Ireland Travel Suggestions

[57pbass]

Hi TB Friends..

I have a break in my schedule mid March - Mid April and am seriously considering a trip to Ireland… there's a ton of stuff on YouTube but since we're a like minded group I thought I would ask here for some suggestions.
I am thinking about a two week stay but I need to research a bit

Many Thanks

 

[Tom Lane]

Hi TB Friends..

I have a break in my schedule mid March - Mid April and am seriously considering a trip to Ireland… there's a ton of stuff on YouTube but since we're a like minded group I thought I would ask here for some suggestions.
I am thinking about a two week stay but I need to research a bit

Many Thanks

My wife and I spent two weeks there in October and we loved it! Western Ireland - Galway - is as beautiful as Yosemite. I suppose it depends on what you like. Ireland is about the size of Iowa or Indiana, about 4 hours by car across. We landed in Dublin and met a bus tour to Kilkenny, Cork, Kilarney, and Galway. There's lots to see and do. Beautiful scenery and hikes. The Dublin National Botanical Garden and Art Museum are free and we enjoyed them both a lot. There's also a cliff hike on the East coast, a half hour away from Dublin by train. Castles, great food, Dublin has a lot of excellent restaurants. The Jameson tour if you're into scotch whisky. If you're more of a city guy, then probably Dublin, Cork, and Londonderry are more your speed. If you're a hiker, you could easily spend two weeks in and around Galway. There's a nunnery an hour or so West of Galway that's drop dead gorgeous with a pretty nice mansion on site. We found the people friendly, pleasant, helpful, and kind hearted. And, of course, in the U.S. we have a neighborhood bar and a coffee house on every block. In Ireland, they have a neighborhood coffee house and a pub on every block, usually, more than one! They love their Guiness, which is better than what we get in the States.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

The place I always recommend is the Aran Islands outside Galway. The main island (Inishmore) has three prehistoric ring forts you can hike to. If you stay overnight, 99% of the tourists leave the island and you can hang out in the pub and listen to the locals speak Irish. If you've seen the new movie The Banshees of Inisherin, that where they filmed it.

#IrishRoadTrip Idea // 27 Mighty Things To Do On The Aran Islands THIS SUMMER

 

[Gazman]

Not particularly easy to get to, but the Skelligs are worth the effort. Now famous for being Luke Skywalker's hideout, it really does feel like a different world out there, high above the sea.

Two weeks would be just a tease of what Ireland has to offer. It's a small island, but getting from place to place can be slow.

The Aran Islands are beautiful, and with the nearby Cliffs of Moher, that's huge attraction.

 

[Nedmundo]

I spent five days in Ireland in 2017, both in the Republic and Northern Ireland. If your trip includes Northern Ireland, Giants Causeway is gorgeous. You'll probably recognize it from the Houses of the Holy album cover.

If you're interested in history, specifically The Troubles, I highly recommend a "political" black cab tour of Belfast. It was incredibly interesting and very intense, as our tour guide had been shot in a sectarian attack. Not exactly relaxing, but my buddy and I were very moved by the experience.

I also enjoyed the neolithic site Brú na Bóinne, which is about 40km north of Dublin.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

If you want to learn about history:

The General Post Office has a small free museum about the Easter Uprising. On Easter day in 1916 during the Irish War of Independence, the IRA attacked the British throughout the city in a coordinated attack. The leaders barricaded themselves inside the GPO until the British burned them out and in the process, destroyed a lot of historical documents.



And Kilmainham Gaol is the prison were they sent all the leaders of the Easter Uprising. There's also a really good museum there.



If you want to learn about prehistoric Irish History, Newgrange is older than the Pyramids.

 

[Tom Lane]

I agree that the history of Ireland is worth studying and interesting. The population of Ireland has declined in the past 100 to 150 years due to emigration.

 

[57pbass]

Thank you all for the suggestion. We have decided to take a 16 day tour of Scotland and Ireland. Very nice itinerary and great reviews. Since it's our first time we're comfortable going this route and can freestyle on our next journey.

I've been seeing some mentions of swapping out my SIM CARD on my iPhone. Prepaid versions to allow strong service and reasonable prices. Looking at the coverage maps Belfast is never included.
THANKS

 

[friskinator]

Thank you all for the suggestion. We have decided to take a 16 day tour of Scotland and Ireland. Very nice itinerary and great reviews. Since it's our first time we're comfortable going this route and can freestyle on our next journey.

I've been seeing some mentions of swapping out my SIM CARD on my iPhone. Prepaid versions to allow strong service and reasonable prices. Looking at the coverage maps Belfast is never included.
THANKS

I highly recommend using an e-SIM when traveling outside the States. It's much less expensive than the international plan from most US carriers, and you'll get better coverage as well as much more data for the money.

I used this one when I went to Spain last year and was very happy with the results. www.airalo.com

 

[57pbass]

I'm all set with this trip. I appreciate all the information you shared. 4/10 - 4/26

 

[57pbass]

I highly recommend using an e-SIM when traveling outside the States. It's much less expensive than the international plan from most US carriers, and you'll get better coverage as well as much more data for the money.

I used this one when I went to Spain last year and was very happy with the results. www.airalo.com

I have already installed the APP. Thank you.