Ireland

[davidanthony]

I am taking a couple of weeks to drive around Ireland. Having never been before, are there any places, sights, restaurants, pubs etc off the beaten track I should not miss ??

[quiggers59]

Good question. Dublin is worth 2 days,but park the car and use the tourist double decker bus,take the full tour and hop on/off after that all day to visit tourist locations.The Book of Kells in Trinity Uni,and Kilmainham Gaol are great to visit,as is the free National Art Gallery and the free National Museum.I am not a fan of the Guinness Hop Store as I view it like Homer Simpson going to Duff World.Outside Dublin Newgrange is a great visit if you like history.Across the border Belfast is a must to visit,do the Black Cab tours of Belfats darker recent history,it is sadly very interesting.Also visit the Folk and Transport museum at Cultra just outside Belfast.Back down south Donegal,the innishowen peninsula drive is great on a good day,Mayo and Galway coast roads fantastic.Kerry is great,and despite tourism Killarney is a great location and hire a bike.Into Cork the city is OKish,go and stay in Kinsale as its great for food and fun in the evenings.West Cork is great for driving around,and by and large all people in Ireland are welcoming to tourists.Enjoy,and I hope you get the weather that has yet to arrive and give us a summer,we've been waiting since 2005 or thereabouts .

[ummmm]

Kilkenny - meh! x

[ummmm]

It's all nice, to be fair. I loved the scenic route from Kerry to Cork...breath taking. The Atlantic drive in Achill, Mayo. Clare Island is also lovely.

[ummmm]

And who can forget Belmullet :-)

[flump1]

Sligo, simply wonderful place.

[Cmitchell]

Read around Ireland with a fridge. Should give you some good ideas. : )

[davidanthony]

Hey, some great comments, thank you all. A lot of the places recommended are in my " list". Dublin has indeed not been included as a place to spend to much time, - nuf said !.
After the Wicklow Mountins, Kilkenny is indeed my first port of call, then on to Youghal via Waterford, followed by Bantry, then the 'Ring' to Tralee and onward to Limerick. Sounds as though instead of heading cross country to Athlone etc, I should keep west to Galway, County Mayo and Sligo. Like the csound of Clare Island !
I have to end up in Coleraine to see friends before heading to Belfast for the ferry home. Thaks again

[gness]

If you are doing the ring you will visit my village, Sneem. Great fun. The statue is my uncle..no family resemblance thank god, though he has better legs.
Eat in The Blue Bull and say Hi to Mary. All eating places are good. If you can make Parknasilla Hotel for a very reasonable cuppa do...very interesting and beautiful views. Hope and Crosby used to golf there and as kids we collected golf balls to sell back to them.
Near Caherdaniel, on the ring is Derrynane House. Do try to go there. Fantastic gardens and tea room and a very short walk to the best beach in the world. Climb to the graveyard on top of the little hill. Spectacular, and look for the ship house. Don`t collect driftwood from the caves beneath, the one I brought out was a thigh bone!
Oh heck! Just stay a few months and see it all. Gx

[CailinDeas]

You just cannot miss the Dingle Penninsula. Drive over the Conor Pass and drink in the real beauty of Ireland. Admire the pater noster lakes and learn
the cupla focal. After all that, a refreshing swim with Fungi would be in order - a bite to eat at The Canteen. Bet you won't want to go home at all!!

[gness]

Is Fungi still around? Wonderful.

[CailinDeas]

Yes he is - God Bless him!!! Mind you, some people say he has a lady friend, so who knows what the future will bring.

[tinkerbell23]

Sligo...where westlife are from! Mmmmmmmm

I LOVED meath even if it was a wee quiet place (not when i was there hehe) x

[tinkerbell23]

And a burger from eddie rockets in dublin! Mmmmmmm.....loved kilmainham jail too and guinness factory xx (spot the tourist)xx

[gness]

Wouldn`t a lady friend for Fungi be great!

davida. Google [email protected] for a fantastic evening`s entertainment.
Took an English friend last year and she still talks about it.Starts with poteen so maybe that`s why. Great food and wine included.

[sandy16]

glengariff is a pretty place

[davidanthony]

Hey folks you have been amazing,
Gness I will certailny call in to the Blue Bell and say hello to Mary, and perhaps put a euro behind the bar for your next visit !
Yes Dingle and the surrounding peninsulas are definitely high on my priority list to spend time in.
I was going to Ireland for 2 weeks, but it looks as thought it might be two months !