Ireland late June

[Cruiser Elite]

We are planning to visit Ireland for 1st time late June 2014 and was wondering what 'must see' suggestions any of you good AFF people might have?

 

[deejo77]

Below is a copy and paste of an email I sent home while in Ireland some years ago - must do Navan:

Received: Tuesday, 7 October, 2008, 3:56 AM

Hi All Well I had one of the best days today - of course it was rainy overcast again but that was ok. I went to a place called Bru Na Boinne which is a thousand years older then Stonehenge, its an extensive Neolithic necropolis. Basically a large burial tomb inside a mound of dirt. It was quite simply one of the most extraordinary sites and it was absolutely mind boggling that these people were able to achieve this when they were prehistoric humans. The necropolis was built to house the VIP corpses (so unfortunately I wont get to go there when i drop dead!!) the tombs were the largest artificial structures in Ireland until the construction of the anglo-norman castles over a thousand years later. There are three principal sites Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. And the country side is littered with countless other ancient mounds and standing stones. I had to drive to the Bru Na Boinne Visiter centre which was a high quality interpretative centre - a lot of interactive exhibits on the passage tombs and prehistoric ireland. Newgrange was the first site I visited - it is a grass covered mound about 80m in diameter and 13m high. Underneath it lies the first stone age passage tomb in Ireland and it dates from around 320BC - predating the great pyramids of Egypt by some six centuries (and hey I was impressed with the pyramids this is just as amazing!!). They think it was a burial place for kings and a centre for ritual - although the alignment with the sun at the time of the winter solstice also could suggest it was designed to act as a calendar but I personally think not. There is also an Arthurian legend about Diarmuid and Grainne read Lancelot and Guinevere here which could be true. The site was extensively restored in 1962 and again in 1975. At the entrance there is a superbly carved kerbstone with double and triple spirals which guards the tombs main entrance. Above the entrance is a slit or roof box which lets light in. Holding the whole structure together are 97 boulders of the kerb ring designed to stop the mound from collapsing outwards. 11 of these are decorated with motifs similar to those on the main entrance stone. I walked down the narrow 19m passage lined with 43 stone uprights - some of them are engraved and this leads into the tomb chamber which is only about 1/3 of the way into the mound. We were not allowed to take pictures. The passage way leads into the chamber and there are 3 recesses and in these are large basin stones that held the cremated human bones. Above my head was massive stone supports for a 6m high corbel vaulted roof. You should of seen the complex draining system it has so that not a drop of water has penetrated the interior in over 40 centuries. Do you all remember the slit or roof box from above well there is a reason for it. During the winter solstice (in december) the rising suns rays shine through the slit above the entrance and creeps slowly down the long passage and illuminates the tomb chamber for 17 mins - you have to put your name on a list and it is random lottery to have a place on that tour. There was thankfully a simulated winter sunrise for my group today so I know what it should look like. Are you bored yet?? if so go make a coffee or bathroom break and come back for part 2. Ok cause I was here I thought I would do both Newgrange and Knowth - after I did Newgrange I sort of thought mmmmmm maybe I should have only done the one - I am thankful that I did do both. The burial mound of knowth was built around the same time as Newgrange and I felt it was slightly better even though you can only go inside about 10m and you cant get down the passageway or see into the Tomb. It has the greatest collection of passage grave art ever uncovered in Western Europe - it was under excavation since 1962 and only opened to the public in the late 1990's. There is a cleared 34m passage to the central chamber so much longer then the one at Newgrange. Then a second 40m passage was unearthed on the opposite side of the mound - they don't meet up in the middle they are two separate chambers - when the archaeologist were working they could hear each other through the wall. There are also six early christian souterrains (underground chambers) build into the side. There is 300 carved slabs and 17 satellite graves (mini ones for less important people) that surround the main mound. There is Bronze Age and Iron Age evidence on the site. Around AD 800-900 it was turned into a ring fort and was the stronghold of the very powerful O'neill clan (note to self ring Aunty Judith to tell her that she married into a good name). In 965 it was the seat of Cormac MacMaelmithic who was Irelands high king for 9 years. It was so green here and the mounds were amazing - I sent my parents a post card and told my Dad he was lucky I didn't buy a mound cause he would have so much fun mowing it. They actually used to push the mower down the side and drag it back up with a rope attached to it - they now have a special machine called a spider which climbs up the stairs (cause you can stand on top) and mows the grass by itself. Dowth is the third and final - I didnt go visit as they used explosives to clear that site not realising how important it was - but I do know that it is similar in size to Newgrange so about 63m in diameter and 14m high - you can not go inside it at all. I also seen Slane Castle today - it was (or could still be I would have to net search) the private residence of Lord Henry Conyngham the Earl of Muntcharles - it is only open may to sept so I didnt get to go inside. Funny story about Slane castle is it was built in 1785 and George IV's used to visit Lady Conyngham she was allegedly his mistress and its said that the road between Dublin and Slane was built especially straight and smooth to speed up the randy king's journey. OK thats enough of a history lesson for today - I am going out for Dinner for my last meal (other then breaky here at 5am in the morning). Hope you have a lovely Tuesday morning. Take Care

 

[VPS]

Depends what you enjoy doing - Lots of beautiful countryside especially Dingle Peninsula - also enjoyed the Ring of Kerry but much more touristy. Stayed at a little fishing village called Killybegs up near Donegal and that was pretty. Caught a boat out to Cape Clear Island down near Cork which was interesting. Dublin has a great buzz about it and some great bars but the small country pubs are the best. Can get some great food in Ireland now too. Enjoyed the tour of the Guinness factory (book online before because the queues are enormous) and not so much the Jamieson factory but I'm not a whisky fan

 

[amaroo]

Don't stop at Youghal!

