Dearest GAAboarders, I need help!
I have a crew of 8 25-35 year olds from the US trying to put together a good itinerary for an Ireland trip for a 1 week visit. They would be flying from New York into Dublin and probably September/October. They'd be fond of a pint and up for a bit of craic. Some of the usual touristy stuff, but also anything a bit less obvious would be great.
Any advice and suggestions welcome.
Thanks
HB
Do they golf? Not being smug, but there's probably a thousand things they could do :) You could spend a few days in Dublin alone if you wanted. Get them wesht though, away from the big smoke.
Glasnevin cemetery.
Quote from: andoireabu on February 26, 2015, 02:50:35 PM
Glasnevin cemetery.
Totally agree. It and Kilmainham Jail imo are the 2 "must sees" in the city.
Quote from: Canalman on February 26, 2015, 02:53:52 PM
Quote from: andoireabu on February 26, 2015, 02:50:35 PM
Glasnevin cemetery.
Totally agree. It and Kilmainham Jail imo are the 2 "must sees" in the city.
Aye its a strange place with some fantastic stories. Kilmainham is next on the to do list for me.
A hurling match in Tipp and a decent trad session somewhere like Clare or Donegal.A bingo session in the midlands. A feed of pints in Shannonbridge. A day fishing on the Moy.
Quote from: seafoid on February 26, 2015, 03:41:23 PM
A hurling match in Tipp and a decent trad session somewhere like Clare or Donegal.A bingo session in the midlands. A feed of pints in Shannonbridge. A day fishing on the Moy.
Now you're talking. Tie up the boat, and dander up to Killeens for pints of stout, sitting on the fridge for the ice creams :)
Surf lesson in Bundoran/Strandhill (or Lahinch if that's too far north). Water is still nice and warm in September.
http://www.horse-holiday-farm.com/horseriding-holidays.htm (http://www.horse-holiday-farm.com/horseriding-holidays.htm)
This is a great spot for a day and a half if you're into it. B&B, nice wee pub within walking distance. Up next morning, big breakfast, tack up the horses and away for the morning. Stop for lunch at a wee pub by the ocean then let all settle before a race through sand dunes and a flat out 1 mile sprint along the waterline on the beach to the stables....
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Kerry surely for a couple of days. Dingle or the Ring of Kerry. September definitely. October might be a bit iffy, given the weather. Also if they like their food, there's a lot of sort of 'guest house/fine restaurant things' like Ballymaloe House in Cork etc. What are their interests.
I had a group of my college friends over 5 or 6 years ago and I have to say I was shocked how badly treated they were in restaurants and pubs particularly around Donegal and Portrush as a result I avoid both now when I have Americans over.
Jaysus, I find Americans, and visitors in general, are loved by and large. Maybe Spanish Students apart! :) There's a wedding in Limerick this summer and friends of ours from the States and Canada will be home for it. It's the 4th wedding over the last 15 years or so for some of them, and they always can't wait to come back.
If September, All Ireland tickets?
Galway for a night on the tear.
Dublin mountain walking.
Quote from: gallsman on February 26, 2015, 05:00:26 PM
If September, All Ireland tickets?
Galway for a night on the tear.
Dublin mountain walking.
With only being here for a week...Dublin/Galway is a good bet, 2 half hours on the train/bus....night over on the Aran Islands when they are down in Galway would be an eye opener for them!
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Imo no. Massively overrated as is the Giant's Causeway which to say the least was not what I expected.
While nice places in themselves I would give Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc a miss if on a tight timeline.
Dingle peninsula in Kerry a must with a visit to the Blaskets recommended.
Area around Kylemore Abbey in Galway is absolutely stunning.
Photo at the famous Derry mural also should be done as well as a walk around the walls.
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 26, 2015, 03:51:21 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 26, 2015, 03:41:23 PM
A hurling match in Tipp and a decent trad session somewhere like Clare or Donegal.A bingo session in the midlands. A feed of pints in Shannonbridge. A day fishing on the Moy.
Now you're talking. Tie up the boat, and dander up to Killeens for pints of stout, sitting on the fridge for the ice creams :)
that place is fantastic. Half of it is a shop. And great atmosphere.
I'd do Dublin then head to Galway (Aran island a good call) and onto Westport, climb the Reek, might out in Westport and back to Dublin.
Failing that Dublin and Killarney - Muckross, Ring of Kerry, Dingle etc. Yanks look that stuff.
Do the same shit as they do - put you through hoops at emigration on both sides of the Atlantic & put you totally off travelling.
S :)eptember you say?
A weekend on the piss at the Blue's Festival in Monaghan Town.
They will enjoy it
Quote from: gallsman on February 26, 2015, 05:00:26 PM
If September, All Ireland tickets?
Galway for a night on the tear.
Dublin mountain walking.
Some uproar on the board if all the yanks got the all-Ireland final tickets.
It would be like 'The Field' x 100.
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 02:43:50 PM
Dearest GAAboarders, I need help!
I have a crew of 8 25-35 year olds from the US trying to put together a good itinerary for an Ireland trip for a 1 week visit. They would be flying from New York into Dublin and probably September/October. They'd be fond of a pint and up for a bit of craic. Some of the usual touristy stuff, but also anything a bit less obvious would be great.
Any advice and suggestions welcome.
Thanks
HB
My parents have a hostel "sheepislandview" in Ballintoy. They cater to American groups regularly. Most group bookings like this take over a section or building and use it as a base to see various sites.
