashel' and is one of the top attractions in Ireland.

Dublin is definately worth at least two nights. Must see attractions include Kilmainham Gaol, the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, St. Patricks Cathedral and Trinity College - where you'll see the famous Book of Kells - the oldest manuscript in the world!!

It's not advisable to take your hire car around the city. Instead use the excellent public transport network which include the Luas tram, Dart train and bus. The 'Hop On- Hop Off' tour is excellent for sightseeing in the city.

Hope this helps!

ramblinman63

Let me know how it is......i have been wanting to go there for along time.

houseoffunksville

You should stay in Dublin for two nights to get a full experience of it!
Renting a car is definetly a good idea
Castles:Kilkenny Castle,Cork and Dublin.
Hiking:Galway,Kerry.
www.discoverireland.ie
Good Luck

Orla C

Just six days? For all of Ireland? You are joking, right?

Take just one day in Dublin, it's more of an English place anyway. Don't bring your rental car in there, parking is a nightmare. What's useful is the Hop-on, Hop-off tourist bus that takes in all the historic locations. Saves you a lot of hassle getting around.

If you're flying into Shannon, stay in that region for most of the time. There's great hiking in Clare (the Burren, DON'T pick any flowers), Galway (Connemara, get a guide as it's a lot safer), Kerry (a guide is also recommended for some of the more mountainous routes), Cork (ditto) and Limerick (not so mountainous but with interesting Neolithic site at Lough Gur and ancient Stone Circle nearby).

Castles: Bunratty near Limerick (but in County Clare) is probably the best by way of information, as there is this reconstructed folk village there also and it's very interesting. Otherwise there's Knappogue Castle, which is also reconstructed. But you will find dilapidated tower houses every few miles, just be careful about going into them as they are usually on private property.

You will need to rent a car to get around the South-West and West, the public transport just doesn't cut it.

And one more thing: don't expect to be able to drive across the country in a matter of hours, just because it's a small country. It's not possible. The roads here are not built for high volumes of fast-flowing traffic. It takes me 3 hours to get from Limerick to Dublin, 4 to get from my house to Dublin airport if I travel during the day when there is a lot more traffic on the roads.

The Questioner

First of all six days is not enough, however, it will give you a sample of what it will be like for a longer stay. I would suggest if you are hiring a car, do so in Shannon, and arrange to leave it back to Dublin airport. There is much to see in and around Shannon, in the Counties of Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, as you make your way up to Dublin. Be sure to visit Bunratty Castle which is about 20 kms from Shannon. You can attend one of the
Banquets there, they are very good, also the Folk Park beside it. You also have a very interesting Castle and Cathedral and the Hunt Museum in Limerick. There are many forest parks etc to visit. You can stay in Hotels, Guest Houses,and Bed and Breakfasts on the way up.
You should aim to spend at least two days in Dublin, because there is much to see. As you intend flying out from Dublin Airport, I would suggest that you stay somewhere on the north side of Dublin possibly in or around Malahide, Portmarnock, or Swords. In that area you are close to the Coast, and Malahide Castle and that would leave you about 15 kms from
Dublin Airport. Travel into Dublin public transport Dart, or Bus. Take a trip on the open top buses, you can hop off and on a the various places of Interest. One place to stay on the North side would be Bewleys Hotel, you can rent rooms there, and it is beside the airport.
Contact the nearest Bord Failte office ( Irish Tourist Board) or go onto the Internet and look up under that name for information.
And now last but by no means least be sure before you go home to visit the "Jewel in Fingals Crown " that is the church of St Doulagh's which is the oldest stone roofed church in Ireland that is still in continuous use. It dates from the 12th Cent. and the whole site dates from the 5th Cent. It is visited by people from all over the world and has been researched, photographed, written about, and spoken about, many, many times, and yet there is still much to tell. Look it up on the internet, and call the phone number that you find there, and ring it to arrange a tour. It is small but very big, many come for 15 mins. andl leave after hours, and still have not heard all of its story. Enjoy your stay in Ireland, enjoy the craic, and we will give you a Cead Mile Failte.

I should be doing something else

Only spend about 2 days in Dublin as it is very expensive - Don't rent a car to drive around Dublin as they have toll charges and Dublin is bloody confusing to drive in and the other drivers are maniacs.

When in Dublin, visit the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar area and Grafton Street for shopping.

Hope you have a great time =-]

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