re: Ireland May 2017- Updated Itinerary

Awesome list. I have a feeling this at be the first of a few trips. How expensive is property over there if you are looking for a place?

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Saw the Shelbourne. Really debating it vs. the Westin Dublin. Since SPG and Marriott merged I can use either.

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There is no debate..the Shelbourne has history and great (but expensive) bar used by locals.

The Irish Rugby team stays there before games if that gives you an idea.

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I did a golf trip where we flew into Dublin and back out of Shannon. Unfortunately, we spent so much time driving and playing golf that we didn't get to do much else. The one stop that was most memorable was Kinsale

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You play Old Head?

We played Ballybuniion and Lahinch last time I was there, Old head was full

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You play Old Head?

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Yep, we were there for Old Head. Absolutely incredible course. We played Portmarnock, Royal County Down, European Club, K Club, Old Head, Ballybunion, and Lahinch. My OCD friend booked the trip and it was honestly too much golf. I wish we had taken a day or two to see some more of the sights.

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ETA I will add that renting a car is not as easy as in the States. You have to buy car insurance because the roads are so dangerous and in general, it takes a long time...

if you can avoid renting a car I would highly recommend it. Obviously you have to deal with driving a stick and on the left side of the road also.

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Has this changed in the last 10 years or so? I rented a car in 2008 and drove all over Ireland. It was no different than renting a car in the States.

And it was automatic transmission.

Just back from a weeklong visit---it was gray, drizzly, and cold, but we had a good time despite the weather. A visit to Newgrange & the Hill of Tara was a highlight, as was a day trip to Howth. Howth has charm to spare, plus an active fishing fleet, seals to watch in the harbor, and lots of food choices. A ruined abbey, now the site of a graveyard, overlooks the waterfront--quite a view for eternity, LOL.

We stayed in the West End/Christchurch area, just on the edge of Temple Bar, which turned out to be a great location, easily accessible to most everything in the city, as well as close to the major transit routes.

For the board- a friend of mine went last June. This is what she told me about her trip.

Here are some thoughts on Ireland. It's really a wonderful country where you can truly choose your own adventure. We went up north, which I think is a little atypical as more people go south so depending on how long your there you'll have to choose or you can do it all. I think we made the right choice.

Places to Stay:
Dublin - The Westin: it's nice and right by Trinity College. Easy to walk to and from
Elsewhere - We went the B&B route, none of them were particularly memorable but they worked and we more focused on sightseeing

Places to Eat:
Dublin - Bull and Castle (good steak)
Dublin - Killkenney Cafe (best scone of my life)
Dublin - Old Storehouse (good food)
Dublin - Temple Bar (kitchy tourist place, but fun)
Dublin - DeSelby's (located in a more local part of town, we really enjoyed)
Dublin - Sip and Slurp (this was a so yummy soup place)

I have food recommendations for a couple of places in Killkenney and Galway and Portrush if you make it any of those places.

Things you must see (in my opinion)
1. Cliffs of Mohr
2. Giant's Causeway
3. Dark Hedges of Amory County
4. The Wild Atlantic Way (scenic drive on the north coast)
5. Rock of Cashel (cool 14th century castle)

We did a Guinness tour in Dublin which wasn't as behind the scenes as I would have liked but it's still a fun tourist trap place.

I highly recommend renting a car and driving yourself around. It gives you more freedom to stop and go as you please.

I'm from Ireland - live in Kildare.

Email me any questions you have phillips2104@gmail.com.

I'd help any Ranter out as best I could considering how amazing everyone was on my trip to LSU in Nov.

I agree with that philosophy in general but not in the case of Ireland because it's so small and it's so quick to get from place to place. I mean from Dublin to county Clare or Ulster is really no big deal. Plus The countryside is so gorgeous . And as for tour buses to places like the cliffs of Moher they are usually run by the most charming sixty year old Irish women, and are half the fun. Ireland imho, is just different from that respect because the people are so charming and laid back.