Tips for visiting the Emerald Isle

Go to Connemara, on the west coast. Mountains, beaches, isolation, pubs.

A week's not long enough to see much though.

-- Ian

Hallo Bruce,

from your criteria, the first place that springs to mind is Westport. Situated on the west coast, in County Mayo. Large, historic town. Close proximity to "Croagh Patrick", which is what passes for a mountain in Ireland. It's an easy walk up for the most part, but the upper half was loose shale/stone which makes it a bit tricky (that was 10 years ago, there's probably a tarmac path going up there now!).

One of "The Chieftains" has a bar in the town, but it's generally packed with tourists. Worth peeping in the door though, you never know.

Plenty of walking and the usual fishing/golf opportunities.

An alternative idea is to visit the north part of Ireland. The North Antrim coast is pretty spectacular and maybe more interesting than Wesport with sights such as The Giant's Causeway, Devil's Bridge ?, large number of whiskey distilleries, (and plenty of walking and the usual fishing/golf opportunities, it goes without saying.....)

Gut feeling points toward Westport. Bring an umbrella.

Brian

My recommendation would be the Ring of Beara in the SW, a gloriously unspoilt and magical peninsula which looks over Bantry bay to the East and the Kenmare river to the McGillicuddy Reeks (highest mountain in Ireland) to the west. It's half in County Cork and half in Kerry. Six years ago, when I was last there, the roads were narrow and winding, happily making it impenetrable for coachloads of day trippers from Killarney. Great cycling routes and local fishermen willing to take you out mackerel fishing. You are also well placed to visit the Ring of Kerry, Cork and the unremitting 'oirish' tackfest that is Killarney.

I think that May/June is tricky enough for the Irish weather. I recall one aborted visit in late June and every time we ventured out it was like getting a bucket of cold water in the face, so if possible I would put it off until August, though as others have said, still bring an umbrella. I was in Dublin last month and can confirm that you will need very deep and full pockets.

Weather in Ireland is always fickle, but there is sunshine on most days. If you are used to holidays in the west of scotland, then you know what outdoor gear to bring.

My favourite parts, so far, are in Donegal and North Mayo. You could also nip into Antrim to visit the Giant's causeway and the Carrickarede rope bridge, near by.

Nick

Scotland has indeed hardened us to any and all weather.

How long would it take to drive from Dublin to the W Coast/SW corner? We are taking the Caterham in all likelihood. Anything over about 6hrs makes your ears bleed.

Beara sounds great. Kilarney awful.

Bruce

Connemara is an amazing place. Sligo takes some beating too.

Cheers

Harry

A little something I picked up County Cork !

You can really pick up some real bargains there on the Domestic Staff front, and if you're lucky enough to have Senior Irish Interior Ministry or British Home Office contacts, you'll be able to nab yourself a Cleaner/Cook/Nanny for a snippet of the usual pittance you'd pay them; they'd be fast tracked through with their residence/work permits (depending on what you pay ?) and possibly have them up and running ready for abuse, mistreatment and general taking advantage of by Christmas and New Year.

Slainte:

Fritz Von Justcanniegetthestaffhtesedays


N.B. Is George Galloway in reality French ?

Bruce

Dingle on the west side is also worth a visit, some stunning coastline and scenery. The town itself has some great traditional pubs and restaurants, where the locals really make you feel welcome.

Regards
Clive

I would go to Co Clare. Explore the Burren a stunning limestone moonscape or the wondrous Cliffs of Moher. Great place to explore on a bike. Take a trip out to the Aran Islands. Watch a hurling match. Lots of great pubs and restaurants.Tremndous local traditional music. All the small towns are worth visiting Kilkee,Doolin. Lahinch, Lisdoonvarna (matchmaking fair), Ballyvaughan.Lots of very good hotels. If you decide to go there I can recommend some.

http://www.county-clare.com/

John

Whenever I was last there I think it took about 5-6 hours from Dublin to the SW and about 4-5 to the west coast. Undoubtedly EU benevolence has increased the quality of the roads so it might be a faster 200 odd miles now, though spiralling car ownership may well have nullified that gain. I'm reliably informed that the Gardai have gone from one extreme to the other in respect of speeding and drink driving and you will get caught and penalized for either transgression.

In fairness, when it wasn't raining, and in August it wasn't, the SW generally seemed to be much warmer and sunnier than other places I visited in Ireland and noticeably more clement than Western Scotland, though similarly dramatic, so you'll easily be prepared. There is some Gulf Stream jiggery pokery at work on this coast. I can recommend sitting outside Jackie Lynch's in Castletownbere eating a bowl of seafood chowder and fresh salmon doorstop sandwiches whilst Jackie himself hands over your Guinness through the serving hatch.

Bruce, you are being very brave taking your Caterham across to Eire, the roads over there have improved somewhat over the last ten years but can still prove to be very "challenging!".
our favourite spot in Ireland is Achill Island in County Mayo,just a short drive from Westport.enjoy the "craic".

dennis

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Scotland has indeed hardened us to any and all weather.

How long would it take to drive from Dublin to the W Coast/SW corner? We are taking the Caterham in all likelihood. Anything over about 6hrs makes your ears bleed.

Beara sounds great. Kilarney awful.

Bruce

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Well, I wouldn't start from Yorkshire.

Nime

As well as many of the places mentioned above we really enjoyed the trip out to and onto the Skelligs (Islands) on the West coast. Teeming with puffins and beehive huts build by monks 900 years ago. Amazing place.

Roads are fecking nightmare tho'. I'd have been much more relaxing on a fully insured rental car!


Ian