Where should I visit in Ireland?

I'm planning a trip with my good friend starting on the 4th of july or so, and lasting about 2 weeks. We want to travel really cheaply and we plan to use the train/bus system a lot. Is it worth lugging around a bike? Some areas seem like they are inaccessable without a car or a bike. Also if you have been there, or live over there what are you favorite places? Any small hidden treasures? thanks for all the help in advance :hi:

and carve my name in the ruins of Castle Hale.

to lug around roller-blades? I wish I had taken a pair of those on my trip to Deutschland. Depending on how long you are there, it might be cheaper to buy a pass. I found the bus fares to be high in Deutschland. Plus the schedule was quite sparse on Sunday which was one of my three days in Schwabia, which I therefore spent mostly walking.

http://www.velvetpictures.com/index1.htm

I was describing the book to someone the other night. They found it unbelievable. Like I'd just make this stuff up.

when I read it, and I could so see someone doing something crazy like hauling a small fridge around the country without anyone batting an eye. The Irish seem to take everything in stride and with good humor.

Developed over centuries of misery.

that's hilarious

I'll check one of these days

and the whole country is gorgeous.

Of the cities, I prefer Galway to Dublin (although Dublin's a fine place too!). The Ring of Kerry is fantastic, and if you get a chance visit the Dingle peninsula in the west (here's a website to help you out with info: http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/). It's breathtakingly beautiful there and definitely no shortage of things to do.

to carry a bike everywhere or try and rent them locally? In other words how good is the transist system about taking on bikes? thanks for the help already :)

I don't know for sure about taking bikes on the transit system though because we took our own car on the ferry over from England. I seem to remember that you can take bikes on public transport for a small fee.

You also might want to consider using Bus Eireann, which serves more destinations than the train system and is cheaper. Google should be able to point you in the right direction.

Ireland is fabulous.

Its VERY worth it. We packed tents, clothes, and some food, and only took the train once (to leave Dublin). You can bring a bike on the train for a small additional fee.
Personally, I thought biking was the best way to see the country. You go slow enough to really enjoy the scenery, and you can stop and investigate anything on the way that catches your eye.

Places you must see:
Cliffs of Mohair (west coast)
Rock of Cashel
Blarney Castle
Tipperary

If you're interested in a two week cycling tour, PM me and I'll see if I can dig up our old route plans.

how grueling is it? My friend and I are in shape, but we aren't hardcore bikers.

which isnt bad. Its about 3-6 hours of riding a day, so you still have lots of time for sightseeing and stopping if you see something interesting. We would usually ride 2-3 hours, stop for lunch, then 2-3 more before hitting the "goal" town in the afternoon.
If you are in reasonable shape its no problem, but I would recommend doing some rides before you go just to get used to carrying all the gear.

I'll bring it up with my friend this afternoon and see what he thinks.

I wasn't there long, but it was great fun to go to a pub in Dublin and drink Guinness Stout on tap. I am not a beer drinker, but on the few occasions that I do, I enjoy Guinness. Also, Dublin has some great shopping malls.

but thanks for the suggestion

if anyone has any other suggestions just let me know, either in this thread or PM me. :hi:

the east coast of ulster is just gorgeous, and the town near the giants causeway is lots of fun- there's colleges and a whiskey maker- a good and lively combo.
and a costal route guarantees you some really quaint towns. there's a music festival in dingle, but i think that's mid july. it's huge!!!11!!!
donegal and the west is wild and beautiful and less touristy than places mentioned in this thread. but if the music fest is on in dingle you should go, everybody does. as in reserve now.
have fun!

yeah we kind of want to do a costal loop if possible, but who knows with the transit system.

and even if if you go to small towns, it's likely you'd get a bike rental (or loan) through your B+ B .
yeah, find out about the fest, it's usually the orangeman's holiday in july- the 13th or theresabouts.

you have to experience driving on the other side of the car and on the other side of the road and making turns!!!! I have never been so disoriented in my life. It was so much fun though and we laughed as all the farmers were waving us onto the proper side of the road.

I loved Killarny and The Cliffs of Mohr, Adare has thatched roof houses and the Burren is a sight to behold. Oh, and go to the Dingle Peninsula, it is charming and the road out there is so narrow and shared by tour busses, exciting no matter how you travel. The only city we stayed in was Galway and it was great! narrow roads, shops and a square in the city center which was fun.

Please try to find "Dan O'Hara's Homestead". Since we were just traveling around with no itinerary we stumbled on it. It is a working farm that shows what a homestead was like pre famine. It was wonderful. No guides and you were welcome to just explore. The house was furnished and had a fire in the fireplace and a cat on the bed. I felt like I belonged there.

Finally Carrowkeel and the mounds of Tara, where legend has it the kings of Ireland took their thrones is a non-descript field with dolmens and markers. If you're into ancient celtic history this is a must-see. It also has a nice church burial yard with some excellent High Crosses.

Most of all talk to the people of Ireland they are truly it's treasures! Have fun, I wish I was going with you.

but you have to be at least in your early 20s :), well that just aged me. thanks for the advice, where is that homestead anyways? Perhaps we can find it for you

wish you were coming along as well :pals:

we would be able to rent a car!!Ha!!

I looked up where Dan O'Hara's was and it was in Conamara. The story that goes along with the place is that Ol' Dan was a good farmer and quite successful. So successful that he could afford to give his wife a bigger window by her sink in the house. The landlord said if he was so successful he could buy his wife a window then he could pay more rent!

This was before the Potatoes got sick, but when they did Dan was unable to meet the payments. The landlord, being a "kind" man bought the whole family passage to New York (actually it was cheaper to send them to the US than to feed them).

Dan and part of his family arive in New York. His wife and three of his children die on the passage over. Without any skills which are useful in New York, Dan is lucky to get a job on the street selling Matches. He gives his two remaining children away to keep them from starving and two years later he dies of a broken heart yearning for his past life and love in Ireland.

At least that was the story they told me. Ah, the Blarney of the Irish!