Holiday to Ireland

[004aga]

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

I also massively rate Northern Ireland. It's so beautiful, there's loads to do and it's similar/cheaper prices than mainland uk. I had cocktails for £4.50!

I love County Down too. The coastal routes are stunning. Mourne mountains are gorgeous.

(Though, maybe stay away from sectarian stuff like Guy Fawkes night!)

Guy Fawkes Night isn't sectarian and is enjoyed by both sections of the community! Everyone who attends loves the fireworks!

Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Achill Island, Clare , Cork , Kerry … all incredibly beautiful and rich in history

I’m not aware of sectarian connotations to Guy Fawkes in NI. Although I much prefer Halloween as a rule.

As a Catholic family, we always went to Holywood's Seapark for the 5th November bonfire and fireworks.

It's definitely cross community there. Always a great night as I remember!

Amazing thanks for all the info, will have a good look later. We are def more country pub and walk types than dreasing up partying.

I've not really got a budget as of yet, wanted to see what was available, did naively assume it would be similar prices to here. We'd probably go for a long weekend rather than a week.

Thanks again

Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn in County Down between Holywood and Bangor would be right up your street!

The Glens of Antrim as well which features a grand waterfall at one of the nine glens would suit too.

Northern Ireland is generally similar pricing to Great Britain and often cheaper in places.

It's only the Republic of Ireland that's pretty expensive in comparison to the UK.

More walking areas/routes in Northern Ireland:

Ulster Way - walkni.com/ulster-way/

Mourne and Sperrin Mountains

St Patrick's Way: The Pilgrim's Walk - walkni.com/mourne-mountains/saint-patricks-way-the-pilgrims-walk/

Strangford Lough area!

For a long weekend, I think I would either fly into Belfast and head to the northern coast where you can walk and stay in nice pubs. Have a look at the Glens of Antrim. If you are flying into Dublin, then I would head for the Wicklow Hills. Again, walking in a beautiful area and cosy pubs. Both areas are easily reachable from the airport so you aren't wasting your weekend travelling.

Have just returned from a week in West Cork and Kerry. Absolutely stunning scenery and fantastic weather. Didn’t feel prices were extortionate. Have also been to Galway city and Clifden and Roundstone in Connemara…again stunning scenery but different to further down south. Absolutely gorgeous country ad friendly people.

I was looking at Ireland as an idea for our holiday this summer. I quite liked the idea of flying to Belfast and staying in the city as a base then using the hop on bus, they did a tour to several idyllic places and then you'd also get a ticket to use the hop on bus on a separate day so could prob get to see quite a lot!

If you're just going for a long weekend and you like hiking/walking you could easily stay in Dublin and do the Wicklow Way, or take in Howth or Glendalough.

You could explore Dalkey village and take a boat tour of Dublin Bay, kayak to Dalkey Island. You would be able to enjoy some great restaurants and decent Dublin pubs too.

If you choose to stay in Dublin, look out for weekends when there's a major Gaelic football or hurling game in Croke Park, or other big sports events.

Ireland has got more expensive but hasn’t everywhere? Car hire in particular had gone up a lot this summer but out of season should be better. I would advise flying into Ireland West (Knock) airport and staying in or around Westport. From there you can travel north along Wild Atlantic Way taking in Achill Island and south through Clifden and Connemara to Galway where you could also stay a night before travelling back from Knock.

If you do the west, don't forget Sligo and Yeats country.

This was Achill Island in October last year. One of my favourite places - we try and go for a long weekend each year.

I don’t think it’s noticeably more expensive than anywhere else, although I do live in London so was comparing it to that.

Ireland has similar prices to the UK, hotel rooms around events or peak periods will be eye wateringly expensive - similar to say London or Cornwall. However, outside Dublin there is value to be had and pubs can serve some really great meals.

i am presuming from your name @Berlinlover that Berlin is a favourite destination and it’s true that Dublin is more London or Manchester proves than Berlin

Hi
I live in the South West of Ireland and am from the West of Ireland, if you want some advice pm me anytime.

All of Ireland is beautiful, Dublin prices especially Temple Bar are eye watering.

What do you like to do?
Castles/watersports/pubs & music/history ????