Thinking of visiting Ireland. Worth a trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ireland is amazing! Dublin is a great city with lots of attractions. Go to the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College, and the cathedrals. The Brazenhead Pub has beautiful architecture and delicious food. Kids are allowed in Irish pubs prior to 9:00. Definitely venture outside of Dublin too. Howth and Dalkey are both easily accessible on the DART (local train system) and are only a 30 minute ride from Dublin. They are both charming seaside towns with a lot of good restaurants. I also suggest going up to Northern Ireland for a few days. Belfast is only two hours from Dublin via high-speed train and has a fascinating history. You can sign the peace walls and take tours with former IRA members who can tell you what life was like during the Troubles. The Titanic Museum is great as well. In addition to the city, the Antrim Coast is the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Game of Thrones was filmed up there!

One final note, make sure to try the scones and tea!

Take tours with former IRA members/terrorists? Is this for real?

Maybe in 20 years we can take tours of Aleppo with former ISIS members. This is so wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ireland is amazing! Dublin is a great city with lots of attractions. Go to the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College, and the cathedrals. The Brazenhead Pub has beautiful architecture and delicious food. Kids are allowed in Irish pubs prior to 9:00. Definitely venture outside of Dublin too. Howth and Dalkey are both easily accessible on the DART (local train system) and are only a 30 minute ride from Dublin. They are both charming seaside towns with a lot of good restaurants. I also suggest going up to Northern Ireland for a few days. Belfast is only two hours from Dublin via high-speed train and has a fascinating history. You can sign the peace walls and take tours with former IRA members who can tell you what life was like during the Troubles. The Titanic Museum is great as well. In addition to the city, the Antrim Coast is the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Game of Thrones was filmed up there!

One final note, make sure to try the scones and tea!

Take tours with former IRA members/terrorists? Is this for real?

Maybe in 20 years we can take tours of Aleppo with former ISIS members. This is so wrong.

I agree. I have been to Belfast a couple of times and I refused to go and see the walls or take a tour like that. Horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

Well, you've decided what it's like without ever having been there, so I guess you are good.

That's also a super offensive thing to say about beastiality. I am offended on behalf of my relatives and friends.

And have you heard of the Book of Kells? And Guiness doesn't travel well but it tastes amazing over there esp with the fresh oysters. Not to mention all the scenery so amazing they used it in Game of Thrones.

Nevermind, the Irish hate pretentious jerks. You are better off not going.

[Anonymous]

When I returned my rental car to Shannon the check-in staff told me about 25-30% of the cars return with 'damage', especially those driving on small roads in the West and Southwest. If you are renting, you may want to consider the damage waiver as it's quite possible you'll get a scratch or two from small pebbles on the back roads or something a tad worse like a bent rim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would drive North from Shannon to Donegal. The best parts are around the coast!

We did this, staying near Donegal at the Loch Eske Castle, and saw the Slieve League cliffs, which are astounding. I wouldn't do it again, though - it is too remote and you waste too much time in the car getting back to the southwest. Also, it rains so much in that area that you may or may not see the cliffs, depending on the weather.

Donegal itself is not very interesting or pretty.

Funny, I've made numerous trips to Ireland and found Donegal to be one of its most beautiful spots (Antrim, too). No, there's nothing there, but the scenery is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would drive North from Shannon to Donegal. The best parts are around the coast!

We did this, staying near Donegal at the Loch Eske Castle, and saw the Slieve League cliffs, which are astounding. I wouldn't do it again, though - it is too remote and you waste too much time in the car getting back to the southwest. Also, it rains so much in that area that you may or may not see the cliffs, depending on the weather.

Donegal itself is not very interesting or pretty.

Funny, I've made numerous trips to Ireland and found Donegal to be one of its most beautiful spots (Antrim, too). No, there's nothing there, but the scenery is amazing.

Completely agree about the scenery, no question. And Benbulben and Yeat's grave are beautiful and interesting.

I was referring to the city of Donegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

Well, you've decided what it's like without ever having been there, so I guess you are good.

That's also a super offensive thing to say about beastiality. I am offended on behalf of my relatives and friends.

I know, most sheep wouldn't put out for an Irishman. My apologies to you sheep relatives and sheep friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

It makes me sad for you that you feel this way. I've been to many, many places that are renowned for their interesting food, weather, nightlife, museums, culture, all of that, and have loved it, but Ireland is still my favorite place in the world. It's the most gorgeous place I've ever seen, the people are so friendly and kind, and the pub culture is a lot of fun. It's a special place in a way I can't describe. I hope you reconsider one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ireland is amazing! Dublin is a great city with lots of attractions. Go to the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College, and the cathedrals. The Brazenhead Pub has beautiful architecture and delicious food. Kids are allowed in Irish pubs prior to 9:00. Definitely venture outside of Dublin too. Howth and Dalkey are both easily accessible on the DART (local train system) and are only a 30 minute ride from Dublin. They are both charming seaside towns with a lot of good restaurants. I also suggest going up to Northern Ireland for a few days. Belfast is only two hours from Dublin via high-speed train and has a fascinating history. You can sign the peace walls and take tours with former IRA members who can tell you what life was like during the Troubles. The Titanic Museum is great as well. In addition to the city, the Antrim Coast is the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Game of Thrones was filmed up there!

One final note, make sure to try the scones and tea!

Awesome tips for Ireland! Almost there is nothing to add! Every corner of Ireland is amazing! Personally I was mostly impressed by Belfast! I adore Game of Thrones, so it was an amazing experiece to visit places it was filmed. Prior to your visit, I suggest that you search for great events in Belfast via https://ticketselect.co.uk/events/belfasthttps://ticketselect.co.uk/events/belfast . Let your journey be exciting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Irish-American, and I've always thought Ireland would be boring. Not enough challenging hiking, dicey weather, boring food, beer, and wine, and do they even have art museums? I also hear the natives sometimes get too cozy with the sheep.

Maybe I'll go there when I'm 75 and have run out of good places to go. Maybe at least they won't become a big Islamic terrorist destination, so that's one potential plus.

It makes me sad for you that you feel this way. I've been to many, many places that are renowned for their interesting food, weather, nightlife, museums, culture, all of that, and have loved it, but Ireland is still my favorite place in the world. It's the most gorgeous place I've ever seen, the people are so friendly and kind, and the pub culture is a lot of fun. It's a special place in a way I can't describe. I hope you reconsider one day.

Humor, people, humor. The Irish have it in spades. I believe the pp has it in his genes.

[Anonymous]

I'm half Irish and went when I was 3. Hoping to go back with DH/DD in a few years! Definitely take the time to see the whole isle.

[Anonymous]

I've been to Ireland many times. Best weather is in the late spring, IIRC. Summers are rainy.

Definitely rent a car and drive the island. It's the best way to see the country. Spend good chunks of time in Dublin, Belfast, the Aran Island, and Giants Causeway/Northern coast drive.

Next time I go, I'm hoping to get a few friends together, rent a house in the countryside and do daily walkabouts (with LOTS of whiskey and Guinesses in the evenings!)