Exploring Ireland independently?

Question

We want explore Ireland by car and lots of hiking. We are more into nature, yet some history would be interesting.
We want to know what are the beautiful areas that would be best for peeps that like to hike, bike, sail, etc. Is there specified area of Ireland i.e. N, S, E or W?

Answer 1

There is just too much to put down here:

For climbing and mountaineering info:

http://www.mountaineering.ie
http://www.climbing.ie
http://www.theshortspan.com/ (bouldering in Ireland)

Also, hill-walking (check these first):

http://mountainviews.ie/
http://www.simonstewart.ie/

There are forums and email addresses on the MCI website (www.mountaineering.ie). Also specific guidebooks for areas can be bought in the Great Outdoors (http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/) and River Deep, Mountain High (http://www.rdmh.ie/), for example.

You can't miss Croagh Patrick in Mayo either!

Answer 2

I know you want to hike around Ireland, but meeting the people is half the fun, you definitely have to go to Dublin, hiking from pub to pub would be fantastic, quickest way to know the people stop in a pub. A small town that has to be visited is Cobh (pronounced Cove) not really on the tourist route, but this town has history (last stop of Titanic, survivors of Lusitania came here and Cove harbor is where millions of people from Ireland left to the United States. Probably can do some sailing from there.

Answer 3

West Coast, definitly. Connemara is beautiful, very pristine and natural. Hiking on the west coast is amazing, definitly get up to the Maamturk mountains in Connemara. The west is the best in terms of things to do in the great outdoors. Northern Ireland is beautiful too, especially the Antrim coast.

Answer 4

That's a lot to research and you'll likely only obtain snippets of a huge amount of possibilities.

Your best bet is to do your research on the Irish and UK ( Northern Ireland ) National Tourism websites accessed from this directory:

http://www.tourismrankings.com/Ireland/
http://www.tourismrankings.com/United-Kingdom/

If you're in need od some accommodation along the way, some of these places may assist:

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/Ireland/
http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/

Hopefully this will back up any info that others may post here -

Good luck with your planning

Answer 5

n Dublin(city)
1.viking splash tours dublin-its an exciting tour of the city.You go on borad a WW2 vehicle and let the costume guides tell you about the great sights .You then drive inton the Grand Canal Harbour to continue your tour by water.Don't worry,you won't get wet.departure points are 64-65 patrick street(close to St. Patricks Cathedral),St Stephen's Green North.tours are every 30 mins.you can buy tickets at departure points.there is 30% discounts off adult price for 10am tour only if booked at least one day in advance.

2.Trinity College-visit the world famous 8th century illuminated manuscript which features the 4 Gospels.The Libary's Long Room is also spectacular as it is 200 feet in length.It houses 200,000 of irelands most important books.be prepared to queue but it goes fast.

3-Dublin Castle-It was built between 1204 and 1224 and was the seat of English rule and goverment untill 1922.It is used for state functions and is open to the puplic.

4.Ha'penny bridge-this is a well known and loved symbol of Dublin.It became known as the ha'penny bridge cos of the toll people used to be charged to walk across it.

5-Dublin Writers Museum-it displays collections of rare editions used by artists.

Killkenny
1.Kells-a tiny medival village in the Nore vally renowed of its beuty and authenticity.

2-Killkenny City-visit the lovely city and its castle.

Wicklow
1.Glendalough-the town has become one of the most visited sites fo wicklow.the 6 century manastic settlement is the most important of its kind in Ireland.Access to the site is free.

Meath
1.Newgrange-a lovely passage tomb that was made in the megalithic times.you have to go and see it if you are coming to ireland .also visit knowth and dowth.they are in the same place.
Cork
1.Cork city-the city is great for shopping.you can also go and see Shandon-north of the river lee,the shandon area represents corks eighteenth century status as the most important port in Europe dariy produts.
St Annes Shandon-this can be seen anywhere in the city.climb the tower for breathtaking views and take the opportunity to ring the churchh bells.
Cork City Gaol-its only a 30 mins walk from the city centre.an interactive tour takes you through teh prision.

Cobh(in cork)
1.The queenstown Story-2.5 million people sailed from cobh to america.the hertiage centre recalls this part of the history.

Blarney(in cork)
1.Blarney Castle-climb the castle and kiss the blarney stone which is said to give you the gift of the gab.

Kerry
1.the ring fo kerry-the 110-mile ring of kerry is famous for some of the most beutiful scenery in the world.you can drive around in a day.a would take a bus tour if i were you but choose a good one.

2. National Park - In kilarney- you can hike, cycle and even canoe or kayak there. It has beutiful scenary

3. Gap of Dunloe

Clare
1.the cliffs of moher-they are without a doubt a spectaculr sight in the county.a 700ft drop of sheer cliff face of black shale and sandstone that together with the raging Atlantic below and the wheeling ,screaming birds in the sky provides one of the most hauting images found in ireland.be sure not to be blown of the edge!!Stay back form the side.

2.The Burren-this and area of unique natural beuty.miles of limestone slabls hide a myriad of undergroun rivers and lakes and above ground a huge varity of Artic,Alpine and Mediterranen plants can be found.DO NOT PICK ANY!!!!

3.Bunratty-go to the folk park and live the experience of how life was in ireland.local women bake bread and spin wool in the reconstruced farmsteads by open fires.go the Bunratty Castle-mediaeval banquets are one of the main attractions at the beutifully restored Bunratty Castle.BOTH ARE A MUST SEE!!!

Galway
1.Galway city-a lively spot people all over the globe come to this city.you have to visit this city.

2.Connemara-a vast area west of Galway City,has some of the most beutiful and dramatic scenery in ireland.It is a landscape of dry-stone walls,tiny fields and isilated framsteads

3.Arran Islands-3 islands make up the group know as the Aran Islands;inismore (the largest),Inismaan and Inissheer (the smallest of the 3)The islands are an examle of the sucessful preservation of a culture and language that has largely resisted the changes of the 20th century.

Ireland is a great country and there are loads more things to do.the above are just a few i could think of at the top of my head.I love ireland(and not just because i'm irish (and live in ireland)).i would suguest rent a car cos otherwise it will be impossible to see everything.Have fun.xxx
Source(s):
go to http://www.achiltourism.com/places.html...
http://www.galway1.ie
http://www.ireland.ie

Answer 6

Pretty much all the west coast would be a very nice trip. From Donegal down to Kerry. Wicklow is worth a visit too. Going down the shannon might be good too although I have not done that.