If you’re thinking of visiting Ireland….

Here’s my standard list of places you should visit - the disclaimer is that I haven’t been in Ireland since 2019, and not very much as a tourist for the last 30+ years. There are a few places here that have been mentioned by others - marked by an “I’ve never been” clause.

Sights to see in Dublin:

1. The Guinness brewery.
2. The hopstore on Thomas St. (I’ve never been)
3. Take a bus out to Powerscourt gardens - really beautiful if the weather cooperates. Have lunch in the Avoca cafe.
4. The Book of Kells in Trinity College Library.
5. Take the DART (light rail) to either Howth on the north side or Killiney or Dalkey on the south side. The Vico Road goes between Dalkey (Alma loved Dalkey) and Killiney and looks out over Killiney Bay - a very nice walk. Say Hi to Bono while you’re there!
6. Walk Dun Laoghaire pier (also on the DART) and have lunch in one of restaurants on the pavilion - “itsa bagels” is very nice.
7. Grafton Street off St. Stephen’s Green is a fun pedestrian street. Lots going on. Drop into Bewleys coffee shop for a break.

Good Pubs in Dublin:

1. O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row (live traditional music)
2. Nearys on Chatham Street (artsy - Gabriel Byrne’s hangout)
3. Doheny and Nesbitt’s on Baggott Street (my nephews both worked there, it’s pretty busy)
4. The Temple Bar on Essex Street East - trendy spot!!
5. The Stags Head on Dame Court. It’s been a pub since 1780. Has a great pint of Guinness. Very traditional.
6. O’Briens on Leeson St. and chicken wings in grand canal cafe across the road v good.
7. Toners on Baggot st. Another older very traditional pub - our university hangout.

Sights to see around the country.

1. Ring of Kerry. Start at Killarney. Kiss the Blarney Stone at your peril!
2. Cliffs of Moher in Country Clare. Also see Doolin and Lisdoonvarna.
3. Giants Causeway in Country Antrim (I’ve never been)
4. Achill island in County Mayo.
5. Belfast and Derry - lots of history
6. Slieve League in County Donegal (also never been)

Other links and references

1. Here’s a pretty complete list of (too many) things to do:.
2. This is the link to the wild Atlantic way, which wasn’t called that when I lived in Ireland. I know the south and south west areas very well (Limerick around to Cork), and there are some lovely towns, hikes, beaches, pubs etc. along there. It’s a 2500km hike, so you may not cover it all in one day :-)