What are YOUR Favorite Places in Ireland?

Michele Erdvig · Host

What are YOUR Favorite Places in Ireland?

Monty · Senior Member

My favorite small town is Dingle, as well as the whole Slea Head area. And even though I tend to prefer smaller towns, there is something remarkable about Kilkenny. Every time I'm near there, I go and just spend most of the day walking around the old streets, shops, and pubs that dot the town. It's a wonderful place in an urban setting.

Although Dublin and Cork don't do much for me, I do find a stay in Kilkenny is as relaxing as being in some of the tiny villages I like on the west coast.

Look what you've done, Michele -- I want to go there right now! smile

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Friday 5th of February 2010 10:04:00 AM

stewh · Guru

What a good topic Michele, especially for this time of year. My wife particularly likes Kenmare, quite a cosmopolitan little town but last time we were there the occasional tractor was still parked outside a pub. Birr in Co Offaly is a charming "real" town and one of my particular favourites - a bit off the beaten path. We were charmed by Ardara in Co Donegal, welcoming people and pubs surrounded by beautiful scenery; the Glengesh Pass is spectacular. Great drives everywhere.

So far I have not tired of driving around the Burren with its stark beauty. The "Black Head" drive along the coast from Ballyvaughan to Lisdoonvara is under-traveled and beautiful. The regular 'greatest hits' drives deserve their reputation for spectacular beauty but we particularly like finding quieter areas that often are surprising. West Cork is an old favourite

I could easily go on and on; each trip adds favourites.

Stewart

-- Edited by stewh on Friday 5th of February 2010 11:56:58 PM

bronxbomber · Veteran Member

It's Dingle, Dingle, Dingle. I think of the Sleahead and the Famine Cottages Museum, Foxy John's, and the An Conair Bar every day. We'll spend three days there in May, and then see the Beara for the first time - three days. I already have my OS 1:50,000 Discovery maps for trekking. All we need are sandwhiches, but I guess we'll wait on that.

Last year we "did" Kilkenny in a brief overnight stop. I read all your fond memories, and I want to weep for myself. Never again will I spend less than two nights anywhere.

-- Edited by bronxbomber on Friday 5th of February 2010 11:05:05 AM

Maggie117 · Guru

My favorite place is Charles Fort in Kinsale. The town of Kinsale, as well, was quite enjoyable. It was so colorful and "tidy"! The restaurants were some of the best we had while in Ireland. Simply fantastic.

Connor's Pass was breathtaking.

Great topic!
Maggie

-- Edited by Maggie117 on Friday 5th of February 2010 05:06:39 PM

murphy · Guru

Our favorite small town is Kenmare, with Westport being a close second. Have not been to Kilkenny yet, and can't wait to get there. For the trad. Irish music lover, in a real rural setting, with down home friendly people, Tobercurry is great, and Gurteen outstanding....the Coleman music center is in Gurteen! This small community offers 3 pubs, with 2 featuring sessions and serve meals. There are numerous attractions surrounding Gurteen/Tobercurry that would allow for some great day trips, and then a pub with music just a few steps from one of the nicest B&B's (Churchview) that we've been in.
Some other towns we passed thru and would have liked to spend more time in, were Clifden, and Enis. Others that sound interesting are some small towns including Baltimore in South Cork County. Donegal town is another place we spent just 1 night, and longed for more time there. Have yet to spend any time in Dublin town, but one of these days....Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Great choices from everyone. There are so many wonderful places in Ireland it is hard to choose a favorite. Instead we just keep adding to the list. No wonder we have to return again and again! biggrin

Michele

Carrie · Veteran Member

I love taking in the scenery at Keem Bay and the Cliffs of Moher, exploring Abbeys and monastic sites like Jerpoint and Clonmacnoise and staying in small towns like Dingle and Cong.

wojazz3 · Guru

OK, my turn, Michele has stolen a few from me, but I'll grant her that. Kenmare still is a favorite for me too with Westport for it's music being in the same realm.

Towns:
Kenmare: location location location! Not a great music scenne though
Westport: see above with a great music scene
Dingle: Music scene and to play some music with Michael at Siopa Ceoil an Daingin followed by a shot of Old Middleton from his shelf.

Scenery:
Skellig Rock, hands down. Truly a mystical place.
Following the road west from Killeybegs and taking the scenic route everytime you see the sign.

Favorite thing to do:
Sit in on a session somewhere

Craziest thing to do:
Rent a boat and travel the Shannon River. I need to do that again.

I just grazed the surface here.

