Puckboy99
11/12/2015 19:01 EST
SO....I've received my citizenship, have my passport, & I'm now in search of a proper pint of "The Mother's Milk" !
For those of you that live there or have visited, I seek your opinion:
I'm going in mid June 2016. I really have no desire to see the "tourist attractions"....I want to see the island itself & meet the people. So far, I'm thinking: 2 days in Dublin, 2 in Belfast, Donegal, Galway, 2 in the Ennis area to visit family, ring of Kerry, Cork, Wexford/Waterford, Dublin.
The options I've settled on:
Get a hotel in the middle somewhere....maybe Athlone....& taking day trips, which allows me to see the middle of everything.
Head north (or south) from Dublin & just play it by ear...come & go as I please.
I'll be by myself, I'm adventurous & aside from the Cliffs of Moher & maybe falconry in Ashford, I'm open to everything/anything.
So, what say you ???? :-)
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mmccrane
11/12/2015 20:21 EST
Puckboy99: So how did you get Irish citizenship? Are you a EU citizen or parents are citizens?
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Puckboy99
11/12/2015 20:27 EST
Thru my grandparents....all 4 were born in Ireland, came to the U.S. in the 1920s. Applied for citizenship by descent, got on the FBR, applied for the passport & here I plan :-)
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Puckboy99
1/17/2016 11:12 EST
So, I've opted for choice #1: booked a room in Athlone & plan on doing day trips. I'll be there June 15-26.....still rainy & cold ? Jacket, sweater or both ?
If any of you would like to meet up for a pint & maybe show off your part of Ireland, feel free to drop me a line & I'll plan accordingly :-)
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sportbros
1/17/2016 15:41 EST
Layers, good raincoat and waterproof walking shoes. leave umbrella at home. Be sure to find Trad session, too. Star Wars fan-just learned Skellig Michael was in some of filming, but planning needed to make that pilgrimage.
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sportbros
1/17/2016 15:41 EST
Layers, good raincoat and waterproof walking shoes. leave umbrella at home. Be sure to find Trad session, too. Star Wars fan-just learned Skellig Michael was in some of filming, but planning needed to make that pilgrimage.
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DonieHoran
1/17/2016 17:24 EST
Schellig Michael as featured in the recent Star Wars is a really fabulous & unique visiting experience but strictly an experience to be enjoyed in good Summer weather only,as it's quite a dangerous location ,very dangerous in poor or stormy weather. Nevertheless a truly unforgetable experience in calm sunny weather & one that is highly recommended - but be warned ,you will need a head for heights as there are thousands of stone steps to be climbed without much natural support.
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Puckboy99
1/19/2016 20:44 EST
Thanks....never heard of it, but I'll look into it. Looking forward to The Dark Hedges & Giants Causeway in the north....Cliffs of Moher on the west. :-)
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mmccrane
1/20/2016 00:33 EST
Ring of Kerry is spectacular for sure. My wife and I chose to drive it so we could stop and explore at our leisure and not be tied to a tour bus and group schedule. If you drive, be prepared for very narrow turns on a dime ! Dingle is also a great spot and since you will be in nearby Ennis. If you do make it to Dingle drive the Dingle Peninsula loop trip. Amazing!
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mmccrane
1/20/2016 00:51 EST
Another experience we rather enjoyed was driving from Dingle towards our next stay in Kenmare, which is a great town too. We drove East on the N86 and took the R561 along the Bay coastline towards Inch Bay. You will run into Inch Beach/Bay which will again explode your mind with beauty!
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Puckboy99
1/20/2016 19:47 EST
Hey, thanks for the tip fellas ! I plan on doing the Ring of Kerry & Dingle area, so Skellig Michael is now on the list after checking it out on the net.
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