need Ireland advice
Jun 12, 2000, 6:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Monkeyville
Programs: Island DOs, very sticky toffee pud w vanilla ice cream n multi-coloured velvet pillows enthusiast
Posts: 4,647
which part of ireland?
we went to the southern part, loved it!
stayed at Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Mount Juliet... (among others), very lovely and memorable! it was the irish charm, if nothing else, that makes us want to return next year....
we went to the southern part, loved it!
stayed at Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle, Mount Juliet... (among others), very lovely and memorable! it was the irish charm, if nothing else, that makes us want to return next year....
Jun 12, 2000, 7:18 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: a little here, a little there
Posts: 1,443
For the first week, we'll be on the coast about 1 hour (40 miles) south of Dublin. Our return flight is also from Dublin, but we have 5 nights free to stray as far as we can.
Jun 12, 2000, 8:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Monkeyville
Programs: Island DOs, very sticky toffee pud w vanilla ice cream n multi-coloured velvet pillows enthusiast
Posts: 4,647
if i had but one choice to stay when i go back, i would go to Mount Juliet...
there is a river run through the fields behind the hotel, and horseback riding nearby... sooo beautiful... and the restaurant is mahvelous!
there is a river run through the fields behind the hotel, and horseback riding nearby... sooo beautiful... and the restaurant is mahvelous!
Jun 13, 2000, 12:52 am
#6
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 290
I would definitely do Killarney at least Muckross Abbey and Muckross House. Also the Ring of Kerry. The Rock of Cashel is great and so is of course, Blarney Castle, which for some reason people keep saying I don't need to visit. There is a web site Ireland Information which is really great. This is my favorite place in the whole world and I go at least once a year. Erin Go Bragh!!! 
Jun 13, 2000, 4:19 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Flying Colonel
Posts: 4,023
Just returned from 5 years in Ireland. Have lots of good advice for you, but need to know if your wallet is loaded or you are on a budget. Will you have a car? Do you want to play golf? What are your hobbies? Any special things you want to do?
Jun 13, 2000, 5:32 am
#8
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
These are a few trip reports from my visit to Dublin in March. Hope it helps.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000755.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000760.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000762.html
And don't forget to visit my town, Blanchardtown outside Dublin and have a pint at the local pub.
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 06-13-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 06-13-2000).]
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000755.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000760.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000762.html
And don't forget to visit my town, Blanchardtown outside Dublin and have a pint at the local pub.
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 06-13-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 06-13-2000).]
Jun 13, 2000, 6:53 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Posts: 82
Do not neglect to go to Northern Ireland if you have the chance. The tourist are all still in Southern Ireland. There are many areas there that are beautiful. You can play on the Devil's Causeway, Cross the suspension bridge at Carrick-A-Rede, hike in the beautiful forests, etc.
Jun 13, 2000, 10:53 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
I'd echo what Lowfare is saying. Some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland is to be found in the North. The Antrim coast, north of Larne all the way up to Ballycastle and further to the Giant's causeway as well as the Mourne Mountains in county Down are well worth visiting. IMHO, the city of Belfast does not have that much in terms of sights as such but it is a great place for restaurants, pubs and clubs.
One thing to bear in mind, though, is that July is the peak of the loyalist marching season. You would not be in Ireland for the Battle of the Boyne anniversary parades (July 10-12th). However,you'd definitely want to steer clear of Portadown/Drumcree on July 2nd-9th (but then again, which tourist would want to go to Portadown at any time of the year, in any event?). If you need info on when/where parades are planned, you can look at the Parades Commission site at http://www.paradescommission.org.
One thing to bear in mind, though, is that July is the peak of the loyalist marching season. You would not be in Ireland for the Battle of the Boyne anniversary parades (July 10-12th). However,you'd definitely want to steer clear of Portadown/Drumcree on July 2nd-9th (but then again, which tourist would want to go to Portadown at any time of the year, in any event?). If you need info on when/where parades are planned, you can look at the Parades Commission site at http://www.paradescommission.org.
Jun 13, 2000, 12:55 pm
#11
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
If you are going to be south of Dublin, definately stop in Dalkey. It's about 20 mins on the Dart from Dublin on the Irish Sea. It is a quaint town which has become fairly fashionsble lately (lots of 'celebrities moving in)--but it still retains its charm.
Jun 13, 2000, 4:38 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
Ireland is my favorite country. I'm envious.
A wonderful restaurant in Dublin named Number 20 is a must--fantastic food. I found that you can hardly go wrong from an eating perspective.
A wonderful restaurant in Dublin named Number 20 is a must--fantastic food. I found that you can hardly go wrong from an eating perspective.
Jun 14, 2000, 9:44 am
#13
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
I would recommend a very long weekend in Dublin. It's a beatiful time to go there and the weather is supposed to be superb.
I stayed on my last visit at the Brooks hotel which is located downtown with many sites in very short walking distance.
For a tour I would recommend Gallaway on the west side(it's 3 hours by train). and from there to the cliffs of moher - one the most beautiful sites I have ever seen!
enjoy
I stayed on my last visit at the Brooks hotel which is located downtown with many sites in very short walking distance.
For a tour I would recommend Gallaway on the west side(it's 3 hours by train). and from there to the cliffs of moher - one the most beautiful sites I have ever seen!
enjoy
Jun 14, 2000, 9:49 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
I stayed at Wynn's Hotel on Lower Abbey Street. It was reasonably pricced (less that $100/nt) and about a block from the river. It was about 2-3 block walk from the bus terminal that you will arrive at from the airport (The Busaurus). I recommend it.
Jun 14, 2000, 10:13 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am from Ireland, lived in Dublin and studied in Galway. If you want to get away from it all go to the Aran Islands which lie off the west coast. Hopefully the weather will be good, but you can never count on it. You may even catch the Galway Arts Festival while you are there.
If you are in Dublin over a weekend, you could head up to Johnny Foxes on a Sunday afternoon. It is a pub come restaurant, usually with traditional music.
If you are in Dublin over a weekend, you could head up to Johnny Foxes on a Sunday afternoon. It is a pub come restaurant, usually with traditional music.