ireland tips
Update: We will be in Edinburgh and Linlithgow while in Scotland.
B and I will be visiting Scotland this summer with the rest of my family in order to spread the rest of my grandparents ashes. While we are over there we will also be hitting up Ireland! I have never been to either country so do you have any tips? Our time in Scotland is pretty much accounted for (but if you have any restaurant/pub tips, please let me know!) but we have no idea what we should do in Ireland. Any recommendations?!
19 comments
If your going to Ireland, Temple bar in dublin is always fun, live music 7 nights a week, cobblestone alleys with only foot traffic and pubs everywhere and you can also take a 2 and 1/2 hour bus to galway which is beautiful, then take the ferry to the Aran Islands and rent a bike to see real Ireland.
Hi! I live in Ireland (from Connecticut) and I second what PP said about Galway – definitely go there. It’s a really fun active city (small city) right on the Atlantic Ocean – scenic AND fun! And great pubs and restaurants. I live near Dublin and while it’s a pretty typical city it does offer cool things like the Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar (if you’re here on a weekend go to the markets in Temple Bar – it’s an area, not just a bar!), the National Gallery is lovely and the National Museum at Collins Barracks is v. interesting. If you can get off the beaten path you’ll discover your own version of Ireland instead of what is obvious in the bigger towns and cities. Kilkenny is a nice city and has a cool castle too – what’s not to like!? Have a great time!
You will have a wonderful trip, even if it is for a sad purpose, but at least your grandparents are making sure you see one of the most beautiful countries in the world. (Can you tell I’m Scottish?)
Where in Scotland are you going to be? If Edinburgh then you should try The Grain Store Restaurant on Victoria Street. It is a little pricey but is wonderful. Serves modern Scottish style food and is properly yummy!
Le Sept just off the High Street is a French restaurant specialising in crepes. They do a fantastic bargain lunch menu. Think it was £10 ($16) for 2 courses.
Also Sushiya by Haymarket train station is the best Japanese restaurant in Edinburgh, but it is tiny so you may need to book.
Have a great trip.
Pamela
Hey, I haven’t been to Ireland myself but I do live in Edinburgh in Scotland. Where are you planning to visit while you are here?
Where in Scotland will you be going? I live in Edinburgh so could certainly give you some suggestions. This is a lovely book to get if you come here. It’s beautifully designed and does have a lot of great tips in it.
http://www.localsguidetoedinburgh.com/
HO.LY.COW! What a meaningful and exciting trip! I have never been to either country, but I sincerely hope to go someday. I hope it is a blast!
Rent a car, get an automatic, (you remember Bronkie that it took me a while to get used to the stick and the right hand drive. Too much for my regressive Irish genes to adjust all at once!) See your maternal gmother’s family county of Antrim. (Ballycastle and Ballintoy) The Giant’s causeway, rope bridge Bushmills Distillery are all there. Not to be missed is the beautiful coast road that links these attractions. You also need to get to your paternal gfather’s family county of Wicklow. Aughrim, Ballinagapogue are towns your ancestors tread. If you are into hiking, follow the “Wicklow Way”. This will take you near the largest mountain in Muenster known as Lugnaquilla. Your Harney family still herd sheep on that mountain as they have done for centuries. Look for the green “H’ painted on the backs of the sheep. Those sheep are the property of your cousins Michael and Louie Harney. Donegal is rugged and beautiful. Too much to mention here. Why don’t you twist my arm and inspire me to meet you in Eire? I have not been there since 9/11/01 and I am due a trip to see the folks.
When do you plan to go? Please advise,
Da
I studied abroad in Galway, and I always tell people they need to see this part of Ireland, not just Dublin, which is a big international city. The town is full of fun pubs, and the Aran Islands and the Burren/Cliffs of Moher are so pretty and what you think of when you think Ireland (lots of stone, rolling green hills, grey stormy waters). We also had a fun riding bikes through the Killarney National Forest (including a ruined abbey you can explore, waterfalls, great water views, etc.) and in Dingle, a little fishing village with a “pet” dolphin and the best fish and chips I’ve ever had.
You have to visit the Aran Islands. Experience Irish culture and wonderful scenery. Well worth the short ferry ride. I promise that you will never forget it.
dave
If you are in Dublin or Cork in June, check out the Street Performance World Championships! My friend’s Irish Beau runs this program, and it sounds stellar. Free entertainment all weekend- and you’ll see some crazy stuff.
http://www.spwc.ie/
Hello, this is Heather’s Mom
We will be going to Inverness to see the Culloden Battlefield. My parents donated to the Culloden Walk and have stones in their names by the visitor center. I would like to see them and see everything there. I would love to know what else to see while in Inverness?
