Places and trip ideas
Dublin, Galway, Cork, the Burren, castles, Northern Ireland and trip ideas.
10 Days in Ireland Itinerary
Most of us can snag ten days off for vacation every year, luckily, that's the perfect number of days for an introduction to Ireland.
Things to Do in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland offers a variety of things to do and see: from the rugged Causeway Coast, to the vibrant cities, interesting castles and historical sites.
Things to Do in Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the second largest city in Ireland.
Starting a RTW Trip in Ireland
Anyone who's planning a round-the-world trip has lots of questions to research and answer. Some are more on the boring end of the scale - whether to get travel insurance, getting a storage unit vs.
Newgrange: Prehistoric Earthen Mound Near Dublin
Visitors to Europe are accustomed to having an ancient site or two on their must-see list, whether to simply say they've seen it or to pause and reflect on the time that has passed between when the…
Tasting Germany: Drinking
Oktoberfest is definitely the most well known German celebration when it comes to…drinking.
Planning a Luxury Holiday in Ireland
Holidays in Ireland can be experiences of luxury almost unparalleled outside her borders. The Irish know how to pamper visitors with luxury destinations and activities to suit every taste.
Explore the Irish Connection to Halifax, Nova Scotia
About one in four Nova Scotians is of Irish descent, and despite being separated by an ocean, the two destinations are inextricably linked through history.
Visiting Iceland from Ireland
One of the great joys of living or traveling in Ireland is how quickly and easily you can cross borders to explore another country.
A Vacation is the Perfect Chance to Learn the Irish Language
The best way to learn a new language – or improve the skills you already have – is to visit the country where the language is spoken.
Plan a Short Break in Dublin
For many visitors, Dublin is the gateway to Ireland. Most international flights from the US land here - airfare to Dublin tends to be cheaper than to other spots in Ireland - , and cheap flights from…
Let Your iPhone Help You Plan Your Next Trip to Spain
Bringing along multiple guidebooks and maps, internet printouts, and language phrasebooks is so old-school, at least if you're one of the many iPhone devotees who uses the device for everything from…
Amsterdam City Break in Winter
Taking a short city break vacation in Amsterdam is a very good idea, whether you plan to check out the sights, do some shopping or just change the scenery.
Things to Do In Galway
Generally, the city of Galway is the primary port of call for travelers because it has the first-rate connection for both road and rail among other places in the country.
Spectacular Fall Foliage in Europe
The fall foliage in Ireland might not be as spectacular as Americans can experience it, but is, without a doubt, beautiful.
Free Things to do in Dublin
Dublin has a multitude of outstanding tourist attractions and , just like any large city, an entire travel industry designed to be profitable.
Day Trips from Galway
Many people say that Galway is beautiful and hard to leave behind. But it's also located so well that it can easily be seen as the epicenter for discovering the West Ireland and most of the…
Ireland - a stop on your European tour
A short while ago, a very good friend asked me to help with drafting a European tour for him and his wife.
Attractions in Dublin
Looking for the best attractions in Dublin ? Look no more because here's a list of some of the best Dublin attractions that you should not miss visiting during your trip to this beautiful city.
Things to Do in Dublin
Dublin is known as a remarkable place for a getaway. Going there is so easy. You may get a flight direct to Dublin or just take a bus trip.
Two Days in Galway: Intinerary Ideas
Galway is the capital of the West Ireland and the place where you can find a lot of things to do .
2 Days in Dublin itinerary suggestions
Do you only have 48 hours to spend in Dublin ? Obviously, you will never be able to pack all in. Why?
Ardmore: TripAdvisor's #4 Up-and-Coming Destination for 2009
It's the time of year when every travel outlet and their brother is coming out with lists about what the hot destinations are going to be for next year.
Ireland Features from National Geographic Traveler
Although I'm a writer for an internet travel guide company, I still have a fondness for paper-related guides as well. I love travel books, and I love travel magazines.
12 Famous People Buried in Ireland
You don't have to be morbid to have a fascination with cemeteries, especially when you're traveling.
National Museum of Ireland
Perhaps the premier museum in all of Ireland is, fittingly, the National Museum of Ireland , which even has so many artifacts and objects in its collection that it has four separate locations.
Visiting Ireland's Baltimore in County Cork
I'm going to say the words "Baltimore" and "Ireland" in the same sentence, and it's not going to be because I'm confused. Yes, there's a Baltimore in Ireland.
U.S. State Dept issues Ireland travel warning. Seriously.
I don't know anyone who would check with the U.S. State Department before planning a trip to Ireland. I mean, it's Ireland - it's in Western Europe, so it must be perfectly safe, right?
Ireland Deals on New Travel Deals Website
When you're planning a trip, it's really nice to feel like you've got someone in your corner, looking out for your best interests - which, in most cases, involve finding the best deals on things like…
BootsnAll TV Features Ireland Videos
The folks at BootsnAll (who host this fine Ireland travel guide) have been dipping their toes into the internet TV pool lately.
