Tourist tips for Ireland

Stinicker · 07-08-2012 06:28PM #1

Hi,

I have friends coming over from Canada next month and I want to do something really nice for them.

It is their first trip to Ireland and I will be advising them of places to see and what to avoid etc.

They want to go to some of the less stereo-typical places here. They plan to hire a car and maybe drive across to Connemara and go up to Donegal and maybe come down through the Midlands before landing in Kerry and doing the Ring of Kerry etc.

Any tips, they are both in their late twenties and are a couple. Ireland is so boring I wouldn't know where to start as I never even consider it as a holidays destination.

trad · 07-08-2012 06:30PM

Best tip I can offer is not to use you as a guide

jack presley · 07-08-2012 06:32PM

trad wrote: »

Best tip I can offer is not to use you as a guide

Nor would I look for advice in After Hours.

Lyaiera · 07-08-2012 06:33PM

Go to pubs, say hello to people. See if you can get a chat going.

I ****ing love talking to tourists in the pub. I get to show them a bit of Ireland that's not going to be found in tour guides and I get to talk to (generally) interesting people who want to see more of the world than the best beaches.

Colmustard · 07-08-2012 06:34PM

Tell them to avoid walking down OConnell street alone at night.

I had to put an American wide to that as she was saying she was going to walk back to the Westbury from Madigans in North Earl street.

I ended up walking her to the taxi rank.

Bring them round to the different Dublin gardens they are all beautiful this time of year.

Anyone · 07-08-2012 06:35PM

Make sure they tell people they are Canadian.

LoYL · 07-08-2012 06:39PM

Show them why you don't think Ireland is a holiday destination.

Colmustard · 07-08-2012 06:42PM

A game of golf in the Deer Park is nice. Dollymount is a lovely walk, Blessington lakes, the Brazen head have good trad bands playing the weekend.

Take them to some festival going on somewhere in the empire.

Nodin · 07-08-2012 06:45PM

Colmustard wrote: »

Tell them to avoid walking down OConnell street alone at night.

I had to put an American wide to that as she was saying she was going to walk back to the Westbury from Madigans in North Earl street.

I ended up walking her to the taxi rank.

Bring them round to the different Dublin gardens they are all beautiful this time of year.

The wildlife in the garden of remembrance is well worth a look.

Stinicker · 07-08-2012 06:45PM

I have already advised them to totally avoid Dublin for obvious reasons, I'm thinking more offbeat country places.

Nodin · 07-08-2012 06:48PM

Stinicker wrote: »

I have already advised them to totally avoid Dublin for obvious reasons, I'm thinking more offbeat country places.

The Borris horse fair is a bit of craic, I hear.

gara · 07-08-2012 06:48PM

Asking for directions will only leave you more confused

ChunkyLover_53 · 07-08-2012 06:48PM

Stinicker wrote: »

I have already advised them to totally avoid Dublin for obvious reasons, I'm thinking more offbeat country places.

Jaysus bud, the culchies in Dublin aren't that bad.

mikemac1 · 07-08-2012 06:48PM

Skellig Michael

Einhard · 07-08-2012 06:49PM

Stinicker wrote: »

I have already advised them to totally avoid Dublin for obvious reasons, I'm thinking more offbeat country places.

Hmmm Ireland is so boring...avoid Dublin entirely...

I'm surprised that Failte Ireland haven't headhunted you to lead their marketing department!!

Colmustard · 07-08-2012 06:50PM

Galway there is always a great buzz there and its a beautiful county.

OMARS_COMING_ · 07-08-2012 06:50PM

sunny south east

phasers · 07-08-2012 06:52PM

avoid Dublin entirely? Have you no interest in history?

What a ridiculous statement

ScumLord · 07-08-2012 06:52PM

Tips for driving in Ireland.

Is that a puddle? Or is it a very deep hole?
Never trust a signpost.
It looks like a straight road, but you may find there's actually a hidden dip in the road concealing a car.
Unless there's grass growing up the middle of the road your on a main road, don't panic.
You can never take the wrong road, there's half a dozen ways to get to anywhere in Ireland.
Your driving to slow.

admiralofthefleet · 07-08-2012 06:54PM

bring plenty of money. tell your friends to mention in a culchie pub that are after a bit of land. cue very nosy locals

dirtyden · 07-08-2012 06:55PM

It sounds like they have a pretty decent itinerary organised already. Kerry is stunning, the ring of kerry is a lovely drive if they get nice weather. If they enjoy hiking a trip to the reeks is well worth it to climb irelands highest 'mountain'. Not a difficult hike and some stunning scenery. Maybe a trip to the sceiligs (something on my list of things to do).

i would prefer the mayo coast to Connemara, up around westport (a trek up croagh patrick) and Delphi and maybe on to Enniscrone (that said Connemara is a super spot too). Then onwards to Donegal.

On their way back down they could go via athlone follow the shannon, see Lough Ree and Derg (a stop over in killaoe) maybe veer off to see the rock of cashel after lough derg. Then kerry.

There are hundreds of different places to go id try and work on your enthuasiasm as a tour guide.

mikemac1 · 07-08-2012 06:58PM

Thou must salute everyone you meet on a country road

Walk or drive you must salute

Also the farmers of Ireland are not Nazis, they just salute like they are.

demanufactured · 07-08-2012 06:59PM

Tell them not to wear fanny packs.
Not to get annoyed when they are asked which part of "de states" they are from.

Bannasidhe · 07-08-2012 07:00PM

Great things I have done in Ireland:

Get the ferry out to Inishbofin. Stay the night. It's great craic out there. Nothing like coming across Clew Bay in a boat watching the rain lashing down on Achill while the sun is shining on the boat (rain lashing on boat while the sun is shining on Achill is a different kettle of fish).

Ride a horse along the beach at Gweedore.

Visit Carrigahowley Tower House in Mayo - home of Gráinne Ní Mháille. Amazing place.

Go to Westport - most beautiful town in Ireland.

ljpg · 07-08-2012 07:05PM

ahh thats right,sure all canadian citys are crime free,thats why dublin would be such a shock to them....

Cantona's Collars · 07-08-2012 07:08PM

Nodin wrote: »

The Borris horse fair is a bit of craic, I hear.

Lol, "howya boss,do you want a few tools? Me cousin in Toronto will tarmac your drive for ye".The Canadians would love that.

Einhard · 07-08-2012 07:11PM

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

bring plenty of money. tell your friends to mention in a culchie pub that are after a bit of land. cue very nosy locals

Ye'll never get yer hands on the Widow's Field, yank!!

Einhard · 07-08-2012 07:12PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Go to Westport - most beautiful town in Ireland.

pffft somebody's never been to Nenagh.:rolleyes:

:pac:

TPD · 07-08-2012 07:14PM

A drive around the Inishowen 100 if the weather's decent.

RATM · 07-08-2012 07:40PM

TPD wrote: »

A drive around the Inishowen 100 if the weather's decent.

Definitely thiis. And a drive around the Beara Penisula in Cork- it is much more scenic than the Ring of Kerry but only less well known because all the big tour companys go around the Ring and it is marketed better. The big tour buses can't fit on Beara's roads so it is much quieter. And nicer IMHO.

admiralofthefleet · 07-08-2012 07:44PM

Stinicker wrote: »

I have already advised them to totally avoid Dublin for obvious reasons, I'm thinking more offbeat country places.

for what obvious reasons. why wouldnt they want to visit the capital?

Tourist tips for Ireland

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