While in Edinburgh, besides seeing the castle, High Street and Holyroodhouse, I have a bus tour in mind to see Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline and Sterling Castle.
My husband would like to see St. Andrews while there, so I need to fit that in. Does the bus go from Edinburgh over to St. Andrews?
How wonderful to have responses from you Scots! The restaurant tips are wonderful! Thank you!
You can get a bus to St Andrews but it will take a while. You can get the train to Leuchars which is just a few miles from St Andrews which would be much quicker.
There are loads of lovely restaurants in Edin too, some fairly expensive ones including the Tower at the museum and the Witchery and Oloroso but many others as well. The Royal Mile has some great Scottish restaurants too and Kublai Khan in Leith is a totally different experience.
You can see Loch Ness while you are in Inverness too.
No one has really spoken up for County Kerry yet and I think its the most beautiful in Ireland-absolutely stunning, the lakes, mountains, Blasket Islands, Slea Head drive, beaches….. County Clare is also lovely with the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Dublin is great for a couple of days-fun-you should take a look in a shop called Avoca while you’re there, based on the style of stuff you go for on your site. Cork City and county is super-great food and crafts, check out the English Market is the city centre. Everywhere is great really but I’m biased, I’m Irish
)
Thought I’d share our link to our recent trip to Ireland: http://followingfendi.blogspot.com/search/label/Ireland
Maybe the images/info will help you guys determine what you might be most interested in vs. what you might want to skip.
Also, I highly recommend stopping at the Skeff Bar in Galway. It’s massive, gorgeous, hosts live music and provides entertaining people watching.
Have a wonderful trip!
Hello,
I would suggest taking the train from Edinburgh to St Andrews, if only to pass over the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge. There is a shuttle bus and plenty taxis to take you the short distance between Leuchars and St Andrews. St Andrews is not all that big, more of a University town, and although pretty, if you are short on time it may not be worth the stop. There is so much to see and do in the highlands and in Edinburgh- I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
The List magazine is a listings guide for every cultural even going on in Glasgow and Edinburgh. They also have a great website ( http://www.list.co.uk/ ) that has reviews on nearly every restaurant/cafe/venue and has full listings of ‘what’s on’.
My ‘Things to do’ for you would be to
1/Go to Armstrongs vintage emporium in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh. You will LOVE it there! I guarantee you won’t leave without a purchase.
2/The go across the street to Analogue books, http://www.analoguebooks.co.uk/ for some great books and local ‘zines.
3/ Try a Buttery for breakfast when you are up north. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttery_%28bread%29 They are very bad for you but are amazing with butter and jam. A sort of lardy croissant.
4/You’ll go through Whiskey country on your way to Inverness, it would be rude not to visit at least one! http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/ Under NO circumstances visit the ‘Whiskey Experience’ in edinburgh, it is a horrible, dull and expensive waste of time. The ‘tasting’ whiskey at the end is always a cheap blend. I would strongly recommend spending the entrance fee and time in a good bar with a knowledgeable bar man. Like the blue blazer, just up from the Grassmarket on Bread Street. It has a malt of the month deal, loads of real ales, and a fire. Bish bash bosh!
I am an illustrator and have recently made a illustrated guide and map to edinburgh which I am sure you will find useful!!
http://www.clairemurray.co.uk/blog/2009/brilliant-map-guide-to-edinburgh-available-soon-on-etsy/
http://www.clairemurray.co.uk/blog/2009/map-and-guide-to-edinburgh/
http://cbm.bigcartel.com/
Have a great time in Ecosse!
Claire
I almost forgot, the best restaurant in Edinburgh does a lunch offer- 3 courses for £30. http://www.thewitchery.com/home.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/28713796@N07/4136295337/ Seriously, make a reservation and go. It is right next to the Castle, and has an amazing interior, atmosphere and the food is delicious. If you can afford the evening menu, go. You won’t regret it.
Thank you Claire! I will definately look into all of your links! I can’t wait!!
Karen
[...] six will bring traveling to new countries, getting my design business up and running, and a year anniversary of being married to my favorite [...]
Oh how I want to go to Ireland – sounds like it will be an emotional, wonderful experience.
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