Waterford Crystal Factory Tour
If you're planning a trip to Ireland and you even mention that you're going anywhere near Waterford , some people will probably start asking you to "pick up a little something" for them.
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle is one of the more popular castles to visit in Ireland, not least because it's been completely and painstakingly restored to its former glory.
Dingle's Resident Dolphin, Fungie
Visitors to Ireland would be forgiven if they didn't immediately associate the Emerald Isle with dolphins.
The Burren
If you just caught a passing glimpse of The Burren in County Clare, you might wonder why anyone would call it a tourist destination.
Tipping in Ireland
To tip or not to tip - that is the question! Tipping is one of those things that vexes travelers the world over. Do you tip at the bar? Do you tip your waitress? Do you tip the taxi driver?
Plan your visit to Ireland
The only post you'll ever need: this is your one-stop Irish travel guide! So, after a year and almost a thousand posts on Ireland, I thought I'd put the site to the test and demonstrate how to use…
Glendeer Pet Farm
On Saturday we did something we've been meaning to do ever since the munchkin started pointing at furry four-footed creatures on the street and shouting, "DOGGIE!!!" we took her to the Glendeer Pet…
The old Galway town walls
In today's expanding Ireland where ancient sites are regularly paved over in the name of progress it's nice to see some glaring exceptions.
Tour of Ireland in Athlone
So Sunday was the final leg of the Tour of Ireland bicycle race. Just lookit 'em all there, bicycling over the River Shannon, past Athlone's Saints Peter and Paul's church.
Tourism Ireland
This is basically an attempt to show people how diverse and perfect a visit to Ireland can be. Straight from the pages of tourism brochure, the only thing it doesn't show is the rain *grin*
Tour of Ireland
I spotted this sign in Burgess Park here in Athlone yesterday. The fifth and final leg of this bicycle race starts at the strand here in Athlone at 11a.m.
Athlone Video Retrospective
This is a video sent to me by Joseph Blake of the www.athlonelive.com forum showing a small retrospective and some modern pictures of Athlone town. Fair play to him. Enjoy:
Photo montage of Dublin
Check out this photo montage of Dublin :
Ireland vs Chile
Last night I went to my first match in Athlone Town Soccer Stadium to see the Irish under-19 team play the Chilean under-19 team in an international friendly match.
Remember that summer in Dublin?
Heya Niall - hailing from my home in the East Bay - WHASSSSUUUUUP??
Roscommon IRA statue
Some time ago I wrote a post on Athlone's IRA Statue . In my limited experience such a thing is quite rare, certainly at the centre of a major town like Athlone.
New Playground in Athlone
As many a town centre parent will tell you, there's not much for young children in the middle of Athlone.
Drumshanbo
I have a good friend with a boat which sometimes functions as his primary residence. The other week he rang me up needing a lift back down to Athlone from a little place called Drumshanbo.
Ballyhoura Mountain Biking Park to open next week
In February I posted a guide to mountain biking in Ireland wherein I mentioned Ireland's first purpose-built mountain biking park was slated to open in summer of 2007.
Athenry Priory
This is one of those grand old ruins you find almost everywhere in Ireland. Just next to the river in Athenry town, County Galway are these noble old priory ruins.
Athlone Agri Show
This Sunday I got up early and after we'd attended mass and fed the munchkin, jumped in the aul wagon and headed out to the annual Athlone Agri Show held on the grounds near Moydrum Castle of U2's…
The Nanny Quinn's
One of the major perks of being a musician is the opportunity to travel the country and become acquainted with wonderful places otherwise off the beaten track.
Athlone Viking Boat Tours
Ever ride on an animal-headed viking ship? It's one of those things most tourists miss.
Flying to Ireland with an Infant
This is going to be an entry about babies and transatlantic flights. You know that baby on the airplane? The one that just Won't. Stop. Screaming. Hmm?
Adjusting to Irish time
Going from Ireland to California isn't too bad. There may be 8 hours in the difference between them, but when you arrive in California from Ireland, the challenge is to simply stay up later.
The thirsty traveller in Dublin and Waterford
Here is a travelistic piece featuring the Thirsty traveller visiting the Dublin Brewing Company and the Waterford Crystal factory.
Birr Castle
This is a real, honest-to-God inhabited Irish castle . Transplanted in 1620 from the UK, the Parson's family has inhabited the area of Birr, County Offaly, ever since.
Milltown Tavern
Ever since the motorway started taking its toll from commuters, the town of Milltownpass has taken a heavy toll in terms of the frequency of trade within its borders.
Irish taps
One of the wonderful, quaint little things you'll probably notice on your visit to Ireland is the two separate taps on the sink.
Fog on the Shannon
I mentioned the magical dawn mist on the River Shannon a few posts ago , and here is the video I captured.
Magical Shannon Mist
I couldn't sleep last night. I'm usually one of those types who looks at his pillow and is fast asleep before the head even makes contact.
