The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Where There Are Leprechauns and Such
An-D
EnthusiastAshevilleRegistered User regular
EnthusiastAshevilleRegistered User regular
So, I'm going to Ireland next week with my family and I'm pretty excited. They have some tours and stuff arranged but I'm fairly certain I will have some free time in the evening/after tours.
Places we are going:
- Dublin
- Drogheda
- Belfast
- Weldon castle/ Crossane (important to Weldon side of my family)
- Newgrange
I'm pretty poor (big family = paying for my ticket/hotel/food), but I should have some okay walking around money. That plays a factor into the places I can go.
I love taking pictures and have a fairly fancy camera. So, I would like to go to a lot of photo-awesome places, but at the same time, I have to wonder if its safe to have fancy camera in Ireland? My dad has filled my head with crazy stories of European gypsies stealing children and valuables from American tourists, so I'm kind iffy on that.
Also, I like learning the language of the places I go...even if just a little bit. Besides English spoken with awesome accents, is there any kind of 'different' language I should venture into so I don't seem that much of an American tourist?
So yeah. Advice? Ideas? Should I follow the rainbow?
Thank you!
Places we are going:
- Dublin
- Drogheda
- Belfast
- Weldon castle/ Crossane (important to Weldon side of my family)
- Newgrange
I'm pretty poor (big family = paying for my ticket/hotel/food), but I should have some okay walking around money. That plays a factor into the places I can go.
I love taking pictures and have a fairly fancy camera. So, I would like to go to a lot of photo-awesome places, but at the same time, I have to wonder if its safe to have fancy camera in Ireland? My dad has filled my head with crazy stories of European gypsies stealing children and valuables from American tourists, so I'm kind iffy on that.
Also, I like learning the language of the places I go...even if just a little bit. Besides English spoken with awesome accents, is there any kind of 'different' language I should venture into so I don't seem that much of an American tourist?
So yeah. Advice? Ideas? Should I follow the rainbow?
Thank you!
An-D on
0
Posts
Dublin is very expensive. If you drink then I remember it being like 5euro a pint.
You could try to learn some Gaelic and while it's a noble intention, be prepared to be laughed at by the locals. I don't think it's used very often in the North.
Try and catch some GAA if you can (hurling and Gaelic football), it's always a laugh.
Some nice places/things to see in Belfast:
- City Hall. I think there might be a Continental Market (food/souveniers from lots of countries) set up next week, but I can't confirm this.
- The Belfast Wheel, a Ferris Wheel next to City Hall.
- Queen's University, Northern Ireland's premiere University.
- The Ulster Museum, near QUB.
- Stormont, NI's parliament building.
- Victoria Square Shopping Centre. New with an interesting roof and a nice view.
- St. Anne's Cathedral, with a huge spire sticking out the top.
- The Odyssey Arena, on Queen's Island.
- Behind the Odyssey Arena is what used to be a lot of Harland & Wolff. Interesting things here include the remains of the slipways on which the Titanic was built, as well as Thompson Dry Dock, where she was fitted out.
- I can't remember where exactly, but the SS Nomadic, passenger tender to Titanic, is around here somewhere. Currently being refitted, but definately worth a peek if you can find it.
- If you're willing to venture out past Belfast City Airport in the direction of Bangor, you'll come across the Ulster Folk (to the right) and Transport (left) museum. The Folk museum is interesting for 19th Century Ireland, while the Transport Museum has lots of trains, a preserved DeLorean (They were built in Belfast), and some more information about Titanic.
There are bus tours and river tours you can take as well.
Definately one word you should understand: Craic (pronounced crack). If there's a lot of craic or the craic is good, then a good time is being had.
Trinity College is a nice campus to take a look around, and they have the Book of Kells, which is of historic interest, if that's your thing. Christchurch is also good for that historic vibe.
One note- avoid eating/ drinking in 'historic' Templebar, as this area is nothing but a shameless tourist trap, with over-priced pubs and eateries. There are plenty of cheaper, less expensive places outwith this area, so don't be fooled. Its one saving grace, though, is the Bad Ass cafe, which has good food, and isn't pretending to be some sort of 'traditional Irish' place.
I have overwhelming nostalgia for Bewleys on Grafton Street, where I used to get coffee and chocolates. But as a Dubliner, would you consider that a tourist trap too?
Anyway, to the OP, I'd really recommend a day trip around the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. I'm sure you could get a bus trip. They're very beautiful and very near. Braveheart was filmed there, which most people have seen. Glendalough and Powerscourt are wonderful too.
/Wicklow shill off.
not at all, my friend!
EVERYBODY goes to Bewleys Grafton Street, cos it's so central, and is great for just chilling with a coffee, or getting a fine meal- their menu is very good, and i've never eaten badly there. Even though they're a big brand, Bewley's are another great Irish success story, but they don't play the 'look at us, we're oirish, faith and begorrah' card to try to justify high prices or anything.
