Mermint

Hello!
We're going to Ireland for 8 days at the end of August this year for our honeymoon, flying into Dublin. Please let me know what your ideal honeymoon itinerary for that amount of time/that starting point would be! If it helps, things we like:
- pubs
- amazing scenery/nature/hikes
- towns that are fun at night
- making friends with fellow travelers/locals
- spas
- he likes castles, but I think one is our limit

We'd much more interested in relaxing than killing ourselves trying to drive 5 hours a day to see everything.

Thanks very much!

Gumper2007

Just as a quick reminder that August is a huge vacation month for Europeans. Do lots of planning if you want to do some things which could be sold out. We went in June 2005 and in August 2006 and in 2005 we could do almost anything on a spur of the moment basis, but in 2006 we needed to plan ahead as when we tried to go horseback riding, several places were all booked up. We did go to the horse races at Killbegan taking a train from Dublin to Tullamore and then a cab to the races and had him come back and pick us up. That was a fun evening. Have a great honeymoon, you will love it.

pjdscott

You have come to the right place – my native city! Firstly, have a look at my Dublin pubs guide for some alternatives to the boisterious and often-expensive Temple Bar in Dublin. My list includes pubs where you will find genuine and friendly Dubliners.
http://www.hidden-dublin.com/pubs/pubs01.html
For amazing scenery in the Dublin area, take a trip on the DART electric rail system. It has some fine views of Dublin bay in both directions. Start with a trip to Greystones, highlights include
- excellent views of the marina at Dun Laoghaire
- Journey through Dalkey where the rich of Dublin live (including Bono and Ali Hewson)
- Stop in Brey to take in the sea air
- conclude with a most dramatic journey to Greystones, along the top of the cliffs and through heavily-engineered cuttings and tunnels

For your castle experience, visit Malahide on the northern DART route. The castle is excellent and there is a lovely model railway beside it.

Can’t help you with spas –except for suggesting a pampering experience in Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow.

You will find plenty to do, and you shouldn’t need to worry about booking things!

akila

On nightlife, we didn't find much except for Dublin and Galway. Most of the small towns have a pub where locals hang out but most pubs we saw closed up around 11ish.

Are you flying in and out of Dublin? Do you want to drive? The best scenery is a bit away from Dublin, and though you can travel by bus, the best way to travel around is via car.

Here's what I would do for a relaxing trip to Ireland that I think would work in your timeframe:

Dublin - 2 days (lots to see and do so you could definitely spend a third day there if you wanted to)
Drive to Galway - 1 day (very cute college town with music)
Connemara - 2-3 days (amazing scenery, great hiking, and you can do a daytrip to the Aran Islands)
Burren/Cliffs of Moher - 1 day
Bunratty - 1 day (castle, and since it's your honeymoon, maybe splurge on dinner at the Dromoland Castle - we only thought the rooms were okay so I wouldn't recommend staying there, but it's definitely worthwhile visiting for dinner)
Travel on the last day from either Shannon or Dublin

If you want to stay in a place with more nightlife, you could stay in either Westport or Galway and then do daytrips into the Connemara.

I think that would be a very nice relaxing low-key trip and you would get to see some gorgeous scenery and really nice towns.

akila

Oh, and Dromoland and Ashford are both supposed to have really nice spas but I haven't been to them so can't speak from personal experience.

NEDSIRELAND

You say you're interested in Spas: If you happen to be in the area, Killeline Lodge, just south of N21 (NewcastleWest in west Limerick) off the Old Cork road has a Spa with facilities available to Lodge guests free of charge. Very well equipped workout room, Steam & Sauna and a 20m heated indoor pool
http://www.travelireland.org/limeric...ick/index.html
Adjacent is Mick McCoy's Sports Bar and Restaurant and an 18-hole Parkland Golf Course. John McCoy, former member of the Dail owns the Golf Course and Sports Bar; the McCormick family owns the Lodge & Spa.