[creepy]

I'm taking a little trip in September to Ireland and I was wondering if any of you roughnecks have been to the Emerald Isle. I'm pretty sure Lucky went and Stu lives real close, so he would possibly qualify. Just would like to know any tips/advice/cool stuff to do. How much money should I bring? Any places to try to avoid? Any places that are must-sees? Should I speak ignorance on the Troubles?

Why did you go, Lucky? Where did you visit? There is so many things I want to see and do that I don't want to miss out on anything. Did you go to the Isle of Man? Scotland? We might stay a day or two in London when we fly in, but we're gonna hopefully take a ferry over as quick as possible to Ireland and spend most of our 12 days there.

My buddy bnuts moved over there last year to Bournemouth in the UK and loves it. He and his wife have already traveled to France, Scotland, Morocco, Spain and all over England. They're planing a 2 month trip all over Europe next April or so and we want to hook up with them for a few weeks on the Italy/Greece portion of their trek. They have told us that Ireland is off limits to them until we get there, so we bought the tickets and are looking at shit to do already.

Things I've already decided that we are definetely doing whilst over there: The Giants Causeway, Galway Bay, Dublin, This Guy's Statue, and Skellig Michael, which I really want to go on the Rock and visit the Monastery. Kinda turning into a must for me.


I'm still researching thanks to the 'net and some Traveling books, but I'd appreciate any and all advice and/or tips that you can give.

[Lucky]

I never went. I wanted to go. I studied in England of a semester and visited London, Wales, and Paris. My buddy was spending a couple of weeks after the semester in Ireland and the plan was for me to tag along and wander a bit but I ran out of money and went home. So sorry, can't be of much help. All I know is what people tell have told me. Do the traveling/backpacking thing, there's plenty of places to stay if you do so, and don't wear orange, green, shamrocks, or anything blatantly religious. So leave my Notre Dame shit at home.

[creepy]

May 17, 2009 12:31:36 GMT -5 Lucky said:

So leave my Notre Dame shit at home.

Sorry to break your heart, but we got a non-stop from Houston to Heathrow, so I can't stop by to pick up any of your clothes even if I wanted to. Shoulda told me before we bought the tickets and I woulda made time for ya.



I'm sorry, I thought you had been. We are backpacking and we're not losers that would wear Irish clothing to Ireland (I think those people are called losers). We'll hopefully be fine on money as we're saving a shitload for it, but I hear Ireland is one of the most expensive places to travel to in Europe. My buddy bnuts has a Berlingo of some sorts that's the size of small SUV, I guess. Maybe like one of those ugly Scions that's not too ugly. So we're going to take a ferry over there and just cruise around for 10 days or so. Can Not Wait.

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

Been 4 times, will try to post some ideas tomorrow. Great place for vacation.

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

OK, if you're taking the ferry you'll land in the southeast. Having a friend with car is great, because rentals are expensive and your credit card won't insure you for free.

The newer highways are very good roads and still mostly scenic. The older roads out in the country can be scary, especially driving on the "wrong" side. Not unusual in spots to have a big rock on 1 side, a sheer drop on the other, and not enough room for you and the guy coming the other way to fit between. That is part of why the Irish got severe about DWI. That, in turn, cramped business for those rural pubs that people had to drive to.

Pubs are a mixed bag these days. There still are some ancient ones operating, and check current guidebooks to find them. Dublin still has quite a few. There are also ones that are quite modern. Try different Irish stouts and beers, and I do suggest trying different whiskies as well. As for pub food, it varies a lot. Some places serve good traditional food, some are more very limited (cold sandwiches, maybe soup), and some are actually very sophisticated. Near the coast you get a lot of good seafood (and it's hard to get far from the coast). Middle part of the country does have some beef cattle, but since the breakfasts at most hotels and B&B's are full of cholesteroly goodness, you might want to hold out for Kerry lamb at some point. I'm told things have changed somewhat, but in 2007 I was surprised that in some of the touristy towns many of the waitstaff were Europeans (many Polish), but out in the countryside that wasn't the case.

