We would like to have a holiday in Ireland next year. One week in N Ireland and a second in the South?

Question

We have never been there before and normally rent cottages taking our car with us.

Where would be two good locations to stay so that we can see the most? Possibly village locations?

We have no children to take and we love the outdoors, scenery, mountains, walking, coastlines, local pubs and my husband is a very keen fisherman.

Any (sensible)ideas would be very welcome. Thank you.

Answer 1

i don't know  but i am also planing to go there next year with my two children, enjoy your Holiday.

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend North Ireland as it seems to be very dangerous.  I have been to Dublin and it is very nice, also Cork.  Tipperary County is very beautiful. Other people may be able to give more suggestions.  Have fun!

Answer 3

this might help

http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/irelan...

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/a...

http://www.discoverireland.ie/

Answer 4

I agree with deb123 there is no trouble in the north just use common sense as you would do anywhere else and you will be fine. Take your time and enjoy your holiday if you get a chance drive over the Mourne mountains in Newcastle county down Tullymore Forrest is also worth a visit it is just outside Newcastle, if you get the chance  drive to Hilltown it is sign posted and follow the road out of the village this is a spectacular view, also there is so much all over the island that is worth seeing, drive up to the north west coast and follow the coast road around to Portrush this drive is amazing for the scenery also drive over the border into Donegal there are lots of b&bs and if you get lost just stop and ask anyone they will be glad to help also remmember it is miles per hour in the north and killometers in the south, remember to change your money as they use the euro in the south and pound sterling in the north also change your money before you go home as the northern Ireland money is hard to get changed in the rest of the U.K.

Answer 5

For outdoor activities Newcastle would be your ideal spot  plenty of walks good scenery  lovely coastline and plenty of fishing

Make sure you visit Portrush to see the Giants Causeway.

Enniskillen for the Marbe Arch Caves and the lakes.

Look up the tourist board site for further information.

Killarney in Southern Ireland is nice tour the Ring of Dingle.

Both North and South have some of the most beautiful gardens if your interested.  You will enjoy..

Answer 6

Probably better to avoid Northern Ireland in July, as there are all these marches going on ... but other than that, it's a lovely place, lots going on, particularly in the city of Armagh.

If you only want to base yourself in one place for a week, choose carefully. You like the outdoors and the sea, so I'd suggest looking to the Western half of the Republic. The trouble is it's all good .... I'd look for two things: a village location, cottages for rent, and fishing in the vicinity. Now go to the Irish tourist board and see what they suggest ....

And have a great time!

Answer 7

Ireland is beautiful and there are many places you will not get the chance to see unless your holiday is to last a couple of years....lol

The pace of life is slower and much more laid back and relaxed.  The best site I can find for you at the moment is:

www.tourismireland.com

another one you could try to find is:

www.thisisireland.com

Get yourself a good map too.  Driving from Dublin or Dun Laoghaire, (pronounced Dun Leary), to the west or Ireland will take you about 3-4 hours, so always leave enough time to travel.  Please drive carefully through towns as sometimes the dogs run into the road.  You could also get a stray cow on a country road.

I hope you both enjoy your stay.

Answer 8

o.k.

Answer 9

Northern Ireland is NOT dangerous.

Anyway - it is a glorious idea to do the whole of the country - driving in Ireland is a real pleasure so you could even consider just cruising around and stopping the night where ever you felt like it.

In Eire Kinsale is unmissable and is a good base to explore Cork county. West Cork is world famous for its beauty and rightly so. The most peaceful place on earth. Any villages there would suit your requirements I imagine.

It is so hard to select one particular area of Ireland to stay in because there is much to offer all over the place. Dublin is wonderful of course and you really should stay there for a night or two. Or stay out on the coast at Dun Laoghaire and catch the train into the city. (A wonderful place to stay in Dublin is in Trinity College itself when the students are on vacation. It is cheap, central,  food is great and the rooms are beautiful.)

On the other side of the country Galway has the most extraordinary landscapes (and weather sometimes). It is the heart of Gaelic Ireland and the music and Guinness there are second to none. They have a lot of festivals in Galway so if you time it right you could experience some great music etc.

In the North well you can't go wrong with Belfast as a central base - it is a wonderful city and please don't believe claptrap from people about violence - they have no idea what they are talking about. The scenery in the North is (unsurprisingly) very similar to the West Coast of Scotland - very dramatic with some bracing weather.

Wherever you go you will get a warm welcome - the B&Bs all over Ireland are excellent quality and value I think. I would opt for B&Bs over a rented cottage because they give you more flexibility.

As for fishing - well I think your husband will be spoilt for choice in Ireland. It is a real magnet for fishy types.

Have fun!