What are the 'Must See/Do's of Ireland for tourists?

murpho999 · 25-09-2015 09:23AM

Ignatius in bloom wrote: »

A good reason to go wouldn't you think so?

I think people would need to know a bit more about the background and history before going there to be honest but if they know nothing about Irish history then they would know nothing about it or a desire to go.

The Backwards Man · 25-09-2015 09:23AM

Every single person on the planet should visit Donegal at least once in their lives.

Bring plenty of money and for the love of God, take the bypass around Fundoran.

OldMrBrennan83 · 25-09-2015 09:26AM

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Ignatius in bloom · 25-09-2015 09:26AM

murpho999 wrote: »

I think people would need to know a bit more about the background and history before going there to be honest but if they know nothing about Irish history then they would know nothing about it or a desire to go.

Not really I've been to many places of historical importance and interest that i know nothing about before going there and always enjoyed it. The world is large, complicated and full of undiscovered things we don't need to be a history buff to learn small things about other countries history.

looksee · 25-09-2015 09:32AM

How many of you read tourist sites like Trip Advisor? You would be astonished at how many tourists go to - and are impressed by places like Kilmanham Gaol. Some just 'do' the famous spots, but increasing numbers are finding places like Wexford, Waterford, Sligo and Donegal.

Tourists do like ireland, and it is one of our main industries. Tourists are also amazed by the quality of the food, especially meat and dairy, bread etc. Take an interest in what is happening, and do your bit to promote local places.

murpho999 · 25-09-2015 09:33AM

Ignatius in bloom wrote: »

Not really I've been to many places of historical importance and interest that i know nothing about before going there and always enjoyed it. The world is large, complicated and full of undiscovered things we don't need to be a history buff to learn small things about other countries history.

Yes, I get that but they would need to know something about Irish History to have heard of Kilmainham Jail in the first place.

syklops · 25-09-2015 09:39AM

iDave wrote: »

Newgrange. Never understood how its not more famous internationally. More impressive and older than Stonehenge.

Newgrange fascinates me. Its like something out of Indiana Jones. It still works, and its older than the pyramids.

As an aside my laptops hostname is newgrange - because its pretty old but still works :cool:

donegaLroad · 25-09-2015 09:42AM

Patww79 wrote: »

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West Cork, Kerry and Donegal.. probably contenders for the 3 most beautiful parts of Ireland.

You should really try and get to see more of Donegal

_Brian · 25-09-2015 09:42AM

looksee wrote: »

Favourite (not!) quote from tourists...'We want to get off the beaten track and see the real Ireland - we have a week and are planning on visiting the Cliffs of Moher, the Giants Causeway, Blarney Castle, Galway, Killarney, and the Ring of Kerry'.

It may be a big cliche to visit these places but they are the honey traps of our tourist industry where we extract the maximum money from tourists..

Donegal is beautiful and we go often, but it suffers badly with poor infrastructure. Tour operators avoid bad roads when they can find plenty of other attractions which are easier to get to.

On the theme of the thread..
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk is very impressive but a level of fitness is required. The Marble arch Caves and Allwe caves are very interesting.. There are many beautiful lighthouses such as Hook Head Lighthouse..

deadybai · 25-09-2015 09:45AM

Places in Waterford County are unreal. At least people think Donegal as an alternative to Kerry and Cork but no one thinks of Waterford. Just look up Coumshingaun. The city is a bit of a kip but anywhere outside it like Tramore, Lismore,Ardmore, Ring, Dungarvan are some of the nicest places.

Also think the two nicest villages in the east part of the country are in Kilkenny. Kilkenny City is lovely to visit too but Graiguenamanagh and Inistoige are beautiful.

Out west in Galway there another little village called Kinvara which is located beside the Burren. Absolutely unreal place

Badly Drunk Boy · 25-09-2015 09:48AM

Tell me how wrote: »

Personally, I think it's a fabulous country with sites to see in every county.

I think people could combine sports matches into a memorable 24 hrs. Travel to a town the evening before, socialise there that evening and then experience some of the banter in town just before the match. We have teams playing at world class levels in GAA and rugby and both could give a positive experience of friendly rivalry and camaraderie coupled with the game itself. Big part of this would be the bit around the game, don't just get off a bus and go into a ground with 20 other novices. Immerse themselves for a few hours. Doesn't have to be just Croker/Semple/Aviva either.

That's good, because I don't think they host snooker or darts events at those venues.

(Am I in the right thread?)

OldMrBrennan83 · 25-09-2015 09:53AM

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Curly Judge · 25-09-2015 09:53AM

On a clear day, the view towards Scotland from the north Antrim coast.
Skellig Michael ....difficult.... but world class.
The Duhey Peninsula in Donegal....go out to the very end...there is nothing like it in western Europe.
Malin Bay....also on Dongal.

The Backwards Man · 25-09-2015 09:58AM

Patww79 wrote: »

Don't get me wrong on Kerry. It is great because it has some spectacular views. West Cork just doesn't have that.

Donegal just never appealed. I've driven through a lot of it but never as a tourist in fairness though.