I was in Dublin in 2001, so some things probably changed. Guinness tour is a safe bet (and the bus that takes you their stops at other tourist sites, including the zoo). Book of Kells is nice, but be warned it's under glass and you can only see 1 page. Still, Trinity Colege and surrounding neighborhood were nice. Grafton Street has the street performers. The Temple Bar neighborhood has nightlife - clubs and restaurants that stay open late. The Viking Splash (amphibious tour) shows a different side of Dublin, and we found some nice old pubs in that neighborhood in which to warm up in that neighborhood. Dublin is a walking city with trains and buses you can take to nearby towns if you want to.

eta: in 2001 there was a hotel owned by U2 or maybe just Bono - very pricy but we went for a drink at the bar (dressed up) before going to see a play. Fun people watching there.

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

I drove across the south coast about 20 years ago. I'm told it's built up in parts now, but we did get down to the coast near Cork in 07 and it's still nice. Couldn't get into Cork due to nightmarish traffic, so if you want to go their avoid rush hour. The west coast of Cork is very scenic, with small towns and fishing villages.

Kerry is where my roots are, so I know it the best. Killarney is the biggest town, and has many restaurants and stores. Stroll into some of the fancier hotel lobbies - they are spectacular. Some of the older fancy restaurants seat you at a table in the bar to look at the menu, and expect you to then order right away when seated in the dining room. Killarney is where the bus tours for the Ring of Kerry - spares someone from driving a not great road but then you can't stop wherever you feel like. Drive the same way the buses go - was counterclockwise when I was there. Stop often at the rest stops to enjoy view out to sea and up the mountains, maybe seeing the little sheepdogs herding. We stopped at one viewing spot where some guy claimed to have a pet baby red deer, but my cousin tipped me off it was a baby goat.

If driving the ring counterclockwise, Kenmare is last town before getting back to Killarney. If you don't want to drive that last bit of the ring road, there's a road leading east out of kenmare that connects to a nice highway.

The Dingle peninsula features a similar scenic drive,but if time is limited I'd just do Kerry.

There's a local chain of shops called Quill's in Kerry and parts of Cork - I would not call tem cheap but prices are fair and the goods are legit. Do read labels, because some stuff is imported. Better place to shop than the airport or big city tourist shops.

Bunratty Castle is a major touristy place. Nice for history buffs but not essential if pressed for time.

That remindsme of the Blarney Stone. The grounds of the castle are really nice, as is the gift shop, but the time it takes to get up to kiss the stone can be excessive on a nice or even not so nice day in tourist season. You have to lie down and hang out over a height to kiss the stone at the top of the castle, which none of us opted to do, but the views are nice. (Bring lots of whatever storage and batteries your camera needs on this trip, or if using a phone be prepared, because most people go berserk taking pictures.)

Ireland changed a lot with the Celtic Tiger and EU, and most city people move fairly quickly (except by New York standards). In the country, however, many people still value a slower pace. Go with the flow - if your waitress is a little slow but she asks you about how your trip has been and offers tips on what to do next, you come out ahead.

Farther north on the west coast, Cliffs of Moher are spectacular. Nearby Doolin features traditional Irish music in its pubs.

[creepy]

You keep being one of my MVPs, Outback.


As far as the pubs are concerned, I'm going to research the older ones and hopefully we'll only be going to the more authentic joints. I did hear that the Poles seem to be taking over alot of places around the big cities, and no offense to the Polish or anything, but I'd rather have an Irishman work the bar then someone else. We'll probably be staying at mostly B&Bs which from what I hear run about 40 Euros or so a night. We figure $2,000 a couple on lodgings and gas for the trip but we'll have plenty extra just in case.

