Ireland

[Foofur]

I'm heading to Ireland in late February and want to see if you all have any recommendations of places to see, things to do.  I will be in Dublin, Limerick, Kilarney and Cork (Southern half).  Were attending the 6 Nations Cup game with Ireland vs. Italy and I see that the WAR On Drugs will be performing in Dublin while I'm there as well as Joe Pug, so I may try and take one of those shows in.  Any other suggestions?  (Yes, Guinness HQ is on the list).

[MissKitty]

Aside from the Guinness brewery tour (which is very interesting and fun), I found Dublin to be ho-hum. There isn't really anything that makes the city stand out architecturally, and unfortunately walking along the Liffey River isn't very nice because of the amount of traffic rumbling next to it. Diesel fumes galore. That said, we were only in Dublin for a day, so maybe we really didn't experience all it had to offer?

[lutz]

Get out into the countryside and walk some bogs.

[Jen]

I liked Dublin but we did a lot of walking around (and being warned a number of times by the locals of where NOT to walk, I was with 3 other American females). Guinness has changed since I was there and would love to go back. I remember thinking Trinity College was pretty and also one of the cathedrals (I'll have to go home and look at my scrapbook; it has been about 15 years).

I liked Cork as well; we were there for St. Patrick's Day. We did the Blarney Castle thing (no, I didn't kiss the stone) but other than walk around, I don't have much to recommend specifically there. I'll try to see if I can look up more info when I get home. I used one of those travel guides when I was there but with Yelp and other types of phone apps, I bet there are all sorts of travel tips you can get on the fly (especially for food). I like Tripadvisor.com for recommends as well (which you could use before heading over to plan your trip). I used Tripadvisor for our trip to Michigan's UP a few years back and it was essential for finding hotels, etc before heading up.

I am jealous of your trip. I really want to go back...and maybe never move home.

[notoriouspbake]

going to a 6 nations game?  awesome!

we did a day in cork and dublin each. pretty much the big touristy things you already know about.

[lutz]

The Dublin app is free in the UK app store right now - maybe it's also free in the US store? If not, I can download it and see what it suggests.

[Rafe]

Avoid Dublin, it's a shit City. The rest of Eire is nice, though.

[Cockney Rebel]

Avoid Dublin, it's a shit City.

I concur.

A few years back, whilst holidaying in England, MK & I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Amsterdam and 1 day in Dublin -OR- 3 days in Dublin, 1 day in Amsterdam.

Thank fuck we made the right choice. Dublin was so dull - seriously dull - that we headed back to the airport for our return flight home some 3 hours before we had to.

[Foofur]

The majority of the time we will be in southern Ireland and perhaps one to two days tops in Dublin.  Planning to take in The War On Drugs on Friday Feb 24th in Dublin and a Six Nations Cup match vs. Italy the following day.  Who knows what afterwards.  Thanks for the tips/recommendations

[Noonan]

Aside from the Guinness brewery tour (which is very interesting and fun), I found Dublin to be ho-hum. There isn't really anything that makes the city stand out architecturally, and unfortunately walking along the Liffey River isn't very nice because of the amount of traffic rumbling next to it. Diesel fumes galore. That said, we were only in Dublin for a day, so maybe we really didn't experience all it had to offer?

Yes this. Although in addition to the Guinness tour the missus and I also enjoyed lollygagging around Trinity College, the long room, laying eyes on the the Book of Kells. As long as you're out near the brewery, check out Kilmainham Gaol. Overall, the best part of our trip was on the west coast though.

[daytime drinking]

visit dingle!  was there for new year's back in aught four.  riot.  the dingle peninsula (ring of kerry?) is quite amazing!  we rented (hired) a car in dublin, four dudes, ford escort hatchback and said "we're going to dingle."  the man said, "oh lads, you'll never make it!"  on our way back we stayed at a hostel in cahersiveen.  best day of my life.  went to a few pubs and in one pub some of the regulars broke out in traditional irish folk music.  and then we climbed a castle and smoked a spliff with winds at about 60 kph.  we camped illegally at killarney national park and drank psilocybin tea, and got real paranoid.  so yeah, ireland rulz. 

[Noonan]

visit dingle!  ...the dingle peninsula (ring of kerry?) is quite amazing!  we rented (hired) a car in dublin.

Agreed, and exactly what we did. Though it doesn't sound like this trip will get very close.

[daytime drinking]

phoenix park is real nice.  got forget to hit up the temple bar district!  warning:  tis pricey

[lutz]

Overall, the best part of our trip was on the west coast though.

There may not be much out there except sheep and fishing towns, but it's a beautiful part of the world.

[Foofur]

OK here is the itinerary:

Day 1 – we get the minivan at the airport and launch around 7:30-8 am for Waterford (south), then to Cork and Kinsale on the ocean, Blarney (if we want) and then head up to Limerick/Bunratty to the  hotel (and probably catch some pub grub in either Limerick or Bunratty).
 
Day 2 or 3 or 4 -  we get up and going early (say 7-8ish) and head to Killarney and drive the Ring of Kerry which is supposed to be probably the most scenic drive in Ireland, return to Killarney and sightsee and enjoy a pub for dinner and then back to Bunratty.
 
Day 2 or 3 or 4 -  we get going early and head north to the Cliffs of Moher, drive through The Burren, go to Galway, and return.
 
Day 2 or 3 or 4 -  we can add some other things to the going north – we could take a ferry to Aran Islands, go up to Connemara, go to a couple abbeys, see Cong (where they filmed The Silent Man) and other sights.  We could also add the drive on the Dingle Peninsula in the SW.
 
Now, here is where we can have options (and even split up for day 4, if you want) – Day 4 can be a last day in western Ireland or a ½ day extra in Dublin.  Her is how we can work it.  There are several trains from Limerick/Bunratty to Dublin that leave late morning and arrive early afternoon in Dublin’s central station.  If anyone wants to have an extra ½ day in Dublin, they can take the train.  If we all want to do so, we could take in one or two sites in western Ireland and all drive into Dublin arriving early to mid-afternoon.  Here is why I’m asking.  I think, if you haven’t been to Dublin, there is plenty to see (plus other things like rugby, concerts, etc).   The key sight include Trinity College (and the Book of Kells), Dublin Castle, 2 National Museums (the History one is great!), the Old Jail (this is a must for it is where lots of the Uprisings history played out), St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, the Jameson Distillery, shopping, the Temple Bar area, etc.   ----- a lot to squeeze into 2 days.
 
I need to make CD mix for this trip to Ireland.  Any ideas?