Ireland Travelers, Give Me Your One Must See/Drink/Experience
Flying to Dublin later today for my first time to Ireland/Northern Ireland. Meeting two buddies, renting a car, and planning a counter-clockwise trip around the countries. We have several spots pinned on our map, but always up for another suggestion or two.
Anyone have a unique, under the radar destination, spot, restaurant/bar that we might not already have picked out?
Also, planning to go to Aviva Stadium next Saturday to see if Scott Frost can out-hit Fitz. Wish it were a better game, but should be a fun experience.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:17 PM ^
Absolutely try spend a full day in Galway and Connemara Park which is to the northwest of town. Galway is picturesque and the Park gets you some views nearly on par with the Cliffs of Moher but with substantially less crowds.
Neither of those are truly "under the radar" but they were my favorite part of the country.
When I was last in Galway in the early 2010s, literally every bar and pub had pictures on the wall from JFK's visit in the summer of 1963.
One other tip --- don't discuss your retirement plans too much when inside a pub. A friend and I got kicked out of a Dublin pub for that and it wasn't until days later until the light bulb went on as to why.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
Why shouldn't you discuss your retirement plans inside a pub?
August 19th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
Relative benefits and drawbacks of a 401(k) versus an IRA versus not contributing at all ......... someone just overhearing the discussion would hear certain words.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
Ahhh. Now, I get it. My Irish grandfather was recruited into his local 401(k) regiment and it nearly got him killed. He didn't like talking about it, either.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
Hahahah, yeah I could see how you'd be walking a fein line by innocently talking about individual retirement accounts in a Dublin pub within earshot of others.
On balance, probably still not as bad a faux pas as ordering a certain drink there.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Yeah! I want my lightbulb to go on, too!
August 20th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^
Doolin. Go to Doolin.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
I've never been to this pub, but my folks did: Sean's Bar in Athlone, which is the oldest pub in the world. Only thing I can speak to personally is Temple Bar in Dublin is a fun spot and get a hop-on / hop-off pass and do the Guinness tour and Jameson tour back to back to knock it out.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
I was at Sean's Bar last year. It was great!
August 19th, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
Beamish Red from the tap will change your life.
Also, if you can get down to Kinsale, the Spanish Galleon pub is a must.
And honestly, the best place to visit in the island is Belfast.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
Belfast was quite the visit. Our driver was from there, all the "war" stories were incredible as well as the visuals.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:00 PM ^
Great on Belfast, hope I can see it while I'm there for the week.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
Do the Guinness factory tour if you are any kind of beer enthusiast. You learn a lot about the history and how they make it. And the best part is you get to sample them right at the source.
August 19th, 2022 at 4:33 PM ^
Sample? You get a free pint at the rooftop bar just for doing the (fascinating) tour, and if you volunteer to earn a “Craft The Perfect Pint” certificate you end up with another free pint. Then you go downstairs and end up buying everything that you really didn’t need (Guinness tees? I don’t play golf!) in their gift shop because it’s like Guinness EPCOT.
WARNING: Drinking a Guinness in Dublin will actually ruin Guinness for you in the rest of the world, or at least outside Ireland and the UK.
August 19th, 2022 at 9:32 PM ^
look forward to the ruining.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
Touring the tombs under St. Michan's church in Dublin was super interesting. I had never heard of the place but it was suggested by a bartender in Ballyferriter as a fun, albeit atypical experience.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
Slieve League. Everyone talks about the Cliffs of Moher and rightfully so, they are impressive. However, up north in county Donegal there lies a more impressive set of cliffs. It's a short hike to get there, but you won't be disappointed.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
Neb-NW might actually be a very competitive game... not amazing quality, but close. Exactly what college football should be... aside from the shameless franchise exhibition character of having it thousands of miles away from campuses and students.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:49 PM ^
As mentioned by others, Galway is fantastic. It's a much better experience than Dublin IMO.
With that, if you are going to the Cliffs of Moher (which is great BTW), please take the time to take a boat out to the Aran Islands, which the cliffs I prefer over the Cliffs of Moher.
To the south, you can go kiss the Blarney Stone, but that was soooooo over-rated, so don't be seduced!
Lastly, I rented a car and drove around Ireland about 10 years ago. It was great, but don't under estimate the need to drive on the left side of the road. It's not as second nature as it would seem.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:54 PM ^
Yea, also prepare for some one lane white knuckling. The roads (especially as you drive around the countryside) are dicey, but its part of the adventure!
August 19th, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^
Guinness is great, definitely go there, the food at old Jameson distillery is really good.
Doheny & Nesbitt was one of my favorite spots in Dublin.
