Ireland???

Question

Went to Dublin recently (maybe shud av done a bit more homework) Not that impressed , so much like any other large city. What I really want is the 'proper' Ireland with the singin & dancin in the traditional pubs etc ...... Where shud I go?

Answer 1

The countryside. You won't find "real" Americians in New York City, or Chicago or any of the big cities. If you want to meet the "real" Ireland, go to the countryside.

Answer 2

You didn't ask the right people the right questions when you were in Dublin. There are quite a few places to find 'singin & dancin' in pubs in the Fair City.

The first site below has links to a few of the places to find it.

Some quotes from the sites mentioned:

"Traditional Irish Music at O'Donoghues
Music is a huge part of Dublin's History and traditional Irish music has a home right here in O'Donoghue's famous bar. A favourite of Christy Moore and the Dubliners amongst its illustrious past ,It has been an attraction not only for tourists from all over the world but is also a favourite haunt of local Dubliners, who for seven nights a week come to The bar for the real Irish Music Experience."

"Taylors Irish Night banquet and show is a highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, ballads and Irish Dancing. The Irish Night show is widely acclaimed due to the genuine and friendly nature of the pub and its dedicated approach to Irish music."

"Description: Chief O'Neill's Bar has live entertainment on Friday & Saturday Nights, plus a Traditional Irish Music Session on Sunday Afternoons from 3-6 pm featuring Traditional Irish Dancers."

Answer 3

I also just went to Dublin back in May! I kinda felt the same as you...not all that impressed. We spent a day doing all the touristy things in Dublin city center and visiting plenty of pubs. The one place that really had me feeling like I was in Ireland, in a true Irish pub was Temple Bar, in Temple Bar. It is touristy but it's got a great vibe!!! The bar had great music and the crowd was fantastic! We decided after spending that afternoon/evening in Dublin that we should get out and see all that we can see since we felt like we had a pretty good feel for the Dublin area. So, we went to the train station and asked the person at the information booth where she recommended. She recommended a town called Bray which is about an hour train ride south of the city! Boy she was absolutely right!!! We were right in the mountains at this point!!!! After having a Guiness in a small pub we went on a cliff walk along the Irish Sea that was absolutely breathtaking! I think I took 200 pictures along the 2 hour hike! GEORGEOUS! Definitely recommend Bray!
We spent the rest of our ten day vacation in Mullingar which is about an hour west of Dublin. We saw lots of the beautiful countryside and lots of castles! Went to a few pubs right outside Mullingar most of which are pubs with a small grocery store inside as well!!! I was told by the locals that's a true Irish pub!
Ireland is a gorgeous country but you definitely have to get outside the city to see it!

Answer 4

How could you not be impressed that is the beauty that is the Fair City of Dublin??? Dublin is amongst the most happening cities in all of Europe at the moment. It is buzzing. Dublin is amongst the top 5 cities in Europe as a location for city breaks, its bursting at the seams with a whole rainbow of nationalities from Albanian to Zambian, Ireland was ranked as the best place to live by the Economist maagazine, and Dublin is the best place to live in Ireland as it is big and beautiful. Therefore, its the best place in the world. As well as the usual tourist haunts ,like Trinity, free museums, pubs, restauraunts, the Spire, GPO, Phoenix Park, St Stephens Green, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Bay, Howth Harbour, Temple Bar and several theatres you know, only a few, its also has a great character about it. I am deeply sorry that you did not fel it, you are the poorer without it.

Answer 5

Dublin's a great city in its own right - do give it another chance for what it is.

Try Co. Cork for something a bit more erm - traditional. Not the city mind - but the places on the outside - Passage West, Douglas, etc. There are still plenty of the old stone houses, old pubs, old men, donkeys, etc - is that what you mean by Old Oireland?

If you want the drinking and dancing, you'd be better off in Liverpool to be honest - the capital of Ireland, try Flanagans, O'Neils, Pogue Mahones for traditional Irish fiddly-dee.

Answer 6

Sorry you didnt have a good time in Dublin Mickey. I'M from Dublin but live in Chicago now. I find that theese two citys are exactly the same. I wonder what happened that u didnt have a good time there. After reading all the suggestions I agree with them all Go to Ennis in Co Clare, Connemara in Galway ad head south to Kerry. Stop by small villages and visit the local watering holes.There is more entertainment there than on TV .
UP THE DUB'S!!!!!!!!1

Answer 7

I've lived in Ireland all of my life and have almost always spent holidays here. I know I'm biased, but I don't think there's any place on earth like this country. If it's the traditional aspect you're after, I would strongly recommend paying a visit to Cahersiveen in County Kerry. It's part of the "untouched" area of Ireland, and has plenty to offer for such a small rural town. I've been there twice in two years, and I imagine I'll be back next year.

Have a look at http://www.ferryview-cahersiveen.com - it's the website for a B&B there - or if you want to ask me anything just drop me an e-mail and I'll be glad to help.

Answer 8

You should go further down the country, around Co. Clare and Co. Kerry or somewhere near there. All the little pubs in the middle of no where, its great craic!! Or go to the West of Ireland, like out to Achill Island in Co. Mayo, not as much night life but it is really pretty over there!!

Answer 9

Forget it, there's none of that Ireland left, it's all been sold out in small plots of land, and huge houses are now the order of the day throughout ireland, no donkeys, or pipe smoking, wrinkled faced, swollen handed, old men who look 50yrs older than the 80yrs they say they are.
Ireland of that time is gone and buried, people in Ireland much more alien few talk or recognise each other, but they are really good at spreading rumours, and tearing each other apart, that is their best asset.
the most prolific part of Ireland today is CLASS DISTINCTION it is rife here.

yes you will get some who are clinging to the idea of ripping off everyone and anyone tourists included, with crap advertising, of jigs n reels and of course that discusting stout, but if you want to get ripped off left right and center then this is the place to be, otherwise choose another part of europe which is much more in tuning with the rest of the world, and entertainment etc is much much cheaper than this place.
this is life in Ireland 2006

Answer 10

Cork. Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal. I live on the west coast myself and avoids Dublin like the plague! Any of these counties have live Irish music in pubs and festivals.

Answer 11

yes! You should have done your homework! Dublin is a tatty destination in Ireland. To save you doing homework,check the link below. It's an answer I gave to a similar question on YAHOO some time ago. It's not a quick fix. Its the real thing based on 55 years experince there.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AikSzY6eQRy1vgZcUIWyxc8gBgx.?qid=20060706230840AAE76yt

By the way to cop Dublin try www.overheardindublin.com Trust me on this