Planning a Trip to Ireland, Need Ideas

[Big Mikey]

I don't know if the following are sights you would be interested in but they are on my list of "must do"s when I eventually get to Ireland.

1) Guinness brewery
2) Bushmills distillery
3) Belleek china works
4) Waterford crystal factory
5) as many small, local pubs as possible

Check a local bookstore for Irish tourism guides. There are a number of very good ones available.

[irishrob]

We spent 2 weeks in the south and west mostly in County Kerry in October last year...rented a car in Dublin and just headed out. We found the B&B's, particularly those in farm houses, were the best bets for using as bases to explore the countryside. Pubs were the best places for eating as we found that a lot of places have formal dining while the pub areas have the same food without the tablecloth or the price.

Have a good trip
Rob

[McClef]

I'm going to Ireland next month with my male voice choir to Carlow, an area I haven't been to before so can't recommend it yet.

However Ireland's capital Dublin is well worth a visit as is its second city Cork.

[Irish in Tacoma]

Thanks for the input. It will probably be late summer/early fall of 2008, so we have a bit of time to put it together. I'll definitely check out some of those websites you've recommended.

[apack]

Funny you brought this up, as we have just been thinking about organizing a trip to Ireland as well. We like to visit ancient sites. The first thing I always check when planning a trip is the UNESCO world heritage list:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list

There are two historical sites listed in Ireland: Skellig Michael (in Kerry) and Brú na Bóinne (just north of Dublin). The ancient fort of Dún Aengus on Inishmore (the largest Aran island) is supposed to be really nice as well.

Besides that, pubs can be found everywhere Though I would definitely visit the Guiness brewery on any trip to Dublin. It'd be like drinking from the font of all wisdom...

BTW, there is also a ferry between Ireland and Scotland...runs from Larne in Northern Ireland to Troon, and it's not expensive. Link here:

http://www.poirishsea.com/passenger/Larne_Troon.htm

I, for one, would be hard pressed to avoid making my Irish holiday into and Irish AND Scottish holiday!

Cheers