Suggestions for Ireland trip

**KiltedBishop** · 5th October 05, 08:40 PM

well lads, and lasses It is set, october 21st I am headed to Ireland. I will be visiting Cork. I need some ideas from you of what to do while I am there, aside from drinking, that's a given. I picked Cork because that is where my family is from, and as most of you know I will be the first in my line to return since he left during the famine, a big deal for me. Is there are sights I should see? Towns to visit? scenery? help from those of you in Ireland, or those who have been, or those who know is much appreciated. I will lift a pint of the dark stuff and think of you all.

**Andrew Breecher** · 5th October 05, 09:01 PM

Make sure you drink Murphy's, not Guinness. Cork city is lovely, with a new (as of last year) renovation to the main shopping district. Catch some trad sessions when you can.

Andrew.

**highlander_Daz** · 6th October 05, 02:12 AM

go to belfast and get on a ferry to Stranraer!!

**Freelander Sporrano** · 6th October 05, 02:49 AM

I hope Daneel won't mind .It's just I Love thse pictures on his site from a trip he had to Croagh Patrick

http://snlapping.co.uk/Kilts/index.htm

Real pilgrims do the trip bare foot

**Colin** · 6th October 05, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by highlander_Daz

go to belfast and get on a ferry to Stranraer!!

That was one of the most impressive ships I have ever been on. Of course I went the opposite way.

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 6th October 05, 07:24 PM

Killarney is a fairly short drive from Cork City.

Killarney National Park is renowned for its hiking trails and beauty.

The ring of Kerry is quite close and I highly recommend it as well.

You will enjoy Ireland and fall in love with the hospitality of its
people.

**Colin** · 7th October 05, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Kiltedmusiclover

Killarney is a fairly short drive from Cork City.

Killarney National Park is renowned for its hiking trails and beauty.

The ring of Kerry is quite close and I highly recommend it as well.

You will enjoy Ireland and fall in love with the hospitality of its
people.

The Ring of Kerry is nice, but as an alternative, go stay in Dingle for a few days. Great little sea side resort (includes Fungi the dolphin) and it's right near the ring of Kerry. The place has 1500 residents and 56 pubs! (somewhere I hear Jimmy Carbomb packing).

Dublin was alright, but was just another big city. Although St. Stephen's green was a nice walk. A word of caution** and I may get tarred and feathered for this but, while the idea of the guinness brewery is nice, don't waste your cash going in. Take your photo at the gates, and spend that money (it was 10 quid each when I was there) and just go to one of Dublin's many great pubs for a pint of the good stuff. The Foggy Dew, the Trad pub (great live music), and a few others in Temple bar were way more enjoyable than an hour and 20 quid for a pint each.

Belfast was great. Forget our deluded North American sense that we even have a clue about NI politics cause we don't have the foggiest idea. Just enjoy a great great city. Cool open air markets (in may anyway), the crown liquor saloon, black cab tours, murals, etc. If you want a decent hostile, check out Arnie's near Queen's University (it's in all the travel books). It's a good place with a fair size kitchen and a Tesco near by. The only down fall is the limited number of bathrooms (be quick in the morning).

We unfortunately missed the Giant's causeway, as we had planned to take the ferry from Campbelltown into NI. Unfortunately that ferry didn't start running until the month after we were there. Who wants to go to a place named after the Campbells anyway?!

Galway is a cool university town, and can be the starting points for a lot of great day trips. (Burren/Cliffs of Moher, Arran Islands, etc)

Innishmore on the Arran Islands is beautiful. We took an overnight trip from Galway that included transport to the ferry, the boat ride over (still on of my best Ireland stories), and a hotel (the only one, it doesn't even have locks on the doors) for around 40 pounds for 2 of us.

Cork was a lot of fun, and a good place to catch a transit bus to Blarney for an afternoon.

Hope this helps a bit.

**bikercelt1** · 7th October 05, 08:52 AM

If you haven't already done it, grab a copy of Rick Steves' book about traveling Ireland. It's not the end all and be all but it will be a valuable resource for you. I second (or would that be third) the suggestion to go up to Dingle and take the drive out around the pennisula. That may well have been the highpoint of my recent trip. The pupbs were great fun and the sense of history seeing the behive huts and the Oratory were overwhelming. Whatever you do, you're going to have an awesome time.

Jamie

**macwilkin** · 6th October 05, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by Andrew Breecher

Make sure you drink Murphy's, not Guinness.

Surely you mean Beamish, Andrew, and not Murphy's! :mrgreen:

If you're in for a day trip, you're not very far from "Quiet Man" country up in Co. Cong, around Ashford Castle. Always wanted to see that part of Ireland.

T.

**lrpddrummie** · 6th October 05, 06:48 AM

Ah the Emerald Isle...If you are up for some amazing scenery I would head to the west coast and drive the Dingle Peninsula. While there make sure you stop in the town of Dingle, great seafood, great people and great history of seamanship. Also, as you wind through the narrow country roads stop and see the bee hive homes, gives you a glimpse into primitive life in Ireland. And since your on the west coast head up to the Cliffs of Moher, kind of touristy but worth the view. If you don't want to venture across the country, Dublin is worth a day trip. Spend the day using the on & off tour buses, loads of fun, make sure you leave enough time for the prison tour. Enjoy your trip