Going to Ireland

Published on May 7, 2004 By Ever_Evolving In Travel

My husband and I are traveling to Ireland in July, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.
We've booked a Rick Steves tour, he's the guy who does "Europe through the Back Door". We leave on July 9 and return on July 25th.
I am so excited. It's our first trip outside the United States together, and we're leaving the kids behind with their grandparents.
I have been reading books and looking at pictures, but I know there's no way to know what it will be like. I have always wanted to see Ireland. It seems to be a place filled with magic and history. I'd love to hear from anyone who lives there, or has traveled there.

Comments

JillUser

on May 09, 2004

I don't qualify as someone you would love to hear from but I wish you the best on your trip. My hubby and I celebrate our 10th this year also! We did go to Germany together but that was before we had kids. I have always wanted to see Ireland, Scotland and England. Most of our family came from those areas. My hubby's maternal family has a castle somewhere in Scotland so I especially hope to go there some day.

You will have to write about how it went when you return!

dharmagrl

on May 09, 2004

Well, Jill, come and see Dave and I! I'll show you the 'proper' England and Europe...

Sherye Hanson

on May 09, 2004

I've been to Ireland. I spent one week there. We came from northern England on the ferry, so we started in Belfast. We didn't get very far south. Rent a car if you can. You'll be able to visit off the map sort of places. I like the eyewitness guides because they have pictures. I liked staying in B and B's because you can visit with the owner of the house. I haven't read Rick Steves, but I'm certain he has some good ideas from what i've seen. We liked Dublin, and stayed in a place called Stirling. From there we could visit the famous stone crosses. In the city, I suggest you park your car and take a bus. Then you don't have to worry about parking or traffic laws. We chose to see a few places and relax so we didn't see all of Ireland. Northern Ireland has son pretty landscape but Belfast isn't much fun as a city. There are a couple of parks that we thought were interesting. They were definitely from a point of view that you might find opposite of yours.

Enjoy. It's a beautiful country.

shadesofgrey

on May 09, 2004

Northern Ireland is incredible, and I would disagree that Belfast isn't a fun city--it's wonderful (I lived there for a while). But at the time of year that you are going, I'd avoid the North at all costs. You'll be there during Marching Season, and that's when most of the sane folks from the North go on holidays to avoid the havoc of the Orange Marches.

That said, places to see include Galway, Cork, Kilkenny, the Ring of Kerry and the Aran Islands. Personally, I think Galway is the best place on the whole of the island, and would be content to spend years there and never leave. But, I supposed you'd like to see more than just one city, eh? If you are short on time, I'd skip Dublin--a major city is a major city. But if you have extra time, I'd throw in Waterford, I'm a sucker for the crystal factory!

Solitair

on May 11, 2004

Shadesofgrey has a very good point about northern Ireland in July. It's normally fine but there are always some hot spots where the locals feel upset and marches sometime end up with some violence. I'm sure the tours guides know exactly where to avoid though so you should have no problems. The areas you're staying in should be fine.
I had a quick glance on the internet at the tour you're going on and it seems to cover the major sites. IT's hard to know what you're looking for, but it's a good balance between the scenery, the culture and the people. There are many other places I could recommend to visit, but you're on a guided tour so there would be no point. It's a lovely country and you should enjoy it, but being Irish I'm biased!

Paul.

Ever_Evolving

on May 12, 2004

Thank you all so much for your comments. It's true we will be on a guided tour, but it seems so much more enjoyable to hear "real" experiences, from "real" people. Besides seeing the ancient sites, and natural beauty of Ireland, what really interests me are the people. I'd like to hear more about how I can go in as an American and not put people off or offend anyone.
I'd like to be able to connect with the people, hear their stories, and see Ireland through the eyes of her people. Does that make any sense?
Again, thank you for your replies. I am definetely planning on writing about the trip, hopefully keep a travel journal while we are there.
Do the Irish, who live in Ireland, find it completely annoying when American's are trying to connect with their Irish roots? (I heard a rumor to this affect.)

Looking forward to hearing more.....

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