Traveling to Ireland?

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bluebell

Dublin is great, but there is lots else to see in the rest of the country. I'd recommend flying into Shannon and checking out the west coast, starting with Ennis and Bunratty Castle, and then working northwards. Check http://www.lookaroundireland.com/irelandcastles.htm
There are more castles that aren't on the map, including one west of Newport (north of Westport) where Granuaile, the pirate queen in the days of Queen Elizabeth 1, lived.

Galway will provide a taste of Irish city life, and has a cathedral, ditto for Limerick. Westport is a very pretty town, with lots to see and do. People come to visit it all the year round, which says much about its appeal. Wherever you go, there will be different landscapes. The Burren in Co. Clare is unique, the wilderness of Connemara (but Clifden is another popular tourist town - for all the right reasons), Croagh Patrick to climb near Westport. Look for the Harry Clarke stained windows, including the Catholic churches in Ballinrobe, Callow (near Kilasser) and Newport (Mayo) and Tullycross, Glenamaddy and Inis Meain, one of the Aran Islands (Galway) . http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/visit/aran/about/
http://ballyhaunis.blogs.ie/2007/08/ includes a phone number if you want to locate more Harry Clarke windows

Have a look at http://www.enjoyireland.com/mayo/main_towns/ for more info on Mayo towns.

If you continue on up the coast, there is more to be seen at every turn. Come, experience what we have, and enjoy your visit. You'll have a great time !!

HowJ123

Yeah, a lot of people go straight to Dublin (which explains the crowds!!) and you could spend a couple of days there. But as soon as you've seen what you want get outta there and see the real Ireland!

Trains and buses go in many directions to cities from Dublin, to Galway, Limerick, Cork, and Belfast. Ultimely renting a car would probably be the best thing to see the back roads and round rural ireland (but roads can be windy so do be careful!)

There's plenty to see, all the "toursity" places, ie Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry Guiness Factory, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway (The coast is the best part of Ireland!)
There are pubs in every village of the Island, and the more West and "out of the way" you go the more likely you'll hear traditional music and conversations and "craic" in Irish!
There's endless cathedrals too. Dublin and Belfast have plenty of nightlife.
Buy a good guidebook, like Lonely Planet.

You'll have a great time. The people are friendly and the landscape is beautiful. Just don't let the rain put you off!! ;-)

The Questioner

Spend a few days around Dublin, the best way to see the sights is to take a trip on a tour bus from the city centre and hop off and on at the various locations, Trinity College, St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral/Dublina Guinness brewery, Kilmainham jail, Phoenix park, Dublin Zoo. If you wish you can hire a car and visit the coast just outside Dublin, Malahide and it's Castle, Howth, Skerries, and while in that area you must arrange a visit to St Doulagh's Church in Balgriffin, It is on the R107 road from Dublin to Malahide. Look up this church on the web, and phone to arrange a visit if you need to. Be sure to travel to Killarney, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, and there is so much more to see. You will need to come back many times to try and see it all. Art Galleries, Museums, places of Natural beauty, etc. etc. Whatever you do, have a good holiday, enjoy the craic (fun) and come back again. When visiting check out on the web. special offers in hotels, many will do special rates on a room only + breakfast extra, or on a bed & breakfast basis. Remember also that you will get very good value in meals in Pubs. and Restaurants, check out the prices. Also, meals in Ireland tend to be bigger so enjoy them also. Slan Leat.(Goodbye)

gaspipe

stay away from dundalk..its sh*te
check out drogheda its a really historic town and theres a church with a dead guys head in a glass case, the dead guys called st.oliver,the night lifes not to bad either, go to new grange an the hill of tara as well, an go out in temple bar in dublin its great.

Tony R

First rule: ignore anything negative that anyone (like Airy Fairy above) says about anywhere in Ireland. We live in God's country here and you will go home speechless.
My own suggestion is if you have the time and the patience to drive from Cork and work your way your westwards through Kerry, Limerick Clare Galway and if you have even more time, then Mayo, Sligo and Donegal as well. A truly spectacular drive if you have the time and plan it properly. Of course, there is plenty more to see and there is absolutley wrong with the East Coast, but for ruggedness, remoteness and to get as close as possible to the original Ireland, then it's got to be west. But make sure you research it properly.

Clarissa

You've got it all. Except for the golfing.

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