Going to Ireland in 2 weeks...

[SoxFan562004]

OK, going to Ireland for a 10 day trip on July 24. I have never traveled to Europe so I have 2 main questions:

 

1. Any advice on things to do in Ireland? We will hit up the touristy things and I'm going with a group that will have fun, but I want to know if anyone has any unique advice on things to do there.

 

2. Money conversion. Yes, I know the exchange rate is going to kill me, but it is what it is. Should I get traveler's checks? Should I convert to Euro's here? Should I use my ATM there?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Middle Buffalo]

OK, going to Ireland for a 10 day trip on July 24. I have never traveled to Europe so I have 2 main questions:

 

1. Any advice on things to do in Ireland? We will hit up the touristy things and I'm going with a group that will have fun, but I want to know if anyone has any unique advice on things to do there.

 

2. Money conversion. Yes, I know the exchange rate is going to kill me, but it is what it is. Should I get traveler's checks? Should I convert to Euro's here? Should I use my ATM there?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

My parents are going the same time. I don't recall why, but my mom said that she used to use traveler's checks, but was told not to. I'm pretty sure she'll be using the ATM there, but I think you need a Diner's Club card.

[FlaSoxxJim]

I'm jealous, you should have a ball.

 

I haven't been in around 15 years, so the exchange rate was better and there was no Euro yet either. Right now, $100 will get you about 62€, so that's going to hurt some. I ahd no problem even back then making due with an ATM, but we brought traveler's checks as well.

 

As far as things to do, it depends on where you're going and what you enjoy. Dublin is a classic city, but the highlight for me was the west coast. . . Galway, Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle, and Inishmore. If you get a chance to spend a night on the Island definitely do it. Biking down from a cottage to the ruins of an Iron Age fort perched on a cliff, and then down into town for a Guinness and some dinner is about as perfect a way to spend a day as I can think of.

 

 

[LosMediasBlancas]

Is it true that Budweiser outsells Guinness there.....especially among younger people?

[ChiSox_Sonix]

1. Any advice on things to do in Ireland? We will hit up the touristy things and I'm going with a group that will have fun, but I want to know if anyone has any unique advice on things to do there.

 

First off, I'm very jealous. I've been compiling a list of places around the world I want to one day visit so here's a few ideas:

 

-Blarney Castle

-St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin

-Skellig Michael -- it's an uninhabited (i think) island with monastery ruins from the 6th century. Very well preserved considering its age. Its a UNESCO World Heritage site

-Bunratty and King John's Castles in Limerick

-Bru na Boinne in Meath County -- another World Heritage Site

-Kilkenny Castle

 

 

[SoxFan562004]

Is it true that Budweiser outsells Guinness there.....especially among younger people?

I've heard the same. A few friends went over their about 3 years ago and they said all the locals drink U.S. beer

[LosMediasBlancas]

I've heard the same. A few friends went over their about 3 years ago and they said all the locals drink U.S. beer

 

 

.....at room temp.

[NorthSideSox72]

Ireland is awesome. Loved my time there.

 

For currency, I did some research, and (at least a few years ago) the way to get the best rate is to use your credit card over there as much as possible. For cash, try to take some Euros out here, direct from your bank - that's better than the ATM rates you would get.

 

One big, huge piece of advice - if you plan to go around Ireland outside the major cities at all (which you should do), HIRE A DRIVER. They will be local and know the sites, and know how to navigate the roads in Ireland, which is a true skill. I can't emphasize this one enough.

 

For things to do, here are some points of enjoyment...

 

--If in Dublin, do a lot of walking. Lots of cool stuff to see right in or near the center of town.

--Musical Pub Crawl - this was top notch. Loved it.

--Guiness museum/factory in Dublin

--See some of the older church's - not just St Pat's, but some of the even older ones in Dublin.

--My favorite town anywhere outside the US is Kenmare. Just the perfect little town. Quaint, charming, great food and drinks all over, set in a beautiful mountainous area. Stay at the Park Hotel in Kenmare if you can, which is my fave hotel evar.

--Do a tour of the Dingle Penninsula. You can make it a circle tour type thing. Lots of neat little stuff to see along the way.

--Try to stay in at least one castle if you can, or at least tour one.

--Adair is a nice stop too, and its pretty near to Shannon, where you flight may be entering and/or exiting. Lots of nice shops and all that.

--If you can, try to see some of the really old stuff. There are all kinds of historical sites that are way older than any of the big churches, and they are quite cool. They are mostly away from the large cities. Adair has a few.

--If you have some Irish heritage, do some research, and find out where your clan is from. We did this, and saw the town where my family lived before the left in the early 19th century. This can be a lot of fun, even the research part - and you learn a lot. My family was from County Cavan, but also some in Fermanagh, both in the north of the republic.

 

Have a blast! Its a great place to visit!

 

[Rex Kickass]

Use an ATM.

 

Traveler's Checks are useful still in less developed cities, but you'll be able to use your ATM anywhere in Ireland basically, and the exchange rate is better than any cash exchange or traveler's check exchange you can have.

 

However, I would also recommed getting about 50 Euro or so before you leave, just enough to get out of the airport and any place you have to go... just in case.

[vandy125]

I'll echo what others have said. The ATM and credit cards are the way to go. Traveler's checks can be useful as a backup plan to get cash in case you lose your ATM card (as I did).

[SoxFan562004]

Thanks for all of the advice. Got home yesterday and had an absolute blast.

 

Blarney Castle, while some may write off as over touristy, is really something to see. We did a ton of sightseeing, and the views are simply stunning.

 

Dublin was great. We stayed in the Temple Bar area. Any local we encountered all over the country were great. Talked with a guy in a pub in Dublin for a few hours about the difference between US sports and European sports. The Jameson Experience in Middleton was fantastic, I was selected to be part of a taste test at the end. Guiness Storehouse is great too. Went to Durty Nelley's (sp?) which has been open since the 15th century and a lot of fun. Really a good time and a wonderful country.

 

I took the advice and used my ATM, it was the best way to go as we met some people there who used the currency exchange at the airport and get a good deal less money than I did. Euro/Dollar conversion stinks, but staying mostly at B & Bs helped a lot, and they have those well regulated where the price is fair and they are very clean and plesant.

 

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

Welcome back, glad you had fun.

 

Durty Nellys is a fun pub. Did you get to the Palace Bar while you were in Dublin? An amazing Victorian-era gin palace, it was the big bar in the Commitments.

 

Did you get a chance to try the Jameson Crested Ten? Other than the 18 year limited reserve, I think that's the best whiskey they do.

 

[easyw]

I was there about 12 years ago.

 

Dublin is a boring, expensive dump.

 

Get out to the countryside.

 

Belfast was more excitied. I got lost wandering through the neighborhoods looking for the row house Van Morrison was born in (I found it - little plaque out front).

 

The exchange rate is so terrible right now - go to a nice third world country instead.

 

[FlaSoxxJim]

I was there about 12 years ago.

 

Dublin is a boring, expensive dump.

 

Get out to the countryside.

 

Belfast was more excitied. I got lost wandering through the neighborhoods looking for the row house Van Morrison was born in (I found it - little plaque out front).

 

The exchange rate is so terrible right now - go to a nice third world country instead.

 

Bugger Belfast. Give Teddy back his head.

 

<_>