Ireland - anyone been there, going there??

FH and I are considering going there for HM. We know nothing about it other than we think we want to stay in some old castles. Any comments, tips, ideas? Thanks!

I'm from there and I've been back visiting a bunch of times. I usually try to go around the same time as my parents since it makes the whole transportation issue easier but otherwise I would suggest either going with a tour group or renting a car. My DH and I went a few years ago and relied on public transportation (before meeting up with my parents) and it was awful. Such a mess and so slow. I would never do it again.

As far as where to go, there's SO much to see that it's hard to pick. I guess you could check out Blarney castle and Dublin of course but I'm not sure what else you're interested in. Again, I would definitely check out tour groups. You'll probably have a chance to see and do things that otherwise might be hard to get to and you might even get to stay in some castles!

Good luck! Hope that helps a bit.

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Posted by cindyandkevin

Betsy (ewickens) has been there!! FM her, she'll tell you everything you need to know!!!!!!!

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Thanks Cindy!

I went to Ireland in High School on an exchange program and then lived there for a summer while I went to college there and travelled a bit.

I can't find one thing negative about my stays and loved every second I got to spend in Ireland!

Dianne (diluvchu) went there on her HM last May too if you want to FM her about which tour company she used.

I didn't use a tour company cause I was living there and had a student pass to get bus tickets around the country.

The only time I have been to Ireland is when I was going to Greece and I had to switch planes at Shannon Intl', we only stayed for a couple of couple of hours, does that count?, lol. From the sky everyting is GREEN, all GREEN hills, its looks beautiful, have a ton of fun

Major stops to see:

Ring of Kerry
Blarney Castle
Dublin
Rock of Cashel
Cliffs of Mohr
Cork City

If you want an island tour - Skellig Islands

If you want to go biking - there is a vacation area up north west but I forgot the name of it. No cars are allowed and everyone goes biking.

FH and I went to Ireland for our first vacation together. We booked our trip through Aer Lingus. We booked flights, car, and B&Bs all through Aer Lingus. We flew into Shannon and out of Dublin and basically drove across the midsection of the country. Depending on the time of year you go, I wouldn't miss the Ring of Kerry. The scenery is like nothing you have ever seen. Some other must dos are the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Blarney, Cashel, Tramore, and obviously Dublin. We stayed in B&Bs our entire trip except for 2 nights at Dromoland Castle in County Clare which was completely amazing.

Here is the website for Aer Lingus.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Posted by mkempton

I don't recommend driving yourselves the entire time only because the roads are very narrow and the signs are not that great but it depends what you want and what kind of people you are. I'd rather sit back and enjoy the scenery and not have to worry about looking at the maps and getting lost:)

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I agree! The roads can be a bit hairy especially at night. There's no lights anywhere in some regions. It definitely gives you a lot less to worry about.

thanks so much for all your help ladies!!

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Posted by Lools

Thanks! FH and I were planning to fly into Shannon Airport based on a recommendation. We'd like to stay in a castle and/or B&Bs. We really enjoy long scenic drives. Is there any one site that should definitely NOT be missed? Or one region of the country that you prefer?

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Ring of Kerry.

And the drive from Gallway to the Cliffs of Mohr is fabulous. Use a car. Don't take a bus. There are so many FABULOUS little pubs that are amazing and worth stopping in.

I also really liked Killarney....

I lived in Dublin for a little while. Definitely stay in Dublin a night! It's a blast

I went to school in Dublin for a semester in college. I spent much of my time in bars but also did quite a bit of travelling. Dublin is a great, small city that you probably don't need more than a couple of days in. Definitely get to the countryside and visit Galway, Cork, Killarney.

My family is from Cavan and Kerry...both are breathtaking. Where my grandmother was from in Cavan is on the border of Northern Ireland, and I took a couple of trips to Belfast during my stay. Definitely some of the most eye-opening trips I've ever taken...but assess safety, etc. at the time if you are considering it.

I suggest driving too...but pack your patience and courage. I personally could not get the hang of driving on the opposite side and the roads outside of Dublin can be a bit intimidating/nonexistent...especially the more 'country' you get.

Hope this helps...have an amazing time! The Irish are an incredible group of people...like my dad says, if you can't get along with them you can't get along with anyone!

ETA: My first born son will be named Cavan...and my sister is named after my grandfather's county, Kerry. Needless to say, I love Ireland.

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Posted by ewickens

Major stops to see:

Ring of Kerry
Blarney Castle
Dublin
Rock of Cashel
Cliffs of Mohr
Cork City

If you want an island tour - Skellig Islands

If you want to go biking - there is a vacation area up north west but I forgot the name of it. No cars are allowed and everyone goes biking.

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i been to ireland and i want to go back.its is breathe taking.its beautiful. i went to all the above places. all i can say is wow. its truely beautiful counrty to see.

thanks for all the great advice and tips girls!

We're planning to go for 8 days or so. We have knocked down our HM budget considerably since we are buying a house and need furniture. I'm hoping we can get the flights, hotels, car rental for around $2500... I know the flights are affordable. Do you think I'm out of my mind with that price?

I've been there twice - I actually got engaged there exactly a year ago. There's so much to see, that a year probably wouldn't be enough! I'll just give my itinerary and hopefully that can help you research sites you're interested in!

