I will be traveling to Ireland for the first time. Anybody out there have some words of wisdom as to a list of MUST do or see from a UP’s perspective….I will bring my half set and Whistle …my wife plays fiddle and we can hold our own in an intermediate level of play….We’ll be coming into Shannon Nov 16th and leaving Dublin 23rd. I plan to check William Kennedy Pipe fest in Armagh and must be in County Down for pick up of half set Preshaw in C. I will also be in Ofaly to check on relatives and roots.
I would also love to surf Ireland but that will be another trip unless someone here can pull a rabbit out the hat and fix me up with a wetsuit and board. I already tired the surf sites. no luck there. I surf much better that I play pipes ah but the former has 30 years of experience. Any Guinness…ah I mean guidance would be appreciated.
Thanx
Go see the Cobblestone Pub in Smithfield area in Dublin. Spend some money at NPU to help shore up expenses.
There is a place called the Donegal Adventure Centre and they do surfing lessons among other things. According to their site they have gear available. Perhaps you can rent without taking lessons.
http://www.donegal-holidays.com/
I’ve just returned from an extended trip (but no surfing involved) and it was my first time too - you’re welcome to email if you like. Also I have some books I can lend you that may be useful.
Bundoran in co Donegal and Lahinch Co Clare are the prime spots. The surfshop in Lahinch does rentals as far as I know.
Sounds like you’ve got a pretty ambitious itinerary already.
Try not to spend all your trip dashing about. Take the time to chat with your hosts over a cup of tea or a pint. Don’t be in a hurry–otherwise you’ll miss the magic of the place.
No E
Maybe I could check out the Laban photo collection? 
Is that near Lahinch…? Thanks for the tip …NO E might be right though…theres a bit much on the plate… I venture that the first half of the trip will be west Ireland and then off to Armagh. Any idea of timewise how long of a trip from say Ennis to Armagh?
ten-fifteen minutes over the backroad
There is definitly surfing in Lahinch. I would agree that you can rent suits and boards there, though this might be a bit out of their normal season so you should check a local web site and call the shop. Last time that I was there was in the month of September and there were plenty of surfers and plenty of golfers there on the local beautiful course as well in case the waves are to mellow. A short enough drive to Ennis to drop into some pubs for a session as well.
would also love to surf Ireland but that will be another trip unless someone here can pull a rabbit out the hat and fix me up with a wetsuit and board. I already tired the surf sites. no luck there.
…
I’ll defer to the Local Laban-man re: surfing locations, however, there’s also some good surfing at Spanish Point and in Keel, Achill Island.
You’ve already got some good piping venues mentioned…
Stay tuned,
Brian
Surfing in Lahinch pretty much continues the year round. During the winter the waves get more serious, on some days they come over the wall, flood the promenade and come right up to the steps of the swimming pool. But maybe you wouldn’t want to go in on those days.
There is a bit of surfing in Spanish Point but very rarely in the bay itself, they are mostly at the top of a headland a bit further out, a rocky place and you’d really want it pointed out by surfers with local knowledge before you go out there.
And, to finish, why drive out to Ennis for sessions when you’re already out west.
I should read more carefully. It took me a moment to realise which question you were answering, Peter. For a moment I had visions of a rather exhilarating drive with Ennis (the man), making it from Ennis (the town) to Armagh in 15 minutes in the black Zephyr, taking the back road to avoid the Guards.
HAAH! There is actually a worm hole in the back of Queally’s near the brass fiddle on the wall… just bring your bags in and be ready for the journey and whoosh! … before you know it you’ll be in Armagh… it’s quite amazing! 
PD.
Thanks… but I thought Ennis was right outside of Shannon…I was just trying to get a handle on what kind of a drive it is up to Armagh for the Pipe festival…I will probably stay near Shannon for the first few days Nov 16, 17 and maybe 18 so if you know of any good session where we could sit in and listen or play if asked..that would be nice. I am most grateful for the surfing advise…if I get half a day surfing I’ll be set just to get my feet wet…I can handle cold and rocks etc but will attempt to find a local for guidance nonetheless.
Try Ennis or any of the smaller towns west-northwest of it. Distances aren’t huge though driving around in the dark on these roads is not ideal post-session.
Loads of sessions, depends on what you are looking for. In Ennis on the sundaynight Joan Hanrahan and Dympna O Sullivan play in the Old Ground Hotel, that’s a nice session on mondays Eoin O Neill runs a session in Brandon’s that may suit you. But there are others too, we play the sundaynights overhere, Jackie Daly playing the accordeon, myself and whoever walks in, Kitty Hayes and mysef usually do a slot on flat pipes and concertina, a few singers. There’s music all over the place, if you know where to find it.