Advice from our Irish friends,,,

[africajim]

Hi all, I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding Ireland.

I've decided I'm going back to Ireland this July as I've not been for a few yrs and the credit crunch coupled with the Swine flu has made up my mind to stay local this summer! Plus it rained the last couple of yrs over in Europe and I can do that at home thanks!

I would like to hear from any of you folk who have toured around Ireland for best routes etc, I'm planning taking the ferry from The Isle of Man to Dublin mid July and spending a few days, possibly a week then from the north, ferry back to Scotland for a few days on the west coast.

Let's hear your thoughts folks.

[Frad]

R O Ireland july 09

Africajim

Good choice read my thread but Im going South

Enjoy

Frad

[fw750x]

Hi AfricaJim ,You will need to bear in mind the 12th of July is the BIG Day of the marching season in the North.If any trouble starts it will spread all round the North very very quickly.So much so that a hell of a lot holiday makers from the north leave a couple of days before the 12th to make sure they make it for flights and ferries.Not trying to put you off but this has been ongoing in the last few years .Francis

[africajim]

Mid July is the Aberdeen trades fortnight, I've had my summer hols that two weeks for,,,, well,,, forever! Last time I was over was the same period, I vaguely remember smouldering bits in the street and all that bunting! We have marches up here in the Highlands as well, but there's not any trouble.
I honestly thought things had improved in Northern Ireland? Saying that, I had a great time when I was last there, being an Aberdeen supporter I attract pity wherever I go!
I'm interested to hear from more folk over there, does anyone else think I'm planning a holiday in Beirut?

[africajim]

Thanks Frad, that link of yours is quite informative.

I see I've posted in the wrong forum,,, again! SORRY! Should be in Travel,,, Doh!

Plenty of info on the site by the looks of things, I'm not sure where I'm heading yet, I missed the south west last time I was over as I ran out of time so may well head over S.W.

[blue skies]

All depends what you are looking for over here... 'rip off' ireland does exist and currently sows no sign of abating even with the recession, so being around any of the najor towns or cities will cost you.
Most people suggest getting over to the west coast as soon as possible although Wicklow (south of Dublin is worth exploring). Without being specific on places to visit, and to get best of rugged roads, scenery, what's left or rural Ireland and probably the best stout, I would suggest that you hug the west coast up from Kerry, thru Clare, Galway Connemara, Mayo, Leitrim Sligo, Donegal cross into the north and via the antrim coast head for the ferry home.

There are loads of B&Bs but def not as plentiful as you would find in Scotland

If you need more info re places & routes around Donegal & Antrim let me know.

The point above re 12th July is worth noting but things have moved on considerably over here so the chances fo you being affected by it are slim.

[africajim]

Blue skies, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for! Thanks mate.

[fw750x]

Hi again maybe you could reverse your route and do the north first,And do the southern loop after the 12th.Things are a lot better in the north now BUT that can change in an instant and if you are not sure of your way about in the North you could end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.I dont want to put you off coming to the North but i think it is only fair to make you aware of how easy things kick off over here.The result of a Rangers and Celtic football match is enough to start it "in and around the months of July and August".Francis

[africajim]

fw750x,

As an Aberdeen supporter I'm immune to the effects of Rangers and Celtic matches, well, Celtic any way, Rangers fans don't get on with Aberdonians!

Ok, I'm now considering giving Ireland a bodyswerve. This is exactly what I wanted to know really, after over a decade since I was there last it appears to be just as I remember it. I go on holiday to relax, not to worry about who I might meet in a bar or guard my personal opinions just in case. I thought it would be nice for a change from mainland Europe after all these years but not if there's still going to be issues around the marching season. I will admit to having a few "moments" while in Northern Ireland last time I was over there. I'll not go into details but they've generated great tales many a Saturday night in pubs.

I'd love to see the Gaza strip, Bethlehem is the birthplace of my religion but I'm not insane enough to visit a potential warzone. Northern Ireland during the marching season would appear to be similar. I'm off to check out DFDS ferries page, back to Europe.

[Rick of Pendle]

Jim,

Ireland, North or South is a fantastic place. The route blueskies has given is fantastic. Go south and hug the coast. Get down to the Ring of Kerry and that coast. Stop in the small towns and villages. Visit Galway for a pub crawl.

Do not be put off, and dont put it off.

I am on my 20th, I think, yearly visit and any problems I have come across, could have happened anywhere.

I'll be over there again in a couple of weeks. My trip coinsides with the NW200 and will have plenty of touring.