Some thoughts

by Bryan (IrishCavan), Howth Castle and Environs, Thursday, December 19, 2019, 07:46 (1878 days ago) @ KGB

With the realization that you won't be able to do everything (and some of it you likely won't want to do but you may have someone in your group who does. Anyway, here are some things to do:

Dublin: Kilmaihham Gaol, Collins Barracks, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson, Teeling Distillery, General Post Office Museum, Writers Museum, Trinity College (if you do the Book of Kells, go early), Croke Park/GAA tour.
-check out Temple Bar area, Grafton St., St. Stephen's Green, Christ Church Cathedral -- there is a good farmer's market in Temple Bar where you can get some really good food.
-best pint in Dublin is Kehoe's. Others pubs to see: Brazen Head, Long Hall, Stag's head, Porterhouse (craft beer), L Mulligan Grocer (craft beer).
--outside of Dublin, Glendalough and Malahide Castle are both fairly close.

I lived in Waterford one summer -- unless you are into Viking or medieval history, there's not much there other than Waterford Crystal. You would not be far from Hook Lighthouse, where Strongbow landed, or from Wexford, where a major part of the 1798 revolution took place (see Vinegar Hill and the museum).

If you go from Waterford to Cork, there are some cool little villages along the way -- Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Youghal -- avoid Tramore. Or you can head up to Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle, both in Tipperary.

Cork -- avoid Blarney Castle but definitely go to the English Market -- some of the best smoked salmon and black pudding is sold there. Cohb (pronounced Cove) is not far from there and is a cool little village where many emigrants sailed to the US. There is a nice little museum there as well, but I think some of it is devoted to the Titanic (the bigger Titanic museum is in Belfast -- not my thing but some people are into that). You're more likely to see Murphy's rather than Guinness in Cork.

Next would be to either do the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula. Be ready to see a ton of tour buses, especially on the Ring. If you go to Dingle, check out the Distillery there. It is mostly known for great pubs with Irish music – O’Faherty’s and Dick Mack’s are a couple I would recommend.

I would avoid going to Tralee or Limerick as you head toward Galway. If you want to play golf, Adare Manor has a nice course. If you want to see the Cliffs or Moher and/or go to the Aran Islands, you can do that along the way (also Ballybunion or Lahinch are roughly along the way…2 of the best courses in Ireland). You can also visit Bunratty Castle, but I would avoid their hokey dinner program.
Galway is one of my favorite cities in the world. The Spanish arches, Quay St., the Latin Quarter, Salthill, Galway Bay – just walking around Galway and stopping various pubs along the way to hear music. Tig Coili, Tigh Neactain, Roisin Dubh, Dew Drop Inn, Bierhaus – some of my favorite pubs. Moran’s, outside of Galway, is a great place for Oysters, seafood, and a Pint.

After Galway, there are some towns you might want to consider – Clifden, Westport, Cong (if anyone is into the Quiet Man) – but just driving through Connemara and then doing some things along the Atlantic – the scenery is incredible. You’ll see mountains, cliffs, fjords, streams.

Northern Ireland – the coast is beautiful and it has some incredible golf. I would check out Derry – the City Walls, the Peace Bridge, Bloody Sunday Memorial – if you are interested in the history.

Belfast – Black Taxi tour and the murals, Peace Walls, Titanic museum (if someone is into that), St. George’s Market, Crumlin Road Gaol, -- best pubs are Kelly’s Cellars, Crown Bar, White’s Tavern, Harp Bar. You are not far from doing a trip to Bushmill’s, Carick-a-Rede rope bridge, Giant’s Causeway. Also, Royal Portrush is a great course.

Obviously, you won’t be able to do all of this, but it gives you some options. If you have any questions, email me at bmcgover at Kennesaw dot edu

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