I am planning a trip to ireland this december? what can I do to make the most of my trip?

Question

what airline should I fly? what sights should I see?
should I learn irish? If i am going to spend 10 days in ireland, what should be on my " must see / do " list?

any advice is appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi! I'm going to Ireland in December too. Where are you going to be traveling from? I'm going from San Francisco to Shannon. This will be my 4th time to Ireland. What others have said about the weather is true. It can be very dark and rainy, however last year I was in County Cork for a week, and the weather was sunny and beautiful. It all depends on how lucky you get. Definitely bring rain gear (at least an umbrella) jus to be safe. Also, bring a jacket. Temps usually hover around the 40's in the day and 30's at night. Southern Ireland should not be missed. The coast line is beautiful. Dingle is a nice small town with a lot to do. They offer diving and horseback riding if the weather is decent. There is also a dolphin living in the bay that you can visit by ferry. If he doesn't appear, you get your money back. If the weather is gloomy, there are plenty of restaurants and shops as well as pubs with traditional Irish music. There's also a very nice small aquarium. Blarney is another fun place. You can visit the famous Blarney castle and climb the narrow stairs leading to the top. Once at the top, you may kiss the famous Blarney stone to receive the gift of gab. ***warning...you literally have to bend over backward while someone holds your feet. I wasn't brave enough to do this, but if you aren't afraid, it makes for a great photo op.
If the castle isn't your thing, Blarney also has a very interesting garden. This is the Druid garden. It was said to have once been inhabited by an ancient people who were into spirituality and witchcraft. There are still ruins of sacrificial alters and such. It's kind of creepy, but still really interesting. The little town of Blarney offers its own charm. They have the smallest post office I've ever seen, and yes, it's painted green. Really cute!
As for which airline to fly, I don't really have a preference. I've flown on British Airways connecting in London to Aer Lingus and Midlands, but this time around I'll be on United changing planes in New York to connect to Aer Lingus. I don't think any airline is really superior to another. I just try to find the least expensive.
It's not really necessary to learn the Irish language. It is rarely spoken in Ireland except in the Aran Islands and a few issolated spots. English is spoken everywhere else. It's interesting that the accents will vary by region though. A Dublin accent sounds very different from a Cork accent.

Answer 2

First thing- no need to learn irish. ITs a great language, but for a trip definately not necessary.

Second thing- be prepared ireland in december- WET, DARK and MISERABLE outside! However dont let that put you off.

Tourist wise from what Ive heard the jameson and guinness tours are pretty good in dublin. Dont go on the open bus tour, you can walk most of the places quicker. IMMA is a great building but the art on display is generally questionable. Theatres good for the wet nights. Dublin has some great restaurants- the winding stair goes for irish recepies. Pubwise Kehoes off grafton street. Abvoid temple bar!!!OUtside dublin I generally would recommend the west, but the weather can be brutal that time of the year.

Airline wise, just go cheapest.If coming from america, go with an american airline because the offer more to ease the boredom than aer lingus. If from UK bmi baby are one of the better services.

Answer 3

I spent last December in Ireland so here's my advice:

Visit Killary Harbour in Co. Galway - one of the 50 places to see before you die (according to the BBC).

Dublin is a must - it's a great city, vibrant and friendly, but 3 days there should be adequate if you want to go, see and do other things.

Also visit the Ring of Kerry - if so, why not stay in Killarney (which has a beautiful national park) and you can easily tour from there.

No need to learn Irish, you'll do just fine as an English speaker.

As to airline, it really depends where you're flying from, but we flew from Manchester, England to the United States (Newark and Houston) and Canada (Vancouver) with Continental and found them very good.

