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FGF Supercock
Guest
July is our only month to visit. I would appreciate any input from recent visitors to the island.
You know your wife better than any of us. Base your itinerary on her likes and interests. Dublin is rich in history. There's also an entire beautiful countryside with a wealth of natural beauty. And then there is Northern Ireland which tends to fall off your typical American itinerary.
At a general level, use a site like Booking.com. It is based in Europe so you'll have a better choice of local hotels than if you use an American website which will just find American chains. Do NOT stay at American chains.
Once you determine where you want to go, book your hotels now. You are probably best served to not book your flights until 3 weeks out but I've heard of folks getting good fares now since the dollar is strong and oil is cheap.
Oh and if you do go to the Guinness Factory. Purchase 2-3 tickets for entry, not 1. Do not drink your free Guinness at any of the bars until you get to the end where you will enjoy one of the best places to drink a beer in the world - The Gravity Room.
Now why did you buy 2-3 entry tickets? Because they only allow ONE BEER PER ENTRY TICKET. You'll get to enjoy 2-3 Guinness and the magnificent view while others only get 1/2 the time up there.
At a general level, use a site like Booking.com. It is based in Europe so you'll have a better choice of local hotels than if you use an American website which will just find American chains. Do NOT stay at American chains.
Once you determine where you want to go, book your hotels now. You are probably best served to not book your flights until 3 weeks out but I've heard of folks getting good fares now since the dollar is strong and oil is cheap.
Oh and if you do go to the Guinness Factory. Purchase 2-3 tickets for entry, not 1. Do not drink your free Guinness at any of the bars until you get to the end where you will enjoy one of the best places to drink a beer in the world - The Gravity Room.
Now why did you buy 2-3 entry tickets? Because they only allow ONE BEER PER ENTRY TICKET. You'll get to enjoy 2-3 Guinness and the magnificent view while others only get 1/2 the time up there.
You may also want to visit Northern Ireland, which is the homeland of millions of Americans. It has a strong Scottish and English influence in its culture.
F
FGF Supercock
Guest
Thanks CockynChicago. I'm sorry that I failed to reach out to you when
I was in Chicago back in November. My wife and I stayed at Hotel Burnham on State and Washington. Basically, we just hung out in The Loop area and went to The Chicago Theatre. We did venture out and went to Smoke Daddy BBQ joint in the Division area. When we walked in the server brought over three bottles of bbq sauce and set them on the table. One was mustard based and I grabbed it to read the label and she said, "That's our South Carolina Sauce." I replied,"Since I'm from there, I'll be the judge of that!" Lol... (It did not taste like any mustard bbq sauce I've ever had in the Midlands and I've had them all.)
Didn't you tell me you worked downtown in the heart of the city? Anyway, I promise to make the effort next time. Thanks for the Ireland advice!
This post was edited on 1/23 6:44 AM by FGF Supercock
I was in Chicago back in November. My wife and I stayed at Hotel Burnham on State and Washington. Basically, we just hung out in The Loop area and went to The Chicago Theatre. We did venture out and went to Smoke Daddy BBQ joint in the Division area. When we walked in the server brought over three bottles of bbq sauce and set them on the table. One was mustard based and I grabbed it to read the label and she said, "That's our South Carolina Sauce." I replied,"Since I'm from there, I'll be the judge of that!" Lol... (It did not taste like any mustard bbq sauce I've ever had in the Midlands and I've had them all.)
Didn't you tell me you worked downtown in the heart of the city? Anyway, I promise to make the effort next time. Thanks for the Ireland advice!
This post was edited on 1/23 6:44 AM by FGF Supercock
Take a tour bus. Driving over there is very difficult. Northern Ireland is underestimated so you may want to check that out. You will have a blast, there are no nicer people in the world.
I was over there for 3 weeks in July. Wonderful country.
Dublin is a great town especially on the weekends all the pubs are full to overflowing. Dublin has a wonderful large old movie theater as well. There is good public transportation in Dublin, also they have a train that runs along the bay that is a good ride and a great view. Ireland is about the size of SC and you can drive from Dublin to the West Coast in about 4 hours. Though I wouldn't recommend you drive. I did and the roads are made for about 1 1/2 cars with rock walls on either side and you'll also be on the wrong side of the car and road driving a stick shift. I white knuckled it the whole way. You'll also be contending with double decker buses on these roads. You need to check out Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Bring good shoes and a lunch and you can walk along the cliffs for several miles and have a picnic lunch with an awesome view. Galway has nice shops.
Dublin is a great town especially on the weekends all the pubs are full to overflowing. Dublin has a wonderful large old movie theater as well. There is good public transportation in Dublin, also they have a train that runs along the bay that is a good ride and a great view. Ireland is about the size of SC and you can drive from Dublin to the West Coast in about 4 hours. Though I wouldn't recommend you drive. I did and the roads are made for about 1 1/2 cars with rock walls on either side and you'll also be on the wrong side of the car and road driving a stick shift. I white knuckled it the whole way. You'll also be contending with double decker buses on these roads. You need to check out Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Bring good shoes and a lunch and you can walk along the cliffs for several miles and have a picnic lunch with an awesome view. Galway has nice shops.
