Plan My Trip: The Luck of the Irish

Posted by Intelligent Travel on March 10, 2009
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Friend of IT Ally Burguieres is taking a road trip in Ireland this week, just as the country gears up for St. Patrick’s Day. She’s got a car, and wants to know where to go.

Thumbnail image for dingleharbor.jpgIn Traveler’s October issue, John Rosenthal asked the question, “Do You Really Want to Drive?” about the risks of driving abroad. Since his article was in the Smart Traveler section, I had to hope that one could answer “Yes” to the question and still be smart.  Rosenthal presented some pretty sobering statistics. Yet Ireland’s a small island, and there’s nothing better than a car for getting to all the out-of-the way nooks and crannies.

Tomorrow, I’ll pick up my friend from the airport and we’ll get into our rental car: a small stick shift that neither of us will know how to drive well. We’ve got ten days of the open road ahead of us, and nothing but sheep-traffic-jams and tea breaks to slow us down. The whole island is up for grabs: the North, the South, and the coastlines. Do we really have to see the Blarney Stone? Is there a castle that’s hidden behind a farm somewhere near County Wexford? Do you know of a pub that’s perfect for two fine ladies on vacation?

What suggestions do you have for Ally? What are the must-see places and little-known spaces of Ireland? Where should she go to see the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo: h_roach via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool

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Comments

  1. Sarah
    March 10, 2009, 11:41 am

    I went to Ireland on a study abroad trip the summer before my freshman year of college. Most of the trips were scheduled out for us so we weren’t able to drive around and explore, but my favorite was a day trip to Kinsale in County Cork. We were there in July and they had a music festival of sorts in the town. A group of us decided to walk to the nearby Charles Fort, which was absolutely stunning. Make sure you walk around the town as well! The Blarney stone is definitely a tourist destination, but it can be fun. You have to lie on your back and bend so that your head is sticking out of a whole in the ground of the castle, far above the green grass below, and stretch to kiss the stone. But don’t worry–an Irishman is holding your hand the whole time! Also, Killarney National Park is made up of rolling green hills, your typical postcard of Ireland, and worth a trip.

  2. Avdhesh
    March 10, 2009, 1:44 pm

    Thats such a nice pic, really liked very much.

  3. Lisa McCloughry
    March 10, 2009, 3:51 pm

    You may already be planning this but a visit to Newgrange is a must. It is a passage tomb older than the Eygptian pyramids. It is beautiful. It is located out side of Dublin in the Boyne River valley. The visitors’ centre is very nice also, an architectural gem. Sliante! Enjoy your trip!

  4. Lisa McCloughry
    March 10, 2009, 3:55 pm

    Driving in Ireland: Just be very careful when you make right turns. Americans have a tendency to end up on the wrong side of the road after making a right turn. The easiest way to check whether you are on the correct side of the road is to make sure the driver is next to the centre of the road. If the driver is next to the side of the road, look out… you on are on the wrong side of the road and endangering yourself and others. Also, skip the pub if you are the driver, diving on the left is hard enough without adding alcohol to the mix. Have fun!

  5. Ally
    March 10, 2009, 4:13 pm

    Thanks, Lisa! We picked up the car today; so far so good. I´m putting Newgrange on our itinerary. We´re starting out in Belfast, and might drive down to Co. Cork and work our way up. Thanks for the tip on Kinsale, Sarah – that´s going on our list as well. Will update!

