What is the best city to visit in Ireland?

Question

I assume Dublin, but are there any other ideas. What exactly are the major sights to see there?

Answer 1

Ireland doesn't really do cities as well as the rest of Europe, the country is still very rural in many ways.

That said, each of the cities has its own character:

Dublin, the capital of the Republic, is the most English city in feel. Unfortunately it's also quite expensive there.

Galway is great, it has that 'on the edge of the world' feel to it, and you can often hear Irish spoken on the streets, among the Spanish and Polish and other languages. Thriving music scene, particularly trad and trad fusion.

Limerick is the one with the worst reputation, largely undeserved. It's a bit greyer than the others, but has a terrific night life and thriving arts scene. Poetry readings, open mike nights, trad sessions and art exhibition openings are commonplace, along with theatre performances.

Cork is also nice, has a Mediterranean feel to it. Very hilly though - if you have any issues with walking, better to avoid Cork. The one-way street system in the city is a bit confusing when you're not used to it, but don't let these put you off going there - it's another city with a great night life and lots of do during the day also.

Waterford is also good, great nightlife, and still has that Viking feeling to it. If you get a chance, you should visit Waterford during the Spraoi festival, it's street theatre, concerts, fun things going on. I was at a brillliant drumming thing during Spraoi a few years ago, never had so much fun in my life.

And Kilkenny .... it still feels mediaeval, more so than the other cities. Lots to do and see, with the Smithwicks brewery, the Castle and the design centre ... I'm kind of fond of the place because I used to go out there a lot, it had some great wine bars, don't know if it still has.  

Answer 2

Limerick is a city on the up.

Answer 3

Galway is the best to visit

avoid dublin

Answer 4

GALWAY

Answer 5

Dublin or cork

Answer 6

Okay, Dubs the capital.

Really cool city,nice sights & history to the city, like the Army barracks,st james brewry(guinness home) all the old government buildings.

I live in Cork, What type of Holiday you going on, The citys small ? Nice bars & restaurants nothing very exciting, Blarney Stone/Castles like 10 minutes spin from the city centre.

We have lots of beaches & West Cork, Clonakilty is beautiful....

You can got to kinsale to see Charles fort & beautiful fishing village... Or Cobh to see the peer & history of Cobh, titanic museum also....

Once again,if you wana let me know your age,type holiday I can try break it down for you

Answer 7

Definitely visit Cork for the great atmosphere and culture. It also has a great nightlife and clubbing scene!!

Also, if you have the time, visit a few towns in west Cork because they are so beautiful. Towns like Kinsale, Cobh and Youghal are worth a visit!!

Hope I've helped!!

Answer 8

I have always preferred Cork to Dublin.

Answer 9

like dublin is the capital-but i don't think you'll be that impressed

galway( in the west of ireland) is much better

you can take a boat trip out to the famous aran islands from there

there is great shopping

go to salthill beach

go out to conemara or spideal

visit the famous eyre square

vist the spanish arches

visit galway cathedral

visit this site for further details http://www.galway.net/

Answer 10

Dublin IS great - get a hop on/hop off pass and see the sights. Temple Bar, Guiness Brewery, Jamieson's Distillary plus the usual sights.

My favourite city from when I visited Ireland was Galway. Amazing city and well worth the visit. Head over to Inis Mor if you have time. Best. Weekend. Ever. :)

I could happily move to Galway.

Answer 11

Ballydung is always worth a visit. We have a Supermacs and there's a bouncy castle in Matt Reilly's field. There's even talk that Michael Guiney's are opening a shop soon in the Main Street!

Answer 12

A lot depends on your own personal likes and dislikes.   A lot of the answers appropriately capture Dublin as an international city and good party scene.  If that's what you are looking for, you'll find it there.   To me, Ireland is all about its natural beauty and fabulous people, and you will see little of the former and not enough of the latter in Dublin.  For that, I'd suggest you go to Galway and Connemara, or alternatively Killarney and Dingle.    Here is a great free guide to the best Web sites for finding information on travel to Ireland, including information on many of the leading cities.

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides.ht...

Answer 13

Get to Waterford, it is steeped in culture, history and beautiful architecture. Plus its not too big to see it all in one day.  Its a great city for socializing and shopping too, plus the people are friendly and always up for good times

UP THE DEISE!!!...lol