Ballintoy harbor (where some of games of thrones was filmed )
White park bay
Portbraddon
Carrick a rede rope bridge
Giants Causeway
Bushmills distillery
Dunluce Castle
Glens of Antrim
Rathlin Island
If they want to see some top class hurling they only have to go to Ballycastle :) which is next door.
Quote from: Canalman on February 26, 2015, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Imo no. Massively overrated as is the Giant's Causeway which to say the least was not what I expected.
While nice places in themselves I would give Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc a miss if on a tight timeline.
Dingle peninsula in Kerry a must with a visit to the Blaskets recommended.
Area around Kylemore Abbey in Galway is absolutely stunning.
Photo at the famous Derry mural also should be done as well as a walk around the walls.
Travel all the way from USA and end up in Derry? You having a laugh?
Quote from: michaelg on February 26, 2015, 11:23:04 PM
Quote from: Canalman on February 26, 2015, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Imo no. Massively overrated as is the Giant's Causeway which to say the least was not what I expected.
While nice places in themselves I would give Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc a miss if on a tight timeline.
Dingle peninsula in Kerry a must with a visit to the Blaskets recommended.
Area around Kylemore Abbey in Galway is absolutely stunning.
Photo at the famous Derry mural also should be done as well as a walk around the walls.
Travel all the way from USA and end up in Derry? You having a laugh?
Go and fcuk yourself
Quote from: AZOffaly on February 26, 2015, 04:49:05 PM
Kerry surely for a couple of days. Dingle or the Ring of Kerry. September definitely. October might be a bit iffy, given the weather. Also if they like their food, there's a lot of sort of 'guest house/fine restaurant things' like Ballymaloe House in Cork etc. What are their interests.
I went to Dingle with some Americans September before last. Myself and the barman were the only Irish people they met.
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
If you want megalithic, Sligo is the place to go. Have them climb up Knocknarea to see Maeve's cairn. Take them to Carrowmore to see a passage tomb older than newgrange and drive them up Carrowkeel (one scary turn) to see spectacular old megalithic tombs and amazing views of Connacht with nary a tourist in sight.
Giants fcukin' Causeway?! What a shithole. The last place I'd take anyone.
Dingle peninsula
Achill
Arans
Carlingford
Kilkenny
Ring of Kerry
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Newgrange and Emain Macha are the two places i bring any foreign friends i have over, and not one of them have been unimpressed. Glendalough in the autumn is stunning too.
Quote from: ardchieftain on February 27, 2015, 01:59:01 AM
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Newgrange and Emain Macha are the two places i bring any foreign friends i have over, and not one of them have been unimpressed. Glendalough in the autumn is stunning too.
Have to arrive early to Newgrange they only allow so many tourists in per day. Glendalough a must see powerscourt waterfall with plenty of hiking and walking to be done. Bray could be used as a base. Onto Kilkenny for a few drinks.
Titanic Belfast. Also go and see the Thompson Graving Dock and pumphouse. Very interesting. Skip the Nomadic. It's worth seeing but not worth going to see.
Quote from: michaelg on February 26, 2015, 11:23:04 PM
Quote from: Canalman on February 26, 2015, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Imo no. Massively overrated as is the Giant's Causeway which to say the least was not what I expected.
While nice places in themselves I would give Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc a miss if on a tight timeline.
Dingle peninsula in Kerry a must with a visit to the Blaskets recommended.
Area around Kylemore Abbey in Galway is absolutely stunning.
Photo at the famous Derry mural also should be done as well as a walk around the walls.
Travel all the way from USA and end up in Derry? You having a laugh?
No. Anytime I have been or brought anyone to Derry I/we had a great time. Imo a much nicer and more interesting place to visit than many other "highly rated" places in Ireland.
The famous mural is iconic and well known around the world and visitors love being photographed in front of it from what I have seen.
Plus the walls. Fascinating so they are but for some reason they are never documented for tourism. A disgrace.
Walk them to the top of Slieve Gullion. The yanks would love that.
Quote from: michaelg on February 26, 2015, 11:23:04 PM
Quote from: Canalman on February 26, 2015, 05:04:06 PM
Quote from: heganboy on February 26, 2015, 04:25:55 PM
These are great folks, keep em coming. AZ - not a golfing crew. Any thoughts on whether Newgrange is worth the trip?
Imo no. Massively overrated as is the Giant's Causeway which to say the least was not what I expected.
While nice places in themselves I would give Cork, Waterford, Wexford etc a miss if on a tight timeline.
Dingle peninsula in Kerry a must with a visit to the Blaskets recommended.
Area around Kylemore Abbey in Galway is absolutely stunning.
Photo at the famous Derry mural also should be done as well as a walk around the walls.
Travel all the way from USA and end up in Derry? You having a laugh?
and the douchebag award goes to.....
A guided taxi tour of West Belfast is very interesting , especially in the rain.
Would the tourists like some music? Some people go mad for wee Daniel.
Some home town bias, but here goes
Take the train down to Westport
Night out on the town...including Matt Molloys
Climb the Reek
http://www.connemaraadventuretours.com/upload/content/gallery/257/view-from-croagh-patrick-shb-xs.jpg
Go for a cycle on the greenway
https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6187/6105845542_d2f647507e_z.jpg
Take a trip out to Clare Island
http://www.goexplorehostel.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/High-Res-immage.jpg
Plenty of great watering holes to go on the lash too