Bill

Susan in Wi · Member

Donegal Town - nice shops and pubs, plus a great castle, then drive west and north through the Rosses

Westport, a favorite for music and good restaurants, and a kickoff point for a beautiful drive through the Doo Lough pass and on to Clifden

Armagh City with its 2 cathedrals both named after St. Patrick

Mountains of Mourne - the Silent Valley

WCOMALLEY · Veteran Member

Anywhere in County Clare!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

GREAT topic, Michele -- but a REALLY tough one!! hmm hmm confuse confuse hmm hmm

I've been anguishing over my choices and then 'waffling' as I remember someplace ELSE that I have equally fond memories of.... biggrin cry biggrin

So here's my 'weasel-worded' answer:   wink wink wink

                  biggrin               WHEREVER I AM AT THE MOMENT     biggrin

Examples:

     Watching my then 81 year old father-in-law race ahead through Bunratty Folk Park, in April of '99.
      Attending a Kitchen Dance, in June of 2000.
      Wandering into a music shop on College Street, in Killarney and discovering a locally produced music CD by Ciaran Wynne, in April of '01.
       Sitting in a quiet Kildare pub, in Feb of '02, discussing life, music and personal ambitions with Mario Corrigan and Ciaran Wynne.
      That SAME pub on a raucous Thursday night, in April of 2003.
       Seeing the look in my daughter's eyes as we drove from Inch Strand into Dingle town, in June of '04.
      Standing at the base of Coomeenatrush Falls with my wife's brother and his wife, on a warm, sunny day in June of '05.
     Standing in a Beer Garden of DeBarra's in Clonakilty, in April of '06 chatting with John Spillane.
     THAT Road-Side Stop in/around Killybegs and/or Larghy, in June '07.
     Standing beside the Famine Walk Memorial at Doo Lough on a cold, grey and stormy day, in June of '08.
     Sharing a crowded booth, in Athlone for a John Spillane performace, with the parents of (AND the girl who was the opening act), in June of '09.

GOOD, ANYTIME:

       Connor Pass OR the entrance to the Mealagh Valley.
       Standing atop Knocknakilla, surrounded by standing stones, stone rings and circles.
        Sitting in any one of several kitchens in East Cork, drinking tea and talking for hours.
          Touring around Millstreet with Sean Radley -- a gentleman of TREMENDOUS charm, wit and knowledge, who's energy level makes the Everready Bunny seem down-right sedentary!
         The SMELL in the air as you exit the Airport terminal at Shannon ....

ALL-TIME FAVORITE TOWN:
               Hands Down, it is Millstreet, Co. Cork.

But, if you ask me tomorrow, I would PROBABLY assemble a similar, but different list. Ask me next August, after my 21 day July visit and I'm SURE it will be .... biggrin biggrin

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Sunday 7th of February 2010 11:11:11 AM

Maggie117 · Guru

Funny! I wrote Connor's Pass...when I was there some kids crossed out the P and now I'm learning they added the apostrophe and the S.

Maggie

Michele Erdvig · Host

I'm with Bob on this one. biggrin

My favorite place is usually wherever I am in Ireland. Some others I love:

Loop Head for that end of the earth otherworldly atmosphere

The Dark Hedges - amazing what nature can do with old trees

Glenarm Tulip Festival - Double Wow! The flowers were so beautiful they looked unreal. I got enough photos for a couple of calendars.

Healy Pass at the spot where you pass from Co. Cork into Kerry, go around a corner and see the lakes and mountains below.

I saw the movie Leap Year recently and it had great scenery all over Ireland including Connor Pass, Connemara, Rock of Dunamase and more.

Michele

bronxbomber · Veteran Member

WoJazz, I see you play the bodhrain. I had the good fortune to walk into the Tigh Coeli Bar, Galway, while Ringo McDonagh was playing. When I got back to San Francisco, I began private lessons. I've been playing congas for fifteen years. I will NOT be ready to sit in by this May.

meredith · Veteran Member

This has certainly got me reminiscing about our wonderful trip 16 months ago!

The places that immediately come to mind are:
Dingle & the Slea Head drive
Kenmare
Cong
Inishmor (Aran Islands) even in the rain, the cliffs at Dun Anghasa were awesome. (hope I've spelt that right, I don't have my journal in front of me)
Rock of Cashel
Connor Pass
Ross Errily Friary

Kind regards,
Meredith

Michele Erdvig · Host

Keep them coming. They are all great! Sorry for stealing some of yours Bill. wink

They must be double good.

Michele

Willie · Veteran Member

I LOVED driving through Connemara on my last trip (Spring 2008). I'd love to spend more time there, and make more little stops along the way. Ditto the drive along the Antrim Coast. I felt like I had to rush through there last trip, and would love to have time to really explore.