I have been twice lately. You will love the country and the people. Contact CIE tours. It is Ireland's best touring group by far. First class accommodations, tours, and meals. Small travel groups and you are led by an Irish tour guide who knows all the ins and outs of the country. Promise you will not go wrong with any of their tours. Best prices also. We loved southern and northern Ireland. Just pick the spots you want to see most or stay a couple weeks and do both! Also in July you will have sunlight until around 10:00 or 11:00 pm.
This post was edited on 1/23 10:40 AM by champijb
This post was edited on 1/23 10:40 AM by champijb
Recommend flying into Shannon (seems to have better rates) and then staying in Killarney before driving the Ring of Kerry. Muckross House and Ross Castle in Killarney are worth the time. Also, look into a fly fishing guide (even if you have never fly fished before) on Lough Leane. Eat at The Beaufort Bar in Killarney.
Also, if you travel to Tralee (fantastic golf course), I recommend that you eat at The Oyster Tavern just outside Tralee. Great food.
Also, if you travel to Tralee (fantastic golf course), I recommend that you eat at The Oyster Tavern just outside Tralee. Great food.
Ireland is very expensive to eat and drink. You'll have trouble finding any meal anywhere for less than $20 per entree. and that is fish n chips or bangers and mash. A good meal will be at least $30-40 in a small rural pub. A beer is approximately $6.50 or more everywhere (even small rural pubs).
It is always cold and rainy there. You can go it literally half price anytime other than june, july august.
I enjoyed driving because outside of Dublin and Belfast Ireland is extremely rural. There almost have no real towns. Driving is a little tough though as you steering wheel is on the right, they drive on the right and the roads are terrible, VERY NARROW, with rock walls that you often cannot see around only 1 foot from ther edge of the road - get insurance.
I've been to maybe 30 counties and the Irish people are the friendliest I've ever meet. They all curse - a lot but they are a lot of fun. I did not like Dublin at all - you can see it in one day.
The highlights for me and my wife were - 1) Glendalough monastary (beautiful) and the wiclow mnts. 2) Cork - Blarney castle 3) cliffs of moher are a must 4) Killarney - Ring of Kerry is nice (but not much better than any other irish scenary 5) between dublin and belfast - Hill of Tara, Newgrange and Knowth are all older than the great pyramids 6) galaway and limerick are nice (you can see the burran and the cliffs from either of these) 7) Donnegal and the Atrium coast (gianst causeway) if you can make it to the far north.8) if you are driving though kilkenny the castle is nice 9) Bunratty castle and farms was fun.
Add 1 to 2 days on the trip to do nothing as it will likely rain and mess up your site seeing.I wouldn't do a tour I enjoyed being at my own pace and spending time with the locals. and it saves a lot of money vs a tour.
It is always cold and rainy there. You can go it literally half price anytime other than june, july august.
I enjoyed driving because outside of Dublin and Belfast Ireland is extremely rural. There almost have no real towns. Driving is a little tough though as you steering wheel is on the right, they drive on the right and the roads are terrible, VERY NARROW, with rock walls that you often cannot see around only 1 foot from ther edge of the road - get insurance.
I've been to maybe 30 counties and the Irish people are the friendliest I've ever meet. They all curse - a lot but they are a lot of fun. I did not like Dublin at all - you can see it in one day.
The highlights for me and my wife were - 1) Glendalough monastary (beautiful) and the wiclow mnts. 2) Cork - Blarney castle 3) cliffs of moher are a must 4) Killarney - Ring of Kerry is nice (but not much better than any other irish scenary 5) between dublin and belfast - Hill of Tara, Newgrange and Knowth are all older than the great pyramids 6) galaway and limerick are nice (you can see the burran and the cliffs from either of these) 7) Donnegal and the Atrium coast (gianst causeway) if you can make it to the far north.8) if you are driving though kilkenny the castle is nice 9) Bunratty castle and farms was fun.
Add 1 to 2 days on the trip to do nothing as it will likely rain and mess up your site seeing.I wouldn't do a tour I enjoyed being at my own pace and spending time with the locals. and it saves a lot of money vs a tour.
Dont expect luxury, that's all I'll say. Sites were interesting and very humbling. Accomodations were terrible. I wont be back to the "isles" in my life.
Oh, eat nothing but shep's pie. That stuff is the bomb.
Probably. I saw a lot of fatties in Ireland. I was disappointed. I expected great looking redheads that wanted to rub me down with Irish Spring. Disappointing trip entirely.
Dublin is obviously a place you need to spend a few days at least.
Tour the Guinness brewery and be sure to get a pint.
The old Jamesons Distillery tour is a must see in my opinion as well.
Kissing the Blarney Stone was a favorite of the girlfriend, and the Blarney Castle is worth seeing.
It is a wonderful trip you will have a great time.
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