Irish walks scheme
I read the other day that Irish Farming Association President Padraig Walshe visited west Cork and talked about the creation of a walkways scheme, which would encourage farmers to open up their lands…
Hire a Phone in Ireland?
Just not done. Oh, a few years ago a few places were trying it, but it's too cheap nowadays to just buy one.
Mountain Biking in Ireland
Normally you'd need to be on the Adventure Travel Logue for this kind of thing. In 2006 the number one reason tourists came to Scotland was for mountain biking holidays.
Moydrum Castle and U2
Moydrum Castle is located on private land and, as such, is not necessarily frequented by tourists.
Throw your money into the river Shannon!
Encouraging tourism is a big *ahem* part of Ireland's agenda. Despite some unfortunate comments about Athlone (WHAT??!! That hotbed of fun and frolicking?
Lovely Shannonside walk
On my way upriver recently on the Connacht side of town, I couldn't help but notice that the comely, black iron light fixtures on the southeast bank seem to have reproduced themselves on the…
Cliffs of Moher deaths exhibit?
It was about 6am this morning when I stopped into a petrol station and saw the headline: Mother jumps to her death off Cliffs clutching 4-year-old son .
Dublin's Famine Statues
Along the north quays at the east end of Dublin city centre you'll find some strange and disturbing figures.
Travelistic short on Trinity College
Here is a video short the city guide folks over at Travelistic have published on Trinity College in Dublin. Is it just me, or is there a lot of French stuff in these travelistic videos?
The original Claddagh
You've seen the design, it's an icon of Ireland herself: The Claddagh Ring. The origin of the ring's design has various stories, but its production can be traced to Thomas Dillon's jewelers in Galway…
Making a phone call in Ireland
The basic thing to remember in Ireland is you need to dial "0" first when placing a call (the "0" is usually included before any phone number when written).
Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Dingle
There are a lot of reasons to go to Dingle; the scenery, the dolphin, the annual Other Voices concert . . . but be sure if you make a visit to stop in at Louis Mulcahy pottery around the peninsula.
When to visit Ireland?
People often ask me when is the best time to visit Ireland. The answer is never an easy one. Ireland is unusual in that its weather is relatively consistent year round.
The Winding Stair Bookshop, Dublin
At the northern footprint of Ha'penny Bridge is one of the lesser-known treasures of Dublin town: The Winding Stair Bookshop.
The Tack Room, Athlone
The Tack Room is located at an interesting social intersection: halfway between the centre of town and the local college.
Eyre Square in Galway
If Galway is on your itinerary, you will be passing through, around or by Eyre Square. For the last six years or so, the square has been a construction zone.
Worst job in the world
The poor bastard working at Blarney castle with this job . . . So I'm sure you've all heard Chuck Palahniuk talk about his friends pissing on the Blarney stone.
Travelistic short on Dublin
Here is a piece by Cityguides on Travelistic concerning tourism in Dublin.
Good Karma?
Why do I do the things I do? Okay, so those of you who have read my guide to the ettiquette of drinking in Ireland know well what happens on an average Friday night anywhere in this country.
The Cliffs of Moher
It is definitely one the main tourist destinations in Ireland: The Cliffs of Moher. I'll save you some time - you can see the picture above - they're cliffs. They're impressive.
The Giant's Causeway
Okay, so when modern man discovered the bizarre, meticulous rock formations at the Giant's Causeway there were serious theories floated by learned men that the shoreline was man-made.
Ballinasloe Horse Fair
The 2006 Ballinasloe horse fair ended Sunday with the dramatic annual tug-of-war competitions filling the weekend.
The Franciscan Well
The Franciscan Well is a rarity in Ireland: a real Irish Microbrewery. There has been a pub on this site for as long as people can remember.
The Rock of Cashel
A bristling fist of stone rising strikingly from the surrounding plains, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most distinctive landmarks.
Breastfeeding in Ireland
Well, it's Irish Breastfeeding week and, seeing as how I have some personal experience with the Irish attitudes toward the topic, I thought I'd share them in case any of you are planning an Irish…
Statue of Richard Harris
A statue of deceased actor Richard Harris was erected last week in Kilkee and a speech was made by Russell Crowe.
Off to Cork!
Well, tomorrow we're off for a week to Cork and Kinsale. I'll be doing my best to keep the blog up on the road. Unlike a few years ago, internet cafes are quite common in Ireland now.
Ballinasloe Horse Fair
Every year there is a huge horse fair in Ballinasloe. Midland balladeer Brendan Shine wrote a song about it about, oh, a million years ago.
Irish hot air balloon championships
This week the Irish hot air balloon championships are being held in Athlone. I awoke this morning to the unmistakeable sound of balloon torches being fired.
The Biggest Crane in Ireland
Above is a view from the top of the largest crane in Ireland. What is that charming little riverside town, you may ask?
Winter comes to Ireland
The sound of wind and the fresh smell of rain woke me this morning, coming frigid and gleeful through the open window. "But, it's mid-September," you say.