I have yet to visit Dingle. I noticed that it's on a number of people's favorites list, and I've heard a lot about it from other friends who travel in Ireland. I *will* make it there one of these days!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Willie,

Love your avatar! I agree that Connemara is dramatic and very different in feel than the SW of Ireland. One of my favorite beaches is near Roundstone - Dog's Bay. And Dingle...ah Dingle...it is sublime. I have just added a few images of Dingle to my Irish Shop on Zazzle. Or just look at the scrolling panel at the bottom of the page.

Michele

Monty · Senior Member

Another special place in Ireland is anywhere I end up that was not planned, but produced a wonderful conversation, memory, or view that was not on the itinerary when I got up that given morning.

That happens quite often when you allow yourself to get off the beaten path!

-- Edited by Monty on Friday 12th of February 2010 10:56:44 AM

CowboyCraic · Guru

As if I am not homesick enough and feeling the pull that cannot be answered this year already...I pop into the forum and find this thread which demands a reply!

My soul's own home is Inis Mor. Her roads and geography as familiar to me as that of my own hometown in Arizona. I love the sounds unique to her: the Jarveys' Irish banter, the trawlers and ferries coming in and out of port, the seals calling to each other, teh lullaby of waves hitting the rocky shores and cliffs, Maura and Joe Wolfe bantering in the kitchen at Man of Aran Cottages.

My heart's own home is the wild and rugged Sliabh Liag (Slieve Leagues) in Co. Donegal. The tallest sea cliffs in all of Europe, they are undeveloped and breathstealing. Crossing Glengesh Pass and descening down into the valley is also breathstealing. A dram or two in Nancy's in Ardara set the day to rest in just the right fashion.

Then of course, there is Co. Roscommon, another who's roads are as familiar as my home roads. Doorly's in Roscommontown on Thursday night is good for a rollicking "Church Meeting", read Trad sessiun. Gleeson Townhouse and the welcoming hugs from Eammon and Mary. The gardens at Strokestown House where time becomes irrelevant and the fragrance of the blossoms wrap aroudn you like a welcome embrace.

I would have to agree with the others who have said it though "Anywhere in Ireland" is a favorite of mine. For in the moments you spend in any place in ireland, there is a memory to be made.

See....I haven't been kidnapped by the Fey folk...I am above ground and breathing....wishing I was once again in Ireland....

Slan Beo,

Bit

-- Edited by CowboyCraic on Friday 12th of February 2010 12:03:22 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

Glad to have you back on the forum. Hope all your projects are going well. You must let us know when your books come out. I'm sure everyone here will want to know.

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

Hey Bronx, Yes a play that and the whistle in my Irish band along with doing most of the arranging. www.myspace.com/indigentrow

One of the learning techniques I used was to do something else while I played. I know that sounds weird but the idea was to get my mind off the precise motion and relax my hand and wrist to delelop a "motor" rhythm .... that is, just to run on with like a motor. Normally I would read a magazine or a newspaper while I practiced. My only lesson was with the former owner of Cregg Castle which lasted about 10 minutes, broken up over a 30 inute period. Basically, she showed me how to hold the tipper.

What style are you playing ... top end or Kerry? I think Kerry is much easier to learn but maybe that's because that's where I started and quite frankly, haven't really made an attempt to understand Kerry. From what I know, Kerry is the traditional version and top end is a newer technique. Not entirely sure though as I have never really studied bodhran history.

Keep at it and have a great time!

Bill

collenbee08 · Member

Oh my gosh! Just when I have finally decided which town to have as my base for 6 days, I read all of your passionate faves. How to decide? throw a dart at the map? drive a lot? Probably I will have to return often.
Thanks for passing on the excitement!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Colleen,

I like your idea of throwing a dart at the map! Actually, you are not far wrong on that. Any place in Ireland would be great to explore for 6 days. With the exception of Bettystown and Bundoran. Those two I could live without although the beaches at both are great.

Michele

hammsb · Veteran Member

Favorites? too many - we were there April '09 and Dublin was in bloom and spectacular. The Mountains of Mourne really are proper mountains and really do sweep all the way down to the sea. Newgrange was as green and beautiful as anything we had ever seen - even on a cold, windy and very rainy day. The whole Antrim coast was awesome - craggy, wild and more beautiful around every curve and at every cliff top - really the highlight of our trip. And, the Irish Sea was, honestly, bluer than blue. I surprised myself when I crossed the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and got an Irish sunburn that day. We spent most of our time in Northern Ireland and want desparately to return. The scenery was surpassed only by the friendly folks there.

CowboyCraic · Guru

An Tra Bahn Strand, Co Donegal - Where else but in Ireland..on a "Soft" day....if by soft you mean 45 mph winds and rain coming at you diagonally in all directions...could you find such beauty and tranquility as this?

Monty · Senior Member

Oh my goodness -- I really want to go to Donegal now!

Michele Erdvig · Host