Ireland
 

Hi.

I'm going to Ireland in October for a three-week backpacking, finding myself sort of self help trip thing. Any advice would be great. ;)


Jessica

If you're looking for places to go, I really enjoyed the Dingle Peninsula. It's on the west coast of Ireland, with some wild coastline and also some cute little towns. The town of Dingle has a pretty harbor, little streets, and cute pubs, and is a nice place to walk around. The surrounding countryside, and farther out on the peninsula, had nice nature areas, wild coast, and great views. I'm not sure how the weather would be in October, though -- I was there in March and the weather was horrid with cold wind and lots of rain, but it was still so gorgeous there!

Are you going to Dublin?

Re: Ireland
 

My advice is to take me! I want to go to Ireland! :D
Seriously now, I have no advice. Just have fun and tell me all about it when you get back so I can be all jealous of you and stuff.

Go to Trinity College Dublin. Go tell my relatives that I say hello.

I'm with Susan_Renee - take me!!!

Seriously, I've never been there, but of all the places my parents ever went to, they loved Ireland the most (and my dad wasn't Irish!). They took the Ring of Kerry tour, and most of the other people I know who went to Ireland also suggested it.

If you're Irish, try to find out where your ancestors were from (which county or parish). You're sure to find long-lost relatives, and get to know some of the locals.

Unless you know them personally, don't just show up. They hate that. I'm not joking.

Fortunately, I know my relatives. I have visited them in Ireland and England, and they have visited me in NYC which is always fun. :)

My parents struck out, but friends of theirs called some relatives, and they actually came to pick them up! Of course, it's always more polite to call or write before just showing up on someone's doorstep (a la Griswolds).

Well
 

I guess it's good I don't have family in Ireland, and if I do, I certainly don't know them. I'm just going for a little bit of R&R, a time to immerse myself in the history and mystery, catch up on some reading, sort of a self-help journey to Ireland.


Anything else anyone has to add would be fantastic.

Yes, I'm going to Dublin, and whoever is free to come along, but you have to pay for it yourself. ;)

Basically, if I can remember it from memory, I'm doing:

Dublin, Kilkenny, Cashel, Killarney, Dingle, Doolin, Galway, Limerick, Cork...
Staying mostly in the republic. I think I'm missing a couple towns. heh.

Do you have time to go to Scotland?

I really wish I did. I would have loved to see a bunch of Europe...but money and time just wont allow it. I plan on doing this trip thing yearly though if this one goes through. Next year England and Scotland would definately be on the list.

If you get a chance, do go up to Northern Ireland. I spent 3 days in a small town called Portrush, so I could go see Giant's Causeway. I loved it up there, and I want to go back and see more. There's also a great restaurant in town..it's one of two near the bowling alley. Anyhow...

You've got a great list! I ADORED Ireland, and I was there in the dead of winter. It even snowed one day. Enjoy your trip.:)

I was in N. Ireland and Ireland in the summer of 2004. It was great! I loved it!

One tip that I have to give you is: GET EUROS!!! :)
(Since Euros are the currency of Ireland.)

Take lots of pictures! Ireland is a very picturous country.

And enjoy yourself!

Just watch out for the drivers... for the next little while - they switched to Metric for speed limits this week so things might be a little 'confusing' until they get use to the system (although distances have been in Km for years now).

The North is nice, contrary to what you may have heard.

I just returned from Ireland about 2 weeks ago. I stayed in Limerick, but toured much of Southern Ireland.
You MUST do the Ring of Kerry. Absolutely breathtaking views! I think you said you were doing some backpacking, but if you need a break from that, then I recommend spending the night in a bed & breakfast and taking at least a day & 1/2 to do the Ring. The towns by the ocean have some great restaurants and pubs w/ killer seafood chowder.
Also, the Cliffs of Moher are amazing. If you want to do some hiking, go to the Burren. LOTS of walking to be done there.
As far as things to experience...try a Guinness w/ some black currant in it, eat some soda bread and porter cake, drink some Mead, ofcourse go to the pubs and meet people, and do every day things so you can see the difference over there. For example, their radio stations play a mix of all genres of music, not like here where it's either a rock station, or country, or pop. There, it's schizophrenic radio w/ ABBA one minute and Metallica the next. Also, their grocery stores and gas stations have totally different brands of food and candy. It's just fun to try all the new things you can. Feel free to PM me, all the info. from the trip is still fresh in my mind.
I'll probably be back over there in May for a family function and I want to go to Kilkenny b/c I didn't get to do that. Our ancestors lived in Kilkenny Castle for about 500 years so I really want to see it. Okay, enough rambling....Enjoy and have a good craic (laugh)!!!