Disclaimer: i'm not a native Dubliner, just living here- i'm actually Scottish-Asian. Uh, also- i don't work for Bewley's!
Ah yes, but when you're crossing the border between N and S, make sure you have some Pounds and Euros on you. Every time I drive from South to North, I forget to prepare, thinking I'll just pick up some pounds later, and then I have to stop for a food-break in some greasy spoon cafe just inside Northern Ireland, and sure, they'll take Euros, but at an exchange rate of <insert ridiculous price-gouging number here>.
Also The Mountains of Morn and the Giant's Causeway are the best places I've been to in Northern Ireland. I don't want to offend anyone from Belfast who's reading this thread, but I really hate the place and can't recommend it all.
Yeah, that's going to offend. Sorry, Belfast lurker-guy.
But yeah, I think I covered the highlights of Belfast.
In terms of murders per capita, Ireland is ranked #55 compared to the US at #24
In terms of rapes per capita, Ireland is at #33, the US is at #9
In terms of total crimes per capita, the US is at #8. Ireland? #32.
You can also compare robberies per capita, burglaries, car thefts etc. and in each Ireland is rated far lower than the US.
There is a place to eat in that I'd recommend, called Bia Cafe (Bia is Irish for food.) There is also the Eastern Seaboard Bar and Grill and Punjabi House, both of which I have some very excellent things, but I haven't tried them out myself.
There was a pub that did serve really nice food, but it stopped that, and now just serves booze. One pub that still serves food is The Mariner, beside the river. It's a nice place, but I've never tried the food.
About crime in Ireland, it was pretty normal in Dublin for a city its size, if you're careful like you are at home. Don't flash cash or valubles (just have your camera out when you're going to take pictures, etc) and don't wander down dark streets or alleys alone, since you'll just get lost, and don't know who you'd bump into.
I think there's a deal on train tickets at the moment. 10 euroes return between Dublin and Drogheda. Usually it's 20. There is a fast train (called Enterprise) that goes from Dublin and doesn't stop until it arrives at Drogheda, and then goes on to stop at Dundalk, Portadown, Newry, Belfast and Belfast Central.
There's also a bus service which has a good number of buses between Drogheda and Dublin. It only costs 5 euroes on way and 10 for a return ticket. You'll have to get the bus to Newgrange (unless you want to spend lots on a taxi.) I'm not sure if there's a bus to Newgrange from Dublin, although I wouldn't be surprised if there was.
And remember: have fun!
I also live in Dublin, and can confirm that it's safe to have cameras and stuff out in the touristy places. Can I also recommend the GPO in O'Connell St? It's where some of the most important parts of the 1916 Rising occurred and you can still see the bullet holes in the front of the building.
The main thing that struck me about Dublin was that it was so small. It's like a tiny whiskey-riddled version of London. I liked it though.
OH! Big Ireland question. What kind of awesome (?) Irish food should I investigate? I would love to broaden my culinary horizons.
Also, random airline question. I'm flying Delta. I have two bags I'm bringing to check, which are free. Anymore costs me $$. Will it count as a third bag if I bring a carry-on backpack thing for books/games to play whilst airborne?
Bushmills, actually - The old Jameson distillery is in Dublin. Check both out
I'll second Kilmainham Gaol for Dublin, though. It's worth seeing even if you know nothing about Irish history - and if you are at all into it, the General Post Office (already mentioned) and the Four Courts are requisite landmarks too. The nice thing about Dublin is that a day's bus pass will get you to all of the major attractions with no trouble at all.
Since no one has mentioned it, St. Stephen's Green is well-known and worth checking out, if parks are your thing.
Belfast has been covered pretty nicely - there isn't really all that much to say about the city unless you have an active interest in the political divisions in the North (and I pray this doesn't offend any natives - just my take on it.) Take in what you see and do some reading if you're unfamiliar with the history up there, though - it's pretty remarkable how far the city has come.
Another recommendation for the Giant's Causeway. Simply amazing on a clear day.
As regards Irish cuisine, you're soon to learn just how silly a question that is :P Have some lamb stew and an Irish breakfast, and then subsist on kebabs like everyone else.
What.
Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten
Has anyone mentioned the Phoenix Park?
The news reports paint it out to be much worse than it is though. Most of them pass through peacefully.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_NIRELAND_ORANGE_PARADES?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Backlog Wars - Sonic Generations | Steam!
Viewing the forums through rose colored glasses... or Suriko's Ye Old Style and The PostCount/TimeStamp Restoral Device
I thought the Ulster Museum was really cool, but the rest of my group thought it was a snooze. Likewise the gardens. Take it as you will.
I quite enjoyed the goal - would recommend it
Not exactly the place for a debate on this, but you know thats a load of pish.
Religion is used an excuse for violence, and nothing else. Par for the course.
Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten