Travel Tips
A little known fact is that there is a City Link Bus that runs from Galway to Dublin, stopping at O'Connell St and the airport. It picks up passengers in Galway at a car park on Forster Street just beyond the train station. Telephone 564 163 for times - the first bus is at 8 am.
The Bus Eirean stop in Westport, County Mayo, has been moved.It's on Mill Street, just up from the laundrette. Imagine our surprise when the bus pulled up to a row of flats and let us out. The new bus stop is a mere sign on the edge of the sidewalk. You have to go around the square to the tourist office to buy tickets. The tourist office closes at 4.45 pm
Paul Hague, USA (Apr 99)
Condoms are now available from all pharmacies and almost all pubs.
Boxty has generally been dropped from restaurant menus, since nobody likes it. As usual, there's always some new 'traditional' food to replace it. Irish soda bread is highly popular, but US visitors miss out, mistakenly believing that it's the same as the US raisin bread of the same name. (which we call 'barm brack' ) People who make traditional Halloween-type barm brack deliberately include a gold ring, a stick, a pea, and other small objects, since these have a traditional significance. Finding one of these is a way of telling your future.
US and UK visitors should also be aware that most road signs are in kilometres. However, the speed limits are in mph.
Don't count on using Sterling for currency, as you can only be reasonably sure of it's acceptance in airports, and hotels. US dollars can also be used, if necessary. Eurodollars, ECU, or 'Euros' are not yet accepted in stores and restaurants. The currency changeover due for January 1999 is beginning only with electronic transfers will not disturb the use of Irish banknotes until the year 2000 and
after.
Travellers to the Cliffs Of Moher area should be extremely careful. A number of people fall to their deaths every year. The edges of the cliffs are treacherous and can collapse, and the outside paths can sometimes disappear into thin air. The wind can also be quite strong. Avoid walking the cliffs if it begins to get dark in any way. Better off buying a postcard.
Dayak Emmetor (Nov 98)
There are no bureau de change at Dublin Ferry Port, so change any money you need elsewhere - the bus drivers usually take sterling, but this does not help if you, like me, arrive via Amsterdam.
Sonia Kwiatkowski (Sept 98)
There are no ATM machines on the Aran Islands - anywhere. I went there without too much forethought and with only รบ12 - luckily my room could be charged and the Irish are the greatest. The Bank of Ireland only opens two days a week and for a few hours at a time.
Kerry Benefield (July 98)
I walked the entire glorious route from Hag's Head to Doolin (via the Cliffs of Moher) a few
weekends ago. While not for the vertiginious, the route was not closed then.
Paul Murphy (July 98)
In Belfast, the City Hall conducts free tours of the building daily. They are informative and a good way of getting out of the cold and rain for an hour.
Eva Poon, Australia (July 98)
For anyone travelling around Ireland this year, the Tour De France will be passing from Rosslare to Cork in July. The weekend 10th to 13th July has numerous festival events planned all along the route mainly based in Youghal, Midleton and Cork for the Grand Finale - not to be missed.
Kim (June 98)
The walk from the Cliffs of Moher to Hag's Head has been closed for safety reasons and because farmers don't want people on their land.
Claudia Huwald (May 98)
There is no longer a Dublin Tourism shop in O'Connell Street Upper, Dublin.
The walk from the Cliffs of Moher to Hag's Head has been closed for safety reasons and because farmers don't want people on their land.
Claudia Huwald (May 98)
I visited Ireland this year in August, drove the coastal route staying in B&B's along the way. I purchased the vouchers through my travel agent. This is a very economical way to tour Ireland but there is one draw back. Driving tours are so popular today that it is imperative that you call ahead and make reservations at the B&B you plan to arrive at. If you just show up on the door-step you have to be there by about 5pm to get a room. The volume of travellers in the peak months is making it impossible to leisurely drop into the B&B's around the country. For a smooth tour try to call ahead in the early afternoon or arrive before dinner hours.
Glenn Bonkowski (Dec 97)
Commission free ATM withdrawals in Ireland for Natwest Service card Holders. If you have a Natwest Service card you can make cash withdrawals in Irish pound with no commission charges from any Ulster Bank ATM. Not only do you not pay any commission, but you get an unbeatable rate.
John Kenyon (Aug 97)
In Cork, I strongly suggest that visitors do not lean against any outside walls - I have never seen so many people piss against so many walls in a town centre !!! While President Kennedy might have spoken from the steps of the City Hall, I hope he avoided the puddles !
Peter Stewart (Jul 97)
Although we are all fairly proficient cyclists, you might want to emphasis that Cork and Kerry County's can be hilly and if they are not hilly then they are undulating. Also, the wind blows against you no matter what direction you travel.
Neil Toya - UK (Jun 97)
If you are interested in hiking in Ireland, I think the Wicklow Way covers perhaps the most beautiful terrain in the country. It's not that difficult to navigate but of course you'd be advised not to do it alone, and make sure that you have a map and compass. A map with contours is very useful as the signposts are placed at irregular and unpredictalbe intervals, keeping you guessing, and it's often useful to know whether or not you're supposed to be climbing or going downhill. Also, don't just bypass Djouce like the trail does! It's about a km climb away from the Way after White Hill (if your going south->north from Glenmallure or Laragh to Knockree or Enniskerry), but it's well worth the climb, because you can actually look out across the Irish sea from the summit.
The wind is strong, but is managable even if you've got a large pack, but I would highly recommend good hiking boots and maybe even gators. I had to trudge through a km of bog when I got a bit lost off the trail near Laragh and had to take a little detour through it. You'll find that the people in some of the villages you pass along the way are extremely pleasent and friendly!!
Haatem Reda (Apr 99)
Don't miss Dingle in County Kerry in the West of Ireland. This quaint little fishing village has loads of atmosphere and some of the best scenery you have ever seen. The best way to explore the area is by hiring a bike and take a leisurely ride around to Slea Head. This is an incredibly beautiful and an ideal spot to stop off for a picnic lunch.
Renae Jackson (Apr 99)
One of the sites that no one should miss in Ireland is New Grange - a fascinating early enormous burial tomb. It lay buried for over 5,000 years and was only discovered in the 1690's by a farmer looking for extra rocks for his walls. At 3 pounds entry to brand new visitor display centre, a mini bus journey to the site and a guided tour it provided excellent value and an interesting insight into the past.
M & M Clark - Australia (1997)
The best place I visited in Ireland was Derry or Londonderry. Here you should really attend one of the guided walking tours, because they tell you all the facts and stories which lead to the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. Also a visit in the Tower museum in Derry can be recommended for the same reasons.
G A Schedlbauer - Germany (Nov 97)
