Where is a nice place to go in Republic of Ireland?

Question

I am planning a 2 night midweek trip to Ireland in September for my Girlfriends birthday. Flying in to Dublin. Any suggestions. plus points would be stunning costal scenery, live Irish music and a nice reasonably priced hotel

Answer 1

Galway in Western Ireland is arguably the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. If you can I would change your flight and land in Shannon, drive to Galway and you will be immersed in Irish culture. People in Galway still speak gaelic, as well as English.

Answer 2

Such a short visit - Galway is great, and there are some quick trains (get on in Dublin, first stop Galway - 2 hours) and quite a frequent train service too

Westport 3 and a half hours on train, 3 trains per day. It is lovely and has lots of live music, but I would choose B&Bs as the hotels are a bit pricey. Possibly less in September, as the main tourist rush is finished by then. Do a yahoo search for hotels in Westport. If you decide to go there, on Tuesday nights there is a ceili just outside Newport in Derradda, about 10 miles from Westport. Good fun.

Flying into Dublin, at the airport you can get a 5 euro ticket which covers all day travel on city buses and I think the Dart also. If you fly in early, you have all day. The Dart follows the coastline for a lot of the journey, so you would see some nice scenery on the way. Check http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/2-6/pt/13.htm for a map. Dublin has live Irish music, Temple Bar comes to mind, but there are other places too.

Whatever you decide, have a great visit - and come again for a longer stay.

Answer 3

Sounds like you should head for the west, try Galway or Connemara, I think you'd really like Westport.

Alternatively you could try County Clare, which is very special indeed, and has all the things you're looking for.

Or there's Kerry, but I'd steer clear of Killarney as it's a bit of a tourist trap.

But for my money, I'd go to the Beara Peninsula, which is the border of Kerry and Clare, and the scenery there is unbelievable. You'll need to hire a car, and there is a very nice Bed and Breakfast there that also does self-catering in the village of Allihies. I don't think there are many major hotels there - the roads are not suitable for large coaches ( so it's still relatively unspoilt), and the beaches, while beautiful, are not safe for swimming. But there's the Healy Pass and Dursey Island in the vicinity, and the town of Castletownbere for music.

Answer 4

Hello,

(ANS) I can certain highly recommend the Dingle peninsular in the South tip of Ireland which still has a wild rugged and unspoilt beauty, is slow paced and unhurried. Also any of the west coast of Ireland is very beautiful and you wont find any where else quite like it.

**If you have a car ( a car is really essential in this part of Ireland) or rent a car you will get the best out of your stay.

**There are many many local bars & pubs all along from dingle upto Giants Causway in the North, which have live Irish music sessions. Almost ALL local bars & pubs have impromptu music sessions at some point in the week in the evening. Just ask around to find out locals are usually quite friendly & should be able to tell you when & which nights.

**Sorry! cannot specifically recommend any accommodation.

Ivan

Answer 5

Well seeing as you are staying in Ireland for just two nights you will need to stay close to Dublin. Most of Irelands stunning coastal scenery is on the west coast at least 4-5 hours drive from dublin :(

For beautiful coastal scenery near Dublin city center; take a trip on the DART (light rail system) http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ from city center (connolly, tara street and pearse are the main city center stops) to somewhere like killiney, dalkey or bray in co wicklow

One of my favourite lrish music pubs in Dublin is Oliver St Gogartys right in the middle of Dublin city center in Temple Bar http://www.olivergogartys.com/pub/

Bewleys hotel (approx 2 miles from the city center) is one of the nicest (mid-priced) hotels in Dublin http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge_hotel_dublin.asp The hotel approx 100-200 metres from the DART stop "Sandymount"

Answer 6

Just get on the Dart and get off anywhere along the track, ask someone for a pub with live music, ask the manager for a room, Sorted. Everywhere is a nice place in Ireland..!!!

Answer 7

Id head to Mullaghmore Co. Sligo. It has a gorgeous beach and mounains and its near to the town of Bundoran and Sligo City. Theres also a nice hotel there.

Answer 8

Drive down to County Wexford. Irish music nearly everynight, beautiful food, and Lots of sights. It is beautiful especially Fethard-On-Sea

Answer 9

emm i went to the rock of Cashel last week on my holidays (((I loved it )) from their I drove to waterford,cork city and finished up in limrick .!! But one place i didn't visit was Kerry and i wished i did !!!