has anyone been to Ireland? if so, where did you stay? and what would you recommend?

Answer 1

I have never EVER met a visitor to Ireland who would not return. Indeed a huge percentage do return, some again and again for the rest of their lives. ireland has an etraordinary record for tourist goodwill and repeat business.

AND SO TO BUSINESS

There are three Irelands, Tourist Ireland, Real Ireland and Dublin Ireland. "Temple Bar" is the tourist extreme of Dublin Ireland. Suggesting Temple Bar as a place to experience Real Ireland is kinda like suggesting tha Soho London is Real England or that Manahatten is Real New York is Real America.

Seldom do the different 'Irelands' meet or agree and never less so than in Temple Bar. Temple Bar is where all the posers hang out, get pissed and/or laid, buy their schmuck souvenirs and soak up the feeling that they have seen Ireland.

You need to know that there are 4 million people living on the Island of Ireland and about 6 million people visit it every year. Read that again! If the same figure was applied to say England they would have about 60,000,000 visitors a year

The magic of the Island of Ireland is its uniqueness in a jaded world. It not a tourist factory in the sense of Spain, Malta, Florida. We feed 6 million visitors each year. We bed them down, entertain them, educate them, amuse them and move them around the Island in a uniquely Irish way.

And so to your question! See Ireland slowly and meet its people.

There are so many 'things' to do and so much to see that most people forget that the real wonder of Ireland is its people. We don't sell ourselves as a sunny destination. We give instead the sunny disposition of our people. People who will not only talk with you but will go out of their way to do so.

Ireland has a visible history going back 6500 years. To see those distant origins, visit the Behy fields on the North Mayo coast. Its interpretive centre shows that in 4500BC people farmed the land and went about their daily business in much the same way as was still visible on the Aran islands as recently as about 1950.

As to 'Where did you stay'. You seem to think that like the rest of the tourist world there are 'safe' places. Not true! There are places to get ripped off and I hope others may tell you where to avoid. Else you can stay where and how you like.

Even while an Irish resident I travelled the length and breath of Ireland, staying in hotels, B+Bs, hostels, private houses, under canvas. On a buget the best value for money must be the hostels and the best hostel I have ever stayed in is Kilworth in Co. Cork.

Travel in Ireland by public transport is tedious and unrelaible. Due to the breath-taking stupidity of a gombeen government in the 50s most of the rail infresturture was dismantled sold off and built over. Basically what remains is links between Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Killarney. Even that does not show the bungling. A stunningly beautiful rail track from Limerick via Ennis, Gort and galway is used only for freight and even then but seldom.

So public transport can mean bus. Free trade only came to buses in the past five years and even today the cold clammy hand of monopoly is evident in the way the national bus company continues to harry private operators.

You really need local knowledge of the workings of the bus system to get anywhere and the most desirable places may have only one or two buses per day. But this has advantages. because it slows you down and you get to interface with people.

Ireland is 'the lands of welcomes'. The Irish greeting "Ceád Míle Fáilte" is not some adman's invention. It is what the Irish are.

During the past decade the island has become one of the wealtiest places on earth. This has brought greed, avarice, drugs, debauchery and a certain "fcuk-you-mate, I'm all right" attitude among a minority of pricks. But these would be just as obnoxious if they had emigrated as the fore-fathers did to the far corners of the globe.

If you want to know where to eat (cheaply) ask people on the street! Ireland is famous for food, some of the best in the world. But you will not necessarily find it in 'restaurants'. The SPAR supermarket range is almost nationwide and they more and more they have ready cooked meals which are to die for. But you won't find that in the guide books.

Stay away from any fast food outlet whose name you recognise. You will get shite food at high prices. There are little cafes in most larger towns that feed you well at a right price. Here are a few (And please help me they are still open).

Limerick: North wall of Milk Market. also chips to die for
Galway: "Lig do Scith" Wood Quay Irish Breakfast
Dublin: Georges Street Arcade (200 yards from Temple Bar)
Athlone: SPAR Dublin Road take-away lunch to die for.
Moate: delicatessan cheeses etc
Ballyvaughan: Monks Bar beside the pier.
Dungarvan: none: all grossly overpriced.

As for something to do! Look for a county hurling match. They are very seasonal so research it. You will not believe the speed and skill of this game. Quidditch on a flat pitch!

Find a 'fleadh ceoil' [pronounced FLA KYOLE means music festival] Once again seasonal and the Provincials are the best.

See "Newgrange" This is an astronomical time clock built 1000 years before the Great Pyramid of Giza. It measures the first rays of dawn on the shortest day of the year. It is a truly mind-blowing place to be.

Take a trip with a Galway Hooker. This has nothing to do with drugs or ladies of easy virtue. research and believe

Drive the Sky Road.

Visit the Bridges of Ross.

Go to the Silent Valley, The Antrim Glens and Rathlin Island




To be continued [eventually]

Answer 2

I have, and I LOVED it.
I stayed in youth hostels to save money, but there are rental cottages with thatched roofs and turf fires, that's what I would do for sure if when I go back. I also would like to spend a night in a castle...I'm including a link to a site with lots of castles that are also accomodations.
I visited Galway and Dublin. I recommend seeing the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and the Guinness brewery tour. I have since learned more Irish history and regret not having visited the GPO, the site of the Easter Uprising.

Answer 3

Beautiful place stayed near Killkenny scenery around waterford and wexford is stunning people very freindly and helpful also went to cork also very nice only stayed for a week in ireland this is not long enough

Answer 4

Hey,
best site for any type of accommodation from castles to cottages, hotels to hostels and even pubs with rooms in all parts of Ireland is http://www.irishaccommodationguide.com

Enjoy.
Dara

Answer 5

B&Bs or Hostels (-if you're young). As far as things to do, blaze your own trail. There are endless places to visit. I suggest you do some research and planning before you go over. I recommend missing some of the touristy places...-don't do Blarney!!!

Answer 6

Stay in Bed & Breakfasts. They are pretty cheap, you get a nice breakfast in the morning and you get to meet meet Irish families and other travelers. You can find one olmost anywhere.

Answer 7

i live in co. clare. the best time to visit kilrush in co. clare is when the mrs crotty festival is held in august. the beer is free flowing!! all the pubs have live music every night. its brilliant. contact kevin or rebecca in crottys pub in kilrush for details and accom. its worth it! theres also dolphin watching, cappa beach, more bars! good food at the harbour restaurant or crottys. kilkee is 10mins away and packed for the summer with holidayers. kilrush is the best place to stay if you want the real irish welcome!!

Answer 8

My God, Southockdeon must work for the Irish tourist board.lol.

Answer 9

i have lovely people and very pretty country i cant recomend where to stay as i stayed with my parents,

Answer 10

Ya! I live here! go see a hurling match