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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 08:37 am: |
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Hello all, My name is Damian and Ive never posted here before but have watched the boards regularly for a while now. Im an Aussie who is heading to Ireland on the 3rd of October and besides the obvious sites to see (Blarney Castle, Guiness Brewery etc.) i dont really have too many ideas about what i should add to my Itinerary. All I know is that ill be doing a Gaeilge course from the 27-30 Oct. in Gleann Cholm Cille through Oideas Gael. other than that im open to any suggestions, be they large or small, for places to visit as well as more language courses to take during the OCT-NOV period. Just one note, my Irish is very basic(hence the main thrust of the trip) so if possible the more things in plain english(particularly place names) the better for me. Any help is extremely apreciated. Damian |
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Domhnall
Member Username: Domhnall
Post Number: 545 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 09:14 am: |
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Dia dhuit damian! I'd recommend a trip to Newgrange. And have a pint or 20 in temple bar. Google them. And you won't be going far in ireland if you aren't hiring a car.... Other than that, the weather is horrible but the craic is 90. Is sort of strange recommending things to do in the places you are every day if you get me?! A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river
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Suaimhneas
Member Username: Suaimhneas
Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 09:24 am: |
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Damian As you'll be in Donegal, you might get a chance to visit the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar Co Mayo. Gives a great falvour of the development of Irish rural life over the past 150 years www.museum.ie is the site for all the national museums Bain taithneamh as do turas |
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Cúcúc (formerly Mac Léinn na Gaeilge) (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 09:30 am: |
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If you're going to Oideas Gael, and you like hill walking, don't miss Slieve League, one of the most impressive sea cliffs in all of Europe. It's a short distance off your route to Glen Colmcille. |
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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 07:38 am: |
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Cheers guys! Just a qustion about Domhnall's comment about hiring a car. Im only 19 and dont have a full drivers licence so im told i cant hire cars through Europe or the UK at all so how much of a problem will this be? Because i want to do things off the beaten track and stay in Gaeltacht areas and small towns. How extensive is the Public transport in Ireland? Thanks for the feed back guys keep it coming! Damian |
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Aonghus
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 3692 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 08:21 am: |
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Niallmac
Member Username: Niallmac
Post Number: 79 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 09:29 am: |
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thats weird i posted up some stuff and it never appeared! i wonder where it went? |
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Fe_arn
Member Username: Fe_arn
Post Number: 48 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 09:45 am: |
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Ní mise a ghoid. ;) |
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Domhnall
Member Username: Domhnall
Post Number: 549 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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Emmm.. Do your research on how you'll get from A to B. And have a backup!!! It's not too expensive to travel on buses, trains are dear enough though. It's about 19 euro to get from dublin to Donegal with Bus Eireann but as for say where i suggested, gaeltachtaí, and places in the country there'd be bus eireann buses but they'd be infrequent and can be late/early.. And if you're planning on chillin around the place on a bike i'd think again! I don't mean to be getting you worried like Ireland is the most legend of places, if you have things planned you'll be grand! A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river
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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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Cool. Does anyone know of any pubs or sites around dublin i should visit? Also Ireland is renowned for it's churches and castles, anyone have any suggestions about which ones to see? Ive also been told about areas like the Ring of Kerry etc. what are some natuarally beautiful areas i should visit? Cheers Damian |
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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:12 am: |
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I was wondering what you guys think about the time frame i would roughly need to see the majority of Dublin. Is it worth spending a few weeks there before i head out to the country areas or will a week or two be enough. Damian |
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Domhnall
Member Username: Domhnall
Post Number: 557 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:48 am: |
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Dublin is crap! You'll find McD'S , Burger King and every other global company on the main streets..It's not nearly as cultured as Galway city. Temple Bar is probably as cultured as it gets in Dublin. Maybe the guinness brewery and Christchurch would be good, but i wouldn't know! I only go to random bars for a bit of craic and not the culture so i can't think of anywhere to recommend in dublin. Club Aras na nGael is a must and Roisín Dubh's in Galway. There is plenty of tourist offices and places like that which could help you on your quest! There is plenty of nice places, castles and all the rest of it, the whole transport thing is going to stop you in your tracks though. I'd really recommend staying in Galway city. It's simply LEGEND, it's cultured, it's pretty, the people are very nice, it's right beside the Galway Gaeltacht which is AMAZING in every way... A people without a language of its own is only half a nation.A nation should guard its language more than its territories, 'tis a surer barrier and a more important frontier than mountain or river
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Aonghus
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 3720 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:58 am: |
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Even though I'm a Dubliner, I'd have to agree with Domhnall. Gabh siar, a bhuachaill! |
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(Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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So Galway sounds the go then. Are there Irish classes to be taken in the Galway Gaeltacht? If so how would get some info on them and hopefully book a course? By the way the more info you guys can give me about intensive classes in any location the better. I want to get as much study under my belt as possible during my time. Ill be in Ireland from 3rd Oct- 10 Nov. Cheers Damo |
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Suaimhneas
Member Username: Suaimhneas
Post Number: 27 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
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Damian I agree with every said about Galway, but can I also put in a plug for Dingle in Co Kerry. Dingle twown has great pubs, fantastic restaurants, book and music shops (with plenty of Irish spoken in all). On your doorstep and accesible by rented bicycle you have Slea Head and the Gaeltacht villages of Dun Chaoin and Bellyferriter. fantastic walks also. More compact, more breathtaking and less touristy than the Ring of Kerry. Just google "Dingle" If you are in Dublin look up Mulligans Pub. Best Guinness in town and an authentic old Dublin ambience |
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Riona
Member Username: Riona
Post Number: 528 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 06:56 pm: |
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As far as Dublin goes, I'd have to agree with the above comments. It's not that great, except for that hop on hop off tour, neat architecture, good history all around and the fact you sort of have to do it at least once. I'd say no more than 2 days there, by then you shall be so ready to move on. Dingle rocks! People are kind and there is plenty to do. I didn't do the ring of Kerry, so touristy and over done and not a Gaeltacht. I didn't spend that much time in Galway city itself because my B and B was in Salthill but it seemed nice and Everyone should go there. I really liked Bus Eireann, they got us to whare we needed to go and the drivers and all the passengers were nice. I didn't experience much tardiness on their part, quite officient as busses go. I wish we could have rented a car so we could explore the tiny Gaeltacht villages more, but we really didn't have time in our schedule for it so the bus ended up sufficing nicely. Keep in mind that just got back to the states yesterday so all this is very current. Beir bua agus beannacht |
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daithi (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
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I have to disagree that the Ring of Kerry is touristy,its breath taking scenery. I would imagine that it is touristy if you travel around it on a tourist's bus. |
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