Holiday to Ireland

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It's our 20th wedding anniversary this year and as emerald is the traditional gift, I thought would be nice to take DH to the Emerald Isle as a gift. However I've never been and wanted some recommendations as to where to go. Happy to travel anywhere and any ideas of what would be good to see would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

What time of year. I would suggest going to the west and would highly recommend Westport and Clifden and Connemara in general

Galway is fantastic for live music.

Inishbofin island is just beautiful.

Thanks. Hoping to go in the autumn.

If he likes horse racing, either Galway or Punchestown festivals or Leopardstown.
Waterford area is lovely too.
Have a fab trip (I'm way behind you on 10yrs)

Have driven starting in Dublin, then over to Limerick, did a couple of nights around the coast there, then Adare, Ring of Kerry, Tralee, The Blarney Stone, Cork and finally Waterford staying in hotel on the island on the river. Fancy castle. Did in winter & the weather was wet & windy and felt completely right! Loved it, a memorable week far too long ago.

Keep away from Dublin, West Cork is great & I also like around Wexford.

Your money would go much further in another European destination. Ireland has spectacular scenery, matched by eye-watering prices for good restaurants & accommodation. It's not for nothing it's referred to as 'rip-off Ireland'.
Have a happy anniversary

Northern Ireland has a lot of things going for it and is much cheaper than the Republic of Ireland too.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge.

GoT Willow Throne at Belfast International Airport.

Dark Hedges location from GoT - don't drive cars up as vehicles are damaging the tree roots!

Giants Causeway and Visitor Centre. Mind you, it's free to go onto the Causeway but is a trek. Pay and its a short walk.

Belfast - Titanic Quarter and all things relating to Titanic heritage. Former H&W drawing offices is now a heritage hotel which you can visit. Lunch at Titanic Hotel Bar is recommended for first class food! Shopping.

Ring of Stones just outside Lisburn. Standing stones from the Neolithic, I think.

Ulster Folk & Transport Museum in Cultra - DeLorean car is there.

Ulster Folk & American Folk Park - history and how people lived.

Causeway Coast is a popular driving route - Dunluce Castle part of it.

Rathlin Sound cruise.

Lough Neagh.

Fermanagh Caves! Beautiful.

Most of the above is in Antrim and Down, so easy driving distance!

There's a lot to see and do in Northern Ireland! Your money will go further and it still fits in with your Emerald anniversary.

Tollymore Forest near Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland would be great in autumn!

There's usually bonfire and fireworks display in Northern Ireland for Guy Fawkes. Seapark in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, for example.

I’d strongly advise you to consider holidaying elsewhere. Ireland is extremely expensive and simply not worth it. You’ll get much better value (and weather) elsewhere.

That's a shame, was planning to visit next Summer. Is it really that expensive? I'm not on a budget necessarily but don't fancy being ripped off!

What’s your budget? What are your interests? Very hard to say without knowing.

Galway and Ring of Kerry are both lovely.

Connemara is beautiful. As is Killarney although it’s more touristy.

Go west. If possible fly to Shannon Airport as its quieter , hire a car and head to Kerry or Clare. You will have a fantastic holiday and l think it's a great idea for an Emerald anniversary.

Do you want city/ night life or rural scenery with maybe local pub life?

Skip Dublin, and drive the Wild Atlantic Way. Or skip everything apart from west Kerry and west Cork. And Clare.

Wild Atlantic way is breathtaking.

second the Northern Ireland recommendation!

Agree with Kerry/West Cork/West Coast if you like driving/walking/scenery.

If you have a good budget, look at Ireland’s Blue Book for hotel recommendations.

I would not fly to Ireland just to visit Dublin!

If you coming up north - I agree, Tollymore is beautiful. I also love it’s less famous neighbor -Castlwellan forest park.

Or the coast run from Larne to Portstewart, this takes in the Giants causeway if you want to stop.

if you are more inclined to dress up and drink cocktails, Belfast city center has some fab places.

So much to do in Ireland! What sort of things do you like doing on holiday, it would be easier to suggest activities and places then?

Also lovely foodie/musical pubs in the above areas which have a great atmosphere -cosy and lively.

Ireland is wonderful (every country has downsides) and varied and the behaviour / politeness of people refreshes me. If you are touring, do take in some of NI. Depending on where you are travelling from, you can even come in via Belfast.

Leave Dublin for a subsequent visit.

I always see relatives for a couple of days and then try to see somewhere new. The last couple of times we have taken the car, which ticked my boxes for autonomy and bringing / taking back stuff.

In South/West areas I mean.

Take the car and do the Wild Atlantic Way