Holiday in Eire

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: Fiolar
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 09:32 AM

Don't forget to visit the following places in Cork: Skibbereen, Kilmichael, Crossbarry, Upton, Bantry and of course Cork City itself. Then you can boast that you have visted the places which gave rise to the ballads - "Sbibbereen"; "The Boys of Kilmichael"; "The Piper of Crossbarry"; "Upton Ambush"; "Bantry Bay"; The Shan Van Vocht"; and of course "The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee" and "The Bells of Shandon" as well as "The Boys from the County Cork."

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: s&r
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 08:34 AM

The West of Ireland has lots of Irish sessions, which tend not to start till 10.00pm.

East and midlands is harder to find Irish traditional; country and Irish seems to be more popular.

On our first visit we stopped at a pub in Athy and asked the landlady where we would find music.

"Oh!" she said, "There's music everywhere in Ireland. Mind we don't play that bloody diddly diddly stuff here, it's proper country."

Later on in the same holiday we were in Dunmore East (the world's prettiest bay IMHO) when we heard a fiddle and banjo. We hurried towards the sound, expecting to find a session, but no. It was the Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, and the band playing was from Nottingham (my birthplace)

Stu

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 07:42 AM

No mention of Ireland`s most beautiful County Donegal, every County in Ireland has it`s place of beauty but Donegal, is unsurpassed.

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: Lowkey
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 03:39 AM

Thanks for all the help. Lots of useful pointers to examine and check out. Scotland can be just as tourist ripoff as anywhere, isn't that what tourists are for. We will do our bit for the local economy. Off to work today Two weeks away from home.

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: vectis
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 06:49 PM

Dublin away from the tourist laden weekends is a dream. O'Shea's Merchant on the banks of the Liffey for set dancing during the week. Tourists crowding out the locals at the weekend. Plenty of pubs with sessions within easy staggering distance.

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 06:24 PM

I have exactly one week's experience to go on, which I know isn't much, having spent one week of August 2003 crossing Ireland east to west. Nevertheless, let me add what I can.

I second the endorsement of County Clare (Burren area); we spent two nights in Lisdoonvarna, which is close to Doolin and its justly famous musical pubs, including Gus O'Connor's. (Also close to the aforementioned Ennistimon.)

Too bad we missed our chance to have visted years ago, when things were so much cheaper over there. The new prosperity is presumably great for the Irish themselves (or some of them, at least), but less so for economy-minded tourists.

I was amazed that a bottle of Irish whiskey, any brand, costs more there than in my home town in the US! And whiskey at the bar comes in carefully measured (i.e, little-bitty) shots. The pints of stout are absolutely heavenly, though -- nothing at all like you've ever tasted anywhere in the outside world.

I'm glad we spent a little time in Dublin, but if you don't feel the need to go there, flying in and out of Shannon and spending your entire week in the west is probably a good idea.

Our most interesting musical evening came in Ballinlough, Co Roscommon, just across the county boundary from our relatives' home in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo. The local hotel, a *very* upscale, completely modernized institution called the White House, puts on a ceili every Wednesday night, attended almost entirely by locals. The band was not strictly traditional in instrumentation -- they used an electric keyboard and modern drum kit along with pipes and concertina -- and the hotel-ballroom setting was very modern and brightly lit, but the tunes and the set dances were the real old-as-the-hills deal. The only attendees who didn't live in the immediate area were our small party from the US and a priest from Sydney, and all of us were visiting relatives in the neighborhood. Truly a night to remember.

My cousin, who brought us, was disappointed and apologetic about the music -- apparently, he expected another, more traditional group to perform that night. While that alternative might have made for an even better evening, I was happy enough with what we got.

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: Emma B
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 05:59 PM

If you plan to be self-catering then you will need to be somewhere where you can stagger home from the nearest music bar. At that of year you will find plenty of entertainment in Doolin or Dingle, I certainly would second the choice of the West coast from West Cork (nice modern cottages in Schull) northwards to Donegal
Yes, Ireland is not the cheapest place to drink or eat out and I would definately avoid tourist traps like Killarney where prices are raised for the tourist season (actually, forget the prices, just avoid it like the plague anyway) However, I think you will find Irish people friendly and generous. I have been in bars with children where the landlord has insisted on selling us a large 2litre bottle of lemonade or coke at shop price rather than charging us for several expensive mixer bottles.
I'm sure wherever you end up you will have a great time, once you have decided on eventual destination I'm certain you will have no shortage of more specific suggestions

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: GUEST,JB
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 05:32 PM

Bring bags of Euro with you.

Ireland has now been officially declared the most expensive country in Europe and while you are at it you might want to check out the RIPOFF IRELAND website. This will give you plenty of tips what pubs, hotels and restrauants to avoid due to greedy overcharging. You can also get lots of other useful tips such as car hire rates, golf courses and the list just goes on.

Have a nice holiday.

JB

Subject: RE: Holiday in Eire
From: iRiShBaBe
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 01:55 PM

You cant go very wrong with the west of Ireland so, over by the Burren. Little villages that have lovely guest houses and places to stay would be Ballyvaughan, Lahinch, Ennistymon, or Fenore. They have the little trad pubs and then the tourist places to see are just a car journey ride away. You would be better flying into Shannon Airport for that option.
Down by West Kerry and Cork would be absolutly gorgeous too. Cork Airport woule be your best airoprt there. Theres the Ring Of Kerry to see and the Dingle Peninsula. Killarney and Tralee would be the main Kerry towns but theres hundreds of little guest houses out in the sticks to let ye sample the real rural life.
Any probs, let me know.
Have fun, Ireland is a lovely country, and no im not just being modest :)

Subject: Holiday in Eire
From: Lowkey
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 12:51 PM

The better half and myself are considering a short break, 7-10 days, self catering in Eire late summer early autumn. We would like to do all the usual touristy bits but at night would much prefer to be entertained with local sessions or other live music as listened to by the local people. Our tastes run to traditional folk and blues. Any pointers to where to start looking would be appreciated.