If you were visiting ireland?

Question

how would you like to be entertained? my cousin from the states is coming to stay with me for xmas and loves all things irish!! but the only thing i can think of to do with her is take her to the pub for a bit of craic! is that too boring, or is it simply showing her what it means to be irish? what would you like to see if you were coming here for the first time?

Answer 1

Yes, there's the pub and the music, that's what the Yanks love, isn't it. By all means, fit some of that in. You could also look for a play or performance in one of the many smaller theatres around the country, that might be fun. And of course bring them out for nice walks, especially as the weather is so nice (but do warn them to bring scarves and good shoes and raincoats, just in case).

There's also the village at Bunratty, that's good. And look around for small local festivals, they can be a bit of a laugh. Try to find ceilis, but if this is not really your bag, I wouldn't bother. Basically just do the things you enjoy, but make sure to ask the cousin if there's anything in particular that they might like to see.

Christmas can be a bit ... well, family lock-down is an expression that I've used. If you can arrange something to do on that day to work up the appetite for the big dinner, then go for it. A 2-hour walk, preferably uphill, and bring other family members too. Wonderful for salving the conscience if you overindulge!

And you must go out on the Wren on St Stephen's Day, the 26th of December. This is a typically Irish thing to do. Make sure you practise one or two party songs for the job, invest in greasepaint or facepaints, and find some good trad musicians who are doing it also. It's good fun.

Why do you feel the pub defines you as Irish? I don't think that going to the pub is a typically Irish thing to do. Going to the pub and enjoying music and song might be.

Answer 2

take her to some of the tourist stuff, and ask her what she wants to do.  Im sure she has been reading up or at least thinking about what she would like to do. But in the end she wants to spend time with you.  But take her to Cork (Blarney Castle), cliffs of Moher, but also take her otu and do what you do with your friends on a normal night she'll see both worlds which is the best.

Answer 3

I'm Irish.  When I visited Ireland my cousins took my to all the pubs they liked.  I had a blast!!!  But of course, all the drinkin in the world didn't mean as much as seeing my cousins and grandmother, whom I see only once every couple years.

Slainte!!

Answer 4

I would want you to take me around to see the scenery, or whatever there is to see! But, taking your cousin to the pub sounds fun too!

Answer 5

I would want to spend all my time in Clonmel. There's a quaint and beautiful guest house, I forget the name. Definitely a drive to the Cliffs of Moher, to Langton's Pub, any rugby going on these days?

Don't leave out a visit to Bailey's or Jameson's

Answer 6

go to the pub! that's the best. bit od irish music too to get the juices flowing and maybe one of the local christmas markets.

Answer 7

There s loads of stuff to do! There is Trinity College for starters and the Book Of Kells! There is also Newgrange/Enniskerrry/Howth/Dunlaoghaire... We also have the National Museum/Art Galleries and Padraig Pearse Park & School which you will get to on the 16 Bus! Also Wexford Street has lots of Live Irish ( as inRebel Songs)Music and don't forget there are our Theatres & National Concert Hall which has lots on over Christmas! Good Luck

Fiona J :)) (From Ireland)!!!!

Answer 8

Scenery. Out on the town, which can include pubs. Libraries, museums.  A little bit of everything. Make them not want to leave :o)

Answer 9

well i am from NY and i have been to Ireland several times and there are things that I know that i want to see  before i leave.  so maybe ask them  what they are intereste in and you can research it a little before they come.  If you cant talk to them before they com ethem have a plan inplace just in case.  

there are tons of things to do in each part of Ireland but it just depends on what part of Ireland you are in and the age of the people that will be visiting.  Older people you can put into a car anc just drive them around and let them ask questions and give them a tour of that part that you know the best.  

Younger folks are easy as well - you can take then shopping and show then around and then take them out at night to some of the discos.  

so if you were in cork for example - -take them to the blarney woolen mills -then maybe to kinsale to see the sailboats - and for lunch in the hotel there.   And you cant miss kissing the blarney stone.  OR  if you are in Kerry then I would show them the ring of Kerry and then go into town and go from shop to shop.  

what is your in Dublin - you cant miss going into temple bar - shoe them some of the hotels - go to tsee the book of kells,   shopping up the main street and at about 4 pm go to the Guinness museum.  walk your way to the top and have a free pint at the top overlooking the city and watch all the people as they leave work.  .  

And i have not even started on galway , Donegal etc.  get my drift.  

there are some many areas with different items to see.  

let me know where you are specifically and i can tell you some more things that are a Must see.  :)

Good luck.

Answer 10

I have dear friends in Ireland that I visit (I'm American) and I assure you that the simple things are best!   :)

I definitely preferred pub food over fancy restaurants.    I loved the shopping there; here, we have mostly malls, and I enjoyed walking through the city (Cork to be exact) window-shopping.    I did like Blarney Woolen Mills to be able to take back sweaters for my friends and family.

I wanted to walk along the beaches every chance I could, and I loved just driving along the beautiful rural winding roads.    We spent most of our time in Kerry, and I loved hiking in the mountains.

One thing I didn't yet get to enjoy was seeing a band perfroming traditional Irish music----next time I will   :)

Answer 11

You don't say where you are in Ireland.  The tourist office would be a good place to start, for info about places of interest within easy reach.  Or do a web search.  For example, I went to www.google.ie, pages from Ireland, and did a search for 'cavan tourist info'.  I don't live in Cavan, but got so much interesting stuff that I may very well  go and visit there !!

As well as the pubs, see if you can find a ceili.  My town has a regular one, every other week.  Other towns may have something similar. In the pubs with music playing, you are the audience, but ceilis are interactive  -  you get up and join in with the dancing, and it is great fun.  All ages can take part.

Your cousin  will also appreciate meeting other family members.  Bring along a camcorder and interview the older members, ask about their memories.  And bring your cousin to the 'homeplace', the roots, wherever grandparents (or further back) lived.  And many of Irish background like to find their personal family details, visit churches and graveyards relevant to their family, find coats of arms (can be done on the internet) etc.  We have a history here in Ireland going back much further than in the States, and all of that can be fascinating.

Enjoy the visit  -  you may learn something too, if you are visiting places in Ireland you haven't been to before.