We had the most fun in Killarney, hit up Quinlans seafood for dinner.
If you guys are hiking types, walking up to see the Gap of Dunloe was fantastic.
Go check out Dingle Peninsula.
If you're in Cork, hit up Franciscan Well Brewery.
If you make your way to Northern Ireland, Belfast is truly a great place.
I wanted nothing to do with tour groups, we rented a car and drove everywhere. Some seriously anxious moments when you first start out driving, but I eventually got used to it.
Ireland is a special place with wonderful people. The best places we ended up at were found by simply asking our cab driver, or a local where their favorite spot is.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:17 PM ^
Is golf on your itinerary? If it is, Royal County Down is a course to consider - a tremendous layout.
Two other spots to consider visiting include Portrush and Bushmills (yes, the whiskey maker).
August 19th, 2022 at 2:20 PM ^
we played 11 last year. All over Ireland. RCD, Portrush, Lahinch, Ballybunion, tralee, Old Head, etc....it was magical
August 19th, 2022 at 2:29 PM ^
Nectarine, I had an amazing trip there a few years ago - pre Covid - so many fantastic courses to play. It looks like we played a number of the same courses. We had tremendous weather - very little rain, which I’ve heard is rare - but, there were definitely some cool, brisk (windy) conditions.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:21 PM ^
Killarney national forest hike and boat ride. Simply stunning.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
Definitely enjoy a 7-Course Irish Dinner, a 6-Pack and a potato
August 19th, 2022 at 3:03 PM ^
Enjoyed the Guinness brewery even if it is a bit touristy
Went to Johnny Fox’s pub north of Dublin. Pretty cool being in a pub over 200 years old
If you like history the National Museum of Ireland is excellent. They have a few “Bog Bodies” there which are morbidly fascinating
August 19th, 2022 at 3:16 PM ^
Just don’t ask for a Black and Tan when you go to a pub.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:24 PM ^
If you are doing a full circle through Ireland, south from Galway, County Clare has some excellent and scenic spots - Doolin is a cool little town from where you get ferry to the Aran Islands (hike up to the ancient fort up there), there is a good half day at the Cliffs of Moher if the weather cooperates....and then follow the N67 through Lahinch and do the side jaunt to Milltown Malbay.
We have traveled to Ireland many times over the years, and our base of operations is always Lahinch - the Surfing Capital of Ireland! - bring a wetsuit, but good waves, regardless of the time of year. Lahinch also has a world top 50 golf course (Lahinch Golf Club - links right along the sea - with all the wind and cold rain you can take), and some good restaurants and pubs.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
I've only been to the Cork area a few times for work, but we did the Ring of Kerry drive which was totally worthy it. Take a boat out to the Skelligs if you can, they are a sight to behold.
And fer Pete's sake please don't order a black and tan when you go there...
August 19th, 2022 at 3:57 PM ^
I also learned the hard way that asking for a menu to sit and eat at the bar is NOT a thing there. The bar is for drinking, not eating.
August 19th, 2022 at 3:45 PM ^
Ahh, yes! Galway for sure, (special bonus if you're there for the races!) and the Cliffs of Moher. I wasn't that impressed with Dublin, it is really just a big city and I've seen those, although I still had fun there. Be sure to watch some TV and be thankful that your sport of choice never included hurling! That shit is brutal!
August 19th, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
Just got back from a trip this past Saturday. We had truly spectacular weather for 7 days (no rain and highs in the 70s and 80s). I hope it’s the same for you! This was my third trip and by this time have been around quite a bit of it. Cliffs of Moher and Ring of Kerry are great. Made it to the Giants Causeway this time, which was cool if you make it that far.
I didn’t love Galway, but to each their own. Kilkenny is a cool medieval town. On a previous trip I visited the Brazen Head in Temple Bar, Dublin. At a bit over 800 years old it was cool to grab a few pints there. There are so many great places and the people are much friendlier. You are almost guaranteed to enjoy it. Have fun!
August 19th, 2022 at 9:36 PM ^
good stuff, unfortunately the weather looks to be, a bit more ireland-y. Rain half the days, upper 60s. But living in Socal mostly for the last 17 years I have a huge appreciation for rain these days. So rainy days with a Guiness in hand sounds just about perfect.
August 19th, 2022 at 7:56 PM ^
Go have a steak at Shanahan's On The Green while in Dublin if you can. Then head downstairs after dinner for a drink in the Oval Office.
https://www.diffordsguide.com/pubs-and-bars/72/dublin/the-oval-office
The Library of Trinity College is also a worthwhile visit.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
The Brazen Head. Supposedly the oldest pub in Ireland.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:31 AM ^
Doolin. Go to Doolin.