The first time I went with my brother and we didn't book anything - we just rented a car and drove around each day. The itinerary was:

Day 1 - Doolin - it's a great little port town with a few bars. It's very cute, but becoming more touristy. We stayed in a B&B - Glasha Meadows I think. It was very nice, but a little bit of a walk from the town center - about a mile. We went to the Cliffs of Moher from here.

Day 2 & 3 - Galway. We had the best time here, which is why we stayed 2 nights. We stayed in the Park House Hotel which we loved! And the rates were very reasonable. We just walked around most of the day and went to bars at night. I took a day trip to the Aran Island - which I think is a can't miss. They have flights and ferries to the island - it's just a completely different world. It's like they're frozen in time. Plus there's a historical fort call Dun Aeungus on Inishmore that's amazing. You can walk right up to the edge of the cliffs.

Day 4 - We needed a break from partying, so we drove into the middle of the country to Dromineer. We stayed at the Dromineer Bay Hotel. It was off-season, so it was very quiet and little to do, but in the summer it's a huge lake resort. It was exactly what we needed at that point. Lough Derg is gorgeous!

Day 5 & 6 - Killarney. We stayed in a B&B right outside of the city. Killarney is a great time with a good number of restaurants and pubs. We took a day trip to the lakes and rented a row boat. There are islands with historical ruins in the middle.

Day 7 - Castle Gregory on the Dingle peninsula. This town had 2-3 bars. Driving around Dingle was gorgeous because you have the shore line and mountains.

Day 8 - Bunratty - we did the Bunratty Castle dinner - they reenact a medieval dinner. It was fun all though a little hokey for my tastes. We stayed in a B&B here, but I can't remember the name.

The second time was with FH. We did:

Day 1 - Galway (Park House Hotel). Stopped by the Cliffs of Moher and the way up.
Day 2 - Galway. We took a day trip to the Aran Islands where we got engaged.
Day 3 - Ballycotton - a small fishing village in the South. There were NO restaurants, but 4 bars in the 'town.' It was very cool to see a different side of Ireland. On the way down we stopped at the Blarney Castle and the Jameson factory which was fun.
Day 4 - Kilkenny - a cool medieval type of town. On the way up we stopped at Lismore Castle, Cahir Castle, the Rock of Cashel and drove through the Vee (very amazing drive through the mountains)
Day 5 - Dublin
Day 6 - Dublin - we spent most of the time here just walking around the city. We did go to the St. Patrick's Day parade (which is NOTHING compared to the NY one because it's still more of a religious holiday there), and we went to a Gaelic Football and Hurling match. It was fun and different.

I think the best part of Ireland is just driving through the country. I don't know that I'd go back to Dublin for vacation. If I were to move to Ireland, I'd probably move around Dublin, but it's just not what I want to see when I'm visiting. It's just a typical city - granted there's some amazing sites, but I want green and country. Next time I go I want to focus on the northern counties of Ireland and maybe some of Northern Ireland. Anyway, the sites I'd suggest are:

- Cliffs of Moher
- Galway
- Aran Islands
- Dingle
- Ring of Kerry
- O'Brien's pass
- Rock of Cashel and the multiple castles nearby (Lismore, Cahir)
- The Vee (just a VERY gorgeous drive)

I'm sure I'll think of more, but good luck! There's so much to see and do. You're best bet is to pick a few top priority places, and then figure out what else you can visit on the way.

My FH & I went to Ireland last October for 11 days. We drove the entire coast, staying in a different city every night ( 2 nights in Dublin).
We even made it to the Aran Islands (off the coast of Galway)

We loved every area but Our favorite area was Northern Irealand. (Antrim). We stayed in this cute hotel called Bushmills Inn. It was in the perfect location. Close to the Giants Causeway, Carrick rope bridge, Dunluce Castle. All must sees!! But we also loved the ring of Dingle, which is in the Southeast corner.


My picture is actually from a spot along the Dingle ring.

This trip was by far our favorite vacation!

Please FM if you want additional information, advice I would love to talk more about it!

I went in July of 06 and LOVED IT!!!! Fh and I want to honeymoon there if we have the money.

We did CIE Tours from Dublin went through out the country (south) to the east coast and then back to Dublin. It was amazing but busy. When you do a coach tour its like your head is spinning from how much you do and learn. My only negative comment about it was we hardly had time to shop/look around on our own unless we sacrificed eating (which we did) or skip a particular tour. Driving around is insane but i think rewarding since you can pace yourself.

Doyle’s Irish Cabaret Dinner Show, Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Dublin’s Georgian Doors, Kiss the Blarney Stone, Ring of Kerry Tour & Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle ( I LOVED DINGLE), we visited many little towns on the way for a tea and pee rest IoI, We had a few more major cities but I am at work and my brain is on forget everything mode. I have pictures that are amazing from there, i have actually won two competitions because of it. My favorite hotel though was Dunloe Castle Hotel - Killarney its not a castle but has a small castle/fort that is in ruin on the grounds. Its not completely fancy but pretty just to be there. Food was good, service was good, fun to walk around the grounds but far away from Killarney to walk to. Its near the gap of donloe which is amazing to see.