My husband and I are flying to Dublin next week for 7 days. Can you suggest "Must See" places to visit? We will be hiring a car. Thanks heaps.

Here are three places within easy driving distance of Dublin: <BR> <BR>1. Definitely go see the book of Kells at Trinity College. Be sure to arrive before opening time to avoid the crowds. <BR> <BR>2. Newgrange - you are required to visit via the new Brugh na Boyne visitor center, about an hours drive north of Dublin, near Drogheda and Dunore. From there a minibus will take you to the actual site. At present the groups are taken inside the passage tomb, but I heard rumors that this may end soon, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. <BR> <BR>3. Glendalough - in the Wicklow mountains south of Dublin. Reading the book "How the Irish Saved Civilization" before you visit might be enlightening. <BR> <BR>Malahide Castle and Powerscourt Gardens are also near Dublin, although I didn't visit either. Powerscourt could probably be combined with a visit to Glendalough quite easily. <BR> <BR>With seven days I might recommend a circuit something like this: <BR>- Dublin <BR>- Wicklow Mts (Powerscourt & Glendalough) <BR>- Rock of Cashel & Caher Castle <BR>- County Clare (Cliffs of Moher & the Burren) <BR>- Boyne Valley & Newgrange <BR>- Dublin <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, this wouldn't get you to Kerry and the Dingle Penninsula, which was my favorite part of Ireland, but I'm afraid that would require too much driving for a one-week trip.

Lisa - Have only visited Dublin on a brief one day stopover before going to England. However, we noticed that trying to see that city by car might not be the best approach. Dublin is pretty compact, and most of its interesting sites -- Trinity College, Guinness Brewery (it tastes MUCH better there than out of a bottle in the States), and the historical govt. buildings and churches -- can all be seen fairly easily by foot. Traffic can be a problem in the city. Maybe you could rent your car as you leave Dublin?

I think you could get to the Kerry area - I did on a recent week's trip. However, while the area around Killarney and the national park were ok, I was really disappointed in the Ring of Kerry. I'd skip it. <BR> <BR>I didn't get to go to Newgrange because you can only visit with a tour and it was over an hour before the next one. Try to call to find out the times of the tours. <BR> <BR>If you want to stay near the airport the evening before you leave, you might want to stay at one of the many B&B's in Swords. We stayed at Willow Tree - 22.50 punts each. <BR> <BR>I liked Blarney Castle. The Rock of Cashel was an impressive site, but there is not much there

Thanks to Steve. Sorry, but my message probably wasn't very clear. We'll be seeing Dublin on foot and only using the car as a means of transport. We hope to see as much of Ireland as possible. Anything amazing things to see within reasonable travel distance/time to see comfortably? Once again, Thanks for your help.

hope this isn't too late for your trip. may is GLORIOUS in ireland - baby lambs everywhere, green, green, green -- gorgeous! don' miss the wicklow mts.and glendalough. we stayed at a wonderful b & b called the Derrybawn House near Glendalough. Our best advice: don't hurry and rush! The Irish don't and you'll miss the flavor if you do. You may want to avoid dublin on weekends unless you're partyers. the countryside is the best part, we thought. anyhow - have a wonderful time!!!

LIsa, <BR>All of the suggestions above are excellent but could you tell us what you are interested in - do you like walking or shopping ? countryside or city etc. Ireland has it all and you will not be able to fit in everything in 7 days. <BR> <BR>If it is possible I would suggest that you try and fly into Dublin and fly out of Shannon or vice-versa. It will save you time from driving back to Dublin to return the car. <BR> <BR>If you cann't get into to see the passage graves in Newgrange visit the ones outside Kells in Co MEath in a place called Lough Crew, there are wonderful gardens to see there too. Easter is a busy time for many of the traditional tourist places but places like Cavan Crystal in Cavan town might not be as busy as Waterford Crystal. Sligo, home of WB Yeats, Irish poet, will not be as full of tourists as Galway is and will be. Bunratty Castle outside Shannon will be busy but it will give you a glimpse of old ways. These are just samples of places you might like to visit. <BR> <BR>In Dublin the Book of Kells is worth a visit as it the Writers Museum, the national Museum, if you feel unable to tackle the Guinness Brewery then try either the Irish Whiskey Corner - a tour of how the whiskey is distilled or the Dublin Brewing Comany (www.dublinbrewing.com) otherwise check out the whiskey torus in Kilbeggan (midlands) or in Middleton (Cork). <BR> <BR>Either Glendalough in Wicklow or Clonmacnoise in the nmidlands are good examples of monasteries and in beautiful settings. <BR> <BR>One other thing that is on during the time you are in Ireland is the Irish Grand National Horse Race at Fairyhouse, just outside Dublin, on Easter Monday. <BR> <BR>But remember driving distances in Ireland are deceptive and allow twice the time you would for a trip of the same distance in the States. Don't rush around and end up tired and having sat in traffic jams (Easter is a VERY busy time on Irish roads). <BR> <BR>Enjoy your time in Ireland <BR> <BR>Cathy

When you go to Glendelough, see Powerscourt the same day. I did it in one day with plenty of time to spare. All are worth seeing.

I have just realised that I posted this to another topic by mistake - apologies. <BR> How about a loop down through Co Wicklow - Glendalough, Powerscourt Gardens, maybe a night around here, then on down to Co Waterford, one of the more under-rated but complete counties in Ireland. You can take or leave the Crystal Factory but you can get immersed in and seduced by local life all too soon. Try to do some of the things the natives enjoy, like going greyhound-racing or horse-racing or to a hurling game; these sort of things are the 'must-do's'. And drink a bottle of Guinness - you may love it or hate it but throughout the rest of your life you'll remember the taste every once in a while and you'll remember next week! Have fun. <BR>

Must see: Interpretative Centre at Cobh; beach at Youghal; restaurants in Kinsale; Bunratty Castle & Folk Part; Dingle Peninsula; Cliffs of Moher; Cong, Co. Mayo. Have fun.

Traveling to Dublin in July. Does anyone know the name a a tour company that goes to Newgrange from Dublin. We don't want to rent a car. Hoping there is is tour from the city. Thanks for any help. Jo

Jo, <BR>CIE Tours and Bus Eireann - both member of the national state transport company run tours to Newgrange. Further details can be got at www.cie.ie. However there are increased restrictions at Newgrange and you may not get into the tombs. But they have an excellent audio-visual presentation at the Visitor's Centre and you will be able to see the tomb from the outside. There are many other tomb sites which allow visitors but on not on the tourist trails. POst if you require more details on these sites. <BR> <BR>Enjoy you holiday, <BR> <BR>Cathy