I'm going to Ireland soon...?

Question

And I don't want to go over, and see the same things tourists have been seeing for years. I want to travel, not tour. Any one have any suggestions?

Answer 1

Shannon Erne cruisers,

Google the above to see ireland in a different way. Best way to see ireland.

Answer 2

Honestly Ireland is such a beautiful but small country the best thing to do is go by foot don't book any thing in advance, pick a city or area & catch a bus or train make your own schedule go to the small towns stay in b&b's or hostils  Back pack & travel light, Talk to the locals for the best sights & sounds. Enjoy your vacation.

Answer 3

Rent a car, but a good map and go!

Ive been to Ireland 2 times and totally winged it on my own.  It was sooo much fun!  Good luck!

Answer 4

if you are planning visiting an island of the coast go to clare island hard to get to but great craic as the few tourists that go there leave on the evening ferry and with no cops you can party all night,avoid the aran islands ferries leave from various places and its packed, and a rip off,p.s if you rent a bike dont just cycle from place to place get a bus near your destination and then cycle,as the roads are busy and bloddy dangerous in places

Answer 5

Go on a Paddy tour around Ireland

they are great fun

Answer 6

If you want to see the real Ireland you need to go beyond the attractions which are marketing widely (giants causeway, etc)

One idea, which is something I have not tried yet but hope to this year is to hire a boat and go up and down the canals from Wexford or Carlow and on to Shannon.

If you want to find real 'Craic' and not the contrived stuff most tourist enjoy you need to stay with a host family and I dont mean those that advertise I mean the sort that are related to you or someone you know. Real 'Craic' is in the people, music, conversation and stories told by the ol' men proping up the bar in the local pub in every town. If you can let yourself go and emerse yourself in the folklore and music you will truly feel how the Irish feel. Which is unique and unimaginable unless you are there and in the middle of it...beware...if you try to hard to find the magic you will be disappointed...just relax and take it all in and the magical craic will take over sooner or later.

Irish people dont believe they have a magic (believe me they do, I only found this out since I moved to England!) they are very modest and humble, so dont tell them you want to find craic, find people you get on well with and let it flow

May the luck of the Irish be with you forever x

Answer 7

Go by bicycle.  Ride pub to pub.

The pubs are like community living rooms.  The locals bring their kids, you can eat a meal, and even stay there, as many have rooms for rent.

Also, sometimes people will run a restaurant out of their homes, eat there.  Ask the locals where to find "Crack"  (It's slang for local music, not drugs)

Ireland is awesome for biking!

Answer 8

luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccky

(bratty whiney tone)

Answer 9

Where will you be?  I recently stayed in Allihies; it's the Western-most village in County Cork.  It's very small, but there's SO much to see around there, and you probably won't find ANY Americans (which is why I liked it!)  There are several B&B's around, and it's close to a few bigger towns (20 minutes from Castletownbere, 2 hours from Bantry).  I wouldn't suggest staying there long, but it's an extremely cool place to see, and the town is amazing.  Another really neat small town (where you won't find many tourists) is Kenmare; I had a good experience there with locals, and the central town area is really nice.  Find out how you can go see things like ring forts, stone circles, other really old landmarks...things most tourists don't want to see because there's not a gift shop attached to them.  

Also, if you get a chance, stay in Galway.  It's a bit more touristy, but it's an amazing city!