[MR] OT: Trip to Ireland

[Willie Walter]

--- David Chessler <chessler at usa.net> wrote:

> Don't forget to kiss the Blarney Stone.

Ooooh! But it's slimey! And then there's the whole
thing about having some old guy hold you by the waist
or hips while you lean back across this abyss... But
Blarney Castle is fantastic, and the grounds are
lovely...well worth a visit. And there's great
shopping within walking distance at the local Blarney
Woolen Mills.

In Dublin's fair city... The hop-on/hop-off bus, which
stops at nearly all of the touristy places; I suggest
doing a full circuit, to hear what the driver has to
say, then hopping off at places that interest them.
Christchurch Cathedral. Dublinia is a *very* cheesy
medieval tourist attraction...*very* cheesy. But I
liked it anyway. :) The "Viking Splash Tour," on the
WWII "Ducks" (amphibious landing vehicles). The
National Museum, home to treasures like the Tara
Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice. Evening stroll through
Temple Bar. And if they like Hard Rock Cafes, there's
one in Dublin...smaller than what I'm used to in the
US, but nice, heavy on U2, of course. ;-) Most people
insist on touring the Guinness Storehouse. I thought
it was a yawn, but it has a really nice restaurant. (I
highly recommend the Guinness and beef stew.)

Depending on where else they're going... 

In Co. Clare, the Cliffs of Moher (i.e. The Cliffs of
Insanity) and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. (Some
people think Bunratty is too "touristy." They're just
jaded. <EG> The Bunratty "medieval banquet" *is*
cheesy as all get-out, and I really had to bite my
tongue a few times..."They did so have spoons back
then!"...but it *was* fun, and hey, dinner in a real
medieval castle!) Try Ennis or Doolin for a pub
session and some *real* Irish trad music.

In Co. Kerry, the Ring of Kerry and all of the stops
along the way (Staigue Fort is an awesome Iron Age
structure). I've heard all sorts of wonderful things
about Dingle, but haven't visited there yet. 

We didn't see much in Co. Cork--we did go to
Blarney--but we *loved* Fota Wildlife Park.

In Waterford, the Crystal Factory tour is interesting,
and the showroom is uber sparkly. In 2004, I totally
geeked out over their latest crystal pattern, which
was named "Grainne." (Yes, I bought 2 goblets in that
pattern.)

Kilkenny City has wonderful medieval streets. Jerpoint
Abbey is great.

In County Wicklow, Powerscourt (skip the house, go
straight to the gardens) and Glendalough (the lovely
ruins of St. Kevin's monastery).

The Antrim Coast. Giant's Causeway is just amazing,
even in dreary weather. Dunluce Castle. If they're not
afraid of heights, the Carrick-a-Rede bridge (rope
bridge put up by fishermen every spring).

Keep in mind, these are recommendations from one
11-day trip. :-) Other places on my must-see list are
the Burren, Galway City, the Ceide Fields, Derry (I
want to walk the old city walls), Clonmacnoise, Bru na
Boinne (which includes the neolithic tombs of
Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth), Belfast, Monasterboice,
Kinsale... I could spend a month there and not begin
to see everything I want to see. I started planning my
next trip to Ireland during the cab ride to Dublin
airport for my flight home...

Oh, and tell them that watching cartoons on the
all-Irish-language TV channel is big fun! :-) (The
weather report is fun, too. I looked forward to that
before bed each night.)

Slan,
Grainne
Roxbury Mill  


       
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