tommcg

Hi

I lived in Ireland for 12 years travelling around most of the country,if anyone is looking for advice for where to visit etc if going there please send a reply.

Thanks

Tom

Chris_Cutler

Hello, Tom!
I am quite interested in talking to you as I'm planning a trip to Ireland in Dec. It's a birthday present for my husband whose families were from Cork and Limerick. We were in Ireland in 2002, but this trip will be different..... Four nights in Limerick, three in Cork, and five in Dublin.


I'd appreciate any help and can give more information is you would be willing to help!
Thanks!
Chris

tommcg

Hi Chris,

Many thanks for your mail,and apologies not getting back sooner,if you would like i can send you my email address and will give you as much info as i can as for your trip.I am now back living in Scotland and lived Ireland up until last December.I know Cork,Limerick well and places to visit and know Dublin as well.
Happy too help.

Thanks

Tom

janisj

>>,if you would like i can send you my email address and will give you as much info as i can as for your trip<<

Welcome to Fodors tommcg. Just a hint that really isn't the way these forums are meant to work. Folks post questions and then other Fodorites reply w/ info and advice. That way anyone traveling to - say Ireland - can benefit from the sharing of information.

The boards aren't designed for private discussions -- not that you can't hook up w/ other members privately for GTGs, etc. Lots of us do that. But running an 'off-forums' private advice bureau - not so much

tommcg

apologies

Chris_Cutler

Thank you, Tom. I didn't realize the email thing, either.

At any rate, perhaps I can ask a few questions that might help me as well as others....

1-We will be in Ireland from 12/16-28. I would love to visit Christmas markets, which I believe are plentiful throughout the country. Are there any that you suggest we not miss?

2-We are going to have a car for the first week while we're in Limerick and Cork. Do you suggest anything in each city? How about places close by that we can explore? (I should note that we've been to Killarney, Adare, Dingle, Kilkenny, and Waterford previously.)

3-Dublin is last, and we have dinner reservations for Christmas. I've heard there is a holiday concert at the protestant cathedral. Any idea which one that is? Any suggestions?

Thank you so much!

Chris

tommcg

Hi Chris,

Many thanks for mail and apologies not getting back sooner as have serious illness in family at present time.

On your reply
number 1 - I am not really sure of the Christmas markets you want to visit,best nearer time to maybe ask on here or google towns etc.Killarney is very nice at Christmas through living near there.Sorry cant be of great help on this one.
2. - Glad you hiring a car in Cork,Limerick you have mentioned cpl places I was going to suggest so here is some more.
Cork- Kinsale is nice to visit only 25km from city,also Cobh where magnificent cathedral on hill if nice day you can have great view and this was where the titanic last left from the town.
Killarney is always worth a visit as said its christmas then and you will have seen changes since 2002 your last visit and a lovely drive there with scenery.Kenmare is also good to visit as well as on the way just of the motorway.Middleton has whiskey distillery in town just outside Cork.Youghal is nice seaside town and further up coast Dungarvan is also a nice coastal town but maybe to far and time of year.My favorite bar in Cork is The Ovens bar on Oliver Plunkett st where there are other pubs and restaraunts and try a pint of Murphys.Mardyke park is nice for a walk beside the river off the Western Rd.Cork is very easy to walk around and discover.
West Cork is very nice also Clonakilty,Bantry,Glengarriff.There is a fantastic drive form Kenmare to Glengarriff i would recommend or vice versa which takes in west cork.As i stayed in kerry would recommend Rossbeigh beach,Glenbigh,Carhsiveen,Ballinskelligs and the jewel to me is Waterville where Charlie Chaplin used to go on holiday for numerous yrs but alas probably to far for your schedule.Also Listwoel in nrth kerry.
Hope coverd some for you in Cork.
2- Limerick you can get to Galway in less than a cpl of hrs from Limerick which is well worth a visit or stay.In county Clare also i would recommend the Cliffs Of Moher and Lisdoonvarna and The Burren.These are all near limerick heading towards Galwya and Co Claire is nice area also Ennis is a good base for visits.Cashel in Co Tipperary is where The Rock of Cashel is as i used to live there nice small town and also near limerick and let you sss a bit of Co Tpp also Cahir is nice small town,the main town in Co Tipp is Clonmel,but its a nice drive from Linerick to Cashel very country.Limerick is very easy to get around as well.Logh Derg is a fresh water lake north of Limerick, on the river shannon basin.Also Bunratty is nice to visit as small castle theresmall village its just outside Limerick on way to Shannon airport.
3. - Dublin I am not sure of the protestant church you asked about again google or ask on here.I like to take the Dart service as nice places like Howth,Dalkey,Killiney and Bray is busy seaside town as Dublin can be so busy and touristy as lets you sea other towns outside.
I hope this has been of some help and please contact me if yo need any more info or advice as pleased to help.

Thanks

Tom