You need to start driving with your eyes opened then so

TripAdvisor is good craic alright, you see people titling their review of the Cliffs Of Moher or the Guinness Storehouse as 'Hidden Gem' all the time.

syklops · 25-09-2015 10:04AM

Don't get me wrong on Kerry. It is great because it has some spectacular views. West Cork just doesn't have that.

Im going to have to disagree with you there.

P. Breathnach · 25-09-2015 12:24PM

I don't have serious disagreements with the positive recommendations here, but I dissent from some of the negatives.

West Cork has a lot going for it, particularly along the coast. And you should remember that the Beara Peninsula is in West Cork. Inland, Gougane Barra is one of the most beautiful spots I know.

The Slea Head drive out past Dingle is a candidate for the best scenic circuit in Ireland. I'm not a big fan of the Ring of Kerry as a package, but the section between Kenmare and Killarney is wonderful.

The Wicklow Mountains are not mentioned as much as I think they deserve to be.

I also like the south coast between Kilmore Quay and Youghal - good for built heritage as well as scenery, but I'd bypass Waterford.

Connemara is where I go for spiritual rejuvenation.

I think the best tourism promotion idea in a long time is the Wild Atlantic Way.

Sergei Malatov · 25-09-2015 12:40PM

Avoid towns and cities as much as you can.

The architecture in Irish towns is absolutely mortifying.

So derivative, drab, lacking in any kind of historical perspective or finesse....

donegaLroad · 25-09-2015 12:45PM

Glandore is one of my favorite parts of West Cork

Sergei Malatov · 25-09-2015 12:48PM

IDK if that is just a flattering picture or not but that looks gorgeous.

Kenny B · 25-09-2015 01:01PM

Head and shoulders No1. is - Walk on a bouncy bog, it is a fabulous feeling.

The coast drive from Ballyvaughan to Doolin, never do it the other way round.

the evasion_kid · 25-09-2015 01:08PM

Black taxi tour of Belfast about the troubles

donegaLroad · 25-09-2015 01:10PM

Sergei Malatov wrote: »

IDK if that is just a flattering picture or not but that looks gorgeous.

the picture doesn't do the place justice, I was there first during the great summer we had in 1995, and it was like the Mediterranean.

the dark phantom · 25-09-2015 01:12PM

Joe Joyce's house, Its almost at the geographical centre of Ireland.

Cienciano · 25-09-2015 01:22PM

Very Bored wrote: »

Outside Dublin: Kilkenny (also Inistioge), the famine museum in Cobh, Galway, Belfast (city centre but also the Falls and Shankill, walk them, you see more), Derry (the Bogside, again walk it, the Bogside Museum), Derry's walls. Drive the coast road between Derry and Belfast, not the motorway, its stunning.

Agree with you here. Inistioge is probably the nicest village in Ireland, and the coast road from Belfast to Derry is the best drive.

No one mentioned Achill Island. Great drive around the south of the island, then right out to the end on the west.

eeguy · 25-09-2015 01:26PM

Tayto park.

You get to see inside the factory and plenty of free bags.

Also roller coaster.

Schwiiing · 25-09-2015 01:31PM

Departures lounge in Dublin Airport

The Backwards Man · 25-09-2015 01:33PM

Schwiiing wrote: »

Departures lounge in Dublin Airport

For a domestic flight to Farranfore or Carrickfinn. Good call

draiochtanois · 25-09-2015 01:43PM

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languagenerd · 25-09-2015 02:06PM

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

To be honest we massively overrate what we have to offer to tourists. A holiday here basically involves getting ripped off in Dublin, which offers a poor enough city break experience compared to many European capitals, followed by the opportunity to visit some fairly standard looking cliffs, a few unusual but not particularly interesting rock formations and some medium sized towns masquerading as cities. All while getting soaked thanks to our hopeless climate.

You're forgetting that a lot of tourists are from places that look nothing like Ireland. To us, it can be just boring mountains and green fields and a few ruined castles, because we're used to it, but that's what a lot of tourists want to see. Americans in particular love castles and historic buildings because a lot of them just don't have that at home, not to the extent that we do (apart from the First Nations settlements, there are very few sites pre-1600s there). Some are impressed by green landscapes and the coastline because they've never seen anything like it, and others buy into the whole romantic Celtic folklore stuff. You may not appreciate it, a lot of us Irish don't, but tourists come to see things that are different to their home. No-one comes to Ireland for a sun holiday - the weather isn't their focus.

As for the cities, yeah, I agree that some are a bit small to be called cities, but some tourists like that. I've heard Irish cities described by visitors as 'quaint', which is a bit patronising, but if that's what we have to offer...

I know we tend to be negative about our country, but I think sometimes we overlook things that appeal to others who aren't familiar with it.

asherbassad · 25-09-2015 02:08PM

Daith wrote: »

I'm constantly surprised at tourists who are in Dublin and never go to somewhere like Howth.

And skerries too. What a lovely little spot.

When The Who played in Dublin back in April they stayed in Skerries. Always maintained old Daltrey had a bit of class.

What are the 'Must See/Do's of Ireland for tourists?

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