 

[Baltic]

The Irish National Stud in Kildare

 

[Bindibuys]

We are planning to visit Ireland for 1st time late June 2014 and was wondering what 'must see' suggestions any of you good AFF people might have?

We will be in Ireland from 23 May to 29 May. Driving anti- clockwise from Larne, on my to do list is:
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Giants Causeway
Bushmills
Slieve League
Glen Gesh Pass
Ennistymon
Cliffs of Moher
Ring of Kerry
Dingle Peninsula
Connor Pass (mainly because my son is Connor)
Cork,
Rock of Cashel - liked it so much going back again.
Dublin - Book of Kells
Belfast - Titanic

We saw most of the Neolithic - Newgrange , Bru Na Binne etc last trip, and if you are into history, then would recommend them.

I have the Lonley Planet book - Irelands best trips - 34 amazing road trips if you would like to borrow it.

 

[The Rok]

No Guinness brewery?

 

[Bindibuys]

No Guinness brewery?

I live & breathe Hunter Wine, but I am sure we can fit in the Guiness Storehouse in Dublin into the itinerary.
Starting production of the Swan Valley Visitors Guide on monday.

 

[OzEire]

Dublin, where you will certainly arrive and depart... Temple Bar (area not a pub) is intended to be very touristy... take everything there with a grain (or sack) of salt... there is plenty of 'touristy' Ireland to be found but not much of the real thing, instead expect Australian, NZ, South African, British and American tourists. But do walk up Grafton street to St Stephen's Green (the park, not the shopping centre), take a ride on the Luas (tram), walk along the Liffey and across the ha'penny bridge, along O'Connell Street past the 'spire' ... Dublin castle is interesting for all the layers of history on one site...and whatever you do, don't miss Trinity College which is excellent to stroll around, right in the middle of town and a visit to the Book of Kells (in Trinity) as the highlight. The Guiness Storehouse is a good few hours with a free pint once you have worked your way through the exhibits and reached the skybar at the top... I can also recommend volunteering for the demonstration on how to 'pull a perfect pint' about halfway up... because you get to drink your attempt and get a certificate as well !

But my best tip is to only spend a couple of days in Dublin and allow plenty of time elsewhere in Ireland, the real Ireland, rural villages and with local pubs and local flavour. I can highly recommend a visit to any of the neolithic sites, Newgrange etc., they are well worth a visit. Belfast and Cork are great 'other' cities to visit as well but every County has its charm. I've been underwhelmed by the hotels outside Dublin and it seems as though you could be anywhere in Europe with the generic hotel format and eastern european staff. If you can live without the mod-cons of the hotel chains (eg. wi-fi and lattes), stay in B&Bs you will have the perfect launch pad for many local adventures, your hosts will certainly point you in the right direction.

Enjoy the craic... have a great trip.

OzEire

 

[OzEire]

Don't stop at Youghal!

Why ?

I had a lovely seafood chowder in a Youghal pub by a warm wood fire on cold wet Cork day.... to be sure

 

[amaroo]

Why ?

I had a lovely seafood chowder in a Youghal pub by a warm wood fire on cold wet Cork day.... to be sure

It's a bit like Hokitika - the places that time forgot

 

[kpc]

Following thread with interest....planning to visit Dublin and surrounds in late April 2015

 

[jastel]

Don't forget the Blarney Stone...a cheesy rip off but you gotta do it and tick the box.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Don't forget the Blarney Stone...a cheesy rip off but you gotta do it and tick the box.

Ditto!

The Grounds of Blarney castle are very Green.... It's the Emerald Isle after all !

A drive from Cork to Killarney along the coast via Bantry Bay is quite nice, with quaint Irish villages & plenty of places to drink Murphy's Irish Stout along the way.

Killarney is a beautiful town, but be warned you'll be in Peak Tourist season with plenty of our friends from the LOTFAP looking to retrace their Irish Ancestry with direct flights into nearby Shannon Airport.

Good Craic nonetheless.

 

[zig]

I would second some of the many suggestions made here in particular OzEires recommendations for Dublin.
I have always loved the Giant's Causeway and the Antrim coastline.

I would add Glendalough, Co Wicklow to the list - absolutely magical and whilst in the area visit Powerscourt Estate - the gardens are lovely, and you can spot a tree planted by Hazel Hawke.

However you will always have a good time, just getting 'lost' and seeing where the road takes you.

 

[Bindibuys]

Boarding ferry to Larne as I type, 6 days in Ireland

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Good people which is easiest most accessible airport to dep ow London to Dublin late June - staying at Park Plaze Westminster Bridge. (Apologies to Flashback but I lost your PM and too embarrassed to ask you again mate).

 

[The Rok]

Dub-LHR or any London airport! BA will be your only direct OW carrier but I think some credit EI flights also!

Be careful though, there are a mix of 20 or so daily flights at times, code shares between EI & BA.

EI don't offer J or any food on that route but the flight is all of 50 minutes anyway!

 

[The Rok]

Alternatively, FR fly DUB-GWK about 400 times a day for about 50c one way!

Not OW but will be cheap as bro (I'm not even kiwi)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks Rok - sorry if my imbisilic posting was confusing - actually flying one way London to Dublin - not sure whether to fly out of Heathrow or Gatwick - staying at Park Plaza Westminster if that influences advise - I guess I was asking which is easiest to get to / easiest to navigate / just simplest transfer really.

No allegiance to any carrier - yes it's only 1hr flt - am tempted to try Ryanair just to see how bad it is - Aer Lingus seem to have a suitable flt ex LHR at about 1pm I think.