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I have never ventured onto any part of the island before, but we are off to visit some folks who recently moved there, to Skerries to be exact.
we have honestly very little idea of what to expect, what there is to do etc. i had hoped to ride County Wicklow EWS tracks for a day or so but that aint gonna happen this time... also the folks dont really know what the craic is yet either so any advice, tips, must do's etc very welcome.
Walks, POI's, restaurants, & especially keen on pubs, traditional pubs with a fiddler giving it some in the corner, but without too many tourist types... we have kids in tow but they can stay in with gramps for an evening or two if we need them to....
we have honestly very little idea of what to expect,
Well you can expect to paye 49.40 euros for two bottles of Desperado and two Southern Comforts at the Temple Bar. That much you can be sure of. To be sure.
You're probably not going to get that in Dublin, not one without the other at least. Head somewhere into Meath.especially keen on pubs, traditional pubs with a fiddler giving it some in the corner, but without too many tourist types
Hughe's Pub (19 Chancery St, Inns Quay, Dublin, DUBLIN 7) will have a low-key session on Fri/Sat, don't think there's ever any tourists.
Bit of a trek from Skerries though, there may well be somewhere more local if you ask somebody familiar with the area (I'm not).
There's a nice pub on the harbour in Skerries, dropped in for a view with a pint once with friends from Rush as we headed up the coast. Not sure about any fiddly diddly action going on there though.
Bring lots of euros , don't expect much change out of 50 euro no matter what you buy. The centre has got out of hand so much so i haven't bothered in a long time. Expect everywhere to be packed out especially if you get unlucky and an event is on. And watch out for the junkies.
Rmacattack - cannondale fan? 99% sure we know each other.
Skerries is a nice spot, drink there of an evening
Nice things to do are glendalough (get there before 10 to get a good parking spot), powers court house/gardens (or the seperate water fall is also really good), a walk up three rock gives lovely views of the city (plus loads of Mtb trails), sugar loaf is similar but less trails.
Most of the pretty to look at stuff is southside Dublin, although as I'm based southside I might be biased.
Would be hard to find genuine trad stuff with few tourists... Dying cow pub is the only one I can think of but miles away.
Leave your other half to do any of the above... then jump on the train to Cork (its the real capital after all) where i can lend you a bike for a blast around Irelands best trail centre, Ballyhoura.
As for Dublin/skerries i have no idea as i am at the other end of the country.
Counties Meath, Louth, Armagh are really steeped in ancient Irish history and indeed relatively modern histroy. Newgrange, The Hill of Tara, The Tain Trail and site of the Battle of the Boyne are all within close distance of North Dublin with the added benefit of not having to go into Dublin.
If you do go into Dublin be sure to take a look at the GPO, one of the main sites of the Easter Rising, as well as Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Gaol.
Failing that, as Saccades points out, go to Wicklow. A good route map to follow would be the Excalibur trail (locations for the film). Whether you like the film or not it takes you to some truly stunning places, and if you want the Irish pub experience you'll probably find a slightly more authentic version of it than you would in Dublin, although to be honest, much like an authentic Scottish or English pub experience it's probably better to have some touristy gloss on it. You don't want to go into a bar and have everyone stare at you in awkward silence apart from one oul boy who decides to interrogate you then shites himself mid way through his inquisition.
Well you can expect to paye 49.40 euros for two bottles of Desperado and two Southern Comforts at the Temple Bar. That much you can be sure of. To be sure.
Christ, you've got a good memory.
This is what jimjam is referring to. A friend of mine visited last year.
It has to be red lemonade with southern comfort over here .......