Answer 4

If you're going in December bring waterproof coats and especially shoes because wet feet are not fun. For 10 days, I think you should base yourself in a city like Dublin or Cork, or preferably both for a few days at a time, since 10 days in one city can be a bit much. You could then go on day trips to places outside the cities, like West Cork, Kerry, Belfast. Maybe stay in Galway for a few days as well

Answer 5

what everyone else has said about the weather is true - but you could be lucky! one of ireland's key attractions is that nothing is certain, neither the weather nor the train timetables! A major factor to bear in mind is that in December the days are short here - so don't aim to do too much. It will be dark by 5pm ( you don't need daylight to sample the restaurants and pubs!) so time things around that. Cities are good for when it's raining, obviously, as you can do indoor activities like galleries and museums. Some of the coastal towns of West cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and Mayo are very quiet in the winter - lots of restaurants and shops close down off season unfortunately. However if you like wild scenery and big weather, you could be in luck - West Cork is particularly prone to big waves and that can make for great sight-seeing if you're into that sort of thing (like me!)

ok my shortlist for must see/do for December would include dublin (see dublin castle, trinity college, the national gallery and the national museum, and for shopping grafton street, georges st south, wicklow st and powerscourt shopping centre - all these things are within easy walk of one another). Then go down to Wicklow to Glendalough (the visitor centre there is really informative and it's a great spot even on a wet day), then down to Avoca to visit the handweavers and eat at their amazingly gorgeous cafe (and buy the cookbook, to bring home a taste of ireland) .. then over the hills to kilkenny, visit kilkenny castle (it's gorgeous and the guides are really good), the city is great for shopping too. Then down to Cork , via the Jameson distillery in Midleton (if you're into that it's worth a look). cork city is a nice small place for a walk around, have a look at the victorian English Market (covered in, good for a wet day!). Then go down to Kinsale and walk along the marina and eat at the White House, visit Charles Fort and look out over the bay if you can see that far! If you have time, take the coastal drive west towards Clonakilty and go for a walk on Long Strand. Big waves galore! Then head for Kerry, maybe stay in Kenmare and take some pics of the coloured houses. Head out to Dingle then, stopping in Anascaul to see the South Pole Inn (home of a famous polar explorer) and drive around Slea head if it's a clear day. Head north then through Adare to see some more thatched cottages, and back towards dublin. If you're into horses, the National STud in Kildare is well worth a look , it's quite near Dublin on your way back.

There's a plan for you!! Easy knowing I used to work in tourism!! Hope it's useful

Answer 6

To my mind, the most important thing you can do is to NOT expect everything to be like home. Rather than longing for those things that you are accustomed to, allow yourself to appreciate the way that some things are different. Do that and you will have a wonderful time no matter where you go or what you see.

Have a great trip.

P.S. Don't look for the Lock Ness monster unless you are also visiting Scotland.

Answer 7

Bring warm comfortable clothes and shoes.
It gets dark at 4 in the winter so make sure you get out early in the morning.

Must see :
Galway - various live traditional music in pubs - soak up the atmosphere, the drive to Clifden has beautiful scenery. (3 days)
Dublin - sightseeing tour, guinness factory (2 days)
Clare - cliffs of moher, the burren, Bunratty castle evening banquet (2 days)
Wexford - hook head lighthouse, JFK Arboretum, Dunbrody Emigrant Ship, New Ross (1 day)

You don't 'need' Irish but here are some greetings you might like to use for fun:
Cheers is "sláinte" (slawncha)
hello is "Dia duit" ( dee-a-gwith)
goodbye is "Slan leat"
goodbye (to person leaving): Slán leat (slawn lath)
goodbye (to person staying): Slán agat. (slawn aguth)
how are you?: Conas tá tú? (kunas thaw thoo)
I'm fine: Táim go maith (thawim gu moh)

I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Answer 8

You will enjoy your stay in Ireland any time of the year. The open Top buses are fun, and you will enjoy the craic. If Peter k is let out of his mental home. then he should visit too, but I think he will be in for a long time. Enjoy your visit. By the way use Aer Lingus.

Answer 9

Have you tried contacting a travel agency? They can make up packages that are so amazing and fantastic prices. Especially the type of trip your taking too. A great web site to check out is Applevacations.com

Answer 10

No you dont have to learn Irish! My best advice, when visiting in December, bring plenty warm clothes and rainproof coats!!

Please don't miss out on the Guinness exerience!

Enjoy it.