With the exception of a few major things (including the St. James Gate Brewery and Jameson Distillery), I'd rather spend more of our time out in the countryside and on the coasts. I also heard the roads are pretty shitty in the middle of the island, didn't know they were that shitty, though. And I have no idea how we'll navigate around the buses, I guess we'll just play it by ear. Hopefully they'll be around less as we'll be there in mid September when, I believe, most of the kids go back to school.


We have to go to Cork and Galway, and I'd love to dick around the Burren and I'm kissing the Blarney Stone. Might even slip it the tongue.

My wife has two kickass digital cameras and she's a smart lady; she won't let me touch either of them. So I'm getting one for myself before we leave. And we'll probably get some extra memory sticks as well. We plan on taking alot of pictures, which I normally don't like to do, but since we'll be in Ireland for pete's sakes, we kinda feel obligated.


Doolin is one of the places that I would love to see, as well as the Cliffs of Moher. Actually, the cliffs are a must.

Thanks again, OBJ, you gave me some new stuff to ponder.




And Bono won his legal battle to demolish a shitload of protected buildings so he can expand his Hotel. What a Douche. I'm staying away from anything that asshole does.

[Fire-Babe]

If you're interested in stone circles and the like, friends of ours the went suggested getting surveyers' maps, as they often have them marked. The country is littered with thousands of these, and their often just in some farmer's pasture. They never had a problem just wandering in to look at them (although beware of bulls that might be pastured there), but I suppose if you saw some one it would be polite to ask.

We were headed there "eventually" but haven't gotten our shit together yet. I'm thinking of lobbying to go to Wales first, instead, because my dad really wants to go (his grandma was off-the-boat), and he isn't getting any younger.

[creepy]

Stone circles would be awesome to check out, Fire. I'll pick up one of those. Thanks!

[Byrntrigan]

May 19, 2009 15:11:05 GMT -5 creepy said:

My wife has two kickass digital cameras and she's a smart lady; she won't let me touch either of them. So I'm getting one for myself before we leave. And we'll probably get some extra memory sticks as well. We plan on taking alot of pictures, which I normally don't like to do, but since we'll be in Ireland for pete's sakes, we kinda feel obligated..

To me more important then wasting money on extra memory sticks that can get corrupted, lost or wiped by airport x-rays is bring your laptop. Dump all the pics each night on the laptop in a seperate folder by date, so it'll be easier to navigate when you are back. and upload all the pics each night to skydrive (which is free and can hold 25 GB's of data)

So NO matter what shit could possibly go wrong short of the cameras all not working on any picture you'll have all the pics in 2 seperate places so you'll be protected. And it's a fuck lot cheaper then memory sticks. Plus you don't have 5-6 memory sticks sitting around your pad after the trip.

Also, you taking orders for us to bring back cool shit? ;D

I'm sure there's some Irish tattoo shops you'll be around

[punk/core]

May 19, 2009 16:42:50 GMT -5 Byrntrigan said:

May 19, 2009 15:11:05 GMT -5 creepy said:

Also, you taking orders for us to bring back cool shit? ;D

That's a good question. I want a drunk Irish babe. Just crate her up and send her to Riverside.

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

Glad to help, Creepy.

Roads in the middle of the country (rolling hills and farmland) aren't so bad if you're used to driving on the left. It's the little roads on the west coast, and some of the odd intersections in small towns, that require caution. The key is to just take your time.

Kenmare has a little stone circle within the town - it was an oddly moving place. So are some of the little stone huts the monks lived in on the coast.

I mentioned the fancy hotels in Killarney. We also stopped into some of the ones on/near the Ring of Kerry to admire the lobby and grounds. If you are polite, the staff seem quite happy to let you check out the premises. Of course, the B&B's are usually the best values, although some small hotels are reasonably priced.

