Ireland (best, country, places, people)

[Potter82]

Can anyone suggest some things to do off the beaten path? I am going at the end of July and will be spending some time in Dublin as well as travelling around the country to see places that have not been decided yet.

[BrianH]

Go to Malahide Castle in Dublin. It has a great park, model railway museum and a fantastic castle to tour.
Malahide Castle - Welcome to Malahide Castle Online

I have always enjoyed a walk along Howth and eat some fresh fish n chips there.

Meath is close to Dublin so I would go to New Grange too

Newgrange Ireland - Megalithic Passage Tomb - World Heritage Site
You can buy daily and weekly tickets for the Dublin Bus Tours too which is worth a go.
Dublin Tours, Dublin Attractions - Dublinsightseeing.ie
YOu can take a tour of the old St James Brewry where Guinness was brewed and sample a pint there too.
GUINNESS STOREHOUSE® | Dublin Tourist Attractions, Ireland Tourist Attractions
If you really want to do something different you can go see a Football (Soccer) game. Shelbourne are playing July 31st at home
Shelbourne F.C. Official Website
I found Dublinia very interesting that last time I was there a few years ago.
Dublinia and the Viking World, Medieval Heritage, Archaeology and History, in Dublin

For some fantastic history visit Kilmainham Gaol
PROTECT KILMAINHAM JAIL CAMPAIGN
I took the pics below of the Gaol myself
]
Phoenix Park is europes largest enclosed park.
Phoenix Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

While at the Phoenix park you should check out Dublin Zoo
Also while in the Phoenix Park you can visit Áras an Uachtaráin which is the Irish Presidential house.

The Gaol I mentioned above is close to it too.

[j_k_k]

What we found in Ireland is that if you just wander around, with patience and an open mind, enjoyable experiences come to you. The people are the secret. Not that there aren't churlish Irish people; like anywhere, there are. But the majority are quite willing to talk to you. If they buy you a round, you are doing something right. Of course, the etiquette is cast in marble: you must reciprocate. Important anywhere, but especially in Ireland.

For attractions, there's a lot of great stuff out west. Staigue Fort on the Ring of Kerry is really something. The Rock of Dunamase is out that way; hopefully the dog that escorts tours is still alive, though after eight years I don't know about the odds. Pretty hard to imagine not seeing the Cliffs of Moher and the rocky back country of the Burren. Doolin has a rep for a traditional music; wasn't really merited when we were there, but can't judge such a thing based on one day. If you go to the megalithic tombs at Carrowkeel, maybe you'll make it to them; pick whichever sign seems most accurate to you. And it really is a worthwhile experience to head out to Dingle, which is a Gaelteacht town of significant charm with a great pub (can't recall the name).

[PA2UK]

I second just wandering around. Just rent a car and drive around exploring, it's the best way to see Ireland or "off the beaten path" Ireland and there's something to see no matter where you go, even if it's just great scenary. I also second checking out the Cliffs of Moher and Burren area if you're heading out that way but it is about a 4 hour drive from Dublin.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Yes, we had the most fun when we got lost in the countryside and asked a local for directions.
The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are very worthwhile indeed.

[Potter82]

Thank you for all of your advice. I am going to look into everything that was suggested and see what works out. Just wandering around sounds the most appealing to me. I just want to experience the people more than anything else.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by Potter82

Thank you for all of your advice. I am going to look into everything that was suggested and see what works out. Just wandering around sounds the most appealing to me. I just want to experience the people more than anything else.

Then you're going to like Ireland. While some of the sights can get repetitive, such as the rear ends of cattle blocking the road, or the rear ends of tractors doing about 15 mph where you cannot pass them, or the sheep with the magenta and blue spray paint (which is how Seán tells that these sheep are his rather than Séamas's down the road or Liam's across the road), the people will present endless fascination.

The way we did it was rented a car (get automatic) and bought a coupon book of B&B coupons through Brendan Tours. They also then issue you a thick paperback book of all the B&Bs. Armed with phone cards, this enables you to wander from destination to destination with all day to get there (useful when the average road travel time is about 30 mph due to various hindrances). Just call ahead in the morning to your next destination and reserve at the B&B you select, then go fool around. The full Irish breakfast at any B&B will obviate the need for lunch, just as well because lunch is only available at bars, and then only if the cooking lady showed up today.

I can tell you more in DMs because I wrote a book about this. It did not get published, however, but it might someday, so I can't put it all out here for legal reasons. But in DM I can be more forthcoming.

[clongirl]

Well, if you're anywhere near West Cork or North Tipp/Clare/Limerick p.m. me and I'll tell you some gems that very few tourists know about..

[Uconn97]

I also vote for renting a car and just driving. We have done this twice and it was the absolute best way to really see the country. We did some of the touristy things, but also enjoyed just finding random shops and places of interest that were not tourist traps. If you can PLEASE drive through the burren. We went up this way and stopped at Kylemoore(sp) abby and the drive was once of the most serene, beautiful ones I recall. Very peaceful. Be prepared to stop for sheep in the road.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

Yes, we had the most fun when we got lost in the countryside and asked a local for directions.
The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren are very worthwhile indeed.

Ah, this is one of the things I miss the most..directions.

This is the way of it.. "Go about 5km, past the dairy farm, then make a right at the church down at the bottom of the hill. Go another 2kms 'til you passed the secondary school on the left..follow the road and when you see the other road at the bend then go straight another 1km. Go on until you see the hill, then make a sharp left, then you'll be there"... "Oh, wait a minute now..never mind that, I just thought of a better way"...