Mike

I'm flying into Dublin around Christmas time and out just before New Years. I need a suggested itinerary. I was thinking of taking the rail to Galway or Cork. I am a photographer and I'm looking to capture scenery and culture in my short trip. Please recommend the best way to spend my time. (Specfics will help as well, such as day tour companies, etc.) Thanks and may your travels be enlightening.

Kathleen

Hi I went at St.Patricks to Dublin. I was also there 3 yrs ago. <BR>Kilronan House in Dublin is a great hotel. They have a website. <BR>Cork was kind of boring?? But we did take a day tour to Cobh and that was nice. <BR>I really liked Kilkenny (good for 1 day or one overnite) we stayed at Butler House, and had a view of the Castle. <BR>We took a train from Dublin to Kilkenny and a bus from Kilkenny to Cork. <BR>If you have time in Dublin take a day tour to Newgrange and Glendologh. Newgrange will be packed as everyone goes there for the winter soltice.

Gina

Mike, I was in Ireland for six days in February of 1999 and spent most of it in and around County Clare and County Galway. We rented a car at Shannon airport and drove up the coast, staying in Doolin for one night and just outside Galway for two nights. We drove around Connemara and Galway Bay, visited the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, and took a day ferry to Inishmor, the largest of the Aran Islands. It happened to be a beautiful, blindingly bright day (though chilly), and we biked up to Dun Aengus, which was a great experience. <BR> <BR>Then we drove from Galway across central Ireland--about a five-hour drive--and spent two nights in County Meath, seeing Newgrange and the Hill of Tara. We took a day trip into Dublin, and I have to say that that was probably the part of our trip I enjoyed least. I'm a big city fan in general, and I love London, so it's not just that I don't like big cities or big cities in the winter (I frequently go to London in the off-season). But something about Dublin in February wasn't particularly appealing. I might have found it more attractive on a less gray and gloomy day. <BR> <BR>But we *loved* Galway and Clare; and even on gray and gloomy days, rural Ireland has a beauty and power that's truly breathtaking. I think, as a photographer, you'll find a lot more opportunities for dramatic shots if you go to the west coast. My biggest regret on our trip (other than not having more time to see even more of the country) as that we couldn't spend more time in Galway city. It's a wonderful, colorful, energetic city that seems to pulse with life and culture and history. It felt like the kind of place I could happily live in for a good long time. <BR> <BR>So your best bet, in my not-so-humble opinion, would be to get thee across central Ireland to Galway and base yourself there for day trips. I have heard that in the winter buses are fewer and further between, and possibly less reliable; I don't know this for a fact since we drove, but it was definitely very convenient to be able to drive. Again, since you're wanting to do some serious photography, it might make it easier for you to get exactly where you want to go sight-wise if you have your own transportation. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time!

Mary Anne

I completely agree with Gina. If you want to get to know the culture and have some great places to take pictures, go to the west of Ireland around Galway and Connemara. The best way to do it is to rent a car. Be sure to stay at least a night in Doolin. They have the best music there and it is close to the Cliffs of Mohr and the Burren. Doolin is quite small, but there are many B & Bs. Galway is a great city and there is good music there as well. If you would rather go in another direction go to Northern Ireland along the northeast coast and around up to the north coast by the Giant's Causeway. Have a great time.

Cathy

Mike, <BR>Just some points to bear in mind before any advice on where to go. Daylight is short in Ireland around this time of the year - if it rains or the weather is any way bad (which it has been for most of the autumn and winter) then expect to capture little on film in very few hours. Since your time is limited and both Galway and Kerry will be packed with returned emigrants and tourists then I would say stick close to Dublin and do some day trips out of Dublin eg - Wicklow Mts and Glendalough, Hill of Tara, Trim Castle (great Norman Castle) and instead of Newgrange then try Loughcrew (very mysterious and great photographs at this time of the year - www.loughcrew.com). It is also a passage grave site but far less touristy than Newgrange and not as crowded or developed. Apart from Dublin try towns around Dublin eg Navan, Kells, Oldcastle, Dundalk (on the border), Avoca (south of Bray). In Dublin for good photos then Moore Street for the on-street traders (old traditional Dublin), Temple Bar (the Celtic Tiger image of Dublin), O'Donoghues Bar on Merrion Row for a real music session (better than the staged ones in Temple Bar), also check out the scenes around the major department stores just after Christmas when the Sales start - also Grafton Street and Henry Street for good shots. Connemara and Clare are great but could be waste of time if the weather is anyway misty. Galway city is just a tourist mega both for Irish and non-Irish - try a day trip to Belfast or Limerick for real gritty images of city life or even Dublin. Day trips etc and public transport at www.cie.ie or www.ireland.travel.ie for the Irish Tourist Board, <BR> <BR>Hope this helps - post if you have any more questions, <BR> <BR>Cathy