Actually, if you are polite and don't project an attitude, Irish people will cut you a lot of slack. In 2001, we planned on staying at a nice hotel in Limerick our last night. We arrived during a power failure, and couldn't go up to our rooms, and thus couldn't shower/change. The hotel's generator could only supply the 1st floor, so we could get drinks in the lounge and a snack for the kid, who was 4 at the time. We had really looked forward to eating in the restaurant (we rarely eat out except on vacation) but the wife was sure we couldn't get in in shorts and polo shirts, as the restaurant looked like a palace. The hostess and waiters were all in black tie outfits. To make matters worse, by the time the power came on the little man was looking very tired.

I referenced a recurring quote from an old Masterpiece Theater series, The Irish RM, in which the title character keeps telling his wife "This is Ireland!" I figured the worst the hostess would do is say no. We said hello, and she asked us how our holiday was going. As we chatted, my wife mentioned the road we took to meet one of my 3rd cousins outside of Dingle, and the hostess said she knew how bad the road was because she had a friend from that town, etc. After a long chat, we were seated at a nice table. They put some chairs together for my son to lie down, and got a blanket from housekeeping, without a raised eyebrow.

[Byrntrigan]

Shit -

Ryan has a point. Send one with black hair and to IL. I'll pay for the liquor...

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

May 19, 2009 17:19:46 GMT -5 Byrntrigan said:

Shit -

Send one with black hair

Very prudent - be wary of the redheads!

[Byrntrigan]

Sounds like a man with experience ;D

[Fire-Babe]

Hey! Redheads are AWESOME!

[Outback Frito Pendejo]

May 19, 2009 17:44:22 GMT -5 Fire-Babe said:

Hey! Redheads are AWESOME!

Only for those strong enough to deal with us

[creepy]

May 19, 2009 16:42:50 GMT -5 Byrntrigan said:

To me more important then wasting money on extra memory sticks that can get corrupted, lost or wiped by airport x-rays is bring your laptop. Dump all the pics each night on the laptop in a seperate folder by date, so it'll be easier to navigate when you are back. and upload all the pics each night to skydrive (which is free and can hold 25 GB's of data)



So NO matter what shit could possibly go wrong short of the cameras all not working on any picture you'll have all the pics in 2 seperate places so you'll be protected. And it's a fuck lot cheaper then memory sticks. Plus you don't have 5-6 memory sticks sitting around your pad after the trip.

Not a fan of bringing the laptop, but I'll check it out.

We might just buy one of those little student laptops as I don't want to bring our good one on the trip. We get a, ummm, deal on certain electronics, so it would be super cheap.

Also, you taking orders for us to bring back cool shit? ;D

Hadn't planned on it.

I'm sure there's some Irish tattoo shops you'll be around

I was actually getting my first tattoo on this trip on the last day or so. We all might get the same thing. My wife has one on her wrist and they both have about 10 or so of wide ranging appeal and vivid colors all over their bodies. I'm not doing that, but a little something might be cool.

[Byrntrigan]

well hell. I'll toss you soem bucks for a cool tshirt from the tattoo shop...

or a chick with black hair. Or black and red hair. But I ain't picky

[creepy]

May 19, 2009 15:11:05 GMT -5 creepy said:

We have to go to Cork and Galway, and I'd love to dick around the Burren and I'm kissing the Blarney Stone. Might even slip it the tongue.

My wife has an old highschool friend that's lived over there for years before packing up and checking out S. Korea who says that the locals piss on the Stone and laugh at the Tourists. No idea how true this is (doesn't sound legit to me being where it is and all), but I guess I'm gonna pass all the same.




Catch you guys in a few weeks!

[Eric O'Mac]

Enjoy your trip, Creepy! I'll be praying for a safe trip!

[Lou]

Have fun, Creeps.

[Habs]

Drink some black stuff for me!

[creepy]

Wow. Ireland was great. I thought my favorite city is Dublin, that is, until I spent a few days in London. Hopefully the wife and I are going back next year for a full week and do all things we missed. I'm in the process of making a photobucket account, if anyone's interested. Should be up sometime this weekend.

[Byrntrigan]

Yeah, it'd be cool to check stuff out. Did you go see the Blarney Stone and other stuff like that, or just pubs? ;D