I’ll be in Ireland from Aug 10 - 20, driving all over the southwest and west coast, plus two nights in Dublin. I am tagging along with family members, so I don’t have too much control over where we go, but if anyone has any favorite places they want to recommend, that would be great!
I know I will for certain be in: Cork, Galway, Limerick and around the Ring of Kerry. The day & half in Dublin, I am on my own, so I would really appreciate places to see or drink there.
Of course, any good places for sessions would be HIGHLY appreciated, esp in Dublin!! I’ll be there on a Mon & Tues, if that makes a difference. Good websites for events & stuff would also be welcome.
This is my first time in Ireland, and I can’t wait!!!
You’re in for a real treat, Kar. Very cool! If at all possible go see Dingle and be there for the music that night in the Small Bridge Pub (it’s actually in Gaelic, but I can’t spell it). Ask around for it, it’s the most popular one in Dingle.
I really like standing stones, so if you’re down near the coast in Cork, check out the Drombeg stones. In the Limerick area, there’s Bunratty and King John’s, two excellent castles, with Durty Nelly’s pub next door, built in 1620. Then on the road from Limerick to Lough Gur (16 miles south of Limerick) is the Grange standing stone circle, the largest in Ireland. Don’t miss Newgrange, 30 miles north of Dublin, if at all possible. And the Rock of Cashel is a must see in Tipperary.
I agree with Blackhawk be sure and go to the Dingle Peninsula. It is outstanding. Newgrange and Knowth are very interesting. It is amazing the accomplishments of our “barbaric” ancestors. If you are a fan of The Quiet Man be sure and visit Cong. A town that makes its living from the Americans who want to see the town of Inishfree. In Dublin be sure and go over to Templebar in the evening. The best hamburger in town is at the Elephant and Castle Pub in Templebar. This is a meal not a sandwich. The best way to see Dublin is to get a ticket in the morning for the hop on hop off bus. it is good all day. Don’t believe everything the bus driver says. I envy you. Have fun.
Ron
If you get to spend a whole day in the Dingle area, take the archeological tour that’s given by Timothy Collins. It’s excellent. He owns a B&B and bike rental right in the middle of Dingle.
Too bad you don’t have time to travel further up the west coast. Right by the Cliffs of Moher (north of where you’re going) is the town of Doolin, which is a total mecca for Irish music. We stayed there for 3 days just to hear the tunes. It was soooo cool. Hiked the Burren by day, drank Guinness and listened to awesome music by night. It was hard to leave!!
In Dublin, be sure to take the tour of the Guinness brewery. Sure, it’s a little touristy and commercialized, but interesting nonetheless. Plus, the complimentary pint of Guinness that you get at the end is one of the best pours in Dublin!
All that said, it’s pretty hard to go wrong when touring Ireland. You’ll have a blast, no matter what you do.
I absolutely agree with “desert” about Doolin. It’s a wonderful, but really small town with some great musical traditions and the famous three music pubs of Doolin are sure to provide som great music. The Cliffs of Moher is worth a visit as well.
But there are other places. Lisdoonvarna in County Clare have nice pubs, as well as beautiful enviroments. Killarney in Kerry has a very nice pub called the Danny Man. They had live music all three nights in a row when I was there. Killarney also has a very nice music shop and the Muckross garden, which is a huge national park with lakes and woods. Absolutely wonderful to spend a day there, just walking around, or up to Ladies view up on the hill side. Ah… I’m getting sentimental…
Agree with Tom - Glendalough! What a place, knock-your-socks-off beautiful! If you’re looking for a castle. Malahide Castle (8th century, I think) in north Dublin area (you can get a combined DART ticket for train fare and admission to the castle). Also New Grange north of Dublin, one of the oldest buildings in the world. There’s a great little music shop in the heart of Dublin, a couple of blocks off of Grafton Street, Charles Byrne Musik Instrumentes - established in the 18th century by the family who owns/runs it now, very nice people!
I think we ARE trying to go to the Cliffs of Moher, so perhaps I can manage a stop in Doolin. I tell you, I am so excited about going. Ireland is the mecca of whistle players!
Thanks everyone, for the advice. I’ll see how much influence I can exert over my travel companions and steer them to the great places.
Aug 10-20 yes? I will be around. I think from the 13th to the 17th I will be in Kilrush for the Mrs. Crotty concertina festival. I’m staying at the hostel there. I want to go to the Aran islands after that, I think. Give me a phone call when you get over, I will PM you my number here.