  6. Pat lynch
    March 10, 2009, 5:11 pm

    Derry!!! Is a wee treat as a stop or hub on your trip. The city has the best bar in Ireland-paeader o donnells trad most nights, full of talent of all ages and decorated in trophies stolen from the enemy during riots, and gifts from exiles and guests from across the world. The murals and free Derry corner are managable and dramatic commemorations of the troubles that show the power of the people and human rights movements as opposed to the sectarian murals of bfast, portadown etc.free Derry museum commemorating bloody Sunday and the civil rights marches and troubles is based in a wee womans house at the bottom of a block of flats. Medieval siege walls nice walk. Then your set for pristine Irish cliché nicer than you imagined coastlines,beaches,cliffs wee pubs,wee towns, filling stations with ice cream pokes, lotto tickets old men fishing, bags of crisps and mcdaids football special drink!!! Heaven on earth, best enjoyed on the sabbath for full seaside nostalgic effect. Grianan fort just outside Derry Neolithic fort with a view of 5counties,2 loughs, inch island is spectacular and windy but so worth it.you can imagine the grianan cavmen throwing all the best parties in the country.notorious rascals! Surf beaches in ballyliffin, culdaff. Waterfall in clonmany. Do the inishowen100. Like gumball in a fiesta, just mind fannys gap! Scary ride so it is. There you have it 2 days Derry and inishowen. Send my love!

  7. Emma
    March 10, 2009, 7:35 pm

    Ally – a) I wish I was with you!!! b) Go to Galway and drive along Sky Road to Clifden c) Definitely go to the Aran Islands!! d) Top priority should be to stay in Doolin, go to a pub there for some music and go to the Cliffs of Moher in the morning e) Drive the whole Ring of Kerry and make sure to sleep in Kenmare
    Gosh I miss you and wish I was still in Belfast with you. Can’t wait to see you back in D.C. Love you!!

  8. Alisha
    March 10, 2009, 9:18 pm

    This trip might be helpful with picking out destinations in Ireland: http://www.sosauce.com/trip/1044
    Enjoy!!

  9. Mara
    March 10, 2009, 10:01 pm

    Two years ago I drove from Dublin down the coast to just outside Waterford where we stayed at Dunbrody House (a HUGE splurge, but totally worth it). Then we drove back up to Glendalough – a must-see in my book and onto Trim which was a great place to stay if you want to go and see Brú na Bóinne – another must-see.
    Have fun!

  10. Jeanine Barone
    March 11, 2009, 5:50 pm

    I bicycled the entire west coast of Ireland, starting at the Shannon Airport. My very favorite areas include the Aran islands and Connemara.
    jeanine
    http://www.jthetravelauthority.com
    twitter: @jcreaturetravel

  11. Sarah
    March 17, 2009, 10:30 am

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
    Sarah
    http://www.lyricsdigs.com

  12. John
    June 13, 2009, 7:41 pm

    I am Irish and I don’t have a lot of time but here are some of my thoughts on places to see in Ireland.
    1: Co Donegal – Glenties (wild and quaint) and any of the coastal fishing villages.
    2 Co Sligo – Ben Bulben, the lakes of Inisfree and Yeats’ grave.
    3: Co Kerry – Ring of Kerry, Dingle
    4 Co. Clare – Cliffs of Moher and the Burren(flora here is unique in Europe)
    5 Co. Galway – Connemara, Lettergesh beach, Galway City
    6 Co. Tipperary – The Rock of Cashel (ancient seat of the high kings), the Vee, Sliabh na mBan
    7 Co. Meath – Newgrange (important Neolithic site where the sun enters the inner sanctum on midwinter’s day only.)
    8 Co. Waterford – Dungarvan (fishing village)
    9 Co. Wicklow – Wicklow Mountains
    10 Co. Dublin – Johnnie Fox’s Pub,
    11 Dublin City – Chester Beatty library, Trinity College, Temple Bar, Smothfield market, Moore Street Market
    12 The River Shannon – Longest river in Ireland and UK. Navigable by pleasure craft, great for fishing and sight-seeing
    13 Co Cork – many west Cork coastal fishing villages and great foodie area if you know where to look.
    14 Co Antrim – The Giant’s Causeway – unique basalt rock formation (please Google it)
    15 Co Derry – Downhill Beach
    16 Co Tyrone – Ulster-American Folk Park (because not all Irish-americans are of Southern Catholic stock!)