garfield
Registered user
Just back from my first ever visit to the South of Ireland (I've been in the North loads now). It was a family holiday, mother's day and all that....this was a 5 day trip with plans to cover a lot of miles and also a bit of a recce for me to see where and what I would like to see some point later when I come back with the bike
We arrived at Shannon, pick up the wreck from Irish Car Rentals and headed for the first night's stay in Galway (stayed at the Best Western which was good). Stopped at the Cliffs of Moher on the way to the hotel which if I was honest took my breath away, simply stunning and was rewarded with a really beautiful sunset as well as an incredibly opportunistic shot....
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1955a.jpg">
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1963a.jpg">
On the Thursday morning everyone was up early and we hit the road, heading for Dublin. Pulled into Roscommon to do the family ancestry thing (there are family links going back through the ages) and was amazed by the local sign....really liked the town, loved the laid back village life that was going on, probably a bit pedestrian for many
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1979a.jpg">
Back on the road after lunch and we easily hit Dublin by tea time, went out for Dinner to Boccaccio's, some really nice Italian food and they seem to be winning quite a few prizes (service is good as well). The following day (Friday) was all about seeing bits of Dublin, getting a feel for the city....
If I was honest, I didn't like Dublin, really dirty, far too busy, heavily congested that at times made it feel worse than London (although it gave a good chance to play guess the region from the car number plates - still a few that had me stumped), lastly in Dublin, rubbish piled up high on the main roads - what's all that about? Dublin felt like Ireland on a Stick, lots of parties and drinking, didn't get a feel that there was any substance to the place, I think I was expecting Edinburgh not realising it was a big and busy Capital City, probably more of a Glasgow or Liverpool. Hardly saw or heard any Irish people when I was there which I found a little disappointing, I wanted a little bit of authentic Ireland
Did the bus tour round the city in the afternoon which was great (bus driver was on top form, told lots of old jokes but they were crackers TBH), learnt a lot of the history of the city, probably my favourite bit to be honest (it was a really condensed visit though - suppose you aren't going to get the best out of a place in 1 day)
Met one interesting character in Dublin though, nearly ran him down when I was in the car and couldn't resist a snap when I passed him later on the bus
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF2047a.jpg">
That evening entailed a visit to the Arlington Hotel (I think) for some real 'Irish' food and entertainment, it was an enjoyable night to be honest with lots of sing-a-long music....
We arrived at Shannon, pick up the wreck from Irish Car Rentals and headed for the first night's stay in Galway (stayed at the Best Western which was good). Stopped at the Cliffs of Moher on the way to the hotel which if I was honest took my breath away, simply stunning and was rewarded with a really beautiful sunset as well as an incredibly opportunistic shot....
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1955a.jpg">
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1963a.jpg">
On the Thursday morning everyone was up early and we hit the road, heading for Dublin. Pulled into Roscommon to do the family ancestry thing (there are family links going back through the ages) and was amazed by the local sign....really liked the town, loved the laid back village life that was going on, probably a bit pedestrian for many
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF1979a.jpg">
Back on the road after lunch and we easily hit Dublin by tea time, went out for Dinner to Boccaccio's, some really nice Italian food and they seem to be winning quite a few prizes (service is good as well). The following day (Friday) was all about seeing bits of Dublin, getting a feel for the city....
If I was honest, I didn't like Dublin, really dirty, far too busy, heavily congested that at times made it feel worse than London (although it gave a good chance to play guess the region from the car number plates - still a few that had me stumped), lastly in Dublin, rubbish piled up high on the main roads - what's all that about? Dublin felt like Ireland on a Stick, lots of parties and drinking, didn't get a feel that there was any substance to the place, I think I was expecting Edinburgh not realising it was a big and busy Capital City, probably more of a Glasgow or Liverpool. Hardly saw or heard any Irish people when I was there which I found a little disappointing, I wanted a little bit of authentic Ireland
Did the bus tour round the city in the afternoon which was great (bus driver was on top form, told lots of old jokes but they were crackers TBH), learnt a lot of the history of the city, probably my favourite bit to be honest (it was a really condensed visit though - suppose you aren't going to get the best out of a place in 1 day)
Met one interesting character in Dublin though, nearly ran him down when I was in the car and couldn't resist a snap when I passed him later on the bus
<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/random%20photos/Eire%202008/DSCF2047a.jpg">
That evening entailed a visit to the Arlington Hotel (I think) for some real 'Irish' food and entertainment, it was an enjoyable night to be honest with lots of sing-a-long music....
