Where to take my foreign girlfriend when she visits Ireland

gdawg87

My girlfriend is from Taiwan and this will be her 1st visit to Ireland. I will bring her around Ireland to all the touristy spots (Giants Causeway, Newgrange, Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, Guinness etc.) but is there any lesser known spots I can take her. She likes beautiful landscapes, old churches, castles and those kinds of things. Does anyone know any cool places or nice little towns we can go to? Or anything exciting or interesting we can do? She will be here for 3 weeks

rossie1977

you could spend the whole time in donegal

but a trip to sligo, drumcliffe church where wb yeats is buried in the shadow of majestic benbulben. glencar waterfall is a short drive from there, lough gill is also close by

lough key forest park in boyle co roscommon is really nice in summer, adjacent lough arrow is much more serene but equally as nice during on a warm summers day

Beruthiel

gdawg87 wrote: »

Giants Causeway, Newgrange, Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, Guinness etc.

There is no where as beautiful as the Aran Islands on a sunny, summers day.
Last year we stayed here. They will let you borrow their row boat for the lake.
The next morning drove through Connemara, took the ferry over to Inis Mor, hired bikes and cycled to Dun Aengus, stayed the night on the island and got the ferry back the next day. A memorable weekend.

Dingle is a lovely place to stay for a night and the gaeltacht area is beautiful.
The Burren is also a great spot.

Westport is a lovely town and the drive out to Croagh Patrick and further out is beautiful.
Don't know if you're into walking up mountains but the view from the top of Croagh Patrick is stunning on a good day.

RubyGirl

Connemara, head out the Innagh Valley towards Kylemore Abbey. Do the syk road in Clifden and head to cleggan and across to Inishboffin.

JillyQ

RubyGirl wrote: »

Connemara, head out the Innagh Valley towards Kylemore Abbey. Do the syk road in Clifden and head to cleggan and across to Inishboffin.

+ 1 for this. Check our the Victorian walled gardens in Kylemore they are fab.

thegreatgonzo

A trip to any of the islands is always fun, Aran islands are lovely but Clare Island and Inisboffin are also worth a visit. Skelig Mhichil is a brilliant day trip especially if you like Puffins. I love Bunratty castle too, it is touristy but I wouldn't hold that against it. And a drive around the ring of Kerry or Connemara is always good too. And if you like hill walking the Galty mountains are beautiful and not difficult to climb.

RubyGirl

Mayo and cycle the http://www.mayotrails.ie/greatwestern.html my plan for this summer.

Outkast_IRE

The Coastline of west cork and kerry is very special , there are charters that do whale and dolphin spotting down that direction too that i would highly reccomend.

Layinghen

The beautiful Kingdom of Kerry. It has it all from mountains to sea. Wherever you go make sure you bring her to good (not necessarily expensive!) eaterys to sample good Irish produce be it meat fish or veg.

Enjoy

Chuck Stone

gdawg87 wrote: »

She likes beautiful landscapes, old churches, castles and those kinds of things.

Gougane Barra.

JM Skipton

There is a lovely village called Garrykennedy on Lough Derg in Tipperary, lovely little harbour with look out ruins onto lough Derg.Great little pub right at the harbour also with good food

ONeill2013

you should go to a round tower, I went to one in the summer, they are underrated.




Dunluce castle as well.

mudderagod

Try Glendalough in Wicklow

tatli_lokma

In Dublin you could visit Farmleigh and the Phoenix park. Also Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Castle, Newbridge House and Farm.

Then there is also Wicklow Gaol worth a visit. Russborugh House and the Japanese Gardens. Powerscourt.

Or Newgrange and Slane Castle.

cooperguy

If she likes castles you could bring her to Bunratty in Clare. They do a Medieval themed meals etc. and the castle itself is very well restored

Schnitzel Muncher

Tayto Park.

jjbrien

Im supprised nobody has said Glendalough, County Wicklow but you did say it yourself

Also try to go to clonmacnoise for the old round tour and view of the Shannon

Also check out the Fore Trial http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/the-fore-trail/14345

I would recommend driving from Giants Causeway, round the coast of Donegal, down the West coast. Visit Kylemore Abbey, one of the Islands, down to the Cliffs of Moher. Bunratty Castle and Folk Village and on to Adare village. If that's not enough, cross over to the Rock of Cashel and nearby Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage. That should cover most of the 3 weeks!

ShandyR

Hook Head is the oldest operational lighthouse in Europe and there are beautiful cliff walks which lead to a little harbour called Slade with a Norman Castle and a famine wall. If you continue on this walk (it is circular) you will come to a little church and graveyard which dates from the 12th Century. Nearby is Loftus Hall which is an old mansion and supposed to be haunted. Tintern Abbey is not far away with the story of the village that was moved and is now known as Salt Mills. It is also possible to take the ferry over to Waterford and from there you could visit Dunmore East (don't forget to stop and sample some of the Amish Communitys bread and cakes) and continue on to Tramore. It is not called the sunny south east for nothing:) In December, January and February the whales come to eat herring and it is possible to got out to see them (weather would be a factor) Fin whales are the second largest whales in the world. Humpback whales also come to visit. They are usually about 5k away from Hook Lighthouse. Check out IWDG website for further information. It is possible to have a tour of the lighthouse and of Loftus Hall. Don't forget JFK's park is also nearby. There are many festivals so it is a good idea to have a look at some of Tourist Irelands websites. Enjoy your trip.

keithclancy

Head down to Balleylickey and stop off and Mannings Emporium for a really food good platter

Bantry House and Gardens is very nice.

You can get the boat over to Garnish Island.

Head down then towards Kenmare, the view on the way is spectacular.

Richard

Deleted User wrote: »

I would recommend driving from Giants Causeway, round the coast of Donegal, down the West coast. Visit Kylemore Abbey, one of the Islands, down to the Cliffs of Moher. Bunratty Castle and Folk Village and on to Adare village. If that's not enough, cross over to the Rock of Cashel and nearby Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage. That should cover most of the 3 weeks!

Just to point out, unless she has a UK visa, it won't be legal for her to cross the border. Of course, as you know it's an open border, but if, for some reason she is asked by some official then she could run into problems.