Okay, I am not going to Ireland. But my wife probably will be going in August. She will have 2 days to see something. Her sister is taking her to Ireland and France. We have France covered for what to see, but we don’t know much about Ireland. Her sister’s friends have convinced the sister not to go to Dublin. Other than that, what would you see if you had only one day to do it and limited funds?
We are just trying to plan for the trip. So you know our interests, we both are interested in history, especially medieval and earlier (right back into the Bronze Age). I have a fascination with armor (my wife would love to photograph any good collections she can see, but I have not heard of any extensive armories in Ireland), odd musical instruments, and uncommon handicrafts. She doesn’t drink and her musical tastes don’t run to traditional sessions.
If you like scenery, the cliff of Moher & the Burren on the west coast are breathtaking. If you can hire a car, take a trip round the Kerry ring or the Dingle peninsular, there’s a lot of ancient sites there, stone circles, monastic retreats etc.
Bunratty castle is a bit touristy, but with the folk park too you can get a good idea of the two sides of Irish life - the rich (usually English) lords in the castle, and the poor Irish living in one room cottages.
I don’t know of much armour in Ireland, any there is would probably be in Dublin, the Irish were never great users of protection. Dublinia is a great museum about medieval Ireland, and there’s a Viking exhibition too - but they’re both in Dublin. Tralee has a good museum about medieval life, but is otherwise a tip. Adare there is a great exhibition about Irish monastic life - plus a fabulous whistle shop, Shanna Quay, and a chance of session in the evening.
Co. Sligo has the greatest concentration of prehistorical megaliths to be found in the world. Stone circles, dolmens, souterrains, ringforts, standing stones…five thousand + years old.
There are truly glorious places to stay, abbeys, friaries, churches and such to tour.
Drop me an email if you have any interest in my suggestions and I’ll give you specifics.
I agree with Martin. The ring of Kerry, the cliffs of Moher, and the Burren are spectacular. I would take another Jaunting cart ride back to Muckross Manor. The ride is great fun and the gardens are beautiful. We spent 2 weeks in southern Ireland last May. When we were there the Rhodedendrens were in bloom. I have never seen them this large. If you enjoy the prehistory, Knowth and Newgrange are very interesting. Next visit I am going to go for a walk on Dingle beach and play a song for Ireland.
Ron
The one thing I would like to see in Ireland — is myself, but alas it will have to be next year, my partner and I have choosen somewhere else to be this year.
I would like to be anywhere in the west of Ireland, even for two days.
Thanks all for the suggestions. As we are currently in the planning stages, I don’t know what she’ll be able to see. I had forgotten all about the Waterford crystal. Funny, since one of the places in our own country I am dreaming of visiting is the Corning Museum of Glass. I’d love to see some pics from that one!
I will make sure she gets to read this thread when I get home.
I think she’d like to see more than what you get in two days, but her sister’s friends have insisted that there isn’t anything interesting in Ireland, so they are going to be spending more time in France. huh.
If I only had one day in Ireland, I’d see Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, the Battlefield of the Boyne and Trim Castle, all within about 20 miles of each other, half an hour north of Dublin. If I could only see one thing, it’d be either Newgrange or the Rock of Cashel, but it’s a long way from an airport.
