Can I Stil Have A Genuinely Irish Vacation?

Question

I'm looking to vacation in Ireland, but want to avoid being a typical tourist. Does anyone know how much and where to look to rent a cottage? Which counties have avoided modernization? Good times of year?

Sorry this is so broad, but every time i search a vacation in Ireland, all i get is modern hotels and tourist stops. Can any real Irish help me out?

Answer 1

There are so many beautiful places in Ireland which are still unspoiled. The best places to find this type of scenery would be donegal, mayo, galway, kerry, cork.. basically all along the west coast. I would also suggest maybe to stay in a b&b or farmhouse as cottages are quite scarce now and may be expensive. To find a selection of all types of accommodation including farmhouses and b&b's which are all approved by the irish tourist board, visit this website:

http://www.weloveweekends.com

Don't be fooled by the name of this site as it is not just for weekends!.. you can also hire a car on it (which i strongly advise) and book activities to do while you are here. The activities they have are not too 'touristy' either and are located mainly in the rural parts of ireland which means you can enjoy the scenery and have some 'craic' at the same time! I really hope you enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

You don't say how long you are coming for.  Renting a 'cottage' can be expensive.  There are new cottages made to look like traditional cottages with thatched roof and whitewash which can be rented.  Inside they have an open fire but all mod cons also.  They are in lots of places but Co. Clare is quite unspoiled still.  If you are part of a group then it won't be as expensive but to rent it on your own is pricy.

Consider staying in a bed and breakfast or farmhouse.  Most of these, particularly in rural areas, are just like staying with a family.  You will receive a warm welcome and it is much nicer than staying in a hotel.  www.discoverireland.ie should give you some links and a link to the Irish Tourist Board which will get you some names for bed and breakfasts or farmhouse stays - better if they are recognised by the Board as it means they are of a good standard.

Visiting the local pub, especially small ones, is a good idea but we don't all get drunk and fight (only in the small minds of people who don't know us).  

Donegal is still relatively unspoiled.  However, a holiday there is more dependent on good weather as, if its raining, you can't see the mountains!

Tourist traps would be places like the Blarney Stone and parts of the Ring of Kerry. Interesting but touristy.

Anywhere you go just talk to local people.  Buy in the local shops. People will chat and tell you where is nice to see.We are very welcoming.  We are not as backward as another answer makes us appear!  If you do go to any cities, it is the same all over the world - be careful of your money and cameras and where you walk at night but most other places are fine.

Over the last few years May has been good. This year june and so far july have been very and unusually wet. September is often good. Bring a light rain coat and you will be fine.

Hope you have a great holiday.

Answer 3

Yes, you can have a genuinely Irish Vacation but you will have to travel around, preferably in Ireland, of course.

Ireland has an extensive network of Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast establishments that are approved by the Irish Tourist Board, Bord Failte.  You will be welcomed into the home of the family and experience the wealth of the Irish People and the "Cead Mile Failte" mentality (One hundred thousand welcomes).

The West Coast is the least modernized and esp. the North West counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo & Mayo.

Any time of the year is good but April to October would be advised to get the best of the weather, but expect soft rain at any time of the year.

Whenever you do come to Ireland be sure to take your time to enjoy the experience and don't be fooled by the size of the country, it is packed with surprises and delights around every corner.

Answer 4

My mother and I had a wonderful "Irish" vacation a year ago this past May!!!  We wanted to mingle with the Irish people and avoid all of the typical tourist areas.  At the same time there were certain things we each wanted to see such as the Aran Islands, Newgrange, The Hill of Tara...etc.  We were more interested in the "spiritual" and ancient aspects of Ireland rather than Waterford Crystal.  We landed in Shannon, rented a car, avoided major "carriageways, took every "back" road we could find and avoided Dublin (no offense to any one).  Sometimes we would drive for hours without seeing another car (which was good because I was driving on the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car lol!!!).  With advice from people we met on the plane, we ate all of our meals in pubs and met had the best experience ever.  We also stayed in B & B's or Farmhouses which were wonderful.  We saw alot of interesting things that you would never find on your averege tourist vacation.  After a year, we still keep in contact with some of the people we met via e-mail and have made some really wonderful friends.  Good luck and have fun.  Other than my children, it's the best experience I have ever had in my life.  I want to go back but can't afford it right now!!!

Answer 5

To avoid the too 'modern' places, you should stay away from Dublin at all costs. I'd recommend the Connemara area of Galway - beautiful scenery, friendly people, old stone walls etc...and some lovely villages, such as Spiddal, near Galway city. Donegal is also quite nice. The summer is the best time to come, maybe July/August for the best chance of good weather. Although this year it's been raining more or less daily for a long time! For temperature averages etc check out the Met link below, and for recommendations, look at the Discover Ireland site that I think someone already suggested. Enjoy your stay!

Note: We have 5 national television channels - RTE1, RTE2, TV3, Channel 6 and TG4.

Another note: Don't come to Ireland with the ignorant expectation of vomiting and fighting, like fools like insp.harrycallahan seem to. It's a beautiful country with amazing scenery and welcoming people.

Answer 6

Faith and begora, lass!

Get ye to a pub, and drink till ye puke, then fight with another colleen lass like ye and get yar cheekbones broke.  Now THAT'S genuinely Irish!  :)

Actually, my mom went there a few years ago and said it was a beautiful place.  I hope to go there, too. . . .

Answer 7

Wherever you go in Ireland, people are friendly and helpful. They would happily offer suggestions about places to visit, etc. The whole place is still very quaint in a charming way, and it is still possible to see old-style telephones that need winding and dialling in public 'phone boxes in rural areas, for example. They have the euro now, but only 2 terrestrial t.v. channels! I recommend you try a bed and breakfast, since you won't want to stay